U.P. First Gen 4Runner

[Arivalsend]

I would go with alcan or deaver both will make springs to your truck not generic off the shelf junk. when i go with new springs i will be calling up alcan. and will also use the order as an excuse to make a trip to grand junction maybe i'll just keep going on to moab!

Great point, Alcan is currently at the top of my list. They are only about an hour from me and it would be fun to head over to meet these guys in person. Choices choices

 

[4Rescue]

For what it's worth, in a stock length spring OMEs are REAL nice. I'd hardly call them generic junk. Mine are holding up great, and all the sets we had on the Cruisers in OZ held up real well. Dever and Alcan are definately good options as well.

Cheers

Dave

 

[toyota_jon]

yes you are right to say all others are off the shelf junk is a broad generalization, I was more or less speaking about the mass produced springs sold by places like trail gear. I really think the custom made to order springs from alcan are the way to go. I have also heard great things about OME. A friend of mine had them on his rover and he had no complaints.

 

[Arivalsend]

For what it's worth, in a stock length spring OMEs are REAL nice. I'd hardly call them generic junk. Mine are holding up great, and all the sets we had on the Cruisers in OZ held up real well. Dever and Alcan are definately good options as well.

Cheers

Dave

Dave the OME springs have actually been on my list for some time. I have used them a good deal in the past on a 60 I built up a few years back. They worked great with a load, and were pretty darn nice without, the 60 had a set of HD leafs on it. My difficulty was that I wanted a longer than stocker rear springs. I have a rig that is using a set of frenched Marlin shackle mounts which are forward an additional 5", I need to find out the measurments on the different OME's. My total eye to eye is 56" on the rear springs. That is with a pretty steep shackle angle so something even a bit longer would be just fine, giving me a nice 45 degree on the back end.

In following your thread I was encouraged to see that you used OME and that they are working out well for you. My only problem now is that I am on the outside of the stock springs due to my wanting to run something a little longer due the the rear bumper and my load while living on the road. Now I just need a OME expert to post of with a solution to my problem. I have not found a site yet that lists lengths of OME springs.

 

[Arivalsend]

Finished a couple projects

Well I am feeling better with a couple more projects behind me. I completed my engine tear down yesterday with a set of fresh plugs and all new fluids. I got in and went to fire it up having finished with the reassembly, and it fired and died several times not wanted to run. Of course I began to second guess on my work up to that point, niggling doubt and fear of having to tear it all apart began to creep in. Then after a little mental math I remembered that I had forgotten to hook back up the MAF sensor wire. I snapped it in place with with a great deal of relief. Once that was back on it started and ran perfectly. In fact this is really one of the nicest 3V-ZE engines I have owned. The engine has great compression and a very good maintanence history. It is equiped with a DOA over-bored intake, Downey Headers, and a high flow cat/ Magnaflow 50 it runs great with as much snort as my 3.4 that is sitting in the driveway.

I also had some time yesterday to pull out the welder and my big vice to bend up some 2x1/8" steel for my fuel carrier. I finished it late last night and was just able to throw a little paint on and get it fitted before dark. The fuel bottle fit is just as tight as I had hoped and the caps are secured under the strapping. I am currently working on finding a small strut to attach as a replacement for my 3mm nylon rope. Overall I am really happy with it. I have recessed the hardwear on the back side and it would be very difficult to remove the carrier is the swing was not open. I also wired the license plate light up to my rear lights and so with hope it will be all set. Now I just need to figure out a lock system for that and I will have my rear tailgate secured as well. Now I just need rear springs, what a quandary!

 

[adrenaline503]

Nice. I should be getting my BadLands bumper built soon as I recover form surgery. Woo Hoo.

 

[Arivalsend]

Adrenaline I think you will really like it. They have a very solid mounting system to affix the bumper to the Toyota frame. Even with the fuel cans full, recovery gear, and full size spare, the bumper is solid. I am also working on fitting some bronze sleeve bearings into the swing side hinge. Now I just need to find a bolt that is 3/4" and about 9" long, while of course being grade 8 to hold that weight. Not very easy to source thus far. Good luck on your recovery the new bumper will give you a good reason for a speedy recovery (getting that fitted and on the rig). :Mechanic:

 

[Grim Reaper]

Have you filled the cans to see how that extra weight feels that far out?

My 86 gets a little funky feel in the tail if I have a couple hundred pounds behind the axle. It concerns me with my plans for the truck that include a carrier similar to yours and a 125lb second battery mounted below the floor behind the axle. The winch on the front may help to offset it some I suspect but still a concern.

 

[Arivalsend]

Have you filled the cans to see how that extra weight feels that far out?
.

Yeah that is a good point Grim. I was also concerned about the weight that far back out over the axle. I filled the cans and set the rig up with all my gear and it drives great. I have a 9pack in the rear that provides me with around 3 1/2" of lift. The spring shackle mounts have been removed and Marlin hangers are frenched into the frame about 5" forward. The brackets out back have also been pushed back about 3". While this does constitute as a far from stock setup it allows me to run a much longer spring which has in turn really added ride quality and stability to the rear end. Although my rear springs need some work, as I am about an inch lower than the front with the load with my current leaf pack. I also have a pretty stout front end on this. I have a ARB bumper that has been fitted to mount onto my Front Range Fabrications frame brace/ shackle hanger. With a Warn m9000 winch. And we both know that the 3v-ze is not a light engine for its size. The rear fuel cage does hang out about 4" past the rear tire. Some of my traveling buddies have been teasing me that I lost some approach angle with this setup. My answer to that is that I can remove it if I choose to tackle a trail that would warrant me needing that 4". This 4Runner is going to be used as a travel rig first and so I am happy with the fit thus far.

I will give you some better info once I get this out into the mountains as I work all summer long on the passes and byways of Colorado. I am hoping this will allow me a good shakedown before I use this on my travels to pan america.

 

[bmh]

How do you like the height of your platform? Did you build that bumper?