Axle Flip

2nd gen isn't as easy unfortunately. They use inverted shackles stock, requiring an entire shackle flip kit...but there is a very nice kit out there I've seen. The only Toyota model built this way for some reason.

 

And how much do you think he's going to get on a trade in on his 5 lugger towards a pre runner? really. Maybe you should do the research.
There are quite a few bolt on SPOA kits available for several makes on the market. Suzuki's I am quite sure of.
And even if he had to pay a full fledged shop to do his SPOA because he didn't have a "garage" or a few basic handtools and a few friends to help out.
Do you think that justifies a stealership raping him ass to ear trading in his 5 lugger just cause he wants a little bit of lift?

 

spring over & u-bolt flip:

weld new perches to the top of the axle
custom u-bolt plates
weld on shock mounts
longer shocks
possible driveshaft lengthening

spring over / no u-bolt flip

weld new perches to the to of the axle
square u-bolts
6 lug u-bolt plates
grind off old axle perches
longer shocks
possible driveshaft lengthening

best setup

He's better off keeping it spring under. Deaver makes a little 3 leaf kit that replaces his overloads, turning his pack into a 5 leaf pack. Then he can run longer shocks and shackles if he wanted more lift, which he probably would. He could do spindles for the front, but the best (and most expensive) is a LT kit. Search for seibler, he has a 5-lug with this very setup.

 

Not enough lift. I'm definitely going SOA. SOA will give me clearance for 35"s. I have a Chevy dana 44 with flat tops that will get cut and turned for my SOA. will be doing the CPT Long Travel / Reverse shackle kit. Check out my build page in other builds.

 

I was just throwing that suggestion out there. Obviously, it depends on WHY he wants more lift to begin with. 5" lift is a lot for a 5 lugger. If he plans on putting bigger tires under it and going offroad - he's got a lot more to worry about in terms of overall integrity, strength, & power of his truck.

Why would I do any research? It's not my truck.

Yeah...I'm totally familiar with SOA. I'm totally familiar with what it takes to do one. I swapped axles under my jeep and the amount of work it took to do that is about the same as it would to do a SOA. For the most part, my husband and I did everything ourselves except having the perches checked, alligned, and professionally welded. I've had friends jeeps complete SOA's.
Personally, I wouldn't trust a SOA KIT.....

 

I understand the concern for too much of a project... and thank you but I have quite a bit of willing help from a 10 year BMW master tech, a class full of "buddies" for an hour and a half every morning, and a full shop with 3 lifts and about all the tools I can think of "at my disposal" I think it's something we can handle, just wondering if it was possible. It sounds like it's gonna be way too high anyway. And thank you Beef for all those options. I'm guessing shackles will be my new option (I was thinking about it, wouldn't an aal actually drop the rear, being sprung under? again... me thinking... probably ends badly) and of course long travel would be optimal but no way in hell I'm putting like 10k into a truck worth maybe that. Anyway I'll continue my search... I don't wanna try to turn like 35s but maybe 30s or 31s. I'm just sick of sitting so low. Thanks guys

 

The reason i asked what you would do to the front was because soa would give you 4 or 5" of lift. You won't be able to get anywhere near that in the front. Better off 2" up front and 2" in the rear to clear 31s. IMO

 

Another option....Do some research. Sounds like you have the right *thinking* process going on where you could figure something out with a little bit of research.

The other thought I had....was looking for a used axle off a Prerunner or 4X4.
**This is under the assumption the axles are the same width**
It'll already be SOA, be an overall stronger axle, not sure how the gearing will be compared to what you have now.... The only concerns would be if your u-joints / driveshaft (flange?) would mate up to the pinion yoke. Aside from other concerns - brake lines, ebrake configuration, yadda yadda yadda.

The springs you put on that axle would affect the actual height you'd get.

Definately something to ponder on....

 

I have been researching. Just looking for cost savings (I know, do it right or don't do it). I just figured I had a few free inches there that would be relatively easy and cheap to use. I considered the prerunner axle to have an elocker but it turned out to be too much hassle.

 

YOu know you wanna trade that sucker in...and get a 4WD.

 

Yeah, I'd just do shackles or an AAL. The leafs will raise the truck because you're simply adding more arc to the leaf pack, but the ride will get stiffer, the shackles will keep the suspension riding like stock.

 

I've considered it many a time... But I'm hoping to soon have a Samurai for my heavy offroading needs . Plus where's the fun in just trading in? "It's what you build, not what you buy"