So thsi past weekend, I had some free time and figured what the hell. The back end of my '89 Runner is running Superlift AAL springs.... w/o the AAL. I put 'em in to jack it up, but ended up taking out the extra AAL leaf b/c the ride was just too harsh. W/ BJ spacer up front, this left me nice and saggy-ended, riding on the overloads.

Got some TJ coils free, stuck the rears on. I only cut about 1.5" off of the end where the coil diameter is mall, wound that sucker into the stcok upper bumpstop... all done.

Here's a shot - note truck still jacked by frame, at full droop:



I'll prob add some rubber hoe around the ends and some kind of keeper, this was just a quick deal to see how it worked out.
Netted a bit under 2" lift measured on the bumper.

I'll get an in-action shot later.

Ride is better! However it's till a bit jarring when the back end goes over speedbumps etc. I'm thinking my shocks might be too stiff...

For the record, there is *no way* this thing could pop out on it's own, even 4 wheeling. I had to compress the snot out of it via a coil tool, and even then it was very difficult to finagel over the bumpstops.

I installed some TJ coils in the rear of my '84, which had tired stock springs. I got 2" of lift as well. I jacked my truck up by the frame and let he rear axle droop and was able to "install" the springs without any tools. I haven't done any serious off-roading since the install, eight months ago, but I have hit some large speed bumps and driven over some curbs without any problem. One problem with a 2" lift and stock shocks is that it puts your shocks at their upper limit, so they don't have any room left to extend, which may be part of the cause of your harsh ride on bigger bumps (which I have as well). I'd like to hear the experts recommendations on a good shock for this set-up. -- Matt

I put rubber hose on mine. No squeeks yet. Has a nice ride. I don't think I'm at the end of my shouck (RS5000). I think the rear is just a litt more responsive to drops, such when you come off a speed bump. I used a tie wrap to help keep things where they are. I don't think the spring will pop out since I have to spread opent he leaf spring to get it in there.

I think you can soften the ride even more if you cut off the rear portion of the over-loads even with the perches. Leave the front half there for anti-rap reasons. I am not sure but I think you can flip the over-load to conform to the curve of the leafpack.

5000 shocks should not be very stiff.

They can be after they've started sucking in air. Twin tube hydraulic shocks are o.k. for only so long. My old 5000's were bone-jaring stiff, when I removed them there was about an inch or so of freeplay, (air space) at the top of the stroke. New Bilsteins were super plush in comparison. His shocks are probably shot.

Well last night I went and picked up 16 40 lb bags of dirt at Lowes.
Previously, this extra 640 lbs would have had my bumper dragging the ground, lol.
Total sag w/ load -> 1.25". You can barely tell.

And I must say, it handled driving w/ that load quite well, no problems. I needed 20+ bags but was a little worried that 800 lbs might be a bit much.
Actually it made my mystery grinding noise almost go away, hahaha. No doubt b/c of the decreased angle from the sag.

mystery grinding noise?
That doesn't sound good.
Pretty amazing how well your truck can handle payload now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I agree! Its a reference to the problem mentioned here
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...B11&Number=975315&Forum=,f11,&Words=grinding&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=975315&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=&daterange=0&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post975315
which is still unresolved. I'm left having to assume that one (or both?) of the u-joints must be just on the edge of bad, so that w/ the small lift, angles have changed just enough to bring it out.
Only happens right at the transition point that gas is being applied or completely removed, as at high speeds (audible @>65 mph)... once torque fully transfered or releaved, it goes away.

I wouldn't have worried about the 800lbs in the rear. I've put 3000 lbs in the back of my old 85 pickup. It was sagging the rear quite a bit and made for some interesting light steering <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I don't recommend driving like that all the time but once in awhile slowly is fine.

Wow. I thought these thinsg were rated as 1/2 ton vehicles?