Sag fixes

[PiTTdAwG72]

Hey guys, my 87 Runner has the standard ass end sag. Im wanting to hear what you guys have done. Im leaning toward an Add a Leaf kit from JC Whitney. Im trying to go cheap for now, just to get her level. The kit says it will give 1.5 to 2 inches of lift. I just don't know if that will be enough to get level.

 

[Hyde802]

Should be plenty depending on how bad the sag is. And before you kill your self over getting it level, know that the rear fenders are cut lower than the fronts, which can make the sag look worse than it is.

AALs work, but the best option for ride/comfort/flex would be be leafs.

 

[Thurlo76]

go to a scrap yard and you can get a pair of late 90's jeep Cherokee front coil springs for really cheap. i got mine for 20 bucks. they slide over the bump stops so there isnt any need for any cutting. just need a bottle jack and a coil spring collapser or in my case i used 3 ratchet straps on each. that not only fixed my sag but they act as over load springs also. i have riden in a 4runner with the aal and the ride is really harsh, my coil springs arnt anywhere near as harsh as the aal.

just an idea, more of a redneck zuk mod but i think its a lot safer than the actual zuk mod because the only way my coil springs will come out is if the leaf springs break. ive seen pictures of the zuk mods where the coil spring is all bowed out or has come out all together.

 

[77'911]

Be careful in searching around for springs. If they describe the spring as "lifting 1-3 inches", that will be above factory new spec settings. Realize, your springs and suspension has collapsed with age. You might consider a more aggressive factory spec spring(ie not as soft as to sag). It is also worth replacing the bushings with urethane so they don't collapse over time. You might consider addressing the front control arm bushings. When they go, it allows the torsion bar to distort the suspension settings(making the sag far worse).
regards

 

[cometobanks]

Look in "my garage" at my SR5. There is a before and after pic of my saggy factory springs. I had the shop that makes springs for my dump trucks re-arch my factory springs 3 inches and add a leaf (made at the shop). It rides very well and performs off road as engineered.

 

[fourwd1]

New springs is the answer.
Spacers, AALs, etc are a band-aide.