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Old 01-26-2013, 10:29 AM   #6 (permalink)
elhigh
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Josie - '87 Toyota Pickup
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Hi,
The rear's first option presents itself: you can clearly see the raising block that rides between the leaf spring and the axle. Take that thing out and you're down a couple of inches really quick.

If you want to get pretty crazy, you can turn the U-bolts over and mount the axle ABOVE the leaf spring, but there are certain hazards associated with that, not least of which is the ugly bonking sound when the spring compresses and the axle knocks into the frame rails.

As to the front, there are many many vendors selling assorted options for lowering truck front ends, including Fords...but I have no idea how many of those are for the 4x4 models. You may be able to find some shorter spring/shock combinations that will lower things and serve well enough.

Be aware that as you go lower, you're altering driveline and steering linkage angles. Usually truckers run into problems along these lines as they try to gain more height, and considering you're probably not trying for huge changes you're not apt to run into any serious problems and I think in most cases you'll actually be straightening things out (which is good for MPG), but it's something to keep in mind.
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