I'm thinking of reversing my rear springs to get a little extra wheel base. Has anyone noticed any side effects after doing this. Rough ride, weird handling ? I'm sure Toyota had some reason in mind when they didn't center the axle. I plan on reversing the main leaf and then drilling a new center
pin hole so that the second leaf will still wrap around the fixed end spring
eye.

Paul Washburn
lpwcruzr@sysmatrix.net
79 FJ40 w/ Vortec 5.7L "under the torch"
86 FJ60 w/ GM TBI 350/4L60E, OME

Paul, the reason Toyota had in mind is that the spring pack oriented with the short side toward the transfer case minimizes spring/axle wrap. It is a simple lever-length situation. If you flip the spring pack, you WILL experience increased spring/axle wrap, especially if you also have a SO. Under these conditions, a good torque bar is required to prevent spring/axle wrap.

Not too many side effects to this swap. Although a better one is to find a set of FJ55 rear springs. They give you the same offset and have more flex.

Axle wrap is a problem on SO cruisers when you have the springs reversed or not. A traction bar is a must.

If you notice what happens when the spring flexes with the axle closer to the spring hanger you really reduce the rotation of the pinion.. It continually points to the tcase. With the reversed springs every time you flex you are trying to force the pinion away from the tcase. Which can lead to binding under full droop.
Kind of hard to explain.

I ran with the springs reversed SU and SO. And personally I think it is a great idea. As long as you make sure that the military wrap (if there is one) is on the spring hanger side...