Help with '87 4Runner add a leaf fittment

[E92FF]

So I have verified that my 4runners sagging rear isn't an illusion of the fender wells. I measured 18" of clearance at the body seam directly behind the front fender well and only 17-1/4" at the body seam directly in front of the rear fender well. Looking underneath you can see that it is riding directly on the overload spring and has roughly 1-1/4" of travel before hitting the bump stop.

I plan to do a 4" suspension lift in a year or two, as soon as these tires wear out. (If I can wait that long!) With that in mind I don't want to spend a lot on new springs but I have to do something. This rear suspension is beating the crap out of me! I've decided the thing that makes the most sense is an add a leaf.

I would really like to order the Sky Jacker Soft Ride part number R5005 but the fittment says trucks '80- '88, 4runners '84-'85. Is that right? Why would Toyota change the spring pack in the 4Runner but not the trucks?

If so is there a similar leaf option? From what I've read I want a long style add a leaf, everything else I have found for my truck was the short style.

If I find something I will post before and after pics with measurements.

Thanks!

 

[E92FF]

I found a long stye add a leaf that says it will fit my '87, Superlift #7000, but it doesn't give specs on how much lift to expect. Is it safe to assume most add a leafs are going to give 1.5" - 2" of lift?

Anyone have an opinion on Superlift springs?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

these are the add a leafs I used on my 88 4runner
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/exp-13120

I had problems with the tips of them trying to inch their way out of the leaf pack toward the wheels/shocks so I added a clamp on each side next to the axle and that was the end of that.

AutoCraft Leaf Spring Clamp Kit (1-Set) AC131401/13-140: Advance Auto Parts

 

[E92FF]

these are the add a leafs I used on my 88 4runner
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/exp-13120

I had problems with the tips of them trying to inch their way out of the leaf pack toward the wheels/shocks so I added a clamp on each side next to the axle and that was the end of that.

AutoCraft Leaf Spring Clamp Kit (1-Set) AC131401/13-140: Advance Auto Parts

Thanks for the reply!

How did those springs work for you? Improved ride? Better stance?

 

[jgilk1]

They were uncomfterable in my 76 chevy luv with 2" shackles in the rear + the add a leaf i would never say they were soft but they deffently wern't springs either unless i had weight in the back of the truck and they were under some more preload then just the truck.. With 500# of grain or sand in the back they rode just fine after a year they flexed out and were no where near as stiff as when i installed them nor did they provide the same lift as they had a month after install (reference the suspension being fully settled after a month)

 

[E92FF]

I called Skyjacker this morning and talked to one of their reps. He said it's the exact same spring through '89 and that the R5005 will fit. He also said it would only provide 1" of lift on the 4Runner which should be about perfect. I'm going to order a set today. I'll report back if I run into any issues.

 

[E92FF]

I got the Skyjacker R5005 add a leafs and finally had some time to install them tonight. They are not correct for '86-'89 4Runners but with a simple mod they work fine. There is a retainer at each end of the spring pack that prohibits a long leaf from being installed. You can see the rear one here:

It is riveted to the bottom spring so I cut the tabs off to allow another spring to be placed in the pack. I figure this retainer is riveted to the bottom spring so it's not going anywhere and even with the top tabs cut off it will still keep the leafs aligned. If not I will try the leaf spring clamp kit Kel Varnsen suggested. You can see the trimmed retainer here:

And here is the new leaf installed. I took this with the truck on jack stands and the axle hanging, there isn't really that much arc in the springs!

Raised it 2" in the rear. It's about an inch higher than in the front but I expect it will settle some. It definitely rides better! I took it up an unmaintained gravel road that is full of washboards and pot holes and it was a huge improvement! I am very happy with the result so far.

I will post before and after pics tomorrow.

 

[E92FF]

I started a new thread with the before and after pics:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/198705-add-leaf-87-before-after-pics.html