1st gen 4runner rear suspension advice sought (2 Viewers)

[RockDog4x4]

I looked at an SAS 1st gen 4runner yesterday. These are new to me. It is very clean and rust free and on paper it has all the right parts - from the 63" chevy springs in the back to the marlin in the middle and the longfields in the front supporting a fresh 22re. I drove it on and off-road (lightly) yesterday and it is a sweetheart. At the price that the seller is asking the the only thing that is a fail for me is the presence of the four inch lift blocks on the rear axle. Those have to go. Currently the the truck is sitting on 39.5 tires.

Here is my question: To get rid of the lift blocks am I going to just need to address the rear axle (such as custom springs) or am I going to open a can of worms and need to address both axles and possibly also swap for smaller tires?

I have attached rear and side shots I took yesterday. In the pic the truck sits a little low to the rear but there is a 39.5" irok on a beadlock laying in the bed of it.

Thank you in advance.

Grant

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Buy a custom pair of Alcan springs and you should be good to go. How long everything will last with those tires is another question; probably depends on how you drive it off-road.

Nice looking 4Runner btw.

 

[RockDog4x4]

Buy a custom pair of Alcan springs and you should be good to go. How long everything will last with those tires is another question; probably depends on how you drive it off-road.

Nice looking 4Runner btw.

I had Alcans and a rear traction bar on a scrambler once. They did work well.

 

[jynx]

That is a really sharp looking 4Runner. The 63" Chevy's are pretty bad about sagging and I agree the blocks are a bad idea. Since they are Chevy's you have some options but I agree for that rig, a set of custom springs will probably be your best bet. As far as I know, swapping the springs isn't going to open any cans that you will have to deal with. Just the difference in springs vs. blocks.

If it ends up in your stable, I definitely need more pictures to gawk at.

 

[Redneck92]

If you have the money i'd link it but I'm a cheap ass so I'd swap in a new fresh set with a smaller or no block and try to lower the front and cut what rubs. Very nice runner though, custom leafs would prob be the way to go though.

 

[Tin basher]

Nice runner definatly needs to lose the blocks
and the rear shocks are upside down
Dam I sound like the bezel police lol

 

[RockDog4x4]

I decided to acquire the truck. It was too good a deal to pass up and the truck is amazingly clean and rust-free. It will be a pleasure to work on. It has been here in AZ its whole life and the PO built it pretty well but never really wheeled it so it is very straight and tidy. I am going to lower the suspension all around, add a trac bar and sell the 39.5 iroks and put on a 36" or 37" tire instead. It has 5.29s and Longfield 30 spline shafts so it should handle them ok. Here are more pics because we all love pics.

 

[RockDog4x4]

more.

 

[RockDog4x4]

Here are the current specs for those who like a good read to go along with their Toyota porn:

Straight Axle front, High Pinion, Detriot Locker, 5.29 gears, Longfield Axles, Housing Fully Trussed
Rear Axle 5.29 Spool on 63 Inch Chevy Springs mounted onTrail-Gear Swivel Shackles 5150 Bilstein Shocks
Marlin Crawler 4.7 Dual transfer case, High angle Drive Shafts, Trail-Gear Cross Member Skid Plate
22RE Fresh Engine
39.5 x 12.5 Super Swamper IROCS With Staun Internall Beadlocks, on Steel wheels
Front and Rear Trail-Gear Bumpers, New Smitty Built XRC-10 10,000 lb Winch Steel Cable
Rock Sliders, and Full DOM Roll Cage connected to the frame, Soft-Top Sun shade,
Corbeau Seats With 4-Point harnesses
On-Board Air System with 2.5 Gallon Tank
Tube and Full Doors

 

[Thundra]

Yota porn! More shots of the cage please. Where does it stop? Great acquisition.

 

[RockDog4x4]

Yota porn! More shots of the cage please. Where does it stop? Great acquisition.

I'll take more detailed photos. The cage in the rear and front is welded to the frame. The mid-supports are bolted to the bed.

 

[Racehoss]

If the 63 Chevy springs are somewhat fresh and need blocks, the setup is wrong. Meaning he welded the front bracket too far forward or the shackles are too long. I bet they are old and weak and the front bracket is too far forward. My $.02

 

[RockDog4x4]

If the 63 Chevy springs are somewhat fresh and need blocks, the setup is wrong. Meaning he welded the front bracket too far forward or the shackles are too long. I bet they are old and weak and the front bracket is too far forward. My $.02

Thanks for that advice. I will measure the distance from the shackle to the front bracket and compare to what is referenced in the 63" chevy spring swap tech threads. I think the springs are tired and the PO might have been asking too much from them. The 5" lift springs in the front give a lot of height.

 

[helipilot77]

I don't know what you paid for it but it looks SWEET! way clean ride. You are going to love having this thing this summer! Keep us posted as you work on it.

 

[RockDog4x4]

I don't know what you paid for it but it looks SWEET! way clean ride. You are going to love having this thing this summer! Keep us posted as you work on it.

I picked it up for 6k. I felt it was a pretty good deal. It is home in my garage now but unfortunately I am away on business and I can't wait to get back and get into it.

 

[Redneck92]

For 6k I think you got a great deal, def couldn't build it for that much.

 

[ajordan1975]

Nice rig!! I would trade you wheels and tires if you where closer to me. I want 40's 39.5 would be just as awesome!
I've got recentered H1's w/ rock rings and PVC inserts. 37" Irocs only 4 runs on then. Still in great shape! Hit me up if your interested.
Can find out about shiping freight. Maybe.

 

[msahr]

6K is a great price. The front axle and all the work to put it together is worth it. Nice rig.

 

[RockDog4x4]

Blocks are gone. 39.5 tires are swapped for 37" tires. Stance is better. Truck rides better. Heading in the right direction for sure. Hard doors sure are nice to have when the weather occasionally gets crappy here in AZ. I did 35 miles in the rain and sleet with the tube doors. That sucked.

 

[dorton]

Nice ride. Congrats on the purchase.