I will admit that I am NEW to this 4WD drive world!!
So please excuse my ignorance....
I Just bought an 88 4runner

The rear has the typical sag <imagine that!!..
I found the ORIGIONAL rear leaf pack is FLAT
And PO used blocks to correct the stance
I want the blocks OUT!! as I have heard horror stories


WHAT REAR LIFT LEAF SPRINGS DO NOT REQUIRE FRONT HANGER RELOCATION?????
looking for 2" of lift after they settle

I have found so much conflicting information from web page to page
I really didnt want to make this thread but I am in need of HELP!!


Thanks for a great site!!
Tek.

 

Alcan is always a choice as they make springs custom for your application (lenght eye to eye, lift desired, flex desired, etc.). I believe most other aftermarket spring manufacturers (Allpro, Marlin, TrailGear) have longer springs in the neighborhood of 53-55 inches (stock is 47 I believe) so modification is required. I dont know if there are any "one-size-fits-all" springs available that will fit the factory hangers. If it were me I would just go with Alcan.

Thomas

 

Some options are:
OME (Old Man Emu)
Downey
Tuff Country
Skyjacker
Pro Comp (I've heard)

I had Downey's until just recently as I have a major modification going on with my truck. I debated between those and OME but eventually went with the Downey's based strictly on price. However, since I did mine OME has moved production of their springs out of Australia and have a price very comparable to Downey. From what I have heard they are maintaining very tight quality control and the product is as good as ever.

Downey link http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...s/1986-95.html

link to my Downey install https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/n...stalled-48400/

I found single spring pricing for the OME @ $119/spring at Rocky Road dot com, but read up about them in the vendor feedback section in marketplace. They have one good / one bad feedback. OME stuff is also available through trdparts4u which is a sponsoring vendor on this site and has universally good feedback. I could only find a kit for front and rear on their site but if you call them I bet they can fix you up with just rear springs.

trdparts link http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&subcat1=82971
I personally don't hink the front stuff is necessary, but that is just one mans opinion.

You can find the tuffcountry and skyjacker stuff with a quick google. The pro comp I heard mentioned in a thread somewhere but I did not find them on a quick search (but I didn't try very hard either)

Good luck.

 

I had my original leafs rearched plus an extra rearched 4runner leaf spring added. The end result after settling was a 1-1 1/2" lift in the rear.

 

OME or Downey FTW

 

this is the ONLY spring I can find that uses the STOCK HANGER position
and provides lift

I also found a thread about how these same 3" springs provided 2" of real lift after break in time.

 

i did the same thing except my extra leaf was a brand new one made to fit.

works great for me and was much cheaper than spring replacement

 

I believe the OME also fit the stock location but are only listed in 2" applications. Here is another link. http://www.rocky-road.com/4runner.html

It also appears that these Skyjacker springs are stock replacement, but I don't know anything about the quality.
http://pa.partsandaccessories.com/pa...Spring&dp=true

http://www.jackit.com/store/supercart.cgi?s=skj_tr40s

Rocky Road appears to be claiming OME 2" springs don't sag. Perhaps someone here with those springs can chime in.

You are correct in your assessment of the Downey springs. At least in my experience they settled 1 inch over time. Three inch lift springs were still at 2 inches above the starting height after 3 years of hard wheeling.

 

i just bought my OME from this site.

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/

I bought the whole kit for my truck for 1035.00. You can put together different packages on this site, and you can call them if they don't have the package you want listed. It hasn't come in the mail yet, but when I get it and put them on I'll post pics and reviews here.

 

Why not go with the add a leaf option, summit racing has a great price on those.
I don't mean to jack your post but what would be the difference in add a leaf and OEM ones? Reason asking, I am thinking of doing the same thing and I found the add a leaf at summit racing for like $44. and some change shipped to the door.

 

I would just add a leaf, but my leafs are in pretty bad shape. they are flat, and the passenger side has one leaf cracked in the middle. Since I have to replace them anyways I went with the 5 leaf OEM set with new shocks for the rear and new shocks/coils for the front.

 

Old Man Emu gives 2 1/2 inches or so.
Uses stock hangers
Do NOT use Rocky Road ... bad reviews x many
Many respectable vendors including Slee Offroad (where I got mine)
You want: Leafs (come with bushings), shocks, new long Ubolts (in package). Plan on needing new rear shackles, as almost everyone does.

 

Mine OME package from wheelersoffroad said it came with everything I needed, but I bet it didn't come with new shackles. I guess I'll find out soon. I could call them but I'm lazy.

 

WOW
this board moves FAST!!!

I live 10 miles from summit and would NEVER spend $ there...LOL

My leafs are FLAT and I would prefer to replace them!


I Have a few questions about SHACKLES
1. what length are the OE 1st gen runner shackles??
2. when I see a shackle for sale listed as a 4"
does it provide4" of lift OR half that @ 2" of lift???

Anyone have a suggested U-Bolth length for a stock axle + downey 3"springs
dont know what length to buy....


again thanks!!!
Tek.

 

Shackles are 3 inches stock. They are a 2 to 1 ratio for lift, every 2 inches of length nets 1 inch of lift.
So your 4 inch shackle nets .5 inch of lift. 6 inch shackle nets 1.5 inches of lift, over stock.
I bought my leaf springs thru JC Whitney-I think they are made by Rough Country. Direct replacement. Way too stiff.

 

I was able to get the Downeys on easily (and safely) with the original u bolts. According to their site they have one additional leaf over stock. I can't say I really remember from mine as it was too long ago.

BTW we need to talk about my 1.8T sometime.

 

Thanks Blknblu, i ordered my 3" leafs today.. im soo excited..
i was wondering what size of ubolts i needed but i guess i can use the stock ones

 

Actually ~3.5" stock length and for lift vs. length, see the discussion below:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shackles.shtml#FAQ4

Stock u-bolts should fit those springs, assuming a similar number of leaves as stock, which I think the Downey pack has. That of course assumes you can remove your old u-bolts (i.e. the nuts are not rusted in place or the exposed threads are not damaged). I re-used my stock u-bolts with a set of 3.5" lift springs when I first put them on. Later did a u-bolt flip and got those u-bolt ends up away from the rocks.

 

What's a U-bolt flip? I'm always looking for ways to get more clearance wherever I can.

 

flips the ubolts so the threads are up top
http://www.marlincrawler.com/suspens...bolt-flip-kits

https://www.rock4xfabrication.com/st.../sky_ubolt.jpg