Hey there, Ive got a '90 toyota hilux. Its not supralux yet but it might get there one day. So far its only jacked up, with extremely crap all terrains, but i take it places people say i cant. Its leaf sprung and articulation seems quite poor. Is this a problem for all leaf sprung vehicals and how do i fix it. Will longer shackles help? Logically this will help what are the other options. P.S. i will probably take the cheepest option.
Cheers Jarrad
Hilux articulation
Hi Jarrad
Not all leaf-sprung vehicles have poor articulation... but by design the Hilux utes have very stiff rear springs (They are designed to carry loads) which makes them quite harsh to drive, and stops them articulating well at all. Overall the Hilux is a very capable offroader, and will go plenty of places with a little attitude behind the wheel... but the rear is a let-down for them.
Extended shackles won't help much in the back (not for articulation anyway), but the falcon spring conversion will make worlds of difference. Have a look in the user photos section, and check my folder (SupraLux) which has some photos of mine articulating with that mod done.
On the cheap you could try removing the third leaf, and maybe the overloads from the rear packs - but you run the risk of breaking leafs that way.
Where in NZ are you? You're welcome to come have a look at mine if you are in or near Chch...
regards
Steve
Not all leaf-sprung vehicles have poor articulation... but by design the Hilux utes have very stiff rear springs (They are designed to carry loads) which makes them quite harsh to drive, and stops them articulating well at all. Overall the Hilux is a very capable offroader, and will go plenty of places with a little attitude behind the wheel... but the rear is a let-down for them.
Extended shackles won't help much in the back (not for articulation anyway), but the falcon spring conversion will make worlds of difference. Have a look in the user photos section, and check my folder (SupraLux) which has some photos of mine articulating with that mod done.
On the cheap you could try removing the third leaf, and maybe the overloads from the rear packs - but you run the risk of breaking leafs that way.
Where in NZ are you? You're welcome to come have a look at mine if you are in or near Chch...
regards
Steve
Longer shackles will lift it some more but prob won't help the axle travel.
The cheap axle travel mod is to put some XD Falcon rears in the back and shift your old rears to the front. You can then either have the front axle come forward 50mm or redrill the perch to keep the axle in the stock position.. ( stock position means no steering mods but 33's will just rub the foot well / wheel arch )
Not much $$$ but wicked results
The cheap axle travel mod is to put some XD Falcon rears in the back and shift your old rears to the front. You can then either have the front axle come forward 50mm or redrill the perch to keep the axle in the stock position.. ( stock position means no steering mods but 33's will just rub the foot well / wheel arch )
Not much $$$ but wicked results
Articulation for leaf sprung hilux
Thanx. But why would i want the rear leafs in the front? Wouldnt that transfer the prob? The rear srings are way longer it would be like an 8" lift or something.
My lux is suprisingly capable and my crap tyres are making me drive pretty aggressive, this could be interesting when i finally get some swampers, the wife gets scared already!
Jarrad
My lux is suprisingly capable and my crap tyres are making me drive pretty aggressive, this could be interesting when i finally get some swampers, the wife gets scared already!
Jarrad
Rear leaves in the front moves your axle forward, making it easier to fit anything 33" or bigger into the wheel arches.
They are only marginally longer, so you should use extended front shackles, but the lift increase is negligible over a 50mm lift new spring. Most of us Hilux guys run them down here in chch with no major probs.
There are a few things to do when you do it tho, unless you redrill the springs to sit the exle in the standard position (why you'd do that I don't know) - longer front d-shaft, shorter steering draglink, shorter or moved torque rod off the top of the diff... etc...
Steve
They are only marginally longer, so you should use extended front shackles, but the lift increase is negligible over a 50mm lift new spring. Most of us Hilux guys run them down here in chch with no major probs.
There are a few things to do when you do it tho, unless you redrill the springs to sit the exle in the standard position (why you'd do that I don't know) - longer front d-shaft, shorter steering draglink, shorter or moved torque rod off the top of the diff... etc...
Steve
Re: Articulation for leaf sprung hilux
J_Lux wrote:Thanx. But why would i want the rear leafs in the front? Wouldnt that transfer the prob? The rear srings are way longer it would be like an 8" lift or something.
My lux is suprisingly capable and my crap tyres are making me drive pretty aggressive, this could be interesting when i finally get some swampers, the wife gets scared already!
Jarrad
Rears up front will travel heaps more than the old std flat fronts, Remember the rear of the truck has less weight, so when you shift rear to front you place more weight on the spring and compress it, when you cross up and release the weight from the spring it will push out from the truck-- ie more travel !!
You get the option to move your axle forward, better approach angle, more tyre clearance ( I ran 37's no probs ). But the trade off is you have to mod the draglink and torque rod. You can redrill to retain std position and still get the benefit of better travel and a lift at the same time..
Plus you get the springs for FREE
