95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

De-arching the leafs on my Tacoma?

Old Jan 17, 2010 | 07:48 PM
  #1  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
De-arching the leafs on my Tacoma?

I have had a set of All-Pros 3" leafs on my truck for about 3 years. I finally got the front set up with adjustable coil-overs last year. Even though all-pro sells these as a 0-3" kit I had to jack the front coils up so much to match the back that it rides like crap! My CV boots are now both blown (even with the AP "high-angle" boots, which blew the first one within a month!) and my CVs are starting to squeak. I need to replace them but I don't want to wear them out right away again!

So before I replace my CVs and to get a better ride I want to lower the truck. I have been waiting on the money to buy some 1" deaver springs but they are $$$$! Is it possible to de-arch these springs safely? I need to drop 1 1/2-2". I have already tried removing a leaf and I think that made the handleing worse with little to no drop! If I can de-arch them cheaply then it would save me a lot of bucks on new springs and money is really tight right now!

I am running 33's but I have a 1' body and have beat my fenderwells in so I am not worried about scrubbing or anything like that. Thanks for any help!
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2010 | 07:50 PM
  #2  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
Before anyone says anything, thats a 1"(inch) body lift, not 1'(foot)!
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2010 | 07:57 PM
  #3  
ibeamtaco's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca - tucson az
jump it they will dearch
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2010 | 11:02 PM
  #4  
peow130's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,887
Likes: 16
From: Spokane, WA
Blowtorch.
Heat will cause the metal to soften, thus de-arching the springs..
The best way to do it would be to get the jack 1-2" under the frame, not the diff, and heat the springs till the truck settles down to the jack..
Don't heat it too much, and just go back and forth along the spring in a gentle sweeping motion. repeat with the other side..
should work pretty well, just avoid brake lines and the such..
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2010 | 11:10 PM
  #5  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
remove another, different leaf from the rear packs, maybe one of the lowers?
The longer leafs tend to have lower ratings so removing those doesn't effect the height like the stiffer, shorter length leafs.

Last edited by abecedarian; Jan 17, 2010 at 11:13 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2010 | 11:15 PM
  #6  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
And you may get more help from the correct forum for your 99
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2010 | 11:17 PM
  #7  
peow130's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,887
Likes: 16
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by abecedarian
remove a leaf from the rear packs, maybe one of the lowers?
he did that, he said the ride was terrible..

Also: @OP, if you de-arch the springs, then they're going to be longer from eye-eye, and your shackle angle is going to be horrid
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 07:17 AM
  #8  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
Yeah sorry I guess this was put in the wrong forum. I swear I put it in the 95.5-04 Runner/Tacoma section. I was pissed cause it never showed up in there and thought it was deleted! Had to find it under my profile.

Thanks for the advice. i was thinking more about letting a shop try to de-arch them since I have a good chunk of money in the leafs and I don't wanna mess them up! I removed the 3rd leaf from the bottom. I tried to to remove the first or second but couldn't for a reason I can not remember! I forgot the the eye-to-eye length would be different. It might just be better to try and get the deaver's and sell these to try and recoup some of the cost. Thanks for all the replies!
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 07:22 AM
  #9  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
De-arching leafs?

I have had a set of All-Pros 3" leafs on my truck for about 3 years. I finally got the front set up with adjustable coil-overs last year. Even though all-pro sells these as a 0-3" kit I had to jack the front coils up so much to match the back that it rides like crap! My CV boots are now both blown (even with the AP "high-angle" boots, which blew the first one within a month!) and my CVs are starting to squeak. I need to replace them but I don't want to wear them out right away again!

So before I replace my CVs and to get a better ride I want to lower the truck. I have been waiting on the money to buy some 1" deaver springs but they are $$$$! Is it possible to de-arch these springs safely? I saw where Deaver does this for there springs, do local shops do this? I need to drop 1 1/2-2". I have already tried removing a leaf and I think that made the handleing worse with little to no drop! If I can de-arch them cheaply then it would save me a lot of bucks on new springs and money is really tight right now!

I am running 33's but I have a 1" body lift and have beat my fenderwells in so I am not worried about scrubbing or anything like that. Thanks for any help!
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 04:52 PM
  #10  
black_taco's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
How many inches did you actually yield then after the All-Pro leaf install? It sounds like more than 3? I only ask because I am thinking about purchasing some myself. If they do in fact yield more than 3" it would put to rest my worries of the truck sitting lower in the rear after a 3" Sonoran Steel lift in the front and these leafs in the rear because of my fiberglass topper. Any input would be awesome, I am torn on what to do here and I want to order a lift tomorrow!

Last edited by black_taco; Jan 18, 2010 at 04:58 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 08:26 PM
  #11  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
BLack Taco,

The truck sat level for about a year when I had a pro-comp 4" lift in the front and the all pro leafs in the rear. So I am guessing they are closer to 4" leafs. Don't try to use them if you are using adjustable coilovers to get your height! You will have the same problem I have!

Sorry for my original post showing up twice on here. I posted in the wrong forum the 1st time and reposted in here. I guess a mod moved it and put them together!
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 08:28 PM
  #12  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
Call all pro first. I just saw that you are using a topper. I am not sure how much weight they are designed to hold. It sits lever with nothing in the bed except for my 32" spare that is pushed up againist the back of the cab.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 08:31 PM
  #13  
camo31_10.50's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,334
Likes: 4
From: Vian, OK
LOAD the bed down with a BUNCH of weight..get some lock out hubs too LOL

then drive around like that for a while..that's how we settle new springs around here..that and flexin em out
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2010 | 09:10 PM
  #14  
black_taco's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
I will have to call All-Pro tomorrow. I am almost under the impression that the All-Pro leafs packs spring rate isn't very progressive. If this is true I may be forced to install shackles too just to level the truck due to the topper. Any thoughts?

Last edited by black_taco; Jan 18, 2010 at 09:13 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2010 | 06:50 AM
  #15  
CrunchyTaco's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga
No ideas for ya Black Taco, but for Camo 31 the leafs aren't new. They have over 30k miles on them and a decent bit of 4-wheeling. They never really settled much.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 05:08 PM
  #16  
eddieleephd's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 748
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
Originally Posted by black_taco
I will have to call All-Pro tomorrow. I am almost under the impression that the All-Pro leafs packs spring rate isn't very progressive. If this is true I may be forced to install shackles too just to level the truck due to the topper. Any thoughts?
call alcan and have them make a pair for your needs and weight needs about $500.00 best money I spent in this area!!!
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Zach_trun
Product Reviews
3
Jan 22, 2020 04:42 PM
G-off
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
2
Dec 29, 2015 12:44 PM
Jake28296
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
4
Sep 16, 2015 06:10 AM
langry345
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
5
Sep 14, 2015 03:36 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:32 AM.