All Pro, Marlin, or Trail Gear Lift Kits for '85 4Runner?

All Pro, Marlin, or Trail Gear Lift Kit?

  • All Pro

    Votes: 2 6.1%

  • Marlin

    Votes: 11 33.3%

  • Trail Gear

    Votes: 10 30.3%

  • Mix & Match ('63 chevy springs, etc.)

    Votes: 10 30.3%
  • Total voters
    33
85TrailRunner

85TrailRunner

Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2007
Location
Monroe
This is just for the future when I lift my '85 4Runner I'd like to get a complete kit & go that route but I'm open to ideas. I've read about '63 Chevy leaf springs but I don't know what all I'd need to do that & what other parts I'd need to do it that way. If I went with the '63 Chevy springs would they bolt right up to the stock leaf spring hangers or would I need to relocate them? What are some of ya'lls experiences with these kits or mixing different stuff thats not part of a kit? The good & the bad? I'm wanting to run & 33 or maybe a 35in tire & I'm not building this to be a mud truck since I'm hoping to stay with the 22-re for awhile. This would really help me out as I'll keep it for reference for when I'd ready to do it all, thanks.
 
If you run 63" chevys you have to move the spring perch. I'm not too sure how the lifts flex in comparison or the ride for that matter. I'd say the ride would be a bit more harsh since you've kept the same spring length and put in a taller spring, but I could (and probably am) be wrong.
 
The real Qestion is how much $$$$$ do you want to or (HAVE) to spend on this ? as your runner sits you can run 33's with a little metal work manly around the front fenders and you can do almost all of uwharrie if not all it would help to regear with 4.88's I'm running 35's on mine with 2" longer shakles and some major metal trimming and 2" wheels spacers other than that it's stock. if I had the $$ I would go all Marlin I have meet the man and I can tell ya there is no better. He knows his S-IT and is as nice and helpful as you can get.

if your funds are tight go the 63's and find some help doing the work Pirate4x4 has every thing you would ever want to know here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=12

other than that I have a 85 sr5 and would help anyway I can if ya need it .
 
I'd be willing to save up for any of the kits if they were truly worth it. I didn't really know what others were doing with their straight axle Toyota's as far as lifting them goes just figure I'd throw some questions out there.
 
As far as the kits go its more about who the company is getting there springs from and where they where made / assembled, any of the kits will ride flex better than stock but depending on who made the springs you could lose 1/2 your lift in 6 months or less from sag, all the other parts are preaty generic.
 
I'm kinda leaning towards the Trail Gear kit because it includes rebuild kits for the knuckles & its at a decent price. How do I go about finding out which kits use which springs & how much they'll sag over time?
 
All 3 companies are good and like most every kit has pro's and con's compared to others, but why not support your instate vendors and give Bud over at Budbuilt a call.
 
I voted for Marlin but I was really thinking, "Anything but all-pro." They've really earned their reputation for selling stuff that doesn't hold up.

Bud sells Marlin gear. If you've never worked with him you're missing out. He's a great guy and he'll take good care of you.
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/

Note: I have no connection to Bud and I've never received a discount. I'm just a happy customer.
 
x3 for bud.
 
So will the springs that marlin crawler provides with their kits hold over time or will they sag? Have you guys ever had any of marlin crawler's stuff or you've just dealt with Bud & know that he's good with customer service? If I pay this much for a complete kit (as I'm willing to do), I just want to make sure it'll last a LOOONG time because it might take a LOOONG time to save up for it.
 
Any kit that flexes good is going to sag, if you want no sag get a skyjacker kit it will last forever and ride like shit, plus no flex, sag is inevatable. what sucks is when they don't sag evenly which is common one side lower than the other. all listed have had this happen except trail gear don't really no about there springs yet. But they are probably made by the same company same specs at least. Of course the uneven wear of the springs is also due to poor bumpstop placement or none and what kind of offroad use. Most straight axle kits come with new spring hanger so that will need to be welded in, if that is going to be done putting chevy's in isn't real hard. You could run rears up front, chevy's in the rear and just get a spring hanger, that would be the cheapest lift and would flex well. If i was going to buy a kit i would get trailgears b/c of the price and the fact that there is probably no quality difference. I have an allpro lift on mine with leafs taken out to lower it, it sags significantly to the pass. side but it flexes well.

Rock monkey 4x4 is a local shop that is a trail gear vender, whatever you buy try to buy form the east coast.
 
I bought a front axle/knuckle rebuild kit from Marlin and it came with so many extra parts, I could just about do it again! It was shipped in very timely fashion and everything fit like a glove. Check out the marlin crawler site and then go with Bud. Haven't done buisness with him yet, but I got my eye on one of them thar transfer case cross members. Just gotta get the cash together.
 
I have the trail gear classic front 4 inch kit plus their hydro assit.And I have the chevy 63's.If you plan to run the chevy's.Get the 4wd for the extra weight of the 4-Runner.
ai73.photobucket.com_albums_i217_fathandracin_DSCF1654.jpg
 
I feel the same as Vanguard. I have all-pros under my 1985 pick-up currently and will never buy them again for any of my vehichles. My truck has the gangster lean to the left and bent leaves and yes I run bumpstops. I have a 4runner that will eventually have 63's/ruf.
 
i went with trail gear and they really screwed me on getting me the right parts, i had to call them three times because they kept leaving out pieces that were supposed to be in the front sas kit. dunno if its true but i have heard that the tg kit will sag faster than the others, mine has sagged but its to be expected and my buddies with allpro havnt sagged near as much. if you go with TG just go throuh everything when you first get it really good and make sure every piece is there, on the other hand they were really nice about sending me all the little stuff they left out.
 
tominator said:
I feel the same as Vanguard. I have all-pros under my 1985 pick-up currently and will never buy them again for any of my vehichles. My truck has the gangster lean to the left and bent leaves and yes I run bumpstops. I have a 4runner that will eventually have 63's/ruf.
Click to expand...


haha the gangsta lean. i always park mine with the wheels turned to the pass side so it doesnt lean so hard
 
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