chevy srings? longer shacles? what to do?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

83 chif

83 chif

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Threads
138
Messages
352
Location
New Jersey
I just bought an 89 4runner, and the PO put 3" blocks in the rear with really saggy springs, so I have about 1" of travel before the blocks/spring bottom out on the bump stop. will 53" chevy springs lift the rear end more or about the same as the 3" blocks did on saggy springs? how about just getting longer shackles, would I be able to get three inches out of shacklels safely? thanks!

- doug
 
The Chevy spring swap involves moving usually both front and rear mounts, and would probably give you about the same lift. But if you're down to 1 inch of flex to the bump stop, then you're springs are really sagged out.... What size tires are on it?

There's no good way to get 3 inches of lift from a shackle... that would be 6 inches longer than they are now, which is 3.5 inches if they are stock... so 9.5 inch long shackles.... that would also look like crap...

There is a Chevy swap linked in the FAQ, other than that I'd look into some high quality lift springs (Alcan, Old man emu, Marlin etc.), and get rid of the blocks asap.
 
springs

what can i say Journey, stupid people ask stupid questions....

Thanks Jerod for the info, I didn't count out actual lift springs, it's just that i crossed over from heeps to toyotas, so naturally i wanted to explore the cheap, hacked job approach before anything else. i didn't realize you had to move the spring mounts for the chevy springs, and i didn't realize the shackles would have to be so freaking long. i'll search around for some real springs.....
 
ball joint spacers

yea, i don't think non-sagging stock height springs will work, the PO put ball joint spacers up front, and blocks in the rear to even it out, so even without sag, the front end would be riding higher than the stock rear....maybe 1" blocks and slightly longer shackles? money is tight, so new lift springs probably aren't an option....
 
ball joint spacers

now that i think about it, those ball joint spacers can't be giving me that much lift over stock, right? maybe if i get non-sagging springs i could just use longer shackles. i figure my springs are sagged way beyond an inch, so with three inch blocks we'll say i'm getting 1 1/2 inches of lift over stock, so to get about 1 1/2" of lift out of shackles, i would only need to get shackles that are 3 inches longer or so. that doesn't seem to bad....maybe i could just do slightly longer shackles and tiny 1" lift blocks...if there is such a thing....what do you all think?
 
check "Parts For Sale" section. Someone that has done the Chevy spring swap might be selling their old springs cheap. Also check your local pull-a-part. The yards usually sell leaf springs really cheap.
 
where are you located?

I think I still have my springs I took off my '90 when I did the chevy spring swap....


bk
 
If it's lifted to fit tires you could butcher the front fenders :hillbilly:. Mine were hacked before I got it. It looks like you make a few small cuts and fold the pieces in. Then carefully beat the cab in with a mallet for steering clearance. You need to weld up the pieces and holes when you're done. If you're doing all the welding for Chevy springs (not paying a shop) then this could be a cheap solution along with the BJ spacers. Keep an eye on the tires and listen for any rubbing, a little touch up may be necessary. The only stupid questions are the one's we don't ask, good luck dude :D.
 
The 90 pickup springs may be longer than the 89 4Runner... I think. You could try an add a leaf to the rear as well....

Along with the ball joint spacers, the front t-bars are probably cranked. Take a look at my link for what a 4Runner with 33's a 1.5 inch shackle lift, and cranked T-bars looks like.

I'm sure there is a 1 inch block lift, but I would try almost anything before sticking blocks in.....

What size tires are onit, and how much clearance to the wheel well?
 
yup

well, i'm not looking to do any fab work just yet, so the chevy springs are out, thanks anyways bk, and i'm okay with the hieght of my truck now, i just want to stop bottoming out over every bump i hit....

it has 31's on it now, but i have a set of BFG 33x9.5's to go on it soon, it has enough clearence for the 33's, but i'll still be smackin the rear block on the bump stop....

i'll have to measure the distance between the axle and the bottom of the floor tomorrow so i can get an idea of how much lift over stock it is, and then see if i can achieve that with re-arched springs and longer shackles

i'll have to look for some non-saggy springs, does anyone make them or do i have to look for re-arched ones?

thanks again all!

- doug
 
bk

oh, wait a second....i just re read the posts there, i see you were offering me yota springs and not chevy springs, maybe i will take you up on that bk....i'm in NJ, but i may be heading to maryland and could swing a bit further south....i'll have to check to see the difference between 90 springs and my generation's...thanks again....
 
lower the front

oh, that's cool, i didn't realize i would be able to lower the front without removing those bj spacers....so i can just throw decent springs on the rear, longer shackles and adjust the front to match? very cool...thanks....
 
If the stock leafs are not competely bent out of shape from the blocks, I would recommend using an add-a-leaf for a Tacoma. Find a cheap one for a '05-up that is suppose to be used with those 2" lifts. The leaf is longer than one that would be sold for your '89 but they ride oh so nice. I did this for my sister's truck and it rides soo smooth and gave it some lift, not to mention I paid $20 from a member who didn't want to use them on his Tacoma. The way it sets, it would match well with BJ spacers. Then you can always add 1-1/2 or 2-1/2" longer shackels if you feel the need.

Oh, that's a 4runner you got so the top will need to be factored in. I say the Tacoma add-a-leaf with a 1-1/2" longer shackel. If you go with a longer shackle you'll hit the exhuast, that is if it's still in the original routing. I set up my dad's 4runner with an add-a-leaf and 1.5" longer shackels to match his BJ spacers. I didn't use a Tacoma leaf because I didn't know I could at the time. It was later that I did my sister's truck. I'm sure the Tacom leaf would work just as well but probably ride slightly better. The leaf on his 4runner is thick and short. Usally these ride ruff but with the top it's quite nice, without the top it's noticeably stiffer.
 
Last edited:
blocks need to go

so my springs are bent pretty much backwards, that's how bad the sag is, so what i plan on doing is finding another set of stock height springs that aren't sagging as bad, then doing the taco AAls and maybe shackles. I've found my mission...i'm off to find some stock height springs...thanks again guys!

- doug
 
Good call. It should be your most cost effect choice.

If you can also find a set of low mileage '92-'95 4runner or truck v6 t-bars, you might want to give those a shot too. I did this on my sister's truck and dad's 4runner with good results. The newer bars even with 180k miles off a '94 didn't sweat some cranking to level the truck to match the Tacoma AALs. I also put on some lower upper arm bump stops due to the hight, which on her truck turned out to be about 1.5". Remember these bars ARE different than the 4cylinder bars and older v6 bars even though they are the same diameter. This would also be the time to get the later style anchors and bolts, which makes adjusting the bars soo much easier. You'll only need to re-use the cone washers for the head of the bolts. (This is only applicable for '86-'88)

So here is my sister's truck. I'd take a picture of my dad's 4runner but the motor is out of it at the moment.

DSC00020.jpg


Edit. Edit again. Your bars are indeed different than the '92-'95, so try and find some newer ones.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom