Tacoma Spring refurbishing

This link shows all the makes of trucks and their leaf widths. This link specifically shows mostly for first gens. But you can route to other makes and find a donor and see if it will fit your gen tacoma. http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Ford_F100_1942_1972_s/1863.htm

 

Wow Randy, thanks!! i'll be browsing and listing all 2 3/8" wides XD & be very unsuccessful apparently. XD

 

Yeah I've got that sheet somewhere, its real informative although I found enough discrepancy that i don't refer to it, alot of it is worth keeping though

 

Yeah i was going to do that thanks for reminding me...

 

ill be hitting the local upullit tomorrow in attempt of locating something.
doug, stand by for failure you are my plan B.

 

Alright dude...good luck...

 

My bad Cody. Wise Doug is correct. I believe the first gen tacoma sizes are wrong on that website but the other make trucks seem to be correct. First gen tacomas have a 2-1/4" wide correct Doug? Second gen i believe are 2-3/8" which were the more common ones at my junk yard. The springs i got were from a late 60s F250. Good luck man and happy hunting!

 

I thought I measured 2 3/8 today for my 1st gen o.o

Looks like almost everything is 2.5 on your site so it requires being grinded down?

 

Alright - I scored some 1996 Dakota springs and cleaned them up. I should have noticed, but of course I did not until I pulled them apart. They are offset. Does this present a problem for a 1st gen? The 1st gens are offset anyway right? Also should I be using the very top leaf out of the pack and cutting off the ends?

 

Yeah 1st gens are eliptical or offset , shit just noticed , those are spring under, wrong Dakota, but i dont think it'll be an issue, those have pretty gentle ARC, I'd start with 1 spring (cut to match sequentially) make sure the short end goes towards the hanger end (front)

 

Yeah , 2-3/8ths is right most my chevys have been the same or just a little over, same with earlier fords but the fords are generally wider

 

Doug, without hands on experience I probably am asking questions that don't need to be asked, but does a 2.5 need grinded to about 2-3/8?

 

Damn. I wondered about that. What year were you thinking of? I did not see any spring overs.

At this point - I will give them a try and see what happens. What do you mean cut to match sequentially - you mean start with the shorter? I am just cutting off 3.75" from each side right?

 

It needs to be ground just enough to allow the Ubolts to flip over without bowing out or being difficult to push down over the bumpstop area/centerpin If its a true 2.5" wide I'd spend the extra few minutes going down each side of donors a couple times with grinder more for uniformity than anything else..

I'm sorry dude I can't rememeber which years that covers , theres a sheet that Randy just put up (reps coming your way for that Randy) that has a list of vehicles w/spring specs. check it out...

 

Yes, make each cut 3.75" off each end of donors used, this will make them sequential

 

Thanks Doug.
Beers on me if you ever venture up to pdx OR.

 

You got it bro'.....

I like'm cold & plenty....haha

 

OMD's R&D technician doing rigorous testing at our facility.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNESzIo7E_8&feature=player_detailpage#t=14

 

Is it possible to put in narrower 66-77 Ford Bronco leaf springs on a second gen Tacoma? I am not into the whole thing on flexing, but I am looking for narrower leafs so that I can cut more frame behind the rear leaf spring shackles to improve approach/departure angles.

The narrower Ford Bronco leafs are 21-24 inch from center to front shackle and 21-24 inch from center to rear shackle.

Also, I understand that the stock second gen leafs are 27.5 inch from both center to rear and front shackles.

What is your advice on this? Can this be done.

 

Shorter?
Yeah it can be done, but you either have to move the axle or both the shackle and spring mount closer.