4Runner Coil Spring to Leaf Spring Conversion

drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
Started the coil to leaf swap today on the 4Runner. You have to unbolt and remove all of the suspension component's plus the gas tank so you have enough room to cut the front link mounts off.

Everything unbolted
CoilToLeaf1.jpg


CoilToLeaf2.jpg


Gas Tank Removed
CoilToLeaf3.jpg


A little bit of preliminary cutting
CoilToLeaf4.jpg


A lot more cutting, the rest had to be ground off
CoilToLeaf5.jpg


Eric showing some mad skills
CoilToLeaf6.jpg


Panhard and tow loops cut off
CoilToLeaf7.jpg


Ready for the new spring hangers
CoilToLeaf8.jpg


Cut off the rest of the tow loop and ground down enough so the shackle hanger will mount flat
CoilToLeaf9.jpg


Cut more off of the panhard bracket
CoilToLeaf10.jpg


Having clean weld surfaces is critical for making strong welds
CoilToLeaf11.jpg


CoilToLeaf12.jpg


Shackle Hangers Burned in
CoilToLeaf13.jpg


Well ladies, I'm kicking myself now for not taking pics while we had it down on all 4's. The U-Bolt flip was giving us some trouble so we decided to finish it up tomorrow. Here's the pics I've got right now

Because of where the spring hangers ended up being located, we cut them so they were symetrical instead of sloped
CoilToLeaf15.jpg


Hanger is 1" from the front of this hole in the frame. There is MILES of room for longer leafs for anyone (Rob) who's wondering
CoilToLeaf16.jpg


Some how Andy and I actually measured correctly and everything lined up the first time so we didn't have to cut any of our tac welds
CoilToLeaf17.jpg


We also had to modify the spring perches because the T100 axle tube gets fatter and more square further in
The radius on this side had to be opened up
CoilToLeaf18.jpg


We just cut this side straight across since the tube was flat
CoilToLeaf19.jpg
 
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drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
These leaf springs are barely adequate. With the weight of the 4Runner on them they are almost flat, so I guess I'll be buying some Dakars sooner than I thought.


Found out first hand how tight of a squeeze a 3" radius ubolt flip kit is on a Tacoma/ T100 Axle
I got creative and made a tool to force it in using one side of a ratchet strap
UBoltFlip1.jpg



A pic of the crappy leafs. Randy's suggestion to flip the brake lines worked. Now I just need to bend them a little.
Still gonna need a longer line though.
CoilToLeaf20.jpg



Side shot of the tires sticking out of the fenders
CoilToLeaf21.jpg



And the money shot you've all been waiting for. Check out that sexy wide stance!
CoilToLeaf22.jpg



Put the gas tank back in, reconnected the driveshaft, and removed the e-brake cables. Then I pulled this hoe out to see the light of day for the first time in a month.


Here you can see the extended wheel base. The wheel well will look much better once I finish the wrap around bumper
CoilToLeaf23.jpg



CoilToLeaf24.jpg



I really need an alignment, but it looks like the tires stick out the same front and rear
CoilToLeaf25.jpg



The Stock Tacoma Springs weren't stiff enough, so I got some Dakars


pics of Dakars or shock mounts


Dakars1.jpg



Dakars2.jpg



Custom Shock mounts. Fit a 14" travel 5125


LowerShockMount1.jpg



UpperShockMount2.jpg



RearShocks.jpg



Some better pics of how well the rear shocks are protected


RearShocks1.jpg



RearShocks2.jpg



And the Rear Suspension Travel pics


Flex1.jpg



Flex2.jpg



Flex3.jpg



Flex7.jpg



Flex11.jpg
 
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yotarob

Kiss My IFS
Cool project Drew. I really should have relocated the hangers and put some longer leafs under mine. I'll be looking forward to seeing how you do this.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Where's my popcorn smiley?
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
BananaPopcorn.gif
 

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
Nice!
 

yotarob

Kiss My IFS
Added more pics. All the parts came in from in from Trail Gear so tomorrow we'll be guessing where to put the rear axle, lol

Nice, the guessing where to put the axle thing is what turned me away from doing longer leaves. Let me know how you decide to do it.
 

AlienXtx

Nignog
Nice work Drew, pretty interesting swap.
 

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
Drew, what are the benefits of this swap? I am assuming flex? What springs did you use?
 

taco4x4rar

Well-Known Member
Drew, what are the benefits of this swap? I am assuming flex? What springs did you use?

Easier to swap an entirely new rear axle under the truck, t100 rear to match the width of the front.
 

Anathollo

Armorall is my choice of lube
Staff member
I like the surgical scissors/clamps you have on the brakelines drew. Thats a damn good idea.
 

drew02a

Moderator
Staff member
Drew, what are the benefits of this swap? I am assuming flex? What springs did you use?

Easier to swap an entirely new rear axle under the truck, t100 rear to match the width of the front.

What Randy said + it should tow WAY better

I took the 4.56 ARB 3rd out of my Taco before I sold it and it's going in the 4Runner in a T100 housing. The track width will match the front now that I've done LT and having a stronger axle is always nice.
 
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