Author Topic: Best leaf springs and shocks?  (Read 7559 times)

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MrFatEggs

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Best leaf springs and shocks?
« on: Sep 26, 2017, 11:09:59 AM »
I just got my engine done in my truck and now I want it to ride a lot nicer than it does right now. I was hoping for some advice on what are the best leaf spring and shock combinations to install for a great ride on the road? The truck is a 1979 4x4 regular bed.

blackdiamond

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #1 on: Sep 26, 2017, 11:37:52 AM »
Old Man Emu (OME) is a great place to start.
1989 4Runner: Dual Ultimate (Inchworm front & Marlin 4.70 rear), Marlin Twin Stick, 1200-lb clutch, 4.88 R&P, Aussie Front, Detroit rear, 30-spline Longs, Long hub gears, ARP hub and knuckle studs & 35x12.50 Cooper STT PRO tires.  Marlin rear bumper & sliders.  FROR front bumper.  SAS with Alcan springs & Rancho 9000XL shocks.  Budbuilt Bolt-on traction bar.  Custom Interior Cage by Those Guys Rod and Customs.

Moab Tested & Rubicon Approved

redneckcustoms13

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #2 on: Oct 01, 2017, 11:19:14 AM »
Rears up front but in order to keep the factory steering youll need to drill a new lication for center pins. I LOVE rears up front. They rode better than any aftermarket spring ive had experience with.
83 long bed 2wd sas, 3rz, w56, duals with 4.7 rear, 4.88 elock front, spartan rear, 39.5 iroks
01 double cab hunting truck
06 tacoma street truck

joeyf

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #3 on: Oct 02, 2017, 05:02:28 AM »
I run OME on the DD 4runner and alcan's on the wheeler. Either one is a good choice. Never really messed around with different shocks just used bilstins on everything.

blackdiamond

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #4 on: Oct 02, 2017, 12:04:36 PM »
I run OME on the DD 4runner and alcan's on the wheeler. Either one is a good choice. Never really messed around with different shocks just used bilstins on everything.

I ran Bilstein shocks on my 4Runner when I first had it built.  It only took one trip to Moab to go back to the adjustable Rancho RSX shocks.  I bottomed out the Bilstein shocks constantly when dropping slowly off of ledges, but it's almost never an issue with Rancho RSX shocks with essentially identical dimensions.  The Bilsteins rode great but just didn't handle compression well.  This was with Alcan springs all around.
1989 4Runner: Dual Ultimate (Inchworm front & Marlin 4.70 rear), Marlin Twin Stick, 1200-lb clutch, 4.88 R&P, Aussie Front, Detroit rear, 30-spline Longs, Long hub gears, ARP hub and knuckle studs & 35x12.50 Cooper STT PRO tires.  Marlin rear bumper & sliders.  FROR front bumper.  SAS with Alcan springs & Rancho 9000XL shocks.  Budbuilt Bolt-on traction bar.  Custom Interior Cage by Those Guys Rod and Customs.

Moab Tested & Rubicon Approved

4runner4x4

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #5 on: Oct 05, 2017, 01:25:50 PM »
This is a very vague question. are you going to wheel her only ? daily and weekend wheeler or just trying to look good on pavement? OME is a great brand of shocks and springs but will only get you off the ground like 2 to 3 inches. i do not like the idea of putting used springs so i do not like the RUF swap unless you are on a budget then this may be the way to go RUF and Chevy 63 out back. look into Allpro long travel springs that is what i run and they are a great deal even run free shipping every once in a while. now on to shocks, most run bilstien shocks but if you really want to upgrade king or fox is always an option but like i said OME is great for the price.
1983 Toyota pickup Sr5 6 inch shackle lift 33 super swampers 4:88 gears front and rear locked in the rear 22r high lift air tank tools and other junk(sold)
1987 4runner ifs 3 inch pro comp lift 33" TSL swampers and a cherry bomb exhaust(sold)
1987 4runner Sr5 current sas build
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=101170.new#new

OOPS

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #6 on: Oct 16, 2017, 06:32:23 PM »
Deaver's of Alcan's!! But make sure you go to the :toilet: before you price them!! :greengrin:
David & Theresa Fritzsche, 1990 Ex-Cab with a few mods!!!!!!!!! Roseville, CA Sobriety =Serenity

DutchVDub

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #7 on: Sep 23, 2020, 12:00:14 PM »
I'm pretty happy with the Alcans on my truck

Groundpounder17

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #8 on: Oct 13, 2020, 06:36:26 PM »
Deaver's of Alcan's!! But make sure you go to the :toilet: before you price them!! :greengrin:

Do you have a preference between the two. I’ve done a lot of research and had narrowed it down to these two.  I’m getting ready to swap out whatever turd suspension the PO put on my ‘82.  IIFC from my research the Deavers seemed to edge out the Alcan’s. I also see OME recommended often, but I had put some on my FJ40 years ago and I didn’t care for them. They had poor travel and rode rough
‘82 Toyota RN38, mostly stock

OOPS

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #9 on: Oct 13, 2020, 08:29:15 PM »
Deaver's!!
David & Theresa Fritzsche, 1990 Ex-Cab with a few mods!!!!!!!!! Roseville, CA Sobriety =Serenity

bordain

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #10 on: Nov 02, 2020, 06:39:57 PM »
I bought OME shocks from 4wheelonline last month. I can say that the ride quality is a little better with OME because the Bilsteins are stiff.

camhays556

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Re: Best leaf springs and shocks?
« Reply #11 on: Nov 03, 2020, 09:29:35 AM »
Deavers paired with fox 2.0 IFPS

 
 
 
 
 

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