Working on getting the 4Runner back up & running. I should have it running this weekend.
Removed the front leaf spring. Ready for some links?
The broken, trail fixed leaf spring. I got 5 years of some tough wheeling out of this Trail Gear spring. Can't complain that it broke.
Broke right behind the U-bolt plate.
Showing off my new 3 ton jack. I needed a bigger jack to lift the Dodge. It's overkill for the 4Runner.
Both springs now out.
TG 4" spring on top, stock 2wd rear spring on bottom. Looks like the rear spring is going to move the axle 1" forward.
To get the axle back in the same spot as before, I drilled the spring perch 1" foward. My steering is dialed with the drag link & tie rod perfectly parellel. Same with the hydro ram.
I plan on using the stock rears as the top two springs and the bottom 4 TG springs. This is how they are going to line up.
The stock rears have 40mm front bushing and 30mm rear bushings, same as the TG springs. I plan on using new TG bushings in the rears up front. I did find out that the bushings with the springs were too thick to fit in the front spring hanger. I had to use the lathe to remove about 1/8" from each bushing.
I also had to extend the center slot in the U-bolt place for the redrilled spring perch. I used my uncle's Bridgeport milling machine.
Easy to cut slots with a milling machine.
I also wanted to increase the center pin size. The stock pin is tiny. Upgraded to a grade 8 allen head bolt to help with the installation of the center pin.
Mounted the main leaf to try and get some idea of the shackle angle at full compression. It also allowed me to find out how I'm going to mount my bumpstops.
I'm not happy with the shackle angle. At full compression, it should be laying back more. I will cut the shackles down (currently 5" hole to hole) to get the shackle angle steeper. It will also lower the 4Runner (super happy about that).
Passenger side shot. I still need to cut off the current bumpstop.
I've got alot of work to do this weekend.
