rear leaf swap...

[jwexler]

does anybody know if the second gen leaf spings fit the first gen? my rear end sags almost dangerously, and there is a second gen at my local junk yard that is in good shape, i was thinking of taking the springs from.

 

[KidVermicious]

Second gen is coil spring in the rear, hoss.

 

[SV_Dude]

You can use springs from a 2nd gen toyota truck (84-88). I have heard they use the same springs as our 1st gen runners.

 

[fourwd1]

The 84-89 4runners do use the same length springs as the 84-88 trucks, 2WD or 4WD, although the spring rates are different.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Are there other leafs you can use? I have heard of using old, (like 65 or so) Chevy 3/4 ton springs and the like for upgrading.

 

[KidVermicious]

Are there other leafs you can use? I have heard of using old, (like 65 or so) Chevy 3/4 ton springs and the like for upgrading.

Chevies are a common swap, but you have to relocate the spring hangers on the frame. They're too long to fit the stock location.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Details? Please? Something of details of how you have to do that? Kid throw me a bone here....

 

[KidVermicious]

Details? Please? Something of details of how you have to do that? Kid throw me a bone here....

I haven't done it, but it basically involves welding new mounts to the frame for the spring shackle to attach to. The Chevy springs are longer, so the shackle mount has to move.

Lots of hits if you google "4runner chevy spring swap". Here's one: My 63" chevy spring swap

 

[SV_Dude]

Most people do this swap because they want the longer travel of the longer spring. If you want to build an off road rig then go for it. If it's a daily driver and you just want to fix the sag then it isn't worth while for you to do that.

Also, if you do the chevy spring swap it will lift the rear of the runner a few inches. You'll have to lift the front end too.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Most people do this swap because they want the longer travel of the longer spring. If you want to build an off road rig then go for it. If it's a daily driver and you just want to fix the sag then it isn't worth while for you to do that.

Also, if you do the chevy spring swap it will lift the rear of the runner a few inches. You'll have to lift the front end too.

Yeah I totally plan on it. I might do the chevy swap to see how much it lifts the rear then figure our what I need for the front. Sorry for the thread jack..

 

[fourwd1]

Details? Please? Something of details of how you have to do that? Kid throw me a bone here....

You have to be able to cut, grind, and weld for starters.
And fab some new front and rear hangers.
It's not a bolt-on swap.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

You have to be able to cut, grind, and weld for starters.
And fab some new front and rear hangers.
It's not a bolt-on swap.

Its all good I got all that covered, my buddy has a shop less than a mile from my house, in fact he is the one that wants to do the swap to my 4Runner

 

[fourwd1]

Just keep in mind the Chevy spring swap is not a general use swap, it's geared more towards the rock crawlers, because the longer springs provide excellent flex. But that amount of flex isn't good for other uses, like towing for instance, or handling.

 

[mytyeerinpie]

Just keep in mind the Chevy spring swap is not a general use swap, it's geared more towards the rock crawlers, because the longer springs provide excellent flex. But that amount of flex isn't good for other uses, like towing for instance, or handling.

I got ya, my buddy has already been thinking of ways to compensate so I can use it as my dd and crawl on the weekends