New leaf springs Required! HELP!

[Stuwy123]

My truck is in dire straits for a new set of leaf springs.
I just checked under my truck today and found negative arch and widening spring eyes.
Great.
So my two options are:
- New leaf springs (stock size) , probably from Standens or online.
- Chev leaf swap. Pick and Pull and welded hangers from GratoFab.

I've been doing a little research today.
Option 1 comes out to $920, new springs installed by Standens.

Option 2 comes out to $510, used 63" chevy springs from pick and pull, hangers made and welded in by Grato Fab (4 hours of work, new bushings from Standens). I've got U-Bolts, and a homemade U-bolt flip kit with integrated shock mount.

Does anyone have any recommendations, opinions, spare leaf springs (chevy's or toyota's), cert. welder?

[FeeVer]

I just saw this today, might help

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-transmission-drive-train-Leaf-springs-and-shocks-for-2006-Toyota-Tacoma-W0QQAdIdZ224531763

or this (keep in mind I have no idea if they will work on your truck)

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-other-parts-accessories-3-Lift-05-Tacoma-W0QQAdIdZ224943477

[Winch]

So my two options are:
- New leaf springs (stock size) , probably from Standens or online.
- Chev leaf swap. Pick and Pull and welded hangers from GratoFab.


OR, option 3 is to get new chevvy leafs from Standens. Will probably cost as much as option 1 but you will get way better flex and they would be 20 years newer than any of the used ones you can use.

[Stuwy123]

I'm not made of money. A cheaper solution would be welcome. I can always find a more expensive solution (4 link, wings + jet-turbine,...).

I can always upgrade to newer springs later down the road.
I think I'm going to bite the bullet and do the Chevy leaf swap.
Sky Manufacturing has some nice bracket kits on their website. Or I get creative and make my own.
Gonna go talk to Steve Grato tomorrow. See what he can do for me.

[Winch]

I'm not made of money. A cheaper solution would be welcome.

Ummmm, been there done that. Might be hard to find a set of chevvy leafs that sat underneath a half ton for 20 years and don't have any sag worse than what you have now, though. It's possible I suppose, but I had no such luck. Just kept on wasting my money on junk.

[RedApe]

I went to Waggy's, and using factory Toyota hangers from Toyota, with rubber bushings from NSOR.com and Rancho 9012's.
Waggy's @ wrecker = $75
Toyota hangers = $49/pair
Bushings = $7 ea
9012's = $99 ea (back then)
Shackles (home made) = $3 in steel
Hammerite paint on rebuilt leaf packs = ~
Teflon spring pads = $3 ea
UBolts (U got em already)

I measure about $330...

I yielded about 4" of lift from the stock packs in the 82...and my stock springs were NOT totally bagged out, having a heavy overload in the original pack.

[Stuwy123]

Ummmm, been there done that. Might be hard to find a set of chevvy leafs that sat underneath a half ton for 20 years and don't have any sag worse than what you have now, though.

According to the 63" Chevy Spring Swap FAW on Pirate 4x4:
"What year and vehicle do you get the springs from?
The correct years are 88-2010+ 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton Chevy or GMC truck. Don't worry about the front suspension it does not matter. You only need the rear springs.
"

I'm gonna shoot from some springs that are a little newer than 20 years old. The added spring rate would still hold up my truck better. Domestics are a lot more common at pick and pull.

The good thing about pick and pull is that as long as you have your receipt and the little dab of paint marker still on your parts, you can bring them back and get a new set.


I will probably make my own rear shackles and possible my front hangers. I've gotta do some research on the bushings are such.

[Stuwy123]

Talked to GrattoFab, sounds like they're in the middle of a shop move. So no go with them.
Anyone know any fab shops that have experience with something like this?

[Winch]

According to the 63" Chevy Spring Swap FAW on Pirate 4x4:
"What year and vehicle do you get the springs from?
The correct years are 88-2010+ 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton Chevy or GMC truck. Don't worry about the front suspension it does not matter. You only need the rear springs."


