1996 Tacoma 4WD 2.7L single cab

What's up everyone! Excited to be part of this forum. I've owned my taco since 1999 but haven't made a big effort to customize it, until now. Financial reasons and I never needed to, these trucks are indestructible as is. I am in the process of putting on a 2.5" Fabtech, Dirt Logic front and back suspension with add-a-leaf. My question is, can anyone recommend some new leaf springs (both are cracked and need to be replaced), and I'd like to put in a locking diff!? Thanks for any insight and I look forward to all the information that is available here!

 

Hmm, a 96 means you have shorter leaf springs than the 98-04 Tacomas so you should have a look at the Wheeler's 5 Leaf pack for 95-97 Tacos here That provides around 1.5in of lift for the rear (they have another one that puts you at stock height if that's what you want too), add in that add a leaf and your probably level, but leafs are easy to mess with, just add and remove to your liking. You'll also need a BPV bracket to make sure you maintain your rear braking power. BAMF sells one that is good quality.

Any more questions feel free to ask!

 

Awesome! I will look into both of those suggestions! Thx a lot. Just a side note, I did find that the leafs for 95-97s were different. I looked at a couple of companies and none of them offered those years. Some frustration but things are already looking better. Thx again.

 

I found the leafs! New to customizing, all the hardware would be supplied I figure? I still have the nuts and bolts on the old pair. With BAMF, Standard BPV bracket 3.5" 1/4" Plate for $ 20.00. Obviously, I would need to buy 2?

 

I run a 96 sr5 i know you could contact Alcon it's a company wheelers off-road used to do business with and have leafs custom ordered... Wheeles use to offer a 8 pack Alcon leaf set which is on my truck. Extremely pleased with the ride height and flexibility of these... Bvp bracket????

 

The wheeler's leafs come as a pair and there is only one BPV bracket per truck. There is a 99.9% chance that your old leaf bushings (which are essentially non removable) are seized to your shackles. Luckily the Wheeler's leafs come with bushings pre installed so no worries there, just gotta take care of the hardware needed to hang the leafs on the truck. So I would recommend getting a new set of shackles and a new main eye bolt as that is most likely seized as well. Here are the links to those...

Main Eye: Shackle:

 

They offer an 8 leaf setup again, I think they changed the spring rate though. Also the BPV is Brake Proportioning Valve Bracket. Good to see your truck is pretty much back together BTW

 

If new leaf spring packs don't give you enough lift, I'd strongly suggest longer shackles instead of add-a-leafs. The 1st gen regular cabs are really light, especially over the rear axle. I bet add-a-leafs PLUS new spring packs would ride way too stiff. This is what I'm talking about:

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/ToyTec-Adjustable-Lift-Shackles-955-04-Tacoma_p_291.html

PS: Let's see some photos! Regular cabs fill my heart with lust...

 

First time i have heard of this... No wonder every time I need to break hard they lock up... Lol just another thing I need to add... It's been a long process...good thing I got layed off and was given the time to do it lol...

 

Welcome Best of luck with your mods. Looking for a new leaf pack myself.

 

Regular cabs are the best! I love mine.

I also recommend a full replacement pack. Deaver makes a set, model J59 which is 1.5" lift, and 8 leaves, making for a very nice supple ride.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!