[Screwy]

Guys this is a common problem.

The reason it does this is that the shackle becomes too straight with the suspension lift and then 'inverts' on travel.

Longer shackles will stop this from happening, however it is not solving your overall issue.

The way a leave sprung truck, especially one with lifted springs, gets flex is via the movement forward and backward of the shackle.

If the shackle is long it makes it straighter. You get your ride hieght and lift a little higher though you loose all or most of the flex u were getting in the shackle.

The way correct all of your issues without too much work, is to cut those 2 front shackle mounts off and move them back an inch and re weld them. This will give you the angle you need on your shackle to prevent inverting and also gain flex.

The ideal best way to set up an MQ front end with leaves is to cut those 2 mounts off and the rear 2 off. Weld a dropped X member in the front and weld the 2 rear mounts in the front. solid bolt them in, then weld the previous front ones in at the back and bolt your shackles in at the back.

This gives you excellent flex, great approach angles and less breakages, however you really need to know what your doing to set them up correctly.

Screwy

 

[Screwy]

i reckon no body would know you didnt have MQ leaves in your car, if you went that way. same with the spring reversal.

never heard of a driveshaft spacer, as long as its balanced i reckon it would be okay. and as long as it doesnt effect the uni angle too bad. and its not like wheel spacers at all, they effect other things like extra load on wheel bearings and steering systems that manufactures havent engineered for. driveshaft spacer will effect nothing.

Drive shaft spacers are quite common. I have one on my SWB GQ bolted to the handbrake drum. You might be able to buy them from the likes of superior maybe even.

If they are balanced they are sweet, but nothing substitutes the correct size shaft anyways.

Screwy

 

[Screwy]

Driveshaft length will remain the same in the front unless you move your wheelbase forward or back..... With the hilux leaves the way i had them your front to centre diff pin measurement is the same so therefore you dont need a longer shaft....

However,

Your down travel will be increased to the point where your shaft may drop out on full travel, if this is the case a longer shaft spline internally will be needed.

I probably have pics of the setup close up somewhere. not on the computer anymore. Ill have a dig around and see if i can find it.

That patrol was built years ago, proven and sold years ago still so ill see what i can find.

screwy

 

[Screwy]

went and got a new spring from efs today. $110 for a full pack. will chuck that in when i get home and be ridin in comfort again! haha. ive got two 2in lifted spring packs sitting in the shed with bent top leafs if anyone wants them?

screwy, did you put the new front mounts in the same spot as the old ones with the lux springs?

got no choice in that matter.

As far forward on the chassis as you can. I did put a dropped crossmember in though as well.

The FRONT LEAVE PACK, rear hilux leave mount.... need to much further back as they are a longer leave.

Screwy

 

[Screwy]

oh yeh i get you. sorry about the 20 questions but i'm seriously considering this mod and you are the only one i know (maybe in the world) who's done it! and i want to get it right.

1. What model hilux did you get your leaves off? i know you prev said IFS but that is alot of models
2. Did you use mq chassis brackets or hilux chassis brackets?
3. how did the leave pins line up with the seat on the axle tube?
4. what did it do to overall height in the front compared to stoc

i know im asking alot so thanks in advance
Luke

1. Any Toyota Hilux that has IFS front suspension between 1997 and 2000 is suiteable for the rear leave pack. I believe they are all the same or similar.

2. I used ones i made. You can probably use either depending on the what bushes you use though.

3. Both packs are the same width and front to centre pin the same. I cant remember if i had to drill the centre pin on the diff out a touch for a larger bolt but if i did thats no biggie anyway. They seat up fine and can use your same spring perches and u bolts.

4. Overall height similar. Maybe an inch more in the dropped crossmember and longer shackles, though i lost it as the springs were flat deliberatly for flex. My truck was already SOA when i did this, so its a bad example. This mod is for front end flex. not really height....

Screwy

 

[Screwy]

thanks for taking the time to write all that down, the results are amazing

Do you know what the legalities are, related to driving the rig around on normal roads, with this setup?

Mine was all engineered and i drove it between tracks. Never a problem.

No bump steer. Went well. Just dont forget to rotate your knuckles if you do the entire conversion to get your steering castor back in allignment.

 

[Screwy]

im having a hard time chasing some of these springs down. ifs models go back to about '92 dont they? also will i need them from a 2wd model or 4wd?

edit: 10/88 - 97 is the same car. so this is the model i need?

i was speaking to quite a knowledgable fella and he said the gear from 98-05 hilux's is the same, however differs between dual and single cab.

IFS - Independant front suspension.

You want 4x4 model.

Hilux 4x4s were solid axle front and rear from when they started to 1997. Some models from 1993 i think maybe were IFS with a solid rear axle...

After that they all went IFS front.

Any model between that 1993 gap and around 2000 model that has independant front suspension ( not a live axle ).... You need the rear leaves from the solid rear axle out of that model.

Screwy

 

[Screwy]

A hilux surf is a 4 runner. They are an import and not a hilux.

You need a Hilux 4x4 from around 1994 mark i think that has IFS front and live axle rear. The Hiluz leaves are like a foot longer. Cant remember the exact lengths....

Screwy