This is good to know. Everything I've read until now suggested that the years are '88-'98 1/2 ton. I also noticed in that FAQ section, that others are questioning that statement. Sounds as if it could work as long as you remove some of the leafs whereas the older ones there's no need.

[jeremyN]

I have 62" springs out of a 3/4 ton 4x4 2004 P/U, they work great with the weight of my 4runner.

[Stuwy123]

How many leaves? 3 and 1 overload? or 4 and 1?
3 and 1 overload should be plenty for my light little truck.
Going to install a U-bolt flip kit as well at the same time.

[jeremyN]

In my 4runner 4 + OL + ad a leaf (I needed a bit more height)

[Stuwy123]

Good to hear, my 3 and 1 OL should be bang on.
Pulled the leaf springs from a truck at pick and pull yesterday.
That was a sweaty ordeal without an impact.
Lots of breaker bar action.

[Stuwy123]

Don't buy leaf spring bushings from NAPA (35$ a pop, just as much as the leaf springs), they are $10 from Standens.

[Spanky]

http://allprooffroad.com/pickupsuspension/pickupleafsprings

I have used them for 5 years with good results. Better than trail gear front springs I used.

[Stuwy123]

Chevy's going under the truck tomorrow.
Going with a single shackle setup. Long and low front mount with a skid plate on them.
U-bolt flip kit and new shock mounts.

[Stuwy123]

Got it all done.
I need to buy some new shocks though.
Lots of lift in the back. I've got probably 2" over stock. So on a sagged suspension, that's about 4" of lift.
The back-end sticks way up. Gotta crank up the torsion bars a wee bit to get the truck a little more level. If that doesn't work, gonna get some Sway-Away Torsion bars.
The ride is much better. Just gotta fix the front then it'll be great.

[CalgaryRider]

nice work, cant wait to see the new rear :D

[Doc McCoy]

You wanna see his rear?!?




j/k ... Pictures needed. Of your truck's new stance. Just to be clear.

[jhnharvy773]

im replacing my leaf spring bushing. The lower shackle bushing. Its stuck tighter than anything i've seen before. Am i missing something? the new one looks like it just slides right in. Anybody have any suggestions. The bolt is completely fused to the bushing so i had to cut that to get the shackle off.


_____________________
Previous rides included....
03 VW GTI 1.8T Silverstone Grey (miss her dearly)
04 Honda CR-V (don't miss at all)
00 VW Jetta
99 VW Jetta
96 Chevy Cavalier (total P.O.S.)
2010 Tacoma 4 x 4 Double Cab TRD SR5 V6
Leaf Springs (http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-springs/c11307j1s17.jcwx)
97 Dodge Grand Caravan

[Winch]

im replacing my leaf spring bushing. The lower shackle bushing. Its stuck tighter than anything i've seen before. Am i missing something? the new one looks like it just slides right in. Anybody have any suggestions. The bolt is completely fused to the bushing so i had to cut that to get the shackle off.

Have you been able to get the rubber out, but it is the steel sleeve that's stuck. I have used a handheld iron saw before to cut a groove through the bushing to relieve the tension and then it knocked right out. If you have the shackle off, you can also take it to U-wrench and go press it off. Good luck!


_____________________
Previous rides included....
03 VW GTI 1.8T Silverstone Grey (miss her dearly)
04 Honda CR-V (don't miss at all)
00 VW Jetta
99 VW Jetta
96 Chevy Cavalier (total P.O.S.)
2010 Tacoma 4 x 4 Double Cab TRD SR5 V6
Leaf Springs (http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-springs/c11307j1s17.jcwx)
97 Dodge Grand Caravan[/QUOTE]

[Muttle]

im replacing my leaf spring bushing. The lower shackle bushing. Its stuck tighter than anything i've seen before. Am i missing something? the new one looks like it just slides right in. Anybody have any suggestions. The bolt is completely fused to the bushing so i had to cut that to get the shackle off.

I had that issue too, I eventually drilled 4 holes around the bushing, then took a torch to heat the sleeve up an just pushed it out.