rear suspension sag.

[gotmud?13]

hey there. im new to the group but have some concerns. i just bought a 87 toyota 4runner, and am noticing a lot of suspension sag in the rear. now i heard a rumour about a recall, but im not sure if they cover second owners. if not, any suggestion as to hike the rear back up cheaply, but make sure it stays up? i was thinkning of installing bigger springs to keep it from any sag. also, im a decent welder, so if someone has plans for a brush guard, that would be greatly appreciated. my only concern is installing a brush guard that is way to heavy and weighs the front and down. in the mountainbiking world, there are compression and rebound adjusters on the shocks, but is there such things on front susp.? would making a brush guard with a grille protector, light covers and a push bar simply be too much for my little 4 runner? i will have some pics on soon. please email all suggestions to [email protected] or just sne dme a PM .thanks for your time. also any good 3-5 inch suspension lift kits you suggest at a reasonale price and where to find them?
thanks for your time, and hope to see you on the trail,
Jake

 

[gotmud?13]

some pics to those who are interested...

any suggestions or comments, even if negative would help a lot, thanks

 

[gotmud?13]

more pics

... :biggrin2: as you can see, the rear suspension is majorly sagging, i havnt noticed any harsh ride, but mind you the only rought stuff if driven it over so far is the bad washboard/braking bumps on my gravel road. any suggestions as to if and or when i should replace? im not going to go take her rock crawling, but i am planning on doing some 4 wheelin

 

[fourwd1]

Rear end sag is more common in 2nd gen runners, but you seem to have a real bad case of it

Your best cure is a new set of springs, a much better choice than Add A Leafs, lift shackles, or blocks considering the state of your rear.

New shocks all around may be in order also, if the springs are that worn, the shocks probably are also.

Check out Old Man Emu for a really nice mild lift kit. It's not the cheapest, but it'll ride and handle better than anything, in addition to 2" or so of lift.

 

[gotmud?13]

thanx for the reply man. so i got a bad case? uh ohhhh. so where can i find an old man emu leaf spreng kit? do they come in stock sozes, because im not sure i have the money raise the rear let alone the front. ive heard more sag cases in the 2nd gen. is it ok to do some offroad/drive to school? or is it totalled. how much money am i looking at to replace it with stock leafs?

 

[fourwd1]

Old Man Emu

I've never seen a 1st gen sag like that.

Maybe some of the leaves are cracked?

 

[gotmud?13]

i have a date tonite. so maybe if i get home and its not too dark i will throw on some carhartts and crawl under it and have a look. ive decided not to drive it as is, so im now taking the cheeze wagon to school . but im taking it in for a mechanical inspection soon so i can register it, would they check the leafs for cracks? if not, just in general, how much am i looking at for a stock replacement with no lift? just generally. cuz im a teen and im broke no surpises there. does anyone know a good calgary store for leaf springs?

 

[fourwd1]

Shouldn't be hard to find someone that's putting a suspension lift on their truck and get the old stock ones. Maybe for free.

Start looking in the 4Sale and post in the Wanted forums of Toyota BBS's like this. Also in local club BBS's. Post on Craig's list.

 

[gotmud?13]

what exaclty is craigs list? and im kinda illiteral, what is a BBS? i was thinking. until i have money to replace them, couldnt i just add some spacers in between the axle and the leafs? i was thinking, couldnt i just make a bracket out of solid metal, and machine it to the exact convex of the axle, and to the bottom of the springs, stick it in there, weld the brackets to the frame, and add some big ass u bolts and torque it down? my original idea as more canaidan, and use hockey pucks, but then i was thinking, what about sideways tortion? the pucks could come loose and then BOOM!!!. or they could desintegrate, or put too much stress on the u bolts and they could snap. is either of these ideas good? or am i just of the sprocket....

 

[ovrrdrive]

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...40422&page=3&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1

Zuk is for real... I've seen this done to several 4runners.

 

[the_dingman]

That is some really bad sag, but otherwise a beautiful truck. :

 

[gotmud?13]

thank you so much ovrrdrive. i read the pages that you linked and wow. that ZUK is really for real. i am going to spend a day and weld it up myself. i cannot express how much i am in gratitude . as i has about an inch or less in between my "frame stopper" and the rubber bumper. my leafs were firmly resing on the overload leaf, and had packed down over the years. i urge everyone suffering from a rear end sag to check this out.
http://www.gearinstalls.com/saggyrear.htm
http://www.gearinstalls.com/saggyrear.htm
(the second one is more indepth)
http://ground-control-store.com/products/description.php?II=215
(where to get the springs)

Materials:
>angle grinder with cutting disk
>welder (MIG would be easiest, but arc would be sufficient, im gonne use arc) and proficcient knowledge on how to use it...
>some square tubing that would fit inside the spring
>springs, 150 or 200 pounds/inch
>1/2 in plate to have as brackets
>drill
>screw (for spring retainer)
>several jacks
>an ice cold one for a job well done at the end...

thank you so much, and good luck to all.....
i will be posting this inside the classic t4r forum later..:beer:

also, the_dingman
thanks for the comments. ive been busting my balls to keep the rust at bay. looks like u got a good rig too...

 

[ovrrdrive]

No problem. That guy amazes me.

Keep his link bookmarked in case you ever need a 3rd member rebuilt. I have one of his thirds in my truck and he builds good stuff. And he's surprisingly affordable too.

Just don't try to get anything out of him until it cools off as he doesn't have AC in his garage and doesn't work on stuff in the summer.


And post before and after pics in that thread over at 4x4 Wire if you use his technique. He really likes it when he helps someone.

 

[gotmud?13]

thanx ovrrdrive. i will keep all of you who are interested posted as to what i am going to do. i juust need to find where, and the cost/ what size of spring i need. im thinking a 12 inch, 200 psi spring maybe with a spacer on it. thank you and i will keep you posted....