4Crawler Offroad Products

Coil Spring Spacers

for 1990-1995 (2nd gen.) 4Runner/Hilux Surf

Visitor # 23147 since 14.OCT.2005


Contents:

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Introduction:

2" Lift Coil Spring Spacers are now available from 4Crawler Offroad Products!

'90-95 Coil Spring Spacers
'90-95 4Runner Coil Spacers A Coil Spacer Installed

They are a perfect match in height when used in conjunction with the 1.5" ball joint spacers up front. The extra 1/2" of lift is usually just the ticket to counteract the classic rear end sag common on the 2nd generation 4Runner (1990-1995). The spacers are designed to slip in on top of the rear coil spring. Made of resilient polyurethane, they should give many years of trouble-free and noise-free use. The inside of the spacer is designed to slip over the upper coil spring seat on the frame and then provides a new seat for the sping to rest on. The inner lip helps keep the coil spring centered on the spacer.

Coil spacers are a good and low cost choice for leveling the rear end sag on the 2nd generation 4Runners. This is if you are otherwise happy with the rear springs, aside from their lack of height. If you find the rear coils are worn out and just too soft, then the spacer is probably not the best choice, since it will do nothing to stiffen up worn out coil springs. In that case. a set of heavy duty or lift coil springs would be a wise investment.

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On-line Ordering:

The standard 2" coil spring spacers are available below as well as combined with the 1.5" front ball joit spacers for a front+rear lift kit at a savings of $10.00 over the separate price:

'90-95 Coil Spring Spacers '90-95 Coil Spring Spacers '90-95 Coil Spring Spacers

1 Pair 2"/50mm Coil Spring Spacers, US Delivery
- $90.00/pr. plus $12.00 for insured Priority Mail shipping
1 Pair 2"/50mmCoil Spring Spacers,
Canada/Mexico delivery
- Telephone number required for customs paperwork
- Add phone number in the "Note To Seller" on the order form
- Lack of phone number will delay shipment
- US$90.00/pr. plus $25.00 for Priority Mail shipping
1 Pair 2"/50mmCoil Spring Spacers,
International Delivery
- Telephone number required for customs paperwork
- Add phone number in the "Note To Seller" on the order form
- Lack of phone number will delay shipment
- US$90.00/pr. plus $40.00 for Priority Mail shipping
----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Coil Spring and Ball Joint Spacer kit Coil Spring and Ball Joint Spacer kit Coil Spring and Ball Joint Spacer kit

1 Pair 2"/50mm Coil Spring Spacers and
1 Pair 1.5"/38mm Ball Joint Spacers; US Delivery
- $189.00/set plus $12.50 for insured Priority Mail shipping
1 Pair 2"/50mmCoil Spring Spacers and
1 Pair 1.5"/38mm Ball Joint Spacers; Canada/Mexico Delivery
- Telephone number required for customs paperwork
- Add phone number in the "Note To Seller" in the order form
- Lack of phone number will delay shipment
- US$189.00/set plus $25.00 for Priority Mail shipping
1 Pr. 2"/50mmCoil Spring Spacers +
1 Pr. 1.5"/38mm Ball Joint Spacers;
Intl. Delivery
- Telephone number required for customs paperwork
- Add phone number in the "Note To Seller" in the order form
- Lack of phone number will delay shipment
- US$189.00/set plus $40.00 for Priority Mail shipping

Be sure to to print out a copy of the installation instructions below. Printed instructions are not included with the spacers.

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Returns Policy:

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Installation Notes:

Replacing the rear coil springs on a 4runner is relatively easy. The short step by step is:

  • Lift the back end of the truck and support the frame on jackstands
  • Remove rear tires
  • Note that you may need to remove the tires then lower the frame onto jackstands if the stands are too short to reach w/ the tires on.
  • Disconnect sway bar and shocks from axle
  • Press down on the now free-hanging axle and swap the springs
  • You can remove the stock rubber spring isolator as the coil spacers serve the same purpose.
  • Note on some aftermarket springs, the top of the coil may not have a flattened/tapered end like the stock coils do and thus may not sit flat against the spacer. If this is the case, you can use an angle grinder to slightly flatten the projecting end of the spring to fit better. The spacers themselves are a compliant poly urethane material and will accomodate some uneveness on the top end of the spring.
  • If you are going from stock height springs to any lift, you may need to replace the rear axle brake line with a longer one
  • Reinstall the disconnected parts to complete the installation.
  • Check all fasteners in 100-200 miles to make sure they have not loosened
  • For Toyota 4Runners, the Load Sensing Proportioning Valve (LSPV) sensing arm should be adjusted to compensate for the lift acheived.
  • The sensing rod bolts to the axle and uses ride height to adjust rear brake pressure.
  • If the LSPV adjusting bracket was purchased with the spacers, un-bolt the sensing rod from the axle, bolt in the LSPV adjusting bracket with the stock bolts.
  • Then bolt the sensing rod to the top of the bracket with the supplied bolts.
  • Check for proper brake operation and fine tune the sensing rod as needed.
  • By jamming a 2x4 between the brake drum and the wheel well, the axle should be low enough to work on the springs. The only tricky part of this, if using the spacers with lift springs is getting the springs compressed a couple of inches, as the spring compressors are difficult to work with in this confined area.

