I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, so maybe here is a good spot.

I know of the front gusseting between 79-85 differentials, but I was wondering what other differences there are in the suspension, steering, and axles of these models.

I have an '83, and I want to swap the axles with an '85 parts truck that I'm going to sell. I am keeping the '83. I want to swap axles because the '85 has a limited slip unit in the rear, and my front steering and springs are worn out in the '83. So I plan to swap axles, springs, steering and all between the two.

I noticed my '85 has blocks on the back, but the truck doesn't appear to be lifted. I don't know why it is this way, but I guess I'll be just swapping the third member between the two. Are there differences in the rear brakes, bearings or anything that would make the '85 rear a preferable rear end?

I wondered if there were any differences I needed to be aware of in the front end, including springs and steering? I know only of the '85 having gusseting all the way to the ends.

 

the 83 springs are smaller and the spring mounts and perches are smaller. the 85 springs and perches are wider. you need wider mounts on the frame for the 85 springs if you keep the 83 springs then you need the smaller perches on the 85 housing. i would just weld on different spring mounts to the body that fit the 85 springs if i was using the 85 housings

 

You sir just saved me a lot of trial and error. Thank you very much. Also for reference to future readers of this post, the rear shocks on the '83 mount at the front of the rear end, while one mounts toward the back on the '85.

 

Okay I just measured everything. The frame mounts are the same width @ 2-3/4, the axle perches are the same @ 2-1/2, the leaf spring widths are the same as well, and the springs from side to side are the same @ 26inches apart.

Everything measures up the same, are you confusing my '83 with perhaps an older Toyota? I know when you buy from springs, they're the same for 79-83, and I actually couldn't find anyone who sold 84-85 springs to compare part numbers with.

 

[QUOTE=Unsung;52102987]Okay I just measured everything. The frame mounts are the same width @ 2-3/4, the axle perches are the same @ 2-1/2, the leaf spring widths are the same as well, and the springs from side to side are the same @

 

79-83 come factory with 2"springs ,perches and mounts

 

I've just measured them both again, and everything comes out the same. The springs are around 2-3/8 wide on both trucks. I know this chassis is an '83, it has an L52 in it and all the crossmember stuff is factory, from the indents in the frame for the mounts and all. Maybe I have a very late '83? I don't know. But it all measures up and looks identical to the '85 except for the front end gussets on the '83 don't go all the way to the end. I don't see any cheap looking welds or evidence of tampering. And this isn't a rock crawler that someone would deem it necessary to spend time welding in wider from springs.

 

I just found this. It says;
79-85 Toyota front
Flat length = 45"
Front Half = 22.5"
Rear Half = 22.5"
Width = 2.36"
Front Eyelet = 18mm ID
Rear Eyelet = 18mm ID

http://www.toyotaresources.com/home/...id=6&postID=96

 

Yep, spring dimensions are basically the same, length, width:
- http://4x4spot.com/misc__spring_information.htm

Variables are number of leaves and the size of the spring eyes and the style of the factory hangers, whether they use the funky bolted in place hanger pin or just a plain bolt. I run '83 front springs on my '85 and they bolted right up:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_suspe...#CustomSprings

In fact all the mini truck leaf springs are the same 2.36"/60mm width (front, rear, '79-'95 and I think even the Tacoma pickups up through at least '04), but some of the 3rd gen pickups have the rubber lined clamps around the rear springs and thus have extra wide spring perches and u-bolts to fit those clamps. The Landcruisers can have different width springs, I know the FJ60s are like 2.75" wide.