Suggestions for Lift Kit for '85 4Runner

[studawg]

I am looking for a cheap lift kit for my '85 4runner. Preferably front and rear springs instead of rear blocks or add-a-leafs. 3"-4" Any suggestions, experiences would be great. I really like pics, too. I just got this truck recently and am new to the 4Runner game. Thanks

 

[TRoss]

Me and another guy I know bought Rough Country 3" lift kits specific to each rig. Mine is an '85 p/u and the other guy's is an '85 4R.

The other guy reported that the rear springs flattened out to the point of the shackle hitting the frame... going over a speed bump, brand new, while mall crawling.

I recently had the same experience on a camping trip (mind you I don't have bump stops where they need to be "yet" and I've removed the lower overload spring - you know, the stubby short spring).

The kit I purchased was very, very inexpensive so I'm not complaining. However, the other guy was not happy... at all. I suspect RC uses the same rear spring for the PU's and 4R's hence the issue, as the 4R has to be heavier in the rear.

Here's my junk...
Before w/ 31's

After w/ 33's

Beat the pinch weld back, trimmed the finder back 1"

Rear did this....

So I did this....

Overall, I'm happy with it for now. It's temporary until more funds can make it my way. I can wheel it and that's what matters. Depending on your tire size and wheeling style I suggest longer brake lines, bump stops and drop drag link at a minimum.

Hope this helps! Happy shopping and let's wheeeeeeeeeeeellllllll!!!!!!!!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

OME. Pics are in my sig line.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I would suggest that you save up some more money and do it right the first time. Go Old Man Emu or Alcan and don't look back.

 

[liljlandon]

Do a RUF on the front.. And a 63 swap or F150 swap for the rear... I had about 300 into my suspension by the time i was finished, but shocks were free. If i were to do it again... I would buy 63" Chevy Spring Swap [63swp] - $120.00 <--- That and a uhbolt flip kit. This is the lift i got with 1.5 or 2" block in the rear and the 6 leaf RUF.

Those are 37's and i got about 4" in the front and 4.5-5" lift in the rear.

 

[studawg]

Thanks for the input. I think I have narrowed it down a little. I have ruled out the Rough Country and the OME. I dont want springs that flatten out over a speed bump and there is no way I am spending over $1000 for a lift on a truck that I paid $995 for. I dont do fabrication work so I am not gonna try to fit Ford or Chevy springs on a Toyota, although, if I had more tools and knowledge, this might be the best idea. There has got to be something inbetween. This is only gonna be a 4wheeler and definitely not a daily driver.

 

[toy4xfun]

Me and another guy I know bought Rough Country 3" lift kits specific to each rig. Mine is an '85 p/u and the other guy's is an '85 4R.

The other guy reported that the rear springs flattened out to the point of the shackle hitting the frame... going over a speed bump, brand new, while mall crawling.

I recently had the same experience on a camping trip (mind you I don't have bump stops where they need to be "yet" and I've removed the lower overload spring - you know, the stubby short spring).

The kit I purchased was very, very inexpensive so I'm not complaining. However, the other guy was not happy... at all. I suspect RC uses the same rear spring for the PU's and 4R's hence the issue, as the 4R has to be heavier in the rear.

Here's my junk...
Before w/ 31's

After w/ 33's

Beat the pinch weld back, trimmed the finder back 1"

Rear did this....

So I did this....

Overall, I'm happy with it for now. It's temporary until more funds can make it my way. I can wheel it and that's what matters. Depending on your tire size and wheeling style I suggest longer brake lines, bump stops and drop drag link at a minimum.

Hope this helps! Happy shopping and let's wheeeeeeeeeeeellllllll!!!!!!!!

i would not waist your money on this kit, here is a pic why, the springs were less than 6 months old!

i do have to say i used this truck to haul fire wood, but it flattened that spring right out.

 

[toy4xfun]

and that pic was with no weight, crazy can tell you that my truck was only about 1/2" higher than stock about a year after installing it.

 

[cruiser88]

I think in sep I will just go with a set of chevy 63 inch springs(4 wheel drive) in the rear. They are cheap and with most lift lits over 4 you need to relocate the hangers anyway..............and the chebby springs I can get almost anywhere if I brake them

 

[H8PVMNT]

For our cheap setup we take a few stock spring packs apart and make new re-arranged leaf packs to suit our needs. I usually add one longer thinner leaf from a rear pack trimmed down to fit to my front springs. On the rears I take out the overloads and throw them in the scrap pile and add 3 of 4 leaves cut from the other spring packs cut to progressively shorter lengths as they go down. You want a 5 or 6 leaf front and 6 or 7 leaves in the rear. I like to round off the edge of the new cuts with an angle grinder so it's not sharp on the next leaf. I even go as far as to slather some cheap grease between the leaves.

Another trick we learned from an old timer is to put another half leaf on the top of the pack going from the u bolt area to the front spring clamp. This almost competely eliminates axle wrap but adds no stiffness at all.

