How to install leaf pack?

It's not Friday yet

 

I thought that was just for flouncing.

 

Youtube

 

It’s all good. I meant, if someone “were” to switch it around, why would they do that. I know there’s a kit that will allow that but don’t understand what the purpose is. I’m assuming to lower or lift the truck?

 

Ok, now we got that out of the way lol...

Spring under is typically done (as a modification) for long travel. Like picture Baja 1000 trucks. Having the spring under allows more up travel, because your spring ends up longer for the same ride height.

That's at least why someone would switch from a spring over like all out 6 lugs have, to spring under.

For the 5 lug trucks and over 2wd pickups, it's generally just to keep the truck lower to the ground.

I think there are a few things with reducing axle wrap (axle twisting under torque).

 

Yes,. Tacomas do get lowered.
Some like it high, some like it low, some who don't know who's serious are here because they have nowhere else to go.

 

I watched this video when I did my lift:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spGpKnBejUI
super easy to follow and detailed instruction. Should work for any gen Tacoma.

good luck dude.

 

Depending on where you live you may wanna consider investing in a good sawzall and some carbide blades. If your truck is at all rusty just go ahead and cut the front leaf spring bolts (tough to get a sawzall blade between the mount and leaf main eye, but its doable) and cut the Ubolts. My 1st leaf job I took forever because I tried fighting with rusty/seized hardware.

Now is also a good time to consider cleaning and repainting the back half of the frame, and some people like to address the stock tailpipe location .

Also note that in the video another member posted above, the shackles are totally different on your 1st gen, as well as how the shock mounts. And from my own experience when doing my 2004 vs my dads 08 2nd gen, the 1st gen has way less room to lower the axle before the brake line gets taunt. Pay attention to that hose while your doing this job. Now is the perfect time to install an extended brake hose cause at full droop that stock hose is gonna be tight.

 

just curious but why remove the shocks? I've always kept mine on when switching out my leaf packs.

 

I could never get the axle low enough to remove the leaf pack without any pressure on it without removing the shock.

 

That may explain why I've had to manhandle them so much, I'll probably do that next time since it's easy enough to take the shocks on/off

 

Just make sure to have a jack on the pumpkin when you pop the shock off. Otherwise the leaf pack will de-compress itself and scare the crap out of you since you'll likely be under the truck at the same time haha.

 

Oh yeah I keep the jack under it the whole time when doing the leafs, since I have to raise/lower the axle a bunch to line up the main eye so the bolt slides in. That's usually the most difficult part, always end up using a pry bar in one hand to get it centered perfectly over the bolt hole then pop the bolt in. Takes some finessing though

 

With the axle dropped and the shock off thats easy peasy. Just watch that brake line since you'll be able to drop the axle a lot more.

 

That's what I'm wondering, if I'll have even more leeway with the shock off to line that part up. Hopefully I'll know soon enough once I order the Alcans

 

With the axle dropped that low, its simply a matter of placing the pack on the center pin hole, sliding the bolt in up front then the shackle. Nothin to it, no pry bars or anything. If you have to slide the axle forward (I had to since I installed pinion shims) just give the jack/jack stands a few taps and it should all line up real nice.

 

@Blue92 answered for me but yeah that's why.

It helps having raised the frame up a good deal higher than you think you need, and having room to manipulate the axle. This is especially true when installing/uninstalling a leaf pack that can out flex your shocks extended length.

 

Guys who run desert and dunes at high speed like spring under axle, with their rear bumper lower than the front... and I hear they also like to wear their hats with the bill straight as a 2x4 with the lable still stuck on it.

They go by names like Trevor, Blake and Biff.

(no disrespect to other Trevors, Blakes or Biffs)

 

Just saw this; I've never tried lining up the leaf pack with shocks installed but in the 3 times I've done a leaf pack on a Tacoma, it was easy. No man handling of any sort.

I don't even need a ratchet strap when lining up the main eyelet to get the bolt in when using OEM type leaf pack; only needed it for my own Dakar setup.