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How to tell if I have stock rear suspension

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by griff7373, Aug 25, 2023.

  1. Aug 25, 2023 at 8:36 AM
    #1
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    I recently went through the entire front end suspension of my 2003 Tacoma Prerunner and now the rear suspension feels soft. My buddy was like yep leaf springs are wore out. So as I prepare for new springs and possible shackles I don't want to lift it any higher, I would like to know how to tell if my shackles and springs are the factory items or not. I doubt my shackles are as they are greaseable but the springs possibly could be. Is there a measurement or way to tell if either of these are factory? I already have a decent body lift on it, I'm the third owner that I know of on this truck but the guy before me didn't have it very long and as I go through I don't believe the person before him did any upkeep on the truck. I forgot to mention that I used a factory length shock for the rear and it fit with no problems.

    Thank you for any help
     
  2. Aug 25, 2023 at 8:43 AM
    #2
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    Pictures would help a lot. Then we all could see what you’re talking about and help you out.
     
  3. Aug 25, 2023 at 3:23 PM
    #3
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    working on them now I was cruising around here while at work and that would have been a little to obvious I wasn't doing anything work wise. LOL
     
    TXpro4X4 likes this.
  4. Aug 25, 2023 at 3:32 PM
    #4
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    Hopefully these will help the shackles are roughly 6.5" center to center of the grease fitting and the springs are 3 +1 I figure they are the original ones. The shackles I pretty much bet are not factory. The truck has 196,000 miles on it and is a 2003 pre runner with the extended or half cab.IMG_5410.HEIC.jpgIMG_5411.HEIC.jpgIMG_5412.HEIC.jpgIMG_5413.HEIC.jpgIMG_5414.HEIC.jpgIMG_5415.HEIC.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2023
  5. Aug 25, 2023 at 3:34 PM
    #5
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    The shocks are some standard length shocks I picked up off Amazon so I may need to go longer on those to they fit with no problems but I think that's because the springs are so flat.
     
  6. Aug 25, 2023 at 4:41 PM
    #6
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    Looks like the stock leaf pack but not so sure about that shackle. Looks like it's lifted with the shackle.

    That muffler is awfully close to the leaf pack. I'm surprised it not hitting when going over big bumps.
     
  7. Aug 25, 2023 at 5:12 PM
    #7
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    it does hit especially if there is anything in the bed of the truck. This poor truck was in sad shape when I bought it had I known then what I knew now I would have bought a different one but it's my baby now. I am really trying to fix it up for my daughter as the will be 14 soon and I figured it would be a good truck to start her learning how to drive with especially during deer season on some of the paths. I actually thought it was crappy placement on the pipe when I first heard it rubbing before I realized the springs were wore out. My primary hang up is the the shackle I want to have a spare set in case these don't come apart and I have to cut them loose. There are no markings on the leaf packs themselves which again leads me to believe they are factory.
     
  8. Aug 28, 2023 at 7:00 PM
    #8
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    I just emailed Bilstein with my shackle measurements to figure out which rear shock I will need as I am going to try factory length prints from General springs.
     
  9. Aug 28, 2023 at 7:06 PM
    #9
    Kiloyard

    Kiloyard Road Warrior

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    Those appear to be stock leaf packs but those shackles are aftermarket. OEM didn't have zerk fittings.
     
    Andy01DblCabTacoma likes this.
  10. Aug 29, 2023 at 5:00 AM
    #10
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    I think these are what is on it they have just been painted.
     
    Kiloyard[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Aug 30, 2023 at 4:28 AM
    #11
    griff7373

    griff7373 [OP] Active Member

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    So I think I am figuring it out I believe factory shackles are 3 to 3.5 inches long and mine are 6.5 inches figuring half the difference of the extra 3 inches over the factory I believe it's a 1.5 to 2 inch lift so I should be able to go with the Bilsteins that go from 0 to 2 inch.
     

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