So getting annoyed with my ass end sagging, and getting tad concerned because every now and then I won't see those dips in the dirt road while hauling ass, which is fun when my friends suddendly slam into the roof but really scary as my beloved 'runner is getting slammed around as well. On a rather tight budget right now, what can I do to get the stock suspension back up to where its supposed to be?

 

Search "ZUK MOD"....there are 2 versions of it. "cut" and "no-cut". search it, read all about it and make your decision there. about an $80 investment and no sag.

 

You can replace the stock springs, or you can do the ZUK mod were you add a pair of jeep coil springs between the leaf springs and the frame. That will level out the back end and probably improve the ride.

Do a search for ZUK MOD and you will learn all about it.

 

x3 the zuk mod is the least exspensive most to gain way to go. you can add a leaf from another pack and that sort of thing but the results will be hit and miss where the zuk tried and tested with good results IMO.

 

i have a pair of jeep springs already cut to 12" id sell.

 

I did the Zuk mod with Black Magic Springs and am happy with the results ,but there are other springs available and probably cheaper that I will be going with.

 

This is my zuk mode with cherokee front springs cut to 14in. I didn't like it and cut the sprigs to 12in. much better IMO This is where i got the springs from

 

I took the leafs off my 86 donor truck in my yard.(you can get em at the bone yard for less than a C-note)Then I took the leafs off my 95(was replacing axle and shocks anyway)because that Toyota sag bugged the hell out of me.Both were four leaf stacks,so I c-clamped them right near the centering pin,then removed the centering pin on both pairs.I took the two center leafs from the 86 and cut the loopy ends off with a cutting wheel,ground them smooth with a grinding wheel and put those between number two and three of the 95 leafs C clamped em and replaced the centering pin with a new one(like ten bucks a pair).It gave me two inches of lift,about an inch higher than the front.The ride is slightly stiffer until you put weight in the truck(which I do)then that just levels it off and the ride is just as smooth as before the mod.Personally I want the rear end a little higher because I carry stuff around which just levels it off.If you make the truck level as soon as you put any weight in it you get a nagative sag.IMO.So because I had another truck to rape it cost me 10 bucks for centering pins and 50 bucks for U bolts.Immore than satisfied with my results.

 

the zuk mod sounds perfect, I'm really loving the idea of doing it. There is one problem though, when I went out to look at it and measure(4" difference between front and rear) I discovered that the cones on the bottom of the bump stop are snapped off, any suggestions? Should I get something similar welded into place, or maybe a bit of tube to put the spring into?

 

The 14 x 125 (2.5" ID) coils are going to ride the softest of the bunch because the poundage ratings on almost all the big 5" diameter coils is greater and they are partially seized up on the upper steel mount which further makes the remaining "free length" seem stiffer yet. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RACING-C...ht_1453wt_1060

If you can't come up with your own lower coil locator/mount then I can supply a pair of lower mounts for 60 smackeroos in the 48 states......shipping is included already. They have a 1" high piece of tubing....so a check needs to be done on your rig to determine what length coil will not fall out.....just jack both tires off the ground preferably from the rear bumper and measure the space that the coil is to occupy.....if it measures 12 or 12.5" then the 12 inch coils will suffice.....13.5 or 14 then use the 14 inch coils. On a Runner with saggy stock suspension and no add-a-leafs the 14"x125 coils will lift 4.5". The ride quality will be amazing. If it bounces on the road then the shocks are shot to hell.
Oh ya, regarding the top steel stopper....best to cut that such that 1~1.25" inch remains. That way, the coils will fit inside with no issue. 1 inch of material will suffice as long as the length check with tires off the ground was performed. ZUK

ps---save the steel stoppers that were cut off just in case you decide to remove the coils and go to new leafpacks......they weld back on pretty easy.....but I doubt you will change the coils out once you feel the ride.