i'm planning on adding ball joint spacers to the front of my 87 runner for approx 1.5 inches of lift. i was also planning on adding shackles to the rear to level the truck out, but i'm suspecting my rear springs are starting to sag... alot. i thought about just replacing my rear springs with 2" lift springs. but i also have plans in the future to install long travel springs all the way around with a SAS. however, this is FARRRRR into the future here. a couple years down the road most likely. would it even be worth it to buy new springs and then replace them a few years later? i do alot of driving and alot of wheeling. i don't do too much hardcore wheelin but i hit the mud almost everyday.

also, if i bought 2" lift rear springs, could i find a 2" lift ball joint spacer for the front? or would the 0.5 inch difference in lift from the front and rear really make any difference? i'd rather the front of my truck was either a little bit higher or level with the rear.

also, i'm still looking for someplace to purchase some quality ball joint spacers. any recommendations? i have no clue where to start looking...

 

bj SPACERS.... WWW.PROTRUX.NET

iS YOUR FRONT LEVEL WITH THE REAR NOW???


iF YOU WANT THE FRONT HIGHER...MAYBE YOU DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE REAR.

Downey has 2" lift springs for like 160 a pair. A that price I would just get em. I have the 3 inchers on mine and they cost about the same.

You are supposed to use a leaf out of the original pack. I didn't. I only have the 3" downey pack and thier prerunner overload. The end result is a bout a 2 -2.5" lift

Hope that helps

 

If you are looking for the most inexpensive way to go you could use balljoint spacers and an add a leaf in the rear.
Elipster here on the board makes really nice ball joint spacer kit, I just installed mine yesterday. It was really easy to install and really improved the ride over cranked torsion bars. I used a Rancho AAl in the rear and removed the overload spring.
Go to www.sdori.com for the spacers, they are $119.00 shipped and Frank is reall easy to deal with. Add a leafs are around $35-50.00.
Hope that helps...

 

deathrunner- yes, my truck is for the most part pretty level as of right now. my rear springs are sagging a little so the rear might be a smidge lower than the front. do you have a link to the downey homepage? that sounds very interesting. if i put bj spacers in the front and got 2" downey springs in the rear but didn't use a spring from the original pack, that should lift the rear 1 - 1.5" which would be perfect. please get back to me with a link, i would really appreciate it.

nmtoy- i've seen those bj spacers before. those look like they'd be a pretty good deal, but i want some more feedback on them. so far all looks good. i'd rather settle with a new leaf pack over an add a leaf. my rear springs are saggy and worn and squeaking like no other. i'd be more content just tossing them and replacing them. thanks for the input!

 

Alan, the link to protrux I gave is another place to get Elripster's bj spacer....that's the only one I have ever seen made. I just couldn't remember the sdori web address.

Downey's site is

www.downeyoff-road.com

If you use the downey 2" and either thier prerunner overload spring or the stock overload spring, you should get the result you mentioned.

When I called downey for thier input, they were very helpful. If you want a cheap 4" lift, click on the link in my signature. I'm selling the front and rear (New spring pack) way cheaper than new. I'd even meet you somewhere to save shipping. Just thought I'd offer. -Seth

 

deathrunner- how much are you askign for that kit? i got to jet to work right now so i don't have time to look at it. BUT I'M INTERESTED! i don't have the funds right away to pay for it but if it looks good and you can hold on to it for a while i might take it.

 

I need to get 750.00 for all of it. That includes the 4" front lift with extra ball joints, 4 Bilstein 5100 shocks designed for the kit, and a pair of 4" softride skyjacker spring packs for the rear. It was a fun setup and I never got stuck. It just isn't the best for High speed desert stuff like my new setup.

I'll hold it as long as I can, but I need money to pay for my "new junk" (As the girlfriend says). If you price the stuff out new, you'd be looking at 1500.00 or so, so I think it is more than a fair deal.

Let me know. -Seth

 

ah 750? i plan on SASing in the future so i don't think i want to spend anymore than 500 on an IFS lift. i'll take it for 500, but i doubt you'll take that offer. haha. 750 is pretty good, but i just don't want to spend that much on my IFS. the solid axle swap kit from all pro goes for about 1500. anyway, good luck with that. if you ever consider lowering your price lemme knowww. i'd be glad to take that, but i don't want to spend that much and then swap it all out when i'm ready for my solid axle. anyhoo, thanks for the help. you have been very helpful.

with the bj spacer and rear downey 2" lift spring setup, i know i'll need longer rear shocks but what about the front? if i had my choice i would probably want to replace my front shocks. i have the bone stock toyota shocks that were put on in the factory back in 1987. they're getting old. will i need longer ones with bj spacers? any recommendations on places to find quality shocks? maybe i can bum those shocks off you if they'll fit? ahaha. maybe, maybe not. thankssssss!!!!

 

anyone?????

 

For my front end I am using stock-length '88 Suzuki Samurai front shocks (Ranchos) and they fit perfectly. They are a bit longer than stock IFS Toyota shocks.

As for your request for more info on BJ spacers, click here for more info than you'll ever need about Frank's ball joint spacers. This is the thread from last year that started it all. I have them on my junk and they work great.

If reading the whole 4x4Wire thread that I linked you to makes your eyes bug out of your head, here is what you can come up with if you use the search button at the top of the screen: Click here.

 

88 suzuki samurai's came stock with rancho shocks? do you have any other recommendations as to the length of shock i'm going to need? what type of shock will i need to get the maximum travel out of the addition of ball joint spacers? i want to explore all my options.

 

I have Rancho brand shocks that are made for the front of a stock/not lifted Samurai. I don't know the specs/length of them, but they are longer than Toyota front shocks and work perfectly.

 

how much were those shocks? and do you have any other suggestions as to what kind of shocks i'll need to get the maximum travel out of using bj spacers?

 

I have the BJ spacers, and the downey springs. All in all, it is an excellent kit, especially if you are just looking for some lift now, and then SAS in the future. The ball joints are AWSOME. You may need longer shocks, but the thing that will limit your travel is your CV joints, as well as your bumpstops. You cant have the arms flex too much, or you will trash your CV joints. The instructions that come with the kit are great, and if you follow them, you won't have a problem. The downey shocks in the rear are great too. I did put in the over load spring, but i'm not sure that was a good idea. I have 1.5inch longer shackles, with my 3inch springs, and with the BJ spacers, the truck sits just a hair forward, but hardly noticeable. It's really level, unless you actually measure it. I have bilstiens in the rear, and OME in the front, because OME is the best, in my humble opinion. I just could find any for the 4.5 inch lift i was putting on in the rear. So, i went with bilstien, and i am very pleased with the bilstiens. Anyway, my .02.