This is my original experimentation(edit: it was not meant to be pretty or even permanent) with a coil at each leafpack to gain lift on the saggy rear end so common to older 4Runners. http://gearinstalls.com/helper.htm It lifted it 3 or more inches just fine but the ride was harsh as I kind of suspected.
Well, I finally had a chance to substitute some 200 lb/in rated coils and remount them a bit cleaner. I test drove it tonight and it does ride smooth now. This is one "unique" way to fix the saggy 4Runner rear. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> from ZUK
see pics below.

Nice job, looks clean. With all this coil spring work and experience, you think you'd be able to cook up a 4-link set up? or kit? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I know it wouldn't be so great for carrying a load in the bed or anything......just wondering. I'd like to do a 4-linked rear end, but much more experience and skill is needed on my part, and still, I'd be nervous to head into a project like that on my own. I like your thinking zuk. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> You go where few to none have gone at all. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

i saw a website w/ a coil spring mounted on the center of the diff. but i forgot what site. hows the flex w/ those things?

I believe that single coil is on ZUKs trail rig
I saw pics on his website of the mod he did fo
a friend of his

what's up Zuk? another good project <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> i remember talking about this with you quite a while ago, nice to see you got around to trying it out. i will be back in town around the begining of jan. i need to see if you are interested in doing a bumper for me... happy turkey day

Can you do something about my saggy rear? I'm too tired to work out...

So how is the spring captured? If you got some major droop would it pop out? Would that work with 63" chevies? Very interesting. I remember the single coil but that looked like a little too much fab. This is do-able...

A bumper it is shrubber <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Talon, thanks! I could cook up a 4 link but that does not interest me right now. Too many other little projects to take care of anyways.

Yes 87toy...that center coil is mine....and it is an absolute lifesaver for my buddy's truck down in Tucson....took care of all his pre-mature sag probs with re-newed lift and super payload ability.

close-up of the simple upper mount I made yesterday....



pic of my 87 Runner with a center coil....I used a Jeep TJ stock front coil. This is a very soft riding set-up. This also takes a little more "fabrication" and steel.

Thats a really cool idea how does it work on the road?

works wonderful on the road. The softness doesn't get any softer. The factory leaf packs had sagged fully onto the overload leaf. That resulted in a buckboard ride. The coil I added there is lifting between 3 and 4 inches as you can see by the airgap on the overload leaf. There is some increased sway on fast turns but nothing I consider an issue. The leaf packs, even though they are tired, are now supporting far less weight( the single coil is probably supporting over 50% by itself) and will last another 18 years.
Anybody that has new after-market leafpacks that seem to be slowly sagging...or carry large amounts of firewood/camping gear....and don't want to replace the leafpacks anytime soon should be thinking about a center coil that is "biased" to give about 1" of lft or so. The leaf packs will likely not sag ever again....and you can dial in the lift.
The dual coil arrangement I have on my DD/worktruck is very soft also but maybe not as soft as the center coil. Even though I have some softer 150# rated coils, I chose to use the 200# versions 'cause I wanted the payload ability. Again, the dual coils are more than just giving casual support to the leafpacks....it's giving a good 3 inches of lift or so and this just fine with this design. No increased sway at all. There is little to no inter-leaf friction because the leafs are supporting almost no weight so the ride is similar to a coiled 'car'...riding soft.
I did not make a retainer/holder for the lower coil mount because it fit so snuggly over the rubber bumpguard. If I was to use this for some offroad, I would then upgrade to a lower capturing plate. The dual coils requires far less fabrication than the center coil....and they are so compact.
I will never remove that center coil on my 87 Runner....it's there for life.

Nice work man. Where did you get the softer 2 coil springs from?