leaf spring questions! (1 Viewer)

[rotormotor87]

When I bought my 98 Tacoma trd, the rear had a pretty huge lift: Extended shackles AND axle blocks. I don't know much about lifts or leaf springs in general, but its been trouble from the start.

First of all, STOCK length shocks- obviously topped out on the slightest bump. I replaced them with 2" extended.

After replacing them, it still rode like crap. After looking at it a few more times, I noticed something that should have been obvious: The leaf springs are bowed upward. This makes it so the shackle pulls forward every time the springs are compressed, and it feels very awkward!

If someone could explain why they're bowed like that or any advice on the setup would be appreciated. My first direction was just going to be removing the block.

Jake

 

[4rnr]

Nice!

Pics!

I suggest undoing as much of it as possible.

The negative arch could be caused by the blocks causing crazy axle wrap causing spring damage. Assuming he hasn't modified the leafs.

 

[Brake Weight]

AALs, too? My old '99 springs looked like a frown.

 

[rotormotor87]

yeah, I'll get some pics on here eventually... My eight year old camera finally died.

I don't think there's an add a leaf on there, IIRC there are only like three layers, it looks stock to me.

What does axle warp mean, like its bending the springs back and forth? That would make sense...

Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[rotormotor87]

@4rnr I see you've got a twin stick- did you do it yourself? I've been into transmission cases and stuff like that before-but never a tcase- but just wondering how involved is a twin stick?

 

[KayakPanic]

the stock rear leafs were WEAK on the first gen Tacomas. The ones on my 95.5 Tacoma are both frowing, one worse than the other. There is a company out in Grants Pass, OR that makes bombproof replacements, they advertise in "4WD Toyota Owner" magazine. Still on my wish list.

Block lifts are a joke (IMO) because they mess with all of the engineered angles of the suspension system, and really do nothing except add to curb appeal. They raise the center of gravity, thus making the rig more "tippy" in off-camber situations.

Remove and replace as much of that as possible. Best lift would be a larger spring instead of any blocks, AALs etc, if you want better offroad performance.