Leaf springs question

[Windsurfer0206]

does anyone know if you can swap out 1988 toyota surf rear springs for a set of springs from a 60 or 70 series cruiser?

or does anyone in auckland general area have good rear springs for an 88 surf and some shock?

thanks chris

[Sadam_Husain]

I'd doubt cruiser springs would fit, Hiluxes are SOA and Cruisers are SUA. Have a look at what the christchurch boys have done, I think they put Falcon springs in the rear and the rear springs in the front or something like that

[MATT4U]

in short no, the cruiser ones are wider.

[Windsurfer0206]

sweet thanks guys just trying to find the cheapest way to replace my sagging surf springs.

[rokhound]

Cruiser springs are also a lot shorter, so they ride like shit and articulate even worse. In the days before I put rears up front, I'm pretty sure Suprasurf used B1600 mazda springs in the front. To keep your cost down, all you need to do is keep the main leaf from the lux, and then mix and match what ever other leafs you can beg, borrow, or steal that are the same width.
You can come up with some really nice spring packs if you piss around with it long enough.

[Bulletproof]

Rokhound is right . By playing around you can experiment with different pack setups and make one that suits your truck.

One thing to be aware of is not to use leaves that are made of heavy plate because they just don't flex very good. Some of the after market Hilux springs are like this and you need a ton weight to make them work.

Cheers Richard

[J_Dub]

Rokhound is right . By playing around you can experiment with different pack setups and make one that suits your truck.

One thing to be aware of is not to use leaves that are made of heavy plate because they just don't flex very good. Some of the after market Hilux springs are like this and you need a ton weight to make them work.

Cheers Richard

thats something i want answered too, buy buying after market springs ie: 50mm lift and long travel shocks, are you actually getting more flex??? doesnt it depend on the hardness of the spring, and ive heard some guys say that older springs will flex more, because they are softer

[rokhound]

Dead right J dub.
Most aftermarket spring packs are complete crap IMHO. They will give you the lift, but the ride is harsh as, and flex is very disappointing.
What makes the falcon spring pack set up work, is the fact that they have more arch, but ( and this is the important bit) they are longer, so the spring rate can be softer (better ride, better artic, worse cornering).
When you put the rears up front, it also moves the axle 50mm (or so ) forward, meaning you can get on bigger tyres, with out them rubbing on the tub and you don't have to do some stupidly high lift.

[Windsurfer0206]

sweet thinks for the response. i have the IFS 88 still. were can you get the falcon kit? also still if anyone knows were i can pick up a second hand set of a surf or a hilux, something that will fit and some second hand shocks that would be great. friends are tiered of getting thrown to the roof and dont have the budget for new leafs and new shocks. just need some stuff for the time being.
thanks
chris

[J_Dub]

Dead right J dub.
Most aftermarket spring packs are complete crap IMHO. They will give you the lift, but the ride is harsh as, and flex is very disappointing.
What makes the falcon spring pack set up work, is the fact that they have more arch, but ( and this is the important bit) they are longer, so the spring rate can be softer (better ride, better artic, worse cornering).
When you put the rears up front, it also moves the axle 50mm (or so ) forward, meaning you can get on bigger tyres, with out them rubbing on the tub and you don't have to do some stupidly high lift.

sorry i shouldnt be thread jaking but i guess its the same topic.
I would do the coon swap, i want to do the coon swap, everyone keeps saying do the coon swap, problem is, it seems to be a South island thing, noone in Auckland seems to do it, even aftre talking to a few hardcore offroardys up here alot of them never even heard of the coon swap, i would do it in a flash, as i know its money well spent. I have read Steves writeup about it on his website, where he gives a step by step guideline for it, is it a fairly easy mod where if i was to give a fab/engineer the info, could he do it?????????

[MATT4U]

just remember with a coon swap, if your beam axel you must get a ifs wide axel other wise you will foul on the chassie something wikid, when I first did mine I didn't have my wide axel on me and just cornering I would rub the chassis

[Windsurfer0206]

i have found some hilux springs and bought them but have found that i need longer u bolts by about 4 cm. this is going on a 88 surf. was wondering if anyone has a set of 4 u bolts from a hilux?
thanks
chris

[gimmemud]

Ring this guy. Southern surf spares: 09 266 5361 or 021 179 1231. Guy fom the manukau club that wreck's surfs in his spare time.

[Windsurfer0206]

thanks bro. will do if i get a new surf about an hour after i sent the post i noticed my truck had got stolen last night. thanks for the number with give him a ring anyways casue probably will need them for next truck!!
thanks bro!!
chris

[gimmemud]

Wankers aye. Just buy mine

[Windsurfer0206]

yeah it sucks royaly!!! what do you have? the next one i get i want solid front with either the petrol 3y or V6 in it or have the 3L diesel. have to get the pay out first tho luckly it was fully insured!! still sucks tho!!

[gimmemud]

Perfect i got a beam axle one with a commy v6 in. new (to me with about 2 months warranty left) motor and new clutch.

[Windsurfer0206]

send me some pics and info on it what year? any rust what other mods have you done ie snorkel, manual hubs, LSD? raised? how much?

email me windsurfer0206@aol.com