Fix for Flat Stock Leafs - 1985 4runner

[danthemanx07]

Custom Leaf Spring Packs to Clear 33" Tires - 1985 4runner

I am looking for a simple/easy/cheap remedy to the nearly totally flat leaf springs on a new to me 1985 4runner. This is not going to be a wheeler, so I don't need a bunch of flex. What I do need is the 33x10.50s that the PO put on at stock height to not rub ASAP.

I was hoping someone more familiar with the factory springs would chime in an let me know before I do something stupid.

In an effort to try to replicate a previous leaf spring revival, I am thinking about pulling the spring packs apart and adding a donor leaf to each. My hope is to achieve something in the neighborhood of 3" of lift. I, and many others, have done this with rear Tacoma leafs with varying degrees of success. Using a single leaf, I was able to achieve about 3" of lift on the rear of my Tacoma recently. Ride quality improved, but I attributed this to the leafs being toast beforehand. I can't compare it to actual lift springs from other manufacturers.

My inspiration for this project comes from here:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-spring-refurbishing.194386/

Here are my results:
Tacoma Spring refurbishing
Tacoma Spring refurbishing

So, my plan was this.

1. Starting with the front - pull the springs, making note not to switch sides.
2. Cut the leaf spring banding (if necessary) and remove the center pin.
3. Cut down my donor leaf as described in the link above.
4. Slide the donor leaf in between overload and bottom spring like I did in the link above.
5. Slap them back in and see what happens.

So anyone see any problems in my thought process here? I figure that if I don't like the results, I can move on to some aftermarket lift springs or take the leaf back out - no harm. Right?

Lastly, will I need to change anything else out? Shocks I assume, but anything other than that? Not familiar with lifting on a solid axle.

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[KidVermicious]

Got any pics? The front leaves are supposed to be nearly flat. I've got 2.5" lift OME springs in front and they're practically flat too. Check to see exactly how low the front is riding by measuring from the center of the hub to the lip of the fender.

Does the truck have aftermarket wheels or wheel spacers on? That could be the cause of the rubbing too, it might not be a lift issue at all.

If you do end up lifting, be aware that the stock J arm steering is already a weak point and lifting makes it weaker. And lifting more than a couple inches means getting rid of the dogbone stabilizer, and then you have to switch to crossover steering or suffer terrible brake steer.

 

[RedSled]

Back in the day i used to get them re-arched, they will arch them to your spec. or help you decide how much.

 

[danthemanx07]

Got any pics? The front leaves are supposed to be nearly flat. I've got 2.5" lift OME springs in front and they're practically flat too. Check to see exactly how low the front is riding by measuring from the center of the hub to the lip of the fender.

Does the truck have aftermarket wheels or wheel spacers on? That could be the cause of the rubbing too, it might not be a lift issue at all.

If you do end up lifting, be aware that the stock J arm steering is already a weak point and lifting makes it weaker. And lifting more than a couple inches means getting rid of the dogbone stabilizer, and then you have to switch to crossover steering or suffer terrible brake steer.

I'll get some pictures this afternoon. Regardless of the shape of the springs I imagine I will need some lift to clear the tires, right?

I think the wheels are stock. I am actually not sure. Will post a pick of those as well.

What does the J-arm connect? Will take a look at that.




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[KidVermicious]

The stock steering has a side swinging steering box, with a linkage that runs from the pitman arm to the "J arm" steering arm on the drivers side knuckle. The ball and socket connection on the J arm is the weak point, when you lift the truck too far it puts stress on that connection at a funny angle and it's prone to snap.

Skinny 33s at stock backspace will go on an IFS truck with sometimes a tiny bit of interference, but I found my '85 had too much flex to get away with that. I put on OME springs for roughly a 2.5" lift, and I still had to trim the fenders and cut/pound the body seam to keep from tearing up my 255/85r16 (which are just a hair bigger/wider than the 33x10.5s). If you didn't want to lift at all, you could trim the fender and tub the wheel well, or you could extend the bump stops.

 

[Bad_Vision]

33 inch tires are not going to fit with stock ride height, they will rub. You have to do a lift or like kid said trim your fenders but the tires are still going to rub on the frame. So you either lift or you learn how to not turn so sharp and avoid hitting bumps. I would just put a lift on to save the headache.


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[Bad_Vision]

I am looking for a simple/easy/cheap remedy to the nearly totally flat leaf springs on a new to me 1985 4runner. This is not going to be a wheeler, so I don't need a bunch of flex. What I do need is the 33x10.50s that the PO put on at stock height to not rub ASAP.



I was hoping someone more familiar with the factory springs would chime in an let me know before I do something stupid.



In an effort to try to replicate a previous leaf spring revival, I am thinking about pulling the spring packs apart and adding a donor leaf to each. My hope is to achieve something in the neighborhood of 3" of lift. I, and many others, have done this with rear Tacoma leafs with varying degrees of success. Using a single leaf, I was able to achieve about 3" of lift on the rear of my Tacoma recently. Ride quality improved, but I attributed this to the leafs being toast beforehand. I can't compare it to actual lift springs from other manufacturers.



