1995-1997 - Worth Moving Leaf Spring/Shackle Hangers to use 1998-2004 springs

Hey, still kind of a lurker/noob here but I was having a hard time finding consistent info on the leaf spring replacement and lift options for a 1995-1997 early Tacoma with the shorter springs. Looks like it's about 49.5" straight from spring mount to shackle mount on the frame. And they use leaf spring sets that are similar/same as the previous generation pickups. I'm finding out a LOT of information, it's hard to find it all in one place though. Just wanted to possibly put all the info I find in here and develop it as I go. Want some opinions.

MAIN QUESTION - Is it worth it to move/relocate the spring and shackle hangers on the 1995-1997 to go with the longer 1998-2004 leafs? I hear the ride is better with longer leafs, that they flex better, and support more weight... but will the 95-97 ride actually be lacking that much, substantially different? I'm guessing (since I'm no welder), I'd probably be into moving the hangers close about $300-400... $100 for cost of new shackle and spring hangers plus cutting/welding probably coming in at $200-300, not including all the suspension parts still to come (probably close to $650-850+ rough estimate).

Foregoing relocation for more cost-effective/stock length options, I'm looking at OME/ARB Dakar Springs, CS019R or CS020R (CS019R with the AAL) and removing leafs as/if I need ( ). Then I need the reduction sleeves for the shackle pin (181469 x2), bushing kits (OMESB43 x2), u-bolts (OMEU53B x4), and whatever shocks plus random bits and pieces I'm sure. Also, I've heard it's recommended to get extended rear brake lines, prop valve relocation kit, and 3 degree shims with longer pins.

I could also look at stock or hd options from General Springs -@ $130-170 each.
https://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs.../1930.htm

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Here's a pickup install with basically the same OME/ARB parts in the rear Probably will edit this with links/pricing info as we go along, as well as any relevant thread links. Appreciate any input, thanks!

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Pic of my new 97 Extended Cab project (with springs on both leaf packs broken) for clicks


Passenger Side - Main/Top Leaf Broken! DANGER


Driver Side - 2nd leaf down broken, leaf pack looking very flat!

 

If you can`t do the fabrication this could get real expensive.

Depends where the truck lives ??

Unless you have friends that will do it for cost plus food.

It comes down to it is your Truck and budget

I can`t talk 92 4Runner at $25,000.00 and 3 new ECM`s so far.

 

So I'm not going wild custom or anything, fabrication is minimal but most likely around $2-300 for removing the old ones, welding new ones in and painting/sealing. And whatever the price of the new spring and shackle hangers is (about $100 or so). Hypothetically, the location of these new mounts will just end up the same as the later year factory mounts, to get whatever benefits come from the longer springs, if any.

Most sites that sell standard first-gen leaf springs (not including the CS019R/CS020R) have the disclaimer that "Mounting our springs on 95-97 Tacomas will require relocating new front spring hangers 2" forward and the rear shackle hangers 1" rearward from their stock configurations."

The truck is in Montana.

Just thought I'd see people's opinions on if it's worth it, if you have the option to. I'll still end up investing about the same about into buying replacement suspension parts, just curious if it makes that much of a difference with the "shorter" springs on the 95-97 Tacomas vs. the longer ones on the 98-2004.

 

As Wyoming said, it depends on your fabrication skills and the condition of the truck.

Trail Gear makes some leaf hangers that are like $45 a pair. And since you're getting new springs anyway, the cost is going to be essentially the same (either for the pre-98's or the newer, longer leafs).
https://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/sloped-hangers.html


My old 1st gen 4Runner I bought off my brother had a pretty neat setup, with new hangers that my brother had welded right in front of the originals. Seriously, no measuring or anything, they just tucked right up to the old ones. He then built a set of Nissan/toyota frankenleafs from junkyard finds. He relocated the lower shock mounts using pre-'85 sspring perches so both lower shock mounts were behind the axle. Then he put in a DOM tube crossmember and drilled a couple holes for the upper shock mounts so they mounted like / \ (as viewed from the rear). He even had a shop to the welding. He was in college at the time, so it definitely didn't cost very much. That setup easily cost less and flexed better than most any other setup. iirc it got like 22" of flex.

Anyhoo...

So yeah it's totally possible to relocate your hangers, get new springs and all that. The problem is that when you're messing with suspension and welding to the frame, it can blow up in your face pretty quick, especially if you end up finding rust or you're just not a competent welder.

 

Yeah, definitely worth considering. I wish I was a practiced welder, but I'm just getting started so I'd be paying a few hundred bucks up front to get them moved. So basically, investment will be the same, just need to decide if I want to pay the extra cost for moving the hangers, but the shop can't really do that without the labor to remove/reinstall the new springs... soooo yeah, extra cost for install too most likely.

Mostly, I was wondering if folks would really recommend relocating to the locations for the 98-04, or if it's just fine as is. I guess if I really wanted to redo it in the future I could, but I suppose for now I could just order the dakar springs with or without the AAL for 95-97, and would still be 100% better than what I've got now. Not planning on turning this into an offroad beast or anything. I'm just overthinking it as usual

 

is that bedliner stuff on the bottom 1/4 of your truck
looks cool from a long distance if it is

 

yeah, sounds like for your purposes it doesn't make a ton of sense to go through the effort to relocate. Unless you like to over do everything you do. Which, I can respect that!

