Topic: 5" flexible upgrade install, leaf springs

[hilux-1983]

I'm gonna be making my sliders next. I can get a good deal on .095 DOM 1.75 or 1.50. I've read tons of info and the debate over HREW vs DOM vs POOP PIPE vs.... My final question is, is it strong enough to protect the side panels of my truck or not. Any input will be welcomed. thanks in advance

[87pickup]

I would recommend .120 at a minumum I had .095 4130 and it held up pretty good but it expensive. And the 1.75 .125 DOM has held up great besides one gnarly dent.

[79coyotefrg]

dude, .095 isn't much past a decent tail pipe.  get .120 MINIMUM

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

I just couldn't do it. I got to the steel yard and saw the difference and went with the 1.75, 120 hrew. I'm glad I did. The paint hadn't even dried and a few guys that I bumped into at my local wendy's took me out on a run that my truck had no business running. To top that off it was a night run. I made it through the trail but not with out "testing my welding skills and strength of the tubing". I dropped down a few hard times on the sliders and bumpers. I'm soooo glad that they were there. My purdy rig would have been munched with out them. The picks don't give the impacts they're proper justice. Take it from me, the rock impacts were not comfortable.
edit: don't mind the time stamp on the pics. I didn't reset the time on the camera. I just took these pics just before posting them

[swapped89]

Yep good thing you had those sliders and rear bumper. Looks like you got a lil rock rash and everything held up nicely. Good work man.

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

Yep good thing you had those sliders and rear bumper. Looks like you got a lil rock rash and everything held up nicely. Good work man.

Thanks. I forgot to note that I did the bending with a HF bender. Not the best bends but they're holding so far.

[Greiner]

just outta curiosity if i want to run 37" tires whats the smallest lift i can do without cutting the wheel wells? i have a 1st gen 4runner

[87pickup]

just outta curiosity if i want to run 37" tires whats the smallest lift i can do without cutting the wheel wells? i have a 1st gen 4runner

either 4" and bump stop the rear before it hits or 5-6". There isnt a great deal of room in the rear tubs of a runner. My dads runner runs 5" rear with cut fender and no bumps and it still rubs like crazy when at full stuff. Front clears fine with just a 4".

[Greiner]

do you think it would work out better if i did 4" in front and 5" rear?

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

do you think it would work out better if i did 4" in front and 5" rear?

Because you have a 4-runner and it's heavier in the rear, I think that would most likely work better for you.  That's just my opinion though. I installed 5" & 5" and my front is a little more than 1" taller in the front. If I could go back in time i would install 4" front and 5" rear.  I'm getting used to it now.  I did switch from 5" shackles to 5.5" shackles on the rear and it helped a little. I left 5" shackles in the front. I'm also thinking about taking out the front shackles and re-drilling the holes to 4" and install them once more.

edit: I used to work for Greiner Buick Pontiac GMC in victorville, you related to them?

[fj-rankenstein]

im glad you didnt scar up a beautiful truck..  it pains me to see people beat up nice first gens..  as always, i enjoy your buildup..

[Greiner]

edit: I used to work for Greiner Buick Pontiac GMC in victorville, you related to them?

nope but thats cool to hear theres a greiner dealership  

i'll probably be working at a dealership in the future, im planning on going to uti next year

btw this is a really good write up your truck is clean

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

Yeah, I can't stand when the "nice" 1st gens get all beat to heck too.  Thanks for the compliments guys. Well, still unemployed and all of the "upgrades" to the toy come from my military disability monthly check. So, with that, I bought these dandy new lights. All of my buddys use them and I like'em. Very low draw and bright enough to get the job done. Plus, they strobe too, yaaaaa baaaby! .

[80YOTA4X4]

Yeah, I can't stand when the "nice" 1st gens get all beat to heck too.  Thanks for the compliments guys. Well, still unemployed and all of the "upgrades" to the toy come from my military disability monthly check. So, with that, I bought these dandy new lights. All of my buddys use them and I like'em. Very low draw and bright enough to get the job done. Plus, they strobe too, yaaaaa baaaby! .

Maybe I missed it but what is the plan for the lights?

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

Rock lights, for under the rig for night runs..... The strobe function will NOT be used   Check out these u-tube vids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6oqGKHCa7E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH6civLDZY0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrfLELnEDaA

[DTPROFAB]

ohhraaa to the VA checks    i might have to get those lights they look good for night runs! im doing the same exact thing to my truck as yours (but im in the middle of a 3.4l swap  )

[80YOTA4X4]

The strobe function will NOT be used 

I thought you were going to use the yot at the hospital as an ambulance.

[09roramo]

It would help but, these springs droop so much that I'm thinking that a high pinion wont be enough. I'm open for any and all suggestions. Thanks for taking an interest.

Your first gen is super clean. I have an '84 that is a DD like yours. I have 4" pro comp springs, but just purchased some all pros like you because right now they're 25% off. I am not going to use a spring hanger on the front because I want to keep everything as stock as possible and the all pro guy said i could do that. The only thing i'm worried about is that my pinion angle and driveshaft length will be an issue like yours. Im wondering what you did to fix this problem. I would post pics of my truck but i don't have enough posts yet.

[yota4runnernut]

Nice looking rig! Love the 1st gen and the trailer set up!

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

Your first gen is super clean. I have an '84 that is a DD like yours. I have 4" pro comp springs, but just purchased some all pros like you because right now they're 25% off. I am not going to use a spring hanger on the front because I want to keep everything as stock as possible and the all pro guy said i could do that. The only thing i'm worried about is that my pinion angle and driveshaft length will be an issue like yours. Im wondering what you did to fix this problem. I would post pics of my truck but i don't have enough posts yet.

I am soo sorry that I never responded back when you posted. I had some "life" issues that has taken up till just recent to straighten out. What did you end up doing?

[hilux-1983 [OP]]

Nice looking rig! Love the 1st gen and the trailer set up!

Thanks a bunch!!