1988 leaf springs

[AgentX]

Looks like the leaf springs in the back of my 1988 are toasted...

When I look for a replacement online, all I find are add-a-leaf lift kits...are these parts something I won't find new? (Haven't yet gone to a local auto parts store...chained to a desk at the moment...)

Don't think I have the time to hunt through junkyards. Anyone know a good online search for used parts, if new is not an option?

I don't need anything high-performance, just a quality replacement for stock stuff. I think I have someone who can install them pretty economically as long as I supply the parts.

Any advice is appreciate--thanks.


EDIT:

Disregard--found this--http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-VehicleBrowse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2005966/p-2005966/N-111+1988+200729268+600003409/c-10101#BVQAWidgetID

 

[muddyt4r]

NORS inc.

Dude, it stands for Northwest Off-Road specialties. I think they might have what you're looking for.

Search for:

www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/2stage.html

 

[AgentX]

Anyone use the Downey springs? (2" lift as seen: http://www.downeyoff-road.com/SuspensionComponents/1986-95.html)

At $200 a pair, they seem like a steal--but they are a 2" lift, and I'm concerned about making the rear too high compared to the stock front end.

Thoughts? A friend told me the change wouldn't be a big deal, and I should adjust my torsion rods (may replace with Downey as well if I go with this option) to give a bit of balance.

 

[Philbert]

I have a 4 inch pro comp lift on my IFS 87 4Runner. The truck looks great but still has the "sag" in the back.

If I get 2 inch rear spring kit like the one mentioned, is there any danger of stability with the rear being higher, or is that OK?

 

[Philbert]

adding leaf springs?

Hey guys,

never saw a response here....

I have the 4 inch pro comp lift that did NOT come with rear leaf springs - just blocks. Can I add a 2 inch or 3 inch "add a leaf" kit to the rears from Downey (or another similar add a leaf company) to "even out" the sag? Will it affect safety, ride, or anything else?

I looked the other day and there is about an inch of travel between the rear bumpstops....ouch! The rear leafs are almost flat!

 

[gaijinrider]

I am planning on correcting the all too familiar 'sag' that exists on the 1987 T4R. There are several links already in this thread, so I will only add this one

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?selected_prod_ids=4486&partid=469521

Has anyone out there installed a set of these? How long did it take?

I am still shopping for a FSM, I have seen a few links for a downloadable one but the links turn out to be dead. Anyone got a copy sitting on their hard drive that I could get a copy from?

 

[AgentX]

I ended up ordering 2" springs, doetsch-tech shocks, and 26mm torsion bars from Downey.

Hopefully it'll sit pretty much level...the increased tunability of the front end with the stronger torsion bars should be useful.

Won't be installed for a few more months, though (car and parts are in transit overseas, where I'll do the installation), so I can't give any feedback...will post when it's all together.

 

[Philbert]

torsion bars

I ended up ordering 2" springs, doetsch-tech shocks, and 26mm torsion bars from Downey.

Hopefully it'll sit pretty much level...the increased tunability of the front end with the stronger torsion bars should be useful.

Won't be installed for a few more months, though (car and parts are in transit overseas, where I'll do the installation), so I can't give any feedback...will post when it's all together.

Looks like i have torsion bars on my 87 4runner front end now, after my 4" pro comp lift kit was installed...

...are they all the same as far as how you adjust them? Is there a clear limit on how high you can adjust them, so you don't screw up steering angles, etc? How does that work?

 

[AgentX]

I couldn't tell you; sorry.

The car is on its way to Africa; the parts and I will be there in a few months, and I'm having our company mechanics install it all. From what I understand, the new rods install and adjust just like the stock ones, and there's nothing completely clear about what will whack out your geometry. I've been told 1" of lift is a general maximum guideline to be able to keep the car in proper alignment. Since I'm only looking to fine-tune the car so it's level, not actually lift it per se, I'm not much worried about it. (the back end is so saggy that 2" of lift will probably put it pretty much back to level on its own...)

Downey is really helpful on the phone, though, so I'd recommend giving them a call after you check the info on their site.