I have an 88 4runner that really needs some help in the rear. my question isn't which brand is good or anything like that but if I was to put an add a leaf in, will it have any adverse affects on the stock springs? what I mean is my springs are pretty straight/flat and I am not sure how that will affect it, if at all. I hope this makes sense!

also, if I put an add a leaf in, will I need longer u-bolts and if so how long and what size and all that stuff? I just want to go back to stock height so I am only going about two inches or so. sorry so many questions!!!! thanks

 

My neighbor has an 89 runner and she had the add a leaf installed by on offroading company here in San Luis Obipso county. I don't know all the details but the installer charged her more for labor because he had to modify/adjust something because of the kit being added. (possibly longer u-bolts)

She bought the kit out of the Perfomance Truck catalog, I think the kit is 60 bucks.

 

get some rancho add a leafs. will put you back at stock. not hard to do. sometimes longer bolts are needed. by them from autozone and cut off the excess.

 

ok, thanks

where is the best place to buy the ranchos from? i have been researching but came up empty.

 

I've Used a set of Pro-Comp add leaf's on my 87 4Runner Worked out perfect for me!!

And its always a good idea to get new U-bolts!!

 

I got mine through Summit Racing. They were $35 and I needed new u-bolts.

It was pretty darn simple, but you'll need some muscles.

About the effect on your rig... Look at it this way. Your current springs are sitting on your overload spring. By putting in an Add-A-Leaf (AAL), you will bring it back up so your spring rate and over all feel is going to be much better. If you were to replace your whole spring pack with stock and compare it to your AAL setup, you will notice the AAL is stiffer, but it's much better than sitting on your overload. Just my $0.02

Erich

 

we got ours at Central 4wheel drive. you could find them cheaper at other places. we used a high lift jack so you might need one of those.

 

I have the superlift AAL but I would also say go for the Rancho. Mine are fine, but the rancho gives you more options.

You will need longer U bolts.

 

Check out Toddski's write up on installing his AAL as well. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f128/rancho-add-leafs-1st-gen-4runner-76338/

Erich

 

i had pro comps leaf on my 02 and it worked out great. i think i even remember the part number EXP-1320 (I think that is what it is) lol

 

which ones did you go with again? that is a good point!!

i think i am going to get shocks first from toyota, then go with the aal. i think the shocks on there are actually the originals. lol

 

thanks for that link man. i am going to get my mechanic at toyota to do it for me. after the luck i have had with rusted bolts breaking off, i am not about to take that chance again. i know how to do it but would rather him do it to be on the safe side.

 

I just ordered mine, hopefully it eliminates the sag in the rear

 

thinking about going with OME AAL in the rear of my Taco along with some 882's up front. (getting the full kit from OME (toytec lifts) with AAL vs. full leaf packs). anything will be better than 12 year old stock suspension I would think, mine is terrible now.

Good call on longer U-bolts, would not have thought of that until I saw this post.

For those rusted bolts, get the torch out, my favorite trick in the book! 10 seconds of torch = easy wrenchin'

 

I added an add a leaf to my rig too. Got it from 4wheel parts. I also bought the longer u joints.

The AAL lifted the rear about 2" and its good for city driving but when I wheel it feels weird and it often bottoms out.

I'm considering removing theAAL and doing the zuk mod. It's relatively cheap and seems to be way better.

Look it up at Gearinstalls.com
Scroll all the way to bottom and you will see it on the left hand side.