about two months ago i got a 1985 4runner, decent interior but rusty as heck. Snapped timing chain, 334000 miles, and in need of love. Just got the motor rebuilt with a new head with valve work done by local shop, and engnblder rebuild kit. Shes been running great for about 300 miles, and its about time for mods. Bought sky's complete rear chevy kit new locally with the 2+1 leaf spring from a 99+ chevy, which i don't mind i think they will be flexy enough for 200 dollars. Tires were shot so i went ahead and bought some brand new 35x12.5r15 cooper stt pro tires from discount tire to be mounted onto 10 inch wide steelies. Thinking about the front lift, i said wth go all out once or buy it twice, so i went ahead and ordered a trail gear high steer kit with sky's ifs box mounting, standard drop pitman arm in order to do RUF. Now, my goals are to keep the rig low as possible, since im going to have to cut the fenders anyways because of rust, but still need to clear highsteer. Im trying to keep RUF to 3 inches, or less if possible, and keep a good pinion angle so i can have good solid days of wheeling. Most people use 6 inch shackles to accomadate the 2 inch longer 85 toyota rears, and down the road will have to do a drop hanger to correct pinion angle. My question is, can i do away with the longer shackles and drop hanger, in order to reduce lift, and have a better pinion angle, simply by using stock length shackles and relocating the front hanger two inches forward. In my head it will work, but do not understand why people don't do this more often, so im wondering if problems can arise. I will be using 85 4runner rears from the junkyard and my original rears to make the pack. Im thinking about running 3 junkyard rears+my own 3 rears+ 1 front to stiffen a bit, considering these leafsprings are pretty worn and soft. I have found 4 inch boomerang shackles to use in order clear the body mount, and keep stockish length shackles. Any advice on what i should do with my ruf setup and if my idea will work?
