changing leaf springs. 2002 tacoma

it seems like my truck should be sitting a little higher than it is. the leafs look like they're wearing out. Is it hard to change them out? Thanks!

 

Nope! Super easy as long as nothing is seized. In that case it might be a good idea to have some of the front bolts handy and shackles. In the two times I've done it once the shackels gave me no issue and the other time the front bolts did. Also look at the General spring KC heavy duty to replace. They say there awesome, I have no experience personally. Good luck.

 

thanks man!

 

Agreed. I replaced my springs. I'd suggest having replacement leaf bolts on hand as well as new ubolts and nuts. I ended up cutting a few of my bolts, and that was on a clean Texas 2004.

Floor jack and a few stands and it's not a huge deal. I actually just added in one more leaf to my OME Dakars this past Saturday. Not that hard, just time and sweat.

 

well which should I try first? replacing all of them or just adding one?

 

replace them with a set of these: http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-237hd.htm

there are single so you need to buy 2 of them and presoak all your bolts for 24 hours then get under there and see if they turn easy or wont budge, if they turn easy then retighten them and you shouldn't need replacements, but if they wont budge then don't force anything and just buy replacements (found at the bottom of that same linked page) and just cut the old ones off instead of killing yourself fighting with them

 

Depends on how bad your current springs are, budget, intended use, amount of lift desired...

If your springs are so far gone, adding a leaf is just a band-aid and often makes things worse.

 

It all depends just where you live.

Don`t have areal winter with snow and freezing rain.

I have found out the easy way for me here in Eastern Pa.

Is cut off the ubolts cut the spring hanger bolt off on both ends and pry the spring out of the hanger

The hanger bolt seizes to the sleeve in the bushing I have yet to be able to break any free

Install new shackle kits from Toyota

 

How much do these lift your truck?

 

I have no experiance with these as I said in the first post but if you look at the end of this thread a couple guys who recently installed are talking about the amount of lift and plans to correct it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1996-leaf-springs-input.425509/#post-12374986

 

Ok thanks

 

If they lifted mine at all it was not enough that I took notice

 

Unless you're purposefully trying NOT to lift your truck, I don't see any reason to go with the Generals vs. the Dakars. Dakars are the same price, use more leaves (5/2 vs. 3/1), military wrapped ends and are widely used, abused and considered some of the best springs you can buy for the money.

 

Agreed Dakars give a nice ride and a nice lift, nothing major.

 

The General H Ds gave my rear 2-2.5" lift at the rear, + 700 Lb more load capacity.