 

100% not worth it. Find springs to fit your year. The couple of inches makes almost no difference. I have owned both generations

 

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but this is exactly my situation (even the same color Taco haha). Difference for me is I have my own shop, welder, tools, even extra set of (paid) hands.

Did the relocation happen?
Does anyone know of any thread making this relocation?
Is there any new (3 years have gone by) knowledge on this modification? Like, is it good? is it trash?

Issue for me is, I really do want OME springs, but CS019r are way too much lift, and they seem to be out of stock everywhere, maybe soon to be discontinued (?).

I know General Springs exist, but for some extra cash I would rather have OME.

 

Nothing New I know of.

You should know what your getting into if moving things is the only way to make things work for you.

There you go.

Keep very good notes in case you need to replace things down the road or decide to sell the Truck.

 

89-94 4wd Toyota truck springs fit 95-97 Tacoma’s and provide about 1-1/2”-2” of lift

 

Yeah thanks, I'll most likely go this way and do a proper write up.

Some websites advertise CS019R this way, but I'm pretty sure it is wrong. They provide said lift on the 89 pickups, and more like 3.5" on Tacomas, and as I mentioned this is way too much lift and seem to be discontinued soon.

 

I ran the CS019R, they do lift a 95-97 truck pretty tall but they did work well and you could remove and overload or two to level em out a bit. Was always impressed with how they flexed for being so short.

This truck was on 33" tires


That said, this time around on my latest 96 Tacoma on 35" tires I decided to cut all the stock hangers off and weld in mounts for Chevy 63" springs...

 

This is some pretty good info.

Did you carry constant weight at all?
What rear shock gave you the required length? 5100?
What where you running in the front?

My real concern is I want to have a camper, tent, small stove, etc. maybe like 400lbs, and if I need to add a leaf to the CS019R pack (which I believe then becomes similar to a CS020R pack) then I will be at say about 4" lift territory. This raises a couple issues...

1. As far as I understand, 5100 allow for 3" lift maximum, and will not be the proper shock for this setup.
2. 4" lift in the back will level with a 5" in the front? which is an absolutely ridiculous idea for IFS, even a 4" front lift is out of posibility.

Am i missing something?

I understand rear lift to match with the advertised load to the leaf pack specs (ie. 3" lift with 200lbs constant capacity), is this wrong?

 

On that grey truck I left all the leafs in the CS019R pack and carried my tent and my hilift jack at all times, so maybe a constant 150lbs total there. They still were pretty tall, if you had 400lbs on it like I usually do for camping it sits closer to level...

The front here is like 2.25-2.5" of lift


That same truck loaded down...


The CS019R take weight really well I think with all the leafs left in the pack but they sit a bit tall for 5100s, I had a pair of 5100s I couldn't even get on my truck when I first put a lift on back in the day, I ended up having to use the 11" 5125s. Not ideal but it worked. I would recommend relocating the shock mounts yourself and doing like I did with some tunable shocks that can make use of all 10" these leafs can easily cycle.





You can also build a bastard pack pretty easily as well by adding Dodge Dakota springs into a stock pack, I've done that before and it works well too without the crazy initial lift height.

 

Wow, thanks A LOT!

This is just what I needed to know, that stance doesn't seem ridiculous at all relative to the front, it actually looks great, and the flex seems awesome.

Regarding shocks, 5100 seem to be about 22" extended, so I guess a 5125 with 24"-26" extended length from Summit might do the trick.

These 25.93"/15.91" are 10" travel, so they might be an option.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-33-185552

Now that I know CS019 is a proper option, I am further away from deciding the route I'll take hahaha.

But seriously, thanks a lot.

 

You're welcome, those 5125 might work, my recommendation is to see where the truck sits with your weight in it and decide the right shocks from there, don't want shocks too long or you'll bottom them out before hitting your bump stops and too short you'll end up with no downtravel and the ride will be harsh from that. Also 5125 come with the wrong bushings for the stock mounts (which are 19mm or 3/4" dowels) so you'll have to buy the right bushings to press into them if you go with one of their sizes.

These are the right bushings for using them on our trucks:

$9 Energy Suspension 9.8108G 3/4" Hourglass Shock Eye Bushing

https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-9-8108G-Hourglass-Bushing/dp/B000CN9D4E

 

Yeah, definitely will install first and measure after, whatever route I decide to go.

Do you happen to have experience with the longer (1998?) OME pack? EL122RA/B?

Just wondering if it is just as good as your experience with the CS019R, like how good does it flex, weight carrying capabilities etc.

I would be guessing they might be similar, couple inches longer and less of a lift. But they might also be quite different as the CS019R was never intended for the Tacoma.

On a side note, I find it very interesting reading through other threads of the "DAKAR leaf pack" looking at very very different experiences from users regarding lift and weight bearing capabilities, and thinking they are most likely comparing CS019R and EL122RA/B as if they are the same pack, but they might be actually talking about very different packs without even knowing!

Also, does anyone even know why Toyota changed the leaf springs for 1998?
Was the dual cab also introduced this year?

 

No sorry, I've owned three 1st gens and they've all been 95-97 models haha. The 98-04 Dakars are way more common, I mean they fit a much larger year range anyway, those year ranges weren't the ones that were crushed due to rust. if a first gen is talking about OME leafs 95% it's those, they don't have the same high capacity of the CS019R.

 

The factory leaf springs from an 89-04 Toyota truck provides 2” on a 95.5-97 Tacoma. I know from personal experience, The length is the same eye to eye, not saying anything else.