Ron Alan

The problem with not having a definitive way to go, concerning a '78 truck leaf springs (Off Road place said check with Toyo forums, Toyo forums said check with Off Road places, …), and not wanting to fake out with air bags, I chose to pay the big bucks and have my old springs cold hammered and added 3 more per side. He said it would be good for 15 years, which may or may not out-last me. Its so nice. My air shocks now seem non-consequential.

Following advice by Scott IV, I called Air Lift, to ask about their 57113 Loadlifter air bags. I was told that the 5 inch space that '75 thru '78 have by removing the bump stop would provide a proper working space for the bags. He stopped short of guaranteeing the parts for my usage. I was only looking for an insiders perspective and thanked him for that. Thank you all for slogging through what ultimately affects only a small percentile of this group.

Excellent reply, Scott. Thank you, very much.

PS: How do you like the leaf spring dampers that were on my springs? See photo.

Why are the 1975 through 1978 years seen as unmentionables for leaf springs or air bags? If I remove my bump stops, I have five inches between truck frame and axle top. Is five inches enough space to fit air bags? Can Scott iv, or someone with AIR LIFT 57113 LoadLifter 5000 Series tell me what height those have? (And / or maybe, what height is required). Thanks in advance, Ron

I've got a 1979 Dolphin and my tail lights need to be replaced. They measure 21" x 5.25" x 2.5". Does anyone know where I could get these? Also, the ones that came with it are pretty basic. I would prefer a more pronounced Back Up lens and upgraded black rim. Thanks, Ron Alan

My 1979 Toyota Dolphin 300 has duallys and is a '78 truck with dual headlights (4 total). I had to swap out the rear axle. The 6 lug axles are getting harder and harder to find, and mine was $1200 installed by wrecker. (I was told of 2 broken 5 lug axles, courts & desperate searches). I also picked up a 1976 Toyota Pickup 5 speed cross-member, so I can switch to a 1988 G54 or W56(?) tranny, when able. The 1983 W52 tranny that I bought would have required a lot of welding and a $750 differential change. Thanx for all your help, Linda. Ron Alan I also have a 1979 Dolphin Owner's Manual. I wrote on the cover, and its not all that enlightening, but its complete. Such as it is. 1979 Dolphin Owners Manual.pdf

This is a two week old San Diego OfferUp ad for anyone interested. https://offerup.com/item/detail/710501039/

AtlantaCamper - happy to hear you got your suspension situated, lots of good info by the techies. i found the CS009R model 6-leaf spring on a variety of sites, and one had an application list. listed is every year from 1969 to 2014 for Toys, except for the years '75 thru '83. ... will they work on my '78? Did something change during that period? i ended up with one broken shock mount and 2 missing shackle pins. 40 years of surf and spray has taken its toll. i need to wait on addressing my height issue, but i dig the wheelie casters trick. i might just do that, too.

thanks for your help. its the tranny that i'm most concerned about, the diff can be dealt with later (after testing) i'd rather put the action on pause if there's a tranny problem. i don't want a whiner.

does the 25" tire height throw off your calculations?

AtlantaCamper, wow. great pdf file on used diff's. i never heard of a gear calculator, the on-line ones i found were based on rpm and tire/wheel size. i run les schwab 185R-14-8 thunderer. they're right at 25". i was told the 8 ply makes them taller. mine's an 83 and i'm no where near australia. i just don't want to end up winding out first gear and so on.. thx, agin.

i'm just now about ready to yank my 20R & L43 and put in hybrid and 5 speed. i bought a 1983 22R with a W52 (Australian 2WD SR5 Extra-Cab ). Now, i find that the W52 does not have the proper gear ratios, for my 1979 Dolphin and its driving habits. Plus, the 6 lug axle i bought a while back has a 4:10 rear end. eBay has Revolution Gear & Axle Toyota 7.5" gears for $170, with a 4:56 ratio. is this a do-able upgrade? is there a difference in an automatic tranny rear end 4:56 and a manual tranny rear end 4:56? what vehicle(s) do the 4:56 come out of? is there a website that matches rear ends to vehicle models? is the L43 out of a 1978 long bed use or fit the same 5 speed cross member as a 1983 SR5? I can sell the W52, I'm just not into having the wrong gearing for my Dolphin. i'm in it for the long haul ... i put on a lot of miles, on and off road. thanks for your time, ron alan.

Thanks, Linda. WME - I'm getting into my bushings, now. I think I'll wait on the 6 lug stuff. Thx I'm unable to locate the Sway Bar Bushings at the ends. Do anyone know where they can be purchased?

If in my searches, I would have found Zero's string, I probably would've stopped cold earlier. I'm sure new parts would help and thanks for mentioning it. modern h d brake pads look interesting. Any thoughts on my tired coil springs? Are there any replacement ones out there. I haven't seen any as I've poured over forums and parts houses. Thanks for the input.

and, by the way, thanks to all who take time out of their day to answer people's queries. techies and sharp shooters, and those with umpteen years experience. it really helps. the obvious answer to my question is, slow down. i travel. mountains take vehicles that are up to the task, in all areas. a year after i bought my dolphin, in colorado, i came down a mountain. a fully loaded semi was burning up on the shoulder. the cop who was directing traffic told me that his brakes caught fire. when it was my turn to go, i found that i had no brakes. pulling over, i noticed my brake reservoir was boiling over. luckily there was an extra hauler, there. the mechanic told me that the guy who vacuum filled my brake lines, didn't evacuate them first. the condensation from the years is what boiled over. the mechanics at the bottom of 11,000 foot summits have heard it all. so now i use my gears to slow down more and go down the same speed i go up.

I've got the coil springs. Is there anything mod that people have done to improve braking performance? I also thought it might be nice to have all 6 lug instead of just my duallys.