Tacoma Spring refurbishing

$100 and hope this works!!

 

Are those Ford springs ?? Whatever their off of looks like nice even ARC

 

Can I use this top main spring under my main spring when I put it together?

 

Well yeah, knock the eyeletts off each end & cut to specs..

Are you just using your stock main & the rest donors ??

 

I've been helping Duckshot out over the phone down here. I should see the leafs if he wants me to help him change out his front shocks and coils. Depending on a few other factors I may or may not have time to help him do the leafs.

When I saw the picture and the arch on these I thought that also about ditching everything but the main leaf and running the bottom two main leafs from this pack. And maybe this overload also? I'm sure I'll have a lot better feel for a direction when I see them in person.

 

Plan on using one of the donor leafs and my overload since I pull a flat boat. Can't wait till next week to get this installed.

 

I'd for sure use the overload out of the donor pack. It will start to help sooner then the Toyota overload.

 

Finally got my OMD leafs installed this last weekend with the help of member Jeverich. This things are awesome! I went from being slightly lower in the back to now having a little rake. I haven't put many miles on them yet but dare I say they are a little smoother riding than my Wheelers HD progressive add a leaf? I think so!

This guy was a huge help!


Old Man Doug!


The final product..I'm kicking myself for not taking a before shot


Thank you so much Doug for inspiring all of us to do this cheap and helpful mod.

 

Post up with results when you finish up....

 

No worries Robby thats what this thread & MOD is all about, getting to be where you want to be suspension wise on the very low end of $$$$$

You guys did great !! , looks great too !!....

You now have a functioning custom rear suspension...


I like the "old man doug" haha...

 

Well......I think I'm now in the market for new leaf springs too...

 

I have a lot if reading to do. Added a cap so now rear end sags and really bad when loaded up for camping.

 

2 3/8" width, good arch, got mine off of a 3/4ton Chevy (bought from another member). I love em!

 

That will give me around 2-3 inches of lift over stock? I have a 2" aal that's just not cutting it.

 

I have a 1.5" aal and the Chevy leaf in place of the 2nd Toyota leaf. Just adding a Chevy leaf should put you close. ChamYota has 2 Chevy leafs and a cap with a rack and rtt.

 

This is a helluva thread (I read it all one night) but the concept is simple.

1. Go to the junkyard and get a new to you leaf pack, the more arch the better.
Notes: Go for SUA or spring under axle leaf springs if you can find them. Make sure they're 2 3/8" or 2 1/2" wide. Apparently old Chevy's are desirable.

2. Buy new centering pins and longer U-bolts. Depending on how high you plan on lifting you may need to buy new shocks.

3. Take apart your old leaf pack. Measure the existing leaf springs and cut the new ones to size.
Notes: You want to line up the holes for the centering pins and trim off 3-4 inches off of each end of each "new" leaf spring you are adding. Dog ear/diamond cut the ends.

4. Reassemble leaf packs. Some people use rubber at the end of each leaf spring to avoid squeaks. If you want to, prep and paint before reassembly.

5. Reinstall refurbished leaf pack and send Old Man Doug at least enough for a 6-pack of the good stuff.

I think I got everything thing important on there. I plan on hitting the junkyards after finals to see what I can scrounge up to do this mod myself.

 

I've seen his in person. I do like the results from the price. I'll have to read up on the steps to install.

 

Thanks for the summary. I'm running 5100s but the lift I'm getting from my aal and worn out stock leafs are not cutting it. The truck is level on a good day.

 

From your pics, your springs are great candidates, you still have a little bit of ARC in leafs...easy fix

Keep talking to me...

Sounds like you have a grip on it, just a couple clarifications,, Don't get too carried away with overly ARC'd springs , tho' it will give you more than a fair amount of lift, It'll degrade ride quality if going up to a desired height too quickly meaning you want to use leaves with more ARC absolutely, but better results will be gained if the lift is done with gradual adding of leafs, example: I've had donors that a lift of 2"+ was achieved with 1 leaf, the lift was there but it'd drive like a pogo stick because the ARC was extreme, generally 2 donors nicely ARC'd will result in 2.5"-3" inches, for those looking for say 2" or less, look for mildly ARC'd springs..

Yes, how much lift you want needs to be established before you begin & take note on shock lengths, most will need extended shocks if going above 1.75"-2" for 2nd gens, if 1st gen I'll say right now you need extended shocks...

and send Old Man Doug at least enough for a 6-pack of the good stuff.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
this is 100% correct....

You've got 1 AAL doing all the work, dump it & add 2 chevy truck springs & you'll love your truck again...

 

My old tacoma was bought back and I kept the front portion of the lift for it. I ended up buying a 98 and the rear springs are beat (truck was owned buy a roofing company).
I ended up with a set of near new stock springs from an 03. I would like to add some leaves to the newer packs from my current springs to achieve about 2" of lift and a heavier spring rate. I was thinking about taking the main leaf and cutting the eyes off then adding it as a starting point. You seem more knowledgable than me on bastard packs and the like so any advice would be greatly apreciated. Funds are a bit tight right now and im trying to save a few $$ til I can afford new spring packs.