Coils in front? (1st Gen Toyota Truck)

japerry · Dec 16, 2007

So I did some damage checking after walker valley last weekend -- it looks like I managed to bust open my drivers-side leaf with the Ram assist on the steering arm..

I'm looking for some new options, including new leafs, or the possibility of coils in the front? I see some posts that say coils in general are better, while others like leafs in front.

The leafs are just about flat in the front, and have very little travel right now. I'd like to get the travel up, and eventually I'm going to 4-Link the rear.

Opinions? suggestions? I sorta wanna get the parts next week so I can fix it up for the christmas break =D

Specs:
1979 Toyota Truck
TG Hi-Steer kit w/ Ram Assist
Chevy 4.3
37" Iroks

Pat · Dec 16, 2007

Geez all that ram trouble 2 weeks ago now this, unrelated issues I'm guessing? If you want to be wheeling again by Christmas I would think some new leafs would be the way to go. Linking the front end would probably be a pretty involved project. It seems like you should be able to find leafs than would flex better than what you've got now. I don't know Toyota stuff but mabey try Universal Fleet in Marysville? They specialize in leaf springs and I believe they can custom make springs for any application.

japerry · Dec 17, 2007

ooh interesting suggestion, I'll call 'em up tomorrow. Yah the Ram is working great now that I have lock-tite on the hydrolics.... -- too well, its crashing into the drivers side leaf! =P

Toyotanut · Dec 17, 2007

how did you break leaf springs with hydro assist? I'm running full hydro with leafs and haven't broken any springs. Pics might help as well. I'm guessing though that if you are breaking springs it's due to them getting over arched(negative) and then they are snapping.

Pat · Dec 17, 2007

So the broken leaf spring was caused by the ram hitting it? Do you also need to move the ram or limit steering? Pics?

japerry · Dec 17, 2007

shoot I should get pics up, but perhaps this picture can illistrate what happened:

You'll see the centering pin and pack-cap (whats it called?) on the leaf spring in front of the axle. The same is for passenger and drivers side.

Well two things, you can see that both springs are at end of life, since they're almost flat. Also, what happened was the hi-steer ram pushed into the metal cap, causing it to bend out, then coming back catching on the other side and breaking that as well.

I'm sure if I got new leafs, the ram-assist would clear no problem, its just because these are so flat that I ran into this problem.

However, for future reference, I was thinking of eliminating the leaf altogether and going with coils, then I'd never have this problem potentially again.