Another suspension thread...

How the hell did you get a grinder in there? I would've done the same but there was no way I was cutting the top stud off with a grinder.

 

Probably due to the reverse China (tariff) action which I’m loving by the way.

 

I was a bit off....

 

Is that for one or a set? I can't tell.

 

These OEM Toy shackle prices have dropped since my last visit, as well. Used to be around $90.

 

1 set.

 

I guess I'll be replacing those as well in the spring. I reused my OG ones from factory. Probably could be replaced.

 

Your springs are 05-06 which are more costly across the board (vs. 2000-04) even on the OEM SITES.

 

I never noticed that, no reason to be looking at those parts. Haha

 

Chevy has been done but requires cutting and moving the front perch forward. 53" Chevy if I remember right.

 

They are 63", I have been reading up on this a lot lately. Leaf springs for our trucks, not specifically the Chevy 63"...

 

You are correct, 63"

 

You are supposed to get a lot more articulation.

 

Yes, more articulation and weight carrying capacity. I'm curious how much of that articulation is from the shackle though, Archive Garage makes a shackle flip kit for our trucks and it significantly increased travel. A guy named Seanpistol ran it on his truck. Not as cheap as Chevy springs though if relocating mounts and changing shackles is within your capability.

 

I am familiar with the shackles flip kit. When I talked with Eric (I think that is his name, the owner of AG) he didn't recommend them for what I was after. I am interested in more flex while being able to haul a few hundred pounds of camping gear. The ICON AAL does not carry weight without a bunch of sag. The ride is great as well as the flex over stock.

 

I also got general springs. They’ve been good.

 

So does it take 2 per side? Need to buy 4 to replace front and rear on both sides?

 

1 per side on the rear end of the leaf spring.

 

I went down a speed reading rabbit hole on the pirate site linked from TS. Lots of comments but no real info on an easy Chebby swap. I’ll stick with OE or OEM on the springs.

Only reason I need new leafs is because of leaf splay and a clunking rear passenger side shackle on slow right hand turns.

My 2002 rear weight capacity and original leaf spring height/rake are still like new. Its the horizontal splay (from weak OEM keepers) which wore out my silencer pads and that will get checked with new leaf keepers.

The clunking is probs from tow/hauling wearing out the ferrules? inside the shackle bushings. Are there ferrules inside these bushings? Anyone?

Or does the bolt just slide through a rubber bushing? Bolt to rubber contact?

 

You’ll need 2 total shackles. One for each side.

You’ll need four sets of leaf bushings. 2 for each side front eye and 2 for each side rear eye that goes onto the rear shackles. Or, if the leafs come with bushings like the Generals say then no need to buy.

You’ll still need the shackles kit though.

 

Found out General also makes a HD version leaf spring. The pack is a little thicker at 2 1/4” vs. 1 7/8”.

 

I have the Eibach kit and like the ride compared to stock TRD shocks and springs. Granted my originals were very old and one of the shocks was leaking. My driving is probably 95% paved roads with the remaining 5% being gravel roads with some mud and snow occasionally. I also haven't put the rear shocks on there yet. Build quality looks every bit as good as the Bilsteins 5100s.
I left a review for the front coilover kit here: https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...complete-front-coilovers-00-06-toyota-tundra/
There were exactly 0 reviews that I could find online with only passing mentions in forums. I did not purchase from the above vendor, they were just the only site that allowed for customers to leave product reviews. I got the front coilover kit from Trdparts4u.com (Toyota of Dallas), which is no longer available, for $555 shipped included the Toytec diff drop kit (which i didn't end up using). The rear shocks are about $103 each pretty much everywhere.

 

Sweet. I think I'll go with the eibachs so we can get a few more of us with reviews. I think I've got my shopping list:

Eibach coilovers/rear shocks
General rear leafs
New shackles
Freedom UCAs

Now before I do that, I'm rebuilding everything in there. CV axles, LBJs, endlinks, hubs, bearings, and either new lowers, or just bushings, or whatever it needs.

Oh, and I need to do my rear bearings still. Again. I'm stacking up work like I actually have time and skill to do it.

 

That's quite the list. Sounds like my spring... I'd do new control arms vs bushings. They are a pain in the ass to remove and reinstall. The difference in price between bushings and new arms (comes with bushings) is minimal. You might have to replace your cam bolts and eccentrics as well if they are original. I had to cut all of that off my 06 because they were seized. Good luck! P.S., get the good blades for the sawzall.

 

This happened with my truck. Seized up lower control arms and cams etc. etc.

 

I’d agree with @MDobb79, specially if your planning on lbjs. I’ve herd pressing in and out bushings is a royal pain in the ass!
And what are freedom UCAs? Price? I’m tempted to remove the Spc UCAs the the PO put on the truck for total chaos; I know there’s tons of debate on all that. But Spc claims to be maintence free..... yet there’s a zerk on the upper bj but no zerk on the bushings?
I just spray some tri flow on the TC uniball if it starts squawking, and every 5k for oil changes I loosen the long bushing bolt and blast some grease in the zerks.

 

Freedom UCAs are about $340 and have good reviews on the fb page. I'll just do the whole LCA, and add cam bolts to the list. I think I remember @Darkness doing his and using some $80 ones?

 

I think he used the SPC Cams and eccentrics, if I recall.

 

@bmf4069 just in case you change your mind.