I have been looking around and i can't decide what is the best replacement for a sagging rear on a 4runner. I don't have a lot of access to fabricating tools so I wanted to know is it worth it to just buy stock replacement springs or go with ones you have to weld a new front mount on. And if I go with the stock springs how long will take before the back will sag again? Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

 

Downeyoff-road.com has 2-3" leaf springs...
Could consider those...

As for the time it takes to sag again, depends on how much of a normal load you put in the rear...

 

i 'll weld the hangers on for ya

 

The downey ones are decent. I have the 3" ones on my 87 4runner and at first it was a nice 3" lift. Now about 6 months later it about a good 2" lift. I would say they have saged a good 1". Dont get me wrong though, for the money it was a huge improvement over stock. One of these days i will add longer shackles to the rear to compensate the small sag.

Everyone here and myself will recomend to you if you go with the downey's, definitely get the 3".

www.downeyoffroad.com

 

don't forget the u bolt flip kit, when you swap them out.

 

Put in some coil helpers. They don't sag.

http://www.gearinstalls.com/saggyrear.htm

 

how come??

 

After a year and only 6000 miles on my Downy 3" leaf springs, mostly with an empty 4runner, they now have as much lift as stock springs. In my opinion they are just way too soft for a 4runner. Maybe if you buy them and combine it with a few of your stock leafs it'll hold the lift.

 

ground clearance

 

there's a cheaper, easier, and more redneck 'helper coil' that really does the trick... go to a wrecker and pull the rear (or front, if you want it real stiff) springs off of a mid 80s to early 90s subaru wagon. they're the right diameter and length. now jack the frame of your truck off the ground, disconnect one end of your rear shock. put a small bottle jack (I prefer a screw-type) in between the leaf spring and the frame, to the rear of the axle. leave a few inches clearance between the jack and the bump stops. jack it up until you can cram the coil spring in there... then undo the jack, hook your shock back on, and you're ready to roll! took me about an hour total both times i've done it. huge ride improvement and much better carrying capacity... my only warning is that the springs WILL rub some paint off your frame and axle u-bolts, so you might take care if you live in a salt belt.

 

thats not really redneck, Its called the zuk mod...www.gearinstalls.com......

 

Old Man Emu (part of ARB) makes replacement leaf springs. They are less than $100 each from 4by4connection.com. 2" of lift over stock, is what they advertise. But, then you need new shocks to handle the travel.

Mike

 

go with downeys.

 

Depends on intended use.

 

i think downey's are pretty good, return it to stock height?

 

You would say downey

 

Then he is back to needing fab/welding done.

I agree about the Downeys. I had Downey 3 inch lift springs that settled to 2 inches of lift in the first couple of months then stayed right there. They worked well and did what I needed them to. I didn't have a flip kit and I really didn't get hung up on stuff due to the stock setup. I got hung up more on my gas tank. I re-used my stock shackles first to see if I needed more lift. I never felt that I did need more so that was some more $$ saved. You also don't need longer shocks right away. Use what you got for starters. They will limit droop some so measure your fully stuffed and fully drooped measurements on both sides and see what the optimum size shock is for your truck and then go shopping.

 

Yeah, i agree with blknblu... im glad i kept my shackles.

 

where do i find these coils?

 

that's what I have and vote for...2-2/12 inches of lift. Stiff springs but i plan to take the overload leaf out soon.



I bought mine from trdparts4u.com.