Symptoms
Rear sitting low or level with the front, bottoming out over bumps, cracked or flattened leaves.
The fix, step by step
- Support the frame on stands and take the weight off the axle with a jack.
- Remove the shocks' lower mounts, the U-bolts and spring plate, then the shackle and front hanger bolts.
- Swap in new springs (LC Engineering sells 1984–89 4Runner sets at +2, +3 and +4 in) with new bushings, refit the U-bolts and torque everything with the truck back on its wheels so the bushings aren't preloaded.
Tools & part numbers
- Floor jack
- stands
- breaker bar
- penetrating oil
- new U-bolts
- LCE 1984–89 4Runner rear leaf spring set
Where to buy the parts
Rear leaf spring set, 1984–89 4Runner (+3 in)LC Engineering ↗Amazon ↗
Rear leaf spring bushings, 1984–88 pickup & 4RunnerLC Engineering ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota 4Runner 1st Gen parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.