hey everyone, 93 pickup extracab v6 4x4 with a saggy rear ha... tight budget, weekend warrior wheeler and haul some whatever sometimes. Looking for a cheap way to lift the ass end up a bit, AAL is an option, air bags is an option. 67 chevy leafs seem too big for a non lifted truck with just 235 A/T tires. Wondering what you guys have done to lift yours up a little. I can weld and fab a little as well. any input is appreciated, thanks.

 

How bad does it sag in the back?

I need to lift the back of my tacoma a little, i will prob do an AAL, and if that isn't enough then i would do a small shackle lift.

 

If the springs have just gone flat till you take them off to have them arched again you may as well get new ones.

Putting on helper springs is like a bandaid on a bullet wound

 

Keywords: Then Zuk it. When you get the budget, replace with stock Toyota or upgrade to OME.

 

as far as AAL goes, do i just get one from a junk yard or new? and as for the ZUK mod thats just a body lift with blocks right? the shackles, those could probably be replaced... time to do some research, thanks!

 

Not a whole lot, enough to notice. would airbags help if perk up?

 

so yeah, basically i just want to perk the rear up 1.5in. max. cheapest way to do this?

 

Cheap? longer shackles.

 

new leafs are best. will raise around 2" after settling - about $300
add-a-leaf kit, height depends on which one - about $20-100
air bags, some can gain height but mostly assist the load so the leaf doesn't sag - about $100-300
new shackles, 1" longer=0.5" height gain - about $60-100
ZUK mod, add coil spring between frame and leaf spring (where airbags go) - $0-100
hybrid leaf pack with used leafs - $0-100

all of these will give "lift" but not all are equal in terms of ride quality, load carrying capability, longevity, etc etc. start reading up and ask questions if you have any. FWIW I also have a 93 pickup and went the brand new leafs route as it fit my needs the best.

 

+1
All of the above will improve ride quality, except for shackles that will only add lift but not improve ride quality.

 

so zuk mod seems to be the way, improves ride quality, perks ass end up, and i forgot to mention im a river guide in the summer so i kinda live out of my truck and have a good bit in it when i do so it will also help with cargo load as well huh? this is awesome all this is very helpful.
Next question, seems like a jeep spring is the way to go or no? ive got a yota junk yard heaven of parts in my town for suspension, do i want 4runner springs? anyways so far very insightful, thanks

 

Members with similar model and typical load as yours will have the best answers.

Yep, first-hand experience from people with same vehicles are best.

 

YEAH this is sweet, looks like zuk mod is the way to go for me, ive got a junk yard near me with a good bit of toyota parts, thinking runner springs or ive got tons of options for older FJ stlye truck springs... gonna take some measurements and go then go look at some trucks maybe later today. y'all rock thanks!

 

so i just measured from the center of the axel to the fender and both sides, luckily the same, were 20.5 in. how does that compare to other stock rear ends??

 

Doesn't sound like its sagging to me. Before I installed my 2" lift OME leafs my rear was slanted lower than the front and it lifted around 4-5" initially. Now I sit at 22.5" on all 4 corners and truck looks perfectly level with no load. I plan to get 1" longer shackles to bring back some slight rake (1" longer = 0.5" taller)

 

I put 2003 tundra leafs on my 86 4runner. Gave it a nice lift and rides fairly nice. I believe they are 13 3/4 " longer than my stocks, so i welded on new spring hangers i picked up from yotamasters. It only set me back $250. I'll try to post some picks

 

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