I just bought a 1988 4Runner for the 4x4, reliability, decent gas milage, and trunk space between moving stuff, hunting, and other things a small car couldn't do. I don't intend to mud ride or rock crawl in this. The person before me had some buckshot tires and said he lifted it from the torsion bar. After buying the 4runner, new stock tires, and further inspection, I notice this.





I know a few things about engines and some basic car knowledge, but nothing about lifting. So my question is, is this lift with a metal bar inserted between the axle and leaf-spring correct? Or is this some jerry-rig that needs immediate attention? If I removed this, will I need to lower the front end as well by the torsion bars? I notice I'll have to buy another set of U-bolts as the thread on these are too long if the metal bar is removed. I'm also assuming I'll have to jack the rear end up to remove these? It also looks like the break-cable is rubbing againt the leaf-spring now. My first thought is that it should be above the leaf-spring instead of under it. Any other information that I might not have thought about will also be nice. I want this 4runner to be back to its orginal stock setting for a general well-rounded use such as going to classes everyday, driving into the woods for hunting or fishing, and pulling a light trailer load when the occassion comes.

 

lol thats kinda sketchy in my opinion. its basically acting as a spacer or block but its not done correctly. the correct way to do it would be to buy a leaf pack

 

the e-brake cable is supposed to go above the leaves, that is not good! you can buy extetions for block lifts that will bring the cable back above the springs, i forget which company sells them

 

Definitely jerry-rig and sketchy...

Zuk mod lots of threads on it here) is the clean and inexpensive fix. Was gonna do it last weekend but I don't have a jack that would raise my frame high enough.

Aftermarket leafs would work but more expensive.

Toyota replacement would have same problem.

Yup, that brake cable's not in the right location

 

At least they put a tack weld on that lift tube thing so it doesn't come out. My 1st truck had the same thing done to it.

 

why was the peice for wood their? did he jip you or what?

 

im new at this also i have a question whats a leaf pack? and will that be the best way to go to get rid of the rear sag in my 93 4runner?

 

Don't the 93 4runners have coils in back?

 

What piece of wood are you talking about?

 

E-brake extensions:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...rakeExtensions



(and yes, aware that nut is not fully tight, snapped that photo while part way through working on the springs)

With those blocks tack welded in place, they probably won't go any place, but blocks are blocks:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...es.shtml#FAQ14

 

Alright, thanks for the help everybody. I have learned that this is lift called a block lift, and while not completely unheard of, it seems to be the cheapest and most discouraged form of lifting somebody can do. I notice in 4crawler's picture that 4runner has 8 leaf-springs. I'm assuming you added more to it seeing mine only has 4? I think I'm going to just jack up the rear and take out the block lift. I'll be sure to come back and post some pictures, or update on my progress.

I'm also confused on what wood you are referring too?

 

I have after market springs on the rear of my 4Runner:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_suspe...gerRearSprings

 

I am guessing you think that the leaf spring is a piece of wood, it kinda looks like it I guess, but infact that is a leaf spring.

The leaf pack is a pack of leaf springs that can go in the rear or front of a vehicle. Leaf springs can give lift and can also give different ride qualities depending on how many leafs are in the pack. For example, I once had a 1963 Nova that had a mono leaf in the rear which is one leaf spring, 1/2 ton trucks usually have around 3 or more springs in a pack.

Yes they have coils in the rear and torsion bars in the front.

What you have is not a traditional block lift, you have a even cheaper than typical jerry rigged block lift, I would remove those ASAP since
1. Your ebrake cable is in the improper place and rubbing on your spring which could cause the cable to break and your parking brake to fail.
2. Who knows how much that little tack weld can hold up to, it could just take a bit to make that weld break and distort those springs.

 

yes they have coils in rear wasnt sure wht a leaf pack was! so wht would u recommend for getting rid of that famous 4runner sag?

 

Coil spring spacers:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...l#Introduction

or new coil springs or for a bit more lift, the Landcruiser FJ80 coil springs from the junkyard.

 

would i get away with just replacing the rear springs or should i change all 4? i like the fj80 idea but will i have to replace anything else or would i get away with just the springs? thanks a lot by the way very helpful!!!!

 

You have torsion bars up front. If they are worn out, replace, if not, they can be adjusted if needed. And if using a stock height spring or a spacer with the existing springs, they no need to change anything else unless you want to.

 

so let me get this correct! if i go with the land cruiser springs all i will need to do is adjust me torsion bars? sorry for sooooo many questions im very new at this

 

You might want to search here for what all is involved in that swap. You are looking at around 4" of lift, probably need longer rear shocks, a panhard and brake prop. valve (LSPV) bracket plus some sore of lift up front like ball joint spacers and likely longer shocks and possibly a front diff drop kit:

- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...anhardDropBrkt

- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...l#LSPV_Bracket

- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...ntSpacer.shtml

- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DiffDrop.shtml

 

Thanks a lot ill do the research