Stock leaf spring replacement

I have had my HD generals for about 3 years now. Haul dirt bikes and lots of camp gear fairly often. They are on the verge of being flat now. Overall I liked them, but be ready to replace them within 5 years of use.

 

Wow, general spring is charging over $100 for shipping. Is anyone else seeing this? Is there any cheaper option? This adds up to $500 or so now just for leaf springs.

 

$500 for leaf springs shipped is cheap

 

It depends where you live how much the freight is .

I am lucky I am close to a warehouse they ship from only cost $45.00

 

It looks like there are a few options on Amazon including the OMEs with free shipping, it looks like there are some cheaper factory-height options like Dormans as well. Have no idea how long I'd expect those to hold up, though.

 

Hmm ok I just bought 4 4600s, Moog 81104 springs, General HD leaves, 4 u bolts and 2 leaf bolts, and I already had the air bags. Anything I’m forgetting, please let me know. I’ll be installing this some time within the next month. Thanks for the advice!

 

If your strut top hats are rusted, pickup Monroe part number #904900 off Amazon. It includes the coil spring rubber insulator. $40 shipping ain't so bad for 2 of them.

 

Thanks! I ordered two of those top hats since I recall mine could have been prettier. Anything else I might be missing? I’m pretty clueless when it comes to this job as I’ve never done the suspension before.

 

I cant think of anything. I'd say the most important things are those leaf spring bolts. I'm about to do the same job so I'm just about as lost as you are lol.

 

Looks like you’ve got everything you need. Are you installing it all yourself? If you have any questions with the install, just pm me. I swapped in new coilovers and leaf springs for the first time a few weeks ago.

 

Thanks for the offer of help! I did the install myself in a day, with my only issue that the Monroe strut top mounting plate part, which Amazon indicated fits my truck, did not fit. I went to Autozone and didn’t like what they had so I just reused the old. My old leafs had the same arch as the new ones. Maybe they weren’t bad? Truck rides like shit because it needs an alignment, but I can tell it’ll be good once it’s aligned.

 

That's weird how those top hats didnt fit. They are the same ones you can get from wheelers off road. I still have yet to install mine, hopefully they work.

 

Monroe makes ones for the Tacoma, but I bought ones for the 4Runner due to an inaccurate Amazon listing.

Just got the alignment done. It drives great. Overall I’m happy with the setup. I haven’t taken it on the highway since the alignment but I expect it’ll be good. Much improved over the worn out parts. Now I just have to do my inner and outer tie rods, as my alignment guy noticed they’re bad.

 

Figured I'd piggyback on this thread instead of starting a new one as I'm looking for a similar setup, '98 Ext 4x4, std, non TRD. I'm just looking to restore/revive, no need for a lift. Truck is used as a truck, but I do live in the sticks so it does see a lot of dirt/gravel/4 time. Not to mention the Northern CA roads are riddled with giant hungry potholes. I've got my shopping list pretty much narrowed down to General HD's with 5100's up front, but unsure about what shocks to put on the rear 4600,5100,5125? All the thread's I've read through have differing opinions on that subject. My other question is in terms of front coil, Moog 81102 or 81104? I assume both should work with the 5100's, the 81104 is about an inch taller I believe, so maybe I'd be able to set the 5100's at zero and still negotiate any rake that the HD springs might cause? Any input would be appreciated.

 

May have missed it in one of your earlier posts but after installing the General HDs, was there a noticeable difference in rear height?

Torn between General HDs and https://www.suspensionconnection.com/1250t2.html
Rather keep the ride height at stock, currently running with 4600's all around. Looking at the leafs since its starting to sag just a bit with the cap and added load (about 100lbs or so). Thx.

 

I installed HD General Springs; 3" lift over worn stock springs. The entire frame rail now sits above the 31" tires. Installing them stretched the brake line to it's very limit. Installed a brake proportioning valve extension. Had to lower the exhaust. Not sure if this is normal or not, but they were TALL. Having said that, with a load of firewood, it looks (and rides) nice.

 

so the HD's gave you a lift? dang..oh well.

 

If you are near a Summit Racing you can have them order OME springs and then just pick them up.

 

Thanks for the info - I need to call General and research a bit more. Appreciate the update.

 

Just for clarity, the brake line stretching was during installation...