Raising/fixing leaf sprung suspension on an old 4x4... HELP!

[J_S_G]

I've managed to pick up what was once a fine specimen of a 4x4 for rallying across Africa in - a proud and majestic Nissan Patrol. It's no longer so proud and majestic given it's a 20 year old LWB model with the roof chopped at the back to make it more of a flatbed. General rusting and electric issues aside, I could do with some help figuring out how best (cheapest?) to sort out the rear suspension...

The leaf springs appear to have sagged a bit, and the tyres are oversized, too, so come out beyond the edge of the arches slightly. So, any big bumps and I'll be shredding tyres on bodywork. My current thoughts are of doing a 2" body lift or so using some poly bushes/similar and having a go myself - heard that there's not too much hard work involved in this. However, I was wondering:

• Whether there's anybody else on here in the Cheshire area that'd like some cash for doing this for me?
• What it'd cost to get the springs bolstered up a bit instead, and whether this is a better idea?
• Whether you can still buy any of those old inflatable ball things that go in the suspension to expand it a bit, as per old caravan towing kit?
• Whether adding a couple of coil springs above the leafs is an option?

The truck only cost £500, and I'm not wanting to spend much at all fixing it up - especially seeing as we're giving it away for charity over there. Could just do with some help getting this bit figured out/sorted.

Thanks in advance, all!

[clarenceboddiger]

J_S_G said:

* What it'd cost to get the springs bolstered up a bit instead, and whether this is a better idea?

These may Help/Advise

Mancunian Spring Co
Cornbrook View, Cornbrook Road
Hulme
Manchester
M15 4WB(Road Map)
Lancashire
Tel: [phone]
Internet: www.mancuniansprings.com