When is it time for a new suspension?

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84pickup

84pickup

Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Threads
19
Messages
275
Location
Cedar City, Utah
hey guys my 84 pickup looks to be sagging on one side and i noticed a squeaking when i'm going slow enough to hear over the stereo and engine and i hit a bump or hole. i don't how many miles the suspension has on it but the truck has 193,200 miles and i believe the suspension has been changed at one point. i'm thinking that when i replace it i'll get downey or allpro 3" lift springs.
 
Sounds like it's ready now.
I'd check out Marlin and Trail-Gear's stuff in addition to AllPro's.
 
yeah that's what i was thinking. however it is my DD and i don't want too much lift but i do want some so i think that 3" is about right. if anyone has pictures of their trucks/runners with that or close to it i wouldn't mind comparing. the ride isn't all that much different from what it used to be but it may just be that it's been so gradual that i've grown used to it. it doesn't lean very much going around corners although it seems like it drifts over a little more than it used to going around some turns.
 
'85 4Runner with OME suspension. Suspension will cost around $1000 if you go with all new geasable pins, shackles, etc. but less if you just go with their springs.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=175296

I can also send you a before photo if you want to compare the two.
 
cool! i was looking at OME stuff a while back ago just speculating what i might want. my dad will most likely be the purchaser of my stuff as i'm 16 and don't have a job yet so he won't want anything too expensive. if you could send me some pics that would be great. roastbeefstew@gmail.com
 
The time to put new suspension on is when you buy it :flipoff2: J/K If you are looking to go on the cheap go for rough country or something similar, you will get new front springs w/bushings, rear lift blocks, ubolts (most of the time) and shocks sometimes. A lot of the cheap kits come with brake hose relocation brackets so you don't need longer lines, or atleast they used to. I have seen a lot of these kits on ebay starting at $250 with shocks. Remember though, that they will make for a stiff ride. You willl also need dropped draglink more than likely. I got mine off ebay from Foothills offroad for $50. It is a pro-comp unit which is normally more expensive anymore if you buy from 4wheelparts etc.

OME would be a much nicer option as they are not nearly as stiff as any lift kit made for stock hangers (no welding required). They aare also a lot more expensive though as the full OME kit will run around $100. I believe the leaf springs themselves run about $175 a pair, then you will need to hunt down u-bolts, bushings, blah blah blah, and it will be a pain in the ass, how do I know, I just did it!
 
where can you get alcan? i was looking at some OME Dakar springs a while back ago just to start looking around and i like the idea of having OME but with my dad paying for parts it's kind of up to him. how do all of these springs do offroad? like flex and such.
 
For a great economical DD low lift I would go with Downy,


I'm looking at an old Catalog so don't quote me on this.

$300 gets you 4 springs


Personally, I would FORGET about the dime a dozen front spring rear block kits such as Rough Country and Trail Myser [insert old adage you get what you pay for] I have no personal experience with them but have seen friends and other rigs.....friends 85 Toyota had shackle riding on frame rail and 85 Chevy I saw once had the shackle pulled forward in a constant state of uselessness. Great choice if you like poor build quality, cheap materials and buck board stiff ride though.



DD? I would go with Downy and then I could garnish it with Bilsteins.
 
If your dad is paying for it and doesn't want to spend much money I doubt Alcan is an option....Last I checked they came in from $400-$600 a pair. Supposedly worth it (I've never owned any) but still not an inexpensive option.
 
well i'm thinking that i'm going to be going with downey 3" lift springs then. should i get new greasable shackles too? what model of bilstiens should i get? yeah i've never been too keen on getting things that are really cheap and neither is my dad. unless they're proven to be good quality of course.
 
I realize you are looking for front leaf springs also.So far I have had good luck with my Downey rear springs (only 2" lift). They are a good match with my cranked front torsion bars. I can say that I have daily driven, Rubicon tested them and towed a way too heavy trailer with them and they seem to be holding up OK. I think Downey tends to sell you a shock a little on the short side which limits down travel a bit as if you wont be extending your bumpstops.
 
will i need longer ubolts or anything like that? i asked around earlier about droped pitman arms and hysteer stuff and everyone said that 3" is the point where you can either have or not have it. any disagree or anything? how do the downey springs do on flex as i do some occasional offroading. (i would do more but there is hardly anywhere to go around here and i don't have money or time to go to an ORV park)
 
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