I am in the process of restoring a 1983 Toyota SR5 pickup. I have been looking at putting on a upgraded suspension. I was looking at the Old man Emu kit, But when I got the new header from LC Engineering, they had put a catalog in the box. They have a ready to install COMPLETE suspension system/lift kit. I'm very aware of the quality of the Old man Emu kit, but does anyone have any experience with the LCE kit?
Suspension advice Needed!
- Thread starter Len Miller
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http://www.lceperformance.com/Front-Lift-Kit-3-79-85-4WD-P-U-4Runner-p/2051103.htm
This one that says it requires extensive welding?
This one that says it requires extensive welding?
- Thread starter
- #3
Yes mudder, but I won't need to do any welding because the truck already has the gussets welded in place.
That's not a good kit. It only has what you need to lift the front of the truck
Also just had a thought, the kit LCE is selling is the same kit that trail gear sells. https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Class...985/i_0_0_333/_110039-1-KIT.aspx#.VVvdMvlViko. I know personally all the serious wheelers around my area hate trail gear springs and believe they are complete and utter crap as they flatten out before out 3 month snow wheeling season is done. I'd recommend sticking with All pro, Alcan, or OME for a good lift with a nice ride quality.
Yeah, trail gear seems to be hit or miss. I don't know that it was a quality issue that has been overcome or just quality variation in manufacturing.
Depending on what you plan to do with rig depends on springs to use. Longer springs require new mounts welded but provide better off-road capabilities plus added lift.
Stock length springs with more arch give lift but less off-road performance and potentially rough ride quality. I have read some springs provide better ride than other but the fact remains that only longer springs will increase travel.
Do lots of research so you spend your money once and get the performance you want.
Depending on what you plan to do with rig depends on springs to use. Longer springs require new mounts welded but provide better off-road capabilities plus added lift.
Stock length springs with more arch give lift but less off-road performance and potentially rough ride quality. I have read some springs provide better ride than other but the fact remains that only longer springs will increase travel.
Do lots of research so you spend your money once and get the performance you want.
Lce used the same picture for their product as trail gear did. Even same break down of items and such. I do believe they are the same kits. And honestly that kit is a little bit much for what you're doing. A daily driver maybe some weekend wheeling correct?
Marlin no longer sells springs sadly.
Well, All-Pro then?
Main aprong manufacturers ate All-Pro, Alcan, OME and Trail Gear now. I read something that All-Pro and Marlin were getting their springs from the same company. Back on topic I'd stick with OME as the kit you're looking at is only for the front and has more then you need.
- Thread starter
- #13
Mudder, you are correct about my use for the truck. Daily Driver, occasional off road, but not looking to do rock crawling!
- Thread starter
- #14
I appreciate the info guy's! I THOUGHT the LCE suspension was engineered and made by LCE. To be honest, I'm a little disappointed. It looked complete and to be good quality.
Agreed.
How much lift are you looking to get? Honestly, you're probably over-thinking the whole "lift kit" deal. All you really need are springs that supply the amount of lift you're looking for and for what purpose, 4 longer shocks, relocated rear spring shackle mounts, and maybe brake line relocation brackets. All can be had separately or fabricated. None of this is anything new. Any competent shop can do the welding and if you decide to go with longer front shocks there are shock hoops or you can use Land Cruiser FJ40 or Ford F-150 front shock mounts. Lots of info on all this online.
When I did my 4Runner (fundamentally the same setup as your 83, and I had one of those too), I did NOT do anything but install the 3" list springs and longer shocks. Like I mentioned earlier, I've had these springs for 15 years. I'll bet a quick call to Alcan Spring will get you a nice set of springs. Get the shocks of your choice and go from there.
My son put Downey springs on the back of his '89 4Runner. They were sagged flat in a couple of years. I think he ended up throwing them away when he parted the truck out.
- Thread starter
- #18
Mudpigg, I'm only looking to lift the truck about 3''. Like I told mudder, I'd like to make the truck a daily driver, and occasional off road to go hunting or camping. Nothing extreme. I was looking at the kit because it had everything I would need for the front, and a kit for the rear. Having said that, Putting a better suspension on it to beef it up would be kinda fun! And it LOOKS COOL!
I had skyjacker on my 85 toyota and it rode nice down the road. Sold the truck about 5 yrs after and it never sagged and did everything I needed it to
I've had a set of OME's on the front of my '84 Xcab for about 50k miles of semi-DD, long range dirt trips, chasing desert racers, and some moderate crawling trails. Got them from Kurt @ Cruiser Outfitters; highly recommended vendor. I have Bilstein 5100's up front in early All-Pro hoops. Ride is good on everything from pavement to low speed dirt. I'm sure that they leave some on the table in articulation, but for the way that I use and abuse the truck they are a very good, bolt-in solution.