Lower SAS 4runner - Front (2 Viewers)

[BDSeff1fitty]

Needing to replace my leaf spring bushings after a year (TG bushings are junk).

While i'm in there, wanting to lower the vehicle a bit in the front. Currently ~2" high in the front over the rear.

Front: 3" Standard TG Leaf pack (4x4 labs front bumper, future will have a 8274)
Rear: 4" Standard TG Leaf Pack (4x4 labs rear bumper + spare 35, no future changes planned).

I'm happy with the ride quality overall, driving it 90 miles roundtrip a day, so looking to lower without negatively hurting the drivability.

Options I'm considering (possibly in some combination of both) but want feedback.

• • Replace 5" shackles w/ 4" Shackles, I assume this would net a 1/2" drop. Only concern is any clearance issues at rear of body mount while flexed. Think it's fine but curious if anyone else running a similar set up has done this.
  • Remove lowest overload leaf (assume another 1/2" drop or so), however unsure of best leaf to necessarily remove. Seen some mention the one below the overload leaf, however hesitant that I'll end up too low or soft and have to deal with taking apart leaf packs twice.
    • I do have my OEM rear leaf packs if doing a hybrid pack of some sort.
  
  
  
  
  

 

[aztoyman]

On the 3 SAS trucks I did I ended up pulling a leaf or two until the packs settled. I ultimately always ended up making custom packs and then didn't have to touch them for years. It does suck to have to pull it apart more than once but it was the only way I got the ride and flex I wanted.

I've tried TG bushings, Prothane, Energy Suspension and Daystar. None of them lasted. I used the recommended lube too. I finally just bought a bunch to have on hand. Street driving didn't take them out like flexing off road did. The worse ones for me were the ones in the frame tubes so I finally made my own Delrin bushings for the tubes. The rest I left poly.

If the packs just need to settle you need to go flex it out. If you're going to put an 8274 on your bumper, maybe add a similar weight on the bumper for now?

The TG springs I had lasted many years but they were too high and rough riding for a while. I had All Pro springs on one truck that were pretty good but I bought them used. My best springs were Chevy rear packs I made up. The TG springs were pulled apart more than I wanted to do and it does suck. I don't think I ever put all the leaves back. I found a nice clean pair in my shed when I cleaned it out.

If you're just street driving it it's going to take a while to get the springs to settle where you like it. Go flex the heck out of it. You don't have to go fast, just work the springs. Or pull some leaves and end up putting them back when it settles.

Good luck with it. You have a nice rig.

 

[gnob]

rear shackle mount is actually through the frame?

you get into a bit of a compromise when building spring packs. when i first did RUF, i think I had them out three or four times to get where i wanted.
short shackle helps a bit but will also limit flex a bit.
i got out of my clapped out RUF set and went to skys fronts. much better setup and have been a great spring.

 

[dohcdelsol93]

While I'm not s.a.s. I found my ome rear leafs took forever to get right, eventually having removed two leafs from each pack. Based on my time with fj60s and 40s I felt the rear springs would eventually settle and drop and inch or two. Over two years as a daily driver with full size 10 ply spare on a swing out rear tube bumper, i can't tell she's even settled half an inch. I still sit high in the rear

One day I'll take the time to remove another leaf. One day is what I keep telling myself. Then I have to check the drive shaft angle and make adjustments there if necessary (probably with my luck)... one day.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

@aztoyman
I've left it flexed out a few times but live in the land of flat so makes it hard to get them a natural workout outside of the bumpy bridge on the way to work... trip planned for Halloween in Moab so she should get to stretch her legs a bit.

@gnob
yes, rear shackle mount thru the frame at the front of the body mount pocket. Shackle angle is pretty good right now overall. I'm not opposed to swapping leafs completely, but not sure better options that'll work and get me some level of confidence it will lower the front a bit.
It looks like Sky's are not currently available with no ETA. It looks like the length of the sky leaf is 3" edit: "longer" (42.5 vs 45.5), not sure what impacts that would have on my current shackle mounts. Sky's SAS instructions more or less show the same shackle location that I have currently

@dohcdelsol93
I'm definitely not looking forward to it but since I'm already in there, now is the time. The fun thing will be deciding if I try to do this on jack stands or phone a friend with a lift.

 

[gnob]

@aztoyman
I've left it flexed out a few times but live in the land of flat so makes it hard to get them a natural workout outside of the bumpy bridge on the way to work... trip planned for Halloween in Moab so she should get to stretch her legs a bit.

@gnob
yes, rear shackle mount thru the frame at the front of the body mount pocket. Shackle angle is pretty good right now overall. I'm not opposed to swapping leafs completely, but not sure better options that'll work and get me some level of confidence it will lower the front a bit.
It looks like Sky's are not currently available with no ETA. It looks like the length of the sky leaf is 3" shorter (42.5 vs 45.5), not sure what impacts that would have on my current shackle mounts. Sky's SAS instructions more or less show the same shackle location that I have currently

@dohcdelsol93
I'm definitely not looking forward to it but since I'm already in there, now is the time. The fun thing will be deciding if I try to do this on jack stands or phone a friend with a lift.

skys leafs are 47-48. slightly longer than ruf