1996 Leaf Springs--input?

Hey, folks-

I've been working on my project Taco--a 1996 DLX 3.4L single cab 4x4--and had a quick question for anyone who wants to give input. The fellow we bought the truck from had neglected the suspension parts for a long time, and the leaf springs are super saggy. The front coils have a 2" spacer up top, and the rear end has a 3" block underneath the leafs. The truck looks pretty level right now, which is how I want to keep it, but here's my problem: I want to remove the block in rear and replace the leafs, but want to maintain the lift gained by the block. The leafs are so shot that I know any new leafs would be an improvement, but I need a little input on either what your ride heights are or what math you may have already done, whether in doing the stock spring replacement, adding a lift leaf pack, or other R&R's.

Other details you may find pertinent:
Tire/Wheel size = 265/75R16
Distance from ground to rear wheel well @ high point = 35-7/8" (22-3/4" from hub to well)

I see a lot of Wheeler's 5 leaf lovers on the site, but the threads are pretty old...Any updates?

Cheers.

 

That leaf pack weeps in pain!

 

Looks to me like the 2nd leaf is broken an inch or so back from the front bolt

 

Those leafs are shot! I think the real question is how much money are you looking to spend. No matter what you need new springs. You can get similar to stock from generalsprings.com (the HD come highly recommended from other folks). With those you can then look into do a shackle lift or add a leaf. Or on the higher end look at Allprooffroad.com. I had a bad experience with there customer service but the leafs flex awesome. Then pricier than that you got the Dakars. Also keep in mind if you do a lifted leaf springs you'll need to look into beefier (longer) shocks for the rear.

 

Gotta know what your in for. The CS019R pack is what I have and they lift a lot even with a leaf taken out. The wheeler's packs are a great choice but may be slightly below even with the front, from what I've heard you can call them and ask for a pack to be made with more lift though. I'd say do some research on the OME before you buy, I know @SnowroxKT has them and a few other members whom I'm forgetting at the moment, maybe @BDN ?

Also your leafs are past dead. Dead would have been completely flat or slightly frowny face, your pack is a zombie, springs should never be in an "S" shape like that. My stock leafs died a horrible death too, broken on both sides of the axle...


She's back to life and tall as hell (gonna lower it a bit soon)....

 

My truck had Chevy leafs when I got my 96 and I love them. They don't collapse when the bed is over loaded and are really soft and forgiving otherwise.

 

Go with the CS019R pack that @Speedytech7 recommended. You can remove a leaf or two if needed if they sit too high. The way those rear springs look, I can only imagine the front coils are shot too. Even with a 2" spacer in front, I wonder how high the front actually is.

 

Stupid question - is there a way to actually determine if your leafs need replacing, besides looking at their shape (flat or "frowny face")? I suspect mine will need to be replaced soon, but ...

 

Well that's one of the only visual ways to inspect that and look to see if they break. But otherwise they are okay I guess.

 

Which Chevy springs fit in the 96? That sounds like a good replacement.

 

Custom welding/fab work is needed. Taken from Low Range.

What year springs should I use?

63" 1988-1998 1/2 ton Chevy or GMC truck 2WD or 4WD. 2WD is most desirable due to it being 5 leaf. 4WD can be used by just removing one leaf. Leafs go for around $100 per pair at junkyards. You can search your local junkyards by looking on car-part.com

Will I need longer shocks?

Yes, you can choose to use either factory mounting, and get longer shocks or use our new Rear Shock Mount Kit to gain all that travel you will be able to achieve with the Chevy springs. Since many applications require different shock mounting locations, we do not include this with our kit.

Where should I mount the springs on the frame?

1st and 2nd generation pickups (79-88) mount front hanger approx 11" forward (replacing 48" spring) 3rd Generation Pickups (89-95) mount spring hanger approx. 9-9.5" forward on frame. Tack weld rear mount and lower vehicle with approximate weight that vehicle will normally have in it. Shackle angle averages between a 15-30 degree range.

 

If you want to stick with the current sized leaf springs and not upgrade to the longer Chevy 63" springs the OME pack is what I would recommend. I used the OME leaf pack that is made for the Toyota Pickup (I think the one mentioned above, CS109R) and as such got a lot of lift even without a leaf. (I took a leaf spring out before installing them). They are a heavier duty spring with more arc to them than the OME springs for the later Tacomas. I think when I installed I got about 5" lift, and right now with older 33" MTR's without a lot of tread my frame height is 21" for the rear, 19.5" for the front. You might want to measure your frame height and post that up as well as tire size so we can guess how much lift you might want to replace those spaghetti noodles you have that should be leaf springs. Below is a pic I took the other day (recent) of the OME pack after 14 months of abuse. (Keep in mind these are with a leaf removed)

@Obsessed2000 63" (or other length) Chevy Springs will not bolt onto your Toyota, any model that I'm aware of. That needs custom fabrication and possibly removing a hitch (if you have one) since I believe the new rear shackle hanger will be in the way for a hitch to bolt to the frame, but don't count me on that yet. (unless the double shackle is used, then obviously the shackle wouldn't change, but I doubt the OP is considering that)

EDIT: Picture Added

 

Yes. Axle wrap is generally be a sign of leaf springs that are worn out (or need help) as well as waves in a spring, cracks, or any sharp bends (bends should be smooth from eye to eye).

 

Way to be an innovative badass! I'll be keeping this in mind for sure. Thanks for the input.

 

Thanks. And I measured my hub to rear wheel well and it is approximately 24.5" from center of hub to bottom of wheel well. It's kind of a guess since my tires stick out and prevent me from measuring a straight line.

 

Thanks, guys. Thor is back on the road with a fixed rear end!

 

looks good. Are you going to level out the front? I went with the HD springs based on this thread but now i need to raise the front a bit. Trying to decide how.

 

Yessir. Some day in the near future I am going to add some OME 881 coils. That should level it out.
Good luck!