Tacoma Spring refurbishing

No not anal at all, you DO want to make sure your leafs are cut "sequencially" meaning equal amounts off each donor, whatever that measurement may be, in this case (Tacomas) 3.75" off each end seems to be best number to work with, so with that a half inch of steel left on the ends could be an issue, not saying it is just something to consider, if anything make sure that extra steel goes to the driverside..

& also 1st gens (like yours/mine) Are eliptical springs meaning they;re not centerpin to eyelett equal, i:e: from centerpin to forward hanger end the main is shorter/ from centerpin to rear shackle end spring is longer..

2nd gens spring length from centerpin to eyelett, are equal

 

Which we with 2nd gens are very happy about. Don't want to cut two driver sides by mistake!

 

I found some donor leafs from an old Dodge pickup and cut one leaf for each side. I couldn't believe how much lift that one leaf on each side gave me! About 2"! That was ok though. I put a few hundred lbs of weights in the far rear of my bed for a few days and they settled down to my perfect desired height. 1" higher in rear. Thanks for all the great info on this thread!! And thanks to OP for answering some questions I had.

 

Thats great to hear !!! & thanks, we'll put your build into the "win" catagory...

 

So after reviewing this entire thread I happened upon fiddynuts springs in the for sale section. He said about two inches lift but couldn't recall.

So I took them apart to repaint, diamond corners, apply anti squeak pads. No wheelbarrow tire available so I went to my local motorcycle shop and grabbed an old inner tube
.
So I measured the original springs inverted to obtain a 90 angle from the center pin and got 6 inches.. Pretty spent since I could compress the springs closed by hand. But as Doug preaches good steel I had to use my 8" C clamp to compress them. I'll compare them to the ones we take out of my sons truck next weekend.

Adding one spring did not do much but increased to 6 5/8". Adding second shorter spring increased to 7 1/4". For grins and giggles I tried with just the shorter chevy spring added and got 7 ". The other spring came out to 7 1/8". Pretty happy they are that close together.

So I'm hoping between 11/2" to 2" for the 5100's to install next weekend. Best of all thanks to fiddynut for doing all the hard work. And thanks Doug for this upgrade. Hot rodders have been thinking outstide the box since the 50's.

 

Doug's next thread; choppin' channel in' smoothn' and frenchin'

 

where can you source spring clamps from? I am rebuilding some on my 85 front and rear.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/220579-1-hour-spring-clamps.html

 

Thanks Doug,
Say I have a couple questions, I am working on an 85 SR5 lwb Toyota truck- 4x4 with about 150k on the clock.
I am looking to build up the OEM spring pack on all 4 corners. I have a set of re arched rear springs off of a 3/4 Toyota SR5 which might even have an AAL in the pack so 1 main spring , 2 long springs a third with the clamp riveted on it, and an overload. I cut off the eyes of the main springs and figure to use them, 1 long spring and the over load on the rear and use the other long spring and shorter spring on the front. What I'm wondering is if I expect to eventually replace the main springs on the rear. We're not talking rock crawler type stuff for use, evetually as $$ permits the bed which has 1st stage cancer will go away and a 7'+ flatbed take it's place.

 

Well Doug I finally found something heavy enough to break in the springs on my truck.
I towed this a mile and a half with my truck in 2WD lo, max speed of 25 MPH, and it handled it pretty well. The trans temp stayed under 170 also.

 

I would've but I would've had to take the bush hog home and pick up the hitch attachment and then drive back home.
I didn't really feel like doing that.

The tractor with bushhog weighs #3,500, I'm not sure how much the loader and trailer weighs, but it was a good bit more than my truck weighs (#3,700)

 

It was heavier than #500, most of the tractor is on the tongue and the front axle.
I'd guess 7-800 lbs.

 

I don't think the truck was underpowered as much as the weight distribution was off, and the trailer needed brakes.

I definitely would've been on the bumps if on the OEM leafs.

 

Just a heads up to anyone trying to get a hold of Doug.

His shitternet is down

 

Gonna order u-bolts from Wheeler's. Which size u-bolts should I buy? 6.75", 7.5", 8.5", 9.5"?

 

Poor guy. Really should show up at his neighbors with a spool of Ethernet cable.

 

Depends on how much you pile on your spring. Measure your leaf plans, and your current excess add some wiggle and get the next size up. You can cut em off after they are all tight.
Or is that too obvious and I'm missing another key point?

 

^^^ What he said.^^^ Just measure what you think you'll need and then some. Then after you install if there's extra threads just cut the excess off. BUT you may want to add another leaf if you dont have the desired height so maybe leave the excess on there for a few days until you know that's the height you want.

 

Has anybody talked to Doug lately? Trying to get in touch with him about an order I should have already received by now.