    Here is a writeup on the installation process with additional photos and tips:

    With variations in rear suspensions, you might find that the rear springs might pull away from the coil spacer under full spring droop. If this happens there are several options available. One option is to install some limiting straps on the rear axle to keep it from dropping low enough to take the tension off the springs. Straps are available from many off-road parts shops. Another option is to install some small u-bolt clamps to attach the spring to the spacer. This will involve drilling a small (~1/4") hole into the edge of the spacer to slide the u-bolt in place. Typically, you'll need 2-3 u-bolts per spring to hold it in place. U-bolts should be available from most hardware stores. If you can't find any locally, a set of 6 can be supplied for a cost of $20.00 plus shipping. Contact 4Crawler Offroad for more information.

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    Panhard Drop Bracket for 1990-1995 (2nd gen.) Toyota 4Runner/Hilux Surf:

    The panhard rod drop bracket lowers the frame end of the panhard rod to compensate for the rear end lift. The panhard rod helps to locate the rear axle side to side and if not adjusted for the lift, it will tend to pull the axle towards the passenger side due to its higher angle from the frame to the axle bracket. An easy way to check the offset on the panhard rod is to use a tape measure and measure the height off the ground of the center of the mounting bolt on each end of the rod. The height difference between the two ends would be amount of drop your rod needs to be restored to level. Note that it is not critical to match that height difference exactly. For example, if your rod is offset 3" from level, then a 4" drop brkt. would leave you with a net 1" offset, but that would be far better than the 3" offset that is currently there.

    Panhard Rod Bracket Panhard drop bracket installed
    Panhard Rod Drop Bracket Panhard Drop Bracket Installed

    Two drop bracket kits are available. The basic kit includes just the drop bracket itself. The deluxe kit includes the bracket and also the additional bolts required to install the drop bracket on the existing frame bracket. The bracket is set up for a 4" lift, that is it will relocate the panhard rod 4" lower than the frame bracket. It is possible to drill the bracket for less lift. This can be done by the end-user or the bracket can be ordered custom fit down to approx. 2-1/2" drop. The standard 4" drop brackets are typically in stock for immedeate shipment. Custom drop brackets take 1-2 weeks to fabricate. Domestic shipping runs $7.00, international shipping runs $12.00 to most countries with US Priority Mail International service. For questions, please contact 4Crawler Offroad.

    Basic Panhard Rod Drop Bracket Deluxe Panhard Rod Drop Bracket Deluxe Panhard Rod Drop Bracket

    Drop:

    Basic Brkt Kit/US ($49.00+shipping) Deluxe Bracket Kit/US ($53.00+shipping) Custom Brkt Kit/US ($65.00+shipping)
    - - -

    Drop:

    Basic Brkt Kit/Intl. (US$49.00+shipping)
    - Telephone number required for customs
    - Add phone number in the "Note To Seller"
    Deluxe Bracket Kit/Intl. (US$53.00+shipping)
    - Telephone number required for customs
    - Add phone number in the "Note To Seller"
    Custom Brkt Kit/Intl. (US$65.00+shipping)
    - Telephone number required for customs
    - Add phone number in the "Note To Seller"
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    Installation Notes:

    If installing a lift at the same time as the drop bracket, first remove the passenger side panhard rod bolt. Then install the lift before proceding. For easiest removal and installation of the panhard rod, do so at normal ride height on level ground and not while the rear tires are off the ground. If a lift has already been installed, you may find it necessary to compress the rear suspension somewhat to aide in panhard bar removal. A few people on the rear bumper or a several hundred pounds of cargo on the back may do it. You are trying to reduce any tension on the panhard rod in order to allow the eye bolt to be removed.

    Insert the drop bracket into the factory panhard rod bracket and insert the larger bolt (if ordered) to locate the drop bracket. Mark the location of the upper bolt hole and drill it out to fit the small bolt (7/16" - 1/2" hole). Install the smaller bolt (if ordered) loosely, then the supplied 9/16" bolt and finally the factory panhard rod bolt through the passenger end of the panhard rod. Once all 3 bolts are in place, first tighten the upper bolt in the drop bracket, then the middle bolt and finally the panhard rod bolt.

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    Frequently Asked Questions:

    1. Will longer shocks be required?
    2. Can I use these spacers with lift springs for more height?
    3. Will I need any other parts to install these spacers?
    1. Will longer shocks be required?
    It is hard to say for sure. The best option is to measure the compressed and extended shock lengths needed for the spacers once they are installed. If the shocks do not limit spring travel, then they are fine to lease as-is. If the shocks only slightly limit the downward spring travel and you don't take your 4Runner off-road, that may be OK, since noraml street driving is likely to push the suspension anywhere close to its limits. If they severely limit the spring travel, or you take the 4Runenr off-road, the shcoks should probably be replaced with longer parts. Then order a shock that meets those needs. Here is a table of some common longer shocks that may be suitable.
    2. Can I use these spacers with lift springs for more height?
    Yes, no problem using the spacers on top of lift springs. See the installation instructions and the writeup there for some considerations.
    3. Will I need any other parts to install these spacers?
    You will probably want to adjust the Load Sensing Proportioning Valve (LSPV) sensing rod attached to the axle to account for the lift. This rod senses the ride height and adjusts the rear braking bias up or down depending on the sensed load. Unfortunately a "suspension lift" looks to the LSPV as if there is no weight on the back axle and thus it cuts the rear brake pressure to a minimum. By raising the sensing rod off the axle an amount equal to the lift height will compensate for the lift and restore normal braking effectiveness. A simple bolt-on, custom height LSPV relocation bracket is available here...
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    [Last updated: 12.June.2008]