Hello everyone I’m new here, Yesterday I attempted to install new pair of old man emu front leaf springs on my 1984 pickup 4x4 I took the old leaf spring off the driver side and attempted to put the new leaf spring on but the new one has so much flex! Compared to the super flat old springs I took out. I cannot put the new leaf springs on to save my life! Any tips? I’m using the stock shackles since I’m not lifting my truck. Should I have 2 other people help me try to flex it as low as they can to put one end in first? Or do I have to buy new shackles to make the fit?? Any tips will be helpful thank you.

 

Are you saying the new springs have a lot more arch as compared to the old? Have you measured the springs eye-to-eye, following the arch of the spring?
To be clear, the new springs are NOT lift springs?
When the old springs where in, with the truck on the ground, what angle were the shackles at?

 

Hello the springs are 0-2 inch lift this is the part number old man emu CS008FB. And yes they have a lot more arch then the original which were 34 years old. The shackles are pointed towards the back of the truck. I should also point out I purchase the heavy springs for the rear. I’m starting to think I should of purchased new shackles.

 

Every time I've put in leaf springs, it's been sort of a fight. I'm not understanding exactly what your issue is though. I have these on my 85, and I did do new beefier shackles, but I don't see why the old shackles wouldn't have worked.

What exactly is the problem you're having? Are they like flat against the frame now? Pictures?

 

Hello thanks for the reply the issue I’m having is putting the new leaf spring it’s way to arched/curved To actually pushed down to put it on the shackles compared to the old flat one I took out. Maybe I need someone else to hold it down one end While I put it on the other end . I’ll try again tomorrow and post pictures

 

Ok I just did OME Dakars on my 85 4runner. First question. Have you disconnected the torque rod? I couldn't get mine to drop far enough without disconnecting it. Then it went in just like butter.


https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...=289277&page=8

Link to my boring thread.

 

thanks for the reply I did not disconnect the torque rod! I’m actually going to work on the truck again tomorrow I’ll post the results. Thank you btw nice 4Runner!

 

Thanks. The torque rod assuming you brake lines and leaf springs are disconnected should be the last item holding your axle in place. Then its just moving it around to get the springs to line up on the leafs. Bolt and her back together. Lets see pictures of the rig.

 

Did you get it squared away? I did the same OME front springs with the stock shackles a couple months back and thought I’d add to the thread. Hopefully you’ve got it done already but maybe this will help the next person.

I disconnected the torque rod, the brake lines, and the drag link (which I cleaned and inspected while it was off). With everything disconnected I was able to drop the axle way down and get everything bolted up with out much issue.

I read somewhere that it was easier to install the front (fixed pin) side of the spring first so I slid the pin in and threaded the nut a couple of turns so it wouldn’t fall off. Then I put the shackle half way into the other end of the leaf spring and finally put the shackle into the frame and pushed the shackle all the way in before torquing everything down. That seemed to work best for me.

Happy Trails,
Winky

 

Hello yes I got it all finished it up 2 days ago I did the same thing you just said it all went well this time! I just wasn’t aware at first that I had to remove so many other things to lower the axle the only leaf springs I had replaced before this was on my Tacoma but they were the rear so less removing of things. But I’ll be installing the rear springs now on the 84 tomorrow so I can finally get this project done. I’ll post pictures once it’s done. Thanks for all the help!

 

Good job getting the front done! I have the same setup on my 85 and it was a real challenge getting everything on. Winky's method is definitely the way. Just a heads up on a few things... getting the rear shackles out could be a mutha, a torch, vise-wrench, and hammer are your friend. Avoid cutting the bushings or anything that might nic/mar the bushing tube in the frame. Also, the ride on these springs are very stiff unless weighted down. I couldn't run longer front shackles because the shock travel wasn't long enough, sounds like you put the stock ones back in already anyway. But the rear you might want to consider new shackles to get the right angle/flex.

 

All done front and back leaf springs thanks everyone for the help! Here’s the pic of the 84 sorry I haven’t washed it in a while!

 

All done guys thanks for the help her she is all done front and back leafs

 

Looks great!

 

Love that truck!