'97 rear leaf question

I am sure this is probably a redundant question for you guys but search didn't give me what I am looking for.

The right rear leaf spring is broken on my '97 Single Cab V-6 4x4. I purchased a set of stock replacement sprigs as I really do not want to lift this one (I am in process of building a 95.5 xtra cab and that one will get the joy). The frame on this truck was replaced by Mr T but apparently no love was given to any of the other components. When I went to remove the shackles I managed to get the nuts loose but I wound up having to cut the bolts to get them free, they were not budging otherwise, same with the ubolts.

So for my long winded explanation above I have a very simple questions, do you recommend going back with MR T shackles and U Bolts or another supplier? I didn't see a lot of options out there for factory height. TIA

 

I used ones from allprooffroad.com. They were extended a little but not too much if i remember. My main reason for this was they came with zerks so i could keep them from rusting in the future. Otherwise the best bet i believe was rockauto

 

Stuck eye bolts is par for the course. Go with greaseable bolts with new bushings on the shackles. Replacing rusted u-bolts is a good idea too. I would have cut those off too if I knew how hard it was going to be the get them off.

 

Are you sure about this? Toyota did not replace frames on '95-'00 Tocomas under the extended warranty. Those model years were bought back by Toyota if the frame failed the rust inspection. I had both a '97 and a '00 bought back. Would have loved to have had new frames, as both were fairly low mileage trucks, but this was possible.

 

Thanks. Well I know the frame was replaced, not sure by who. The frame is almost completely rust free and the truck is from Minnesota and there is a parts sku on the frame in the front by drivers side wheel

 

Where, in your opinion, is the best place to purchase these parts

 

I got mine from wheeler's off-road. Go into the Tacoma section, and it's under suspension. Day star makes them, and they have their own brand. Other places may have them also, but that will give you the idea. You might also check Amazon or rock auto ( there is a discount code for rock auto in the vendor section).

 

I wound up just ordering some leafs from Napa and got factory u bolts/shackles, thanks guys

 

Just curious, what does Napa get for leafs? I assume they are equivalent to stock.

 

150.00 per side

 

That's significantly cheaper than OEM, and most of the replacement leafs. I hope they are as good.

Good luck with the new parts.

 

Thank you, we shall see

 

Interesting my Napa does not sell springs or ubolts unless this is something new.

 

Odd. Took them one day to get the springs in, they didn't have specific u-bolts so I didn't get them there but they did have some that were 1/2' x 2.5" i.d. x 7 1/4 long, probably would have worked but I didn't want to have to cut the excess off the bottom as I wouldn't have had a socket long enough to tighten them

 

All done, slapped some Gabriel shocks on it while I was at it. The springs I got from Napa say Dorman on them if that helps?

Not sure what the problem was


Couldn't leave these on it since I was there


Truck sits much better now


I would like to put new springs on the front as well as shocks, again just stock height. I assume I would be better off going with the same brand shock in the front but what about springs? TIA

 

wow that is some serious rust

 

Those look like some original shocks. You should sell them in the marketplace!

 

It has a new frame under it and the body is pretty rust free, I can deal with the little parts being rusty. It was a fun endeavor to say the least

 

I am sure they were the original shocks on this thing. They went in the trash where they belong

 

Looks much better in there now.