This setup will yeild about a 1.5 to 2 inch lift and can be tuned by adding or deleating leafs. My buddy wanted more lift on his '85 4Runner so we added about 1.5" of shackle lift and it works great. He has about 3" of lift with the re-worked springs and the shackle lift. We also did the J-Ball flip to correct his steering and eliminate any bump steer that might have occured from the increased angle on his drag link. Longer shocks are necessary but not hard to figure out as they are just a little longer than stock. As far as break lines, extended ones would be good but if you want to go cheap the fronts are just long enough if you bend the top harline mounts down a bit and to extend the rear you can just add another rear break line and zip tie it to the equalizer bar. The best part is that you are allready working with broken in materials so it won't sag out and since they are made from stock springs the quality is pretty good and the ride is not much different than stock except you aren't constantly smacking down on your front bump stops and jaring your kidneys.

We have done this on three different trucks and it has worked great so far. You will have your modest lift, increased travel and a better ride, all for the price of some used Toyota leaf springs, 4 new spring pins and a new set of shocks.

I can't figure out why more people don't do this. As long as you are just looking for the entry level mild setup it's perfect and you can save your money for when and if you decide to get bigger and badder later on for hi steer and such. It's really cheap, easy, tunable and it works great. All I can figure is that's it's just not cool enough... For example, Homies show up to the trailhead and while airing down the following conversation ensues: Homie #1- "What up dog?" Homie #2-"Just glad to get time on the trail man!" Homie #1-"Werd! I see you got your lift on. Hey what springs are you runnin'? Are those emus? Downeys?"... Homie #2-"Nah, they're old rusty stock Toyota springs with old rusty stock Toyota springs added to them... Old used crap is on the cutting edge of off road technology!"

Kind of like saying "Faded tan is the new black" or something...



Here are some pics of the 4Runner with this setup and some skinny 33s...

 

[KLF]

I can't figure out why more people don't do this.

Probably because very few people have piles of leaf springs laying around to scavenge parts from.

My 11 year old OME's are pretty shot now, especially in the front. This is the second truck they've been installed on. When I get to putting my suspension back together, I'm getting another set.

 

[H8PVMNT]

True, but they're just a trip to the wrecking yard and about $50 away...

I have some emus on the front my SASed '94. They were the longer rears that I used in back before my SAS and they were used when I got them (for $100!!). They must be about 14 years old by now. Still good and they flex awesome! OME is certainly worth the coin if you are willing to shell it out.

 

[studawg]

Skyjacker makes one for $651, with rear springs, includes shocks. Have you used it or know anyone who has?

 

[liljlandon]

If you wanted to piece one together, Oreillys can get you rear rancho 3" lift springs for a decent cost (200.00 pair) IIRC, use the rears up front with 1 or 2 leaves added, and you have a cheap 3" lift. Rancho shocks run around 40.00 each. Then you need to extend both drivelines, ~50.00 side, steering will need to be swapped to xover/hysteer or have the ball flipped. 0.00-350.00. Extend the brake lines (or use missouriman's trick.), etc.

Amazingly, with the mini world, you either pay dirt cheap for horrible products, do it yourself, or pay good money for great products (cough marlin, cough)

As for skyjacker, i've seen them on chevys. they road like s***, but never lost height.

The only company that i have messed with is superlift, in a chevy, and i think my RUF/chevy 63" swap rides 100X better.

 

[toy4xfun]

Skyjacker makes one for $651, with rear springs, includes shocks. Have you used it or know anyone who has?

you would be better off with procomp!

 

[H8PVMNT]

All I can figure is that's it's just not cool enough...

And that is the case... But you guys are missing out on a great cheap trick if you never try it out. The only thing I've used without cutting things up that works better is emu springs, they will flex a bit more, but based on cost vs. perfromance the re hashed, restacked stock spring material wins hands down. The ride quality beats the heck out of cheap lift springs. That's why we keep doing it over and over again.

Do let us know what you come up with and how it works! I've heard good things about the rancho springs...

Wheel On!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Thanks for the input. I think I have narrowed it down a little. I have ruled out the Rough Country and the OME. I dont want springs that flatten out over a speed bump and there is no way I am spending over $1000 for a lift on a truck that I paid $995 for. I dont do fabrication work so I am not gonna try to fit Ford or Chevy springs on a Toyota, although, if I had more tools and knowledge, this might be the best idea. There has got to be something inbetween. This is only gonna be a 4wheeler and definitely not a daily driver.

Skyjacker makes one for $651, with rear springs, includes shocks. Have you used it or know anyone who has?

No offense, but why would you pay $651 on a vehicle that you only paid $995 for?

Seriously, is there that much difference, if you're going to spend your time both installing and subsequently driving your 4Runner, between $651 and 2x that amount? I would either buy something good that bolts in place or fab something yourself. I really don't think that there's such as thing as inexpensive that isn't cheap that also doesn't involve lots of fabrication.

 

[toy4xfun]

look man if it is not going to be a dd than you need to realize that you want a off road truck only this cost a lot of money, and the more you can do your self the cheaper it is!










or you can just beat the hell out of it till it breaks!




























man if you are trying to build somthing on the cheap to go and hang with the big boys, then either man up and do the labor your self (still not cheap) or stay on the porch!








disclosure i have already had a few cans of man, so any thing typed in this message is void, have a nice day!

 

[cruiser88]

Chevy 63 inch springs are bitching on a mini from what I have seen and dirt cheap................easy to replace. Only down fall is you have to relocate the hangers............but the 2 hours fab time is well worth it

 

[H8PVMNT]

Here is a pic of the springs made with the extra Toyota leaves. You can see the anti-wrap leaf on top. These really make a difference! You can add this to any leaf pack.