Kevin B's 1985 4Runner

Marsh99 · Oct 20, 2012

Kevin B. said:
Yup. Too many benefits to not swap it over.

So, I guess I don't understand the configuration of high steer. I understand what crossover is, but what makes high steer high?

Thinking about RUFs for sure. Definitely cheaper than OME, but will the stock front driveshaft handle the longer reach and flex?

High steer is High because the steering moves to over the leafs instead of under them.

I would go with RUF's and make a square front driveline for 30$

Kevin B. · Oct 20, 2012

Ok I see that now, over the leaves and up out of the way of rocks.

I know I asked you before, but how bad is the balance on that front driveshaft? Are you comfortable doing 30 with the hubs locked?

I Lean · Oct 20, 2012

"Full" high steer has both the tie rod and drag link above the leaves. The other option is to leave the tie rod down low and only have the drag link up high. Because the passenger side steering arm would need to be fabricated, you can choose how high or low to make it. (and it depends a lot on the thickness of the leaf pack)

Pretty much any option for front springs will allow too much droop for a stock-length slip yoke up front. In fact, I'd guess that even stock leaves would pull a slip yoke apart, if you removed the limiting factors. (the stock steering, short shocks, and swaybar)

Marsh99 · Oct 20, 2012

You can feel the vibration at 30 mph... I think the vibrations get bad around 40+. I just lock my hubs at the start of the trail, and unlock at the end.

sixstringsteve · Oct 25, 2012

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the RUF. I tried it, and my front end was way too saggy, soft, and had very little uptravel. It only have me about 1" lift, and despite messing with the pack many times, the only time it felt solid was when I bought a TG 3" pack and swapped it over, minus the main leaf. I DO like that the RUF moves the front axle forward 2", that's really nice. So I'd use a rear main leaf for the top, then swap in another lift spring. I like the TG 3" leaves. I'm a big OME fan, so I'd get an OME front pack and swap the main leaf or two out of a rear pack so you still get the axle pushed forward a few inches.

I'm also not a huge fan of the Chevy rear pack either. Cheap for sure, but not much lift, and you need shackles a foot long. Cheap though!

33's and 5.29's? You'll be able to pull parley's in 5th for sure now!

Kevin B. · Oct 25, 2012

I'm not sold on the Chevy/RUF swap yet. It's cheap for sure, but it's also a bit of fabrication that I don't want to take the time to do right now, I wanna get the truck on the road and on the trail. In honesty, what I'm probably going to do is kipe the bastard pack off the '86 and shove a few more leaves in the front enough to clear the 33s and call it good for now.

OME is definitely on the table, but that's bucks I don't have right now. And I want this truck rolling.

sixstringsteve · Oct 25, 2012

If you re drilled tour center pin on your front leafs, I'll bet you could for 33s with zero lift.

Kevin B. · Oct 25, 2012

To shove the axle forward just like a RUF, but without the new hangers? That's an interesting thought. Do I dare push it forward 2 inches and slap a 1.5 inch driveshaft spacer on it?

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DriveshaftSpacer.shtml#Triple-drilled

sixstringsteve · Oct 25, 2012

That's what I'd do. I'd mock up the 33's to see how much clearance you have. Remember, the axle moves backwards as it compresses up, so at full bump, it'll be moved back a bit towards the firewall.

Kevin B. · Oct 25, 2012

I do know that with the condition of the interior and most of the body, I want to think very very carefully about any hacking or hammering. After the deplorable appearance of my last truck, I'd like to work towards making this one sharp and clean. I'm thinking about these front and back, to be honest -

... I think the KM2s I've got with the wider rear axle and front spacers would fill that out just right, and give me tons of room to stuff 35s if I decided to step up.

sixstringsteve · Oct 25, 2012

the 1st & 2nd gens have a lot more room than the 3rd gens (once you relocate the axle forward).

Kevin B. · Oct 25, 2012

On the '86, the 33s rubbed a touch at the rear of the front fender at full stuff, because of my mad flex and all. I really like the idea of popping the axle forward, for tire clearance and approach angle and longer wheelbase and all that.

Maybe this straight axle stuff isn't so bad after all.

sixstringsteve · Oct 25, 2012

Kevin B. said:
Maybe this straight axle stuff isn't so bad after all.

whoa, careful there, let's not get carried away.

For fitting bigger meats, solid axles are a lot easier. It's also a lot easier to spend $5k in two months.

Marsh99 · Oct 25, 2012

Kevin B. said:
I'm not sold on the Chevy/RUF swap yet. It's cheap for sure, but it's also a bit of fabrication that I don't want to take the time to do right now, I wanna get the truck on the road and on the trail. In honesty, what I'm probably going to do is kipe the bastard pack off the '86 and shove a few more leaves in the front enough to clear the 33s and call it good for now.

OME is definitely on the table, but that's bucks I don't have right now. And I want this truck rolling.

I wouldn't say Chevy or Ruf spring swaps are cheap. In fact to run Ruf it requirse you to run hight steer, add a ifs steering box, and a new front spring hanger. Chevy can be cheap if you fab your own parts but if you don't its the same price as a lift kit.

All i can say people like what they like. My 2 cents and 90% of the people on pirate say thats the best leaf setup because it works. With this setup it is vital that you run bump stops, or you will lose the arch in your leafs in no time.

sixstringsteve · Oct 25, 2012

No doubt your setup works really well Brandon. I didn't have much muck with mine. Maybe my truck was a lot heavier.

Kevin B. · Oct 25, 2012

tacoman99 said:
All i can say people like what they like.

I think that's what it comes down to. I have no doubt that Chevies and RUF are great for the trail, there's too many trucks running them and liking them to think otherwise. And I was impressed with how your truck rode when we took that spin around the block. I'm not 100% that that's the ride I want in a daily driver, so I'm going to take this slow and feel my way through it, and with any luck I won't screw up as many times as I did building the '86.

TROKITA · Oct 26, 2012

nice didnt even see this thread

TRD270 · Oct 26, 2012

I'm really please how the allpro springs ride, my lady has alcans and the allpros ride way nicer on rough dirt roads and they are super flex. You are more than welcome to come take my runner for a spin and see how you like the ride

Kevin B. · Oct 26, 2012

You like them better than the alcans? I think that's the first time I've ever heard alcans not come out on top in a comparison...

Kevin B. · Oct 27, 2012

Progress! A little bit, anyway.

Dutchman came over this morning, and a coworker made it by this afternoon. Between the three of us, we managed to get nearly everything worth anything off the '86, and generated some excellent driveway carnage in the process.

All thats left with the '86 is to salvage the sliders and get the '85 axle underneath and get it hauled away. Or I think that's all that's left - my list drove away in the back of Dutchman's truck, along with the roll bar. Didn't quite get the axle out from under the '85 - one 30 year old leaf spring bolt didn't want to put out, so I soaked it in PB Blast and will try again in the morning. If it still doesn't wanna give it up for daddy I'm getting out the grinder.

Next is to finish swapping the axles so I can get the '86 off to the wrecker, stuff a few more leaves in front to correct the sag, and then I can focus on the rear main and getting the motor nice and smooth.

Have I mentioned I like driving trucks better than working on them? WANT TO WHEEL.

Kevin B's 1985 4Runner

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