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1996 SR5 Leaf Spring / Shock Height Issue

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by kaeferfan, Feb 15, 2019.

  1. Feb 15, 2019 at 1:27 PM
    #1
    kaeferfan

    kaeferfan [OP] New Member

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    Dear all, I am new to the forum... trying to restore this 1995/1996 SR5 down here in Brazil where they are pretty rare, since this one as you know was made specially for the US market, this was a private import I guess, I found it and really trying to do my best to bring it back to original which is not easy as we have to import every single part directly from the US.

    Sorry if my questions are plain dumb, but I am kinda lost here. Please take a look at the pictures. Installed new leaf springs (Dormans 929-400) and shocks (MONROE 37113/114) I bought from RockAuto and am having some difficulties. As you can see the leaf spring on the left side of the car with the rear shock installed looks OK, but the right side is another story.

    To my understanding the right shock should indeed be longer than the left side because of the upper chassis mounting points and the angle of the shock being different. Fine, but still the right shock seems too short for the job therefore putting too much pressure on the leaf spring.

    Am I doing something wrong? I did check both with Dorman and Monroe and the parts seem to be the right ones for the truck.

    Any kind of help will be appreciated as I am really lost here. Thank you.

    image1.jpg
    image2.jpg
     
  2. Feb 15, 2019 at 2:54 PM
    #2
    lukester78

    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    Are the leaf springs backwards? Axle is way far back.
     
  3. Feb 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM
    #3
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    That is my thought too. Axles should be under the "bump" in the frame...
     
  4. Feb 15, 2019 at 3:02 PM
    #4
    Shortman5

    Shortman5 Well-Known Member

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    Yep. The short side of the leaf spring should be going toward the front.
     
  5. Feb 15, 2019 at 8:01 PM
    #5
    Sperrunner

    Sperrunner UA342

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    Yeah you can see the military wrap on the back in the second pic. Definitely backwards
     
  6. Feb 15, 2019 at 8:44 PM
    #6
    Tour991

    Tour991 Supplier of used parts

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    2nd this. Flip the driver side leaf pack
     
    Sperrunner[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Feb 15, 2019 at 8:48 PM
    #7
    kystnTRD

    kystnTRD Ramblin Man

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    95 - 97 Tacoma had different leafs than later years. Also backwards
     
  8. Feb 15, 2019 at 8:51 PM
    #8
    Sperrunner

    Sperrunner UA342

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    Quick look at the link he sent it says the pack is for 95-97
     
  9. Feb 15, 2019 at 8:52 PM
    #9
    kystnTRD

    kystnTRD Ramblin Man

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    Didn't realize it was a link, just the first thing that popped into my head
     
  10. Feb 15, 2019 at 8:58 PM
    #10
    Sperrunner

    Sperrunner UA342

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    OP The part the pack that looks like this goes in the front hanger

    B050FE85-62A2-49E0-99E7-CBDD840C393B.jpg
     
  11. Feb 16, 2019 at 8:53 AM
    #11
    kaeferfan

    kaeferfan [OP] New Member

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    Thank you guys, I am sure I will need some more of your valuable help!
     
    Sperrunner likes this.
  12. Feb 16, 2019 at 9:35 AM
    #12
    drock3

    drock3 Well-Known Member

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    Derek
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    Stock as of now.
    I just purchased and picked up these Leaf Springs. I have a 97 2.7L 4x4 Extra Cab.
    I am also replacing the shocks/struts with Bilstein 4600's. Interested to see you build the truck!
    I'll try to make and maintain an updated Build Page for my Toyota.
     

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