Just watned to introduce myself. Well I usally hang out over at IH8mud but there isn't much tech about mini trucks.

I would also like anyone's thoughts about the rancho/downey front lift. I just picked up the lift and got the axles in. My main question is about shock use. Can I just use a shock that is for a 3" lift, or do I really need the new weld on upper shock mounts?

 

I believe that lift achieves alittle more travel than stock, especially if you use the mega travel downey ball joints and their special axles, but either way you would probably want to upgrade to longer shocks depending on your application. I am not sure about the upper shock mounts, but its fairly easy to measure the length of shock you will need. Just take your current shock off...and drop the suspension down all the way and meausure the mounting points..then you will know the max shock length you can use and go from there.
I've found Downeys reps to be fairly helpful so they should also be able to help you out. However, I have read quite a few times about the rancho arms being weak and breaking. Good luck though

 

I think you want to run the shock hoops for a coupl reasons.

1: If you bash your rig hard, the original mounts will probably eventually fail

2: You can double shock with a hoop

3: You can run longer shocks with the hoop and that will help with fluid cooling and lessen shock fade.


I ahd looked into the downey kit before. It gets you 10" of travel, but the slip yoke axles seemed kinda creepy. If you don't mind, you'll hvae to post some shots of that thing in action and tell us how it works out. I don't know of many people running that setup so info is sparse. Downey is very helpful I have called them anumber of times.

 

yeah definitely make sure to post some pics of the setup in the garage and on the trail...

here's a few shots of the setup in action via downey catalog...i've always thought this was a cool 2nd gen 4runner...

 

well, sorry to have posted this in the wrong place. I'm still trying to sort out what should go where here.

It'll be awhile till I get the lift finished, the truck is at my parents house 150 miles aways and I drove it down to switch out with my 4runner. I'll hopefuly get back to it by the first of June.

First I got the lift off a rolled truck for a cheap $250! So far I just have put the axles in. My first observation is that the spirial tech outter boots really suck. I pulled the outter joints apart to repack them with grease and the boots have no gooves to hold them in place, rendering the clamps usless. I just went ahead and put stock boots on. I don't really like the idea of slip yokes but I don't really high speed with 4wheel drive. Also I don't bash the truck so I'm sure the setup will be plently strong for me.

I do have the mega travel ball joints and I really don't want to weld on new shock mounts. Even though this is my DD and trail truck I don't like to do mods that keep me from going back to stock.

I'll for sure get some pics and give a write up after I get the lift on and tested good. I just need to adress my saggin rear Downey springs....

 

thats a sweet deal for the lift...you cant go wrong with that. Hopefully you can get some of the bugs worked out...and I'm sure its plenty good for moderate 4wheeling. I would advise to put on some new shock hoops...otherwise all that extra travel will be useless...
as for the rear sagging downey springs...alot of guys do the 1/2 ton 2wd chevy spring swap, its cheap and works really good...but if you like to stick close to stock you may just want to go with some aftermarket toyota springs...because the chevy springs are wider and require some hanger mods. good luck...
lets see some pics of your FZJ80!

 

I'll have to check into the chevy springs. My beef with downey is that I have had zero weight in the back of the truck, no hitch, no spare while I run around town and they sag after only 3 years. I don't even get time to wheel much, and I'm not sure what solutions I have. I thought downey springs were suppose to be really good and if they are saggin on me then other brands are probably about the same.

And where should I put up the pics of my rigs?

 

post up the pics right here or start a new thread and post them up in the General 4runner/truck section.
As for Downey leafs, I have no experience with them but I do have 5" Alcan lift springs on my 86 p/u and they are at least 3-4 years old and they havent sagged...and thats with a full exo cage/winch/camper shell/sliders...etc.
I highly recommend Alcan springs if you choose to get new ones. They are very flexy and soft...great highway ride too and Alcan specializes in Toyotas. give them a call
http://www.alcanspring.com/
Deavers are even better supposedly.

Brian

 

I have downey 3" leaves in rear, but I am running them without the stock leaf that I was supposed to add. The ride is ok, about stock. It is a 3" lift pack but I only see about 2" out of it.

Deavers are sweet, but most guys run a 62" pack under axle and it is pricey.

What do you want out of springs?

 

I'd like to have a set of springs that give me alittle over 2". I don't mind if they are stiff but I'd like to get some flex out of them also. I was happy with the Downey 2" springs when I got them. Ture I got about maybe 1 1/2" with my heavy duty rear bumper, and a full size spare in the stock location when the spring where new. I got about a full 2" after I pulled the bumper and spare, which is how I have had it since about a week after putting the springs on.

Over all I'd like a true 2" spring that can handle aleat a constant 75lb load, and flex and last atleast 5 years before I see any sagging.

Is OME an option?

 

run the downey 3" it should do the trick and it's super cheap, as you know.