New Truck, Pics and Questions

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S

Saabeh

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Threads
4
Messages
27
Just got a 1997 Tacoma SX single cab 2.7L. First of all I would like to comment on how rust free it is. Open any door and rust has not even thought about surfacing.

STA70655.sized.jpg



First question is, are there any options for different headlights rather than sealed beam style? I would like headlights that are not so 'base model'.

Second question, one leaf spring looks like this:
STA70657.sized.jpg


And the other one looks like this:
STA70658.sized.jpg



The bottom leaf on one of the springs is backwards, one flips up with the other leafs and the other one flips down towards the ground. Which one is correct? This causes one side of the truck to sit about a 1/2inch higher, the side with the bottom leaf aimed down.

Also, this is what the frame looks like:
STA70660.sized.jpg


A few hours of bed removal etc, the frame is now POR-15'd.

Thanks,
-Mike
 
Saabeh said:
The bottom leaf on one of the springs is backwards, one flips up with the other leafs and the other one flips down towards the ground. Which one is correct? This causes one side of the truck to sit about a 1/2inch higher, the side with the bottom leaf aimed down.
-Mike
Click to expand...

The first picture of the leaves is correct. The thick overload leaf is supposed to arch downward. Wonder why the previous owner did this? It also rides better in correct manner, might want to look into flipping wrong side and seeing if there are any other issues with the leaves on that side.

Otherwise, great find (manual hubs!). As far as head light upgrades, I think some have switched, remember reading somewhere. Check on yotatech or customtacos.

Welcome to mud.
 
Thanks for your information. It is strange because that side that is correct sits about 1/2inch higher.

With both leaf springs correct, the back end s going to sit considerably higher than the front. Do people tend to buy leveling kits to bring the front up about an inch?
 
Saabeh said:
With both leaf springs correct, the back end s going to sit considerably higher than the front. Do people tend to buy leveling kits to bring the front up about an inch?
Click to expand...

1. The trucks come from the factory with a rake; meaning the rear is about 1" higher than the front. This is to compensate for loads, leaves loosing some arch, etc.

2. Your front coil springs might also be slightly worn, causing the front to drop a little over time. You can add new (or used) coils, or get a small spacer, just remember 1/2" spacer adds 1" of lift. I think Sonoran Steel http://www.sonoransteel.com/ has 3/8" top load spacers. Or you can go with a preload spacer, but both will require you to compress the coil spring to either add the preload, or longer bolts for the top load spacer. There are dangers, so if you're not vehicle savy have a shop do it for you.

3. Before doing any mod, read as much as possible. There are pros and cons to everything, and many opinions in-between. Choose what's best for you. There are great vendors on this site that are very helpful and enjoy what they do. After a little reading, send them a pm or email and check your options.

4. Enjoy!
 
I have been looking for new/used front coils for a few days. I am very mechanically inclined (had the engine out of my Saab twice for upgrades). I might look into new springs an 1/2" spacers. Thanks.
 
that is a nice truck you got. I really like the toyota pickups, they are not to big, but you can haul some s*** in them.

Does your have the front hubs that spin on spindles, like the older 4runners and solid axle cruiser. Or does it have knuckles that are amlost impossible to get apart w/o a 20 ton press?

are you into saab performace?

later
 
as said earlier the first pic was the right way. the overload leaf should be arched down. you may want to check the other side when you flip it back over the right way to make sure that you dont have any cracked leafs.

there is a good chance your front springs are sagging after 11 years. look around on different toyota forums and there are usually people selling their stock spring/strut assembly for cheap b/c they are lifting their truck.

as far as the headlights go i know most people just buy theirs off of ebay. i know a couple that have and they havent had anyproblems.
 
Headlight upgrade

I recommend the IPF headlight replacements that take an H4 bulb. Nice broad, even low beam + unusually wide spread on the brights. The Hella equivalents may have narrower high beams.
 
95-97 rear leaf springs had a tendacy to break. I'm not sure if Toyota ever put out tsb on them or not. They upgraded and lengthened the springs for 98 and newer. I would guess yours were broken and someone did a quick cheap fix.
 
TOY-tec lifts is a vendor right here on mud. They have springs and spacers as well as add a leaf kits for the newer generations of Tacomas.

http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.html


I put the spring upgrade and adda leaf in my Taco and it lifted it about 2.5" still rides really nice .
 
Saabeh said:
I hear enough of that stuff... They all laugh 'till they get a ride.

Anyways, I will look into lifts and such. I can't seem to find full rear leaf springs, just AAL's.
Click to expand...

What's that thing do 0-60 and/or quarter mile? Maybe I'd stop laughing too, maybe not.;)
 
Well lets just say I don't have any trouble with STi's, Evo's, or friends Mustangs.

1996 Mustang GT than ran a 14.1, I can walk past. 1992 Mustang GT with various modifications is also no sweat for the Swedish bruiser. :eek:

++
Burnouts into 3rd gear :grinpimp:. Good thing I just sold it, :doh:.
 
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