My inspiration for this project comes from here:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-spring-refurbishing.194386/



Here are my results:

Tacoma Spring refurbishing

Tacoma Spring refurbishing



So, my plan was this.



1. Starting with the front - pull the springs, making note not to switch sides.

2. Cut the leaf spring banding (if necessary) and remove the center pin.

3. Cut down my donor leaf as described in the link above.

4. Slide the donor leaf in between overload and bottom spring like I did in the link above.

5. Slap them back in and see what happens.



So anyone see any problems in my thought process here? I figure that if I don't like the results, I can move on to some aftermarket lift springs or take the leaf back out - no harm. Right?



Lastly, will I need to change anything else out? Shocks I assume, but anything other than that? Not familiar with lifting on a solid axle.



Thanks,

Daniel

I see one major flaw. If you're using this vehicle as a daily driver untested front leaf spring modifications could result in a cataclysmic failure while driving. You could be hurt or killed or worse yet the 4runner would suffer damage


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[danthemanx07]

33 inch tires are not going to fit with stock ride height, they will rub. You have to do a lift or like kid said trim your fenders but the tires are still going to rub on the frame. So you either lift or you learn how to not turn so sharp and avoid hitting bumps. I would just put a lift on to save the headache.


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I see one major flaw. If you're using this vehicle as a daily driver untested front leaf spring modifications could result in a cataclysmic failure while driving. You could be hurt or killed or worse yet the 4runner would suffer damage


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Got any pics? The front leaves are supposed to be nearly flat. I've got 2.5" lift OME springs in front and they're practically flat too. Check to see exactly how low the front is riding by measuring from the center of the hub to the lip of the fender.

Does the truck have aftermarket wheels or wheel spacers on? That could be the cause of the rubbing too, it might not be a lift issue at all.

If you do end up lifting, be aware that the stock J arm steering is already a weak point and lifting makes it weaker. And lifting more than a couple inches means getting rid of the dogbone stabilizer, and then you have to switch to crossover steering or suffer terrible brake steer.

Ok - here are some pictures of the wheels and springs. The front springs actually look like they have a negative arch. The rear wheels have Toyota center caps. Not sure if that makes it for sure.

 

[danthemanx07]

I see one major flaw. If you're using this vehicle as a daily driver untested front leaf spring modifications could result in a cataclysmic failure while driving. You could be hurt or killed or worse yet the 4runner would suffer damage


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I see the concern. I guess I was enrouraged by some reading at 4crawler as well. He built his own front leaf packs. Toyota 4Runner Suspension Upgrade

Seems to be pretty common for folks on yotatech and pirate too. The leaves that I would be using are the leftovers out of the packs that I did my Tacoma with. I have 4 good leaves left out of those.

 

[Bad_Vision]

Your lugs on the tire are going to rub. Lift it and be done. Springs are cheap


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[danthemanx07]

Your lugs on the tire are going to rub. Lift it and be done. Springs are cheap


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Haha. Those things are ridiculous right? Again courtesy of the PO.

I guess I should change the title of my thread to something more refective of the feedback I was looking for - done. Yes - I would like to lift it.

I guess my real question was more related to the idea of building the new spring pack.

 

[Bad_Vision]

In my opinion with all the trucks I have built the best option is to buy as a kit. New items with warranty and geometry proved and safe.
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/sja-t303pk


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[danthemanx07]

In my opinion with all the trucks I have built the best option is to buy as a kit. New items with warranty and geometry proved and safe.
Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kits T303PK - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing


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Since this is not going to be a wheeler, I tend to agree. This is what I was looking at as far as a kit:

Amazon.com: Rough Country - 705.20 - 3-inch Suspension Lift Kit w/ Premium N2.0 Shocks: Automotive

 

[Bad_Vision]

I snapped every leaf in a rough country lift on my 84 4Runner after 3 months of daily driving. Called and complained they told me to go suck eggs and buy another replacement leaf pack. I will never buy another. My skyjacker springs withstood a fall off a 40' cliff and not a single leaf cracked as it hit every boulder on the way down. Bent the axles but leafs are on the shelf till my TDI build is ready.


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[danthemanx07]

I snapped every leaf in a rough country lift on my 84 4Runner after 3 months of daily driving. Called and complained they told me to go suck eggs and buy another replacement leaf pack. I will never buy another. My skyjacker springs withstood a fall off a 40' cliff and not a single leaf cracked as it hit every boulder on the way down. Bent the axles but leafs are on the shelf till my TDI build is ready.


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Well if that isnt an endorsement/warning I am not sure what is. Thanks for the info.

 

[Bad_Vision]

Just saying man skyjacker also offers the softride springs and they work amazing for daily drivers.


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[KidVermicious]

the tires are still going to rub on the frame.

These are skinnies, they won't rub the frame if his backspace is stock.

 

[mastermechanicjt]

I snapped every leaf in a rough country lift on my 84 4Runner after 3 months of daily driving. Called and complained they told me to go suck eggs and buy another replacement leaf pack. I will never buy another. My skyjacker springs withstood a fall off a 40' cliff and not a single leaf cracked as it hit every boulder on the way down. Bent the axles but leafs are on the shelf till my TDI build is ready.


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That's awesome!

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