SUSPENSION LIFT OBJECTIVE: To raise the vehicle height in order to run more challenging trails. Adding height allows for:
*Fitment of a larger tire
*Better ground clearance
*Greater approach and departure angles
*Better articulation for vehicle stability off-road
Thank God for the World Wide Web. We were looking, calling, talking to every one we could about suspension lift options for the IFS 100-series. We were in the middle of discussion the possibles on Yahoo's 100 website and all of a sudden I received this email from Matt Qualey of Qualey Enterprises way back in New England:
"Hi John
As the owner of a shop that works on primarily Land Cruisers, I just wanted to pass on a tip, or perhaps a warning to you. This is not intended as a solicitation, just one Cruiser owner talking to another.
We wary of cranking up those front factory bars. We have noticed that over time excessively preloaded bars will bend the adjustment bolts. If you ever have to re-adjust or remove you're almost guaranteed to strip the threads out of the bolt and saddle (and your shoulder after cranking on one huge breaker bar!) . Toyota does NOT make replacements. We have a stock of custom made bolts and replacement saddles, but it was a major pain trying to sort the mess out. We tell our customers to save up and replace the factory bars with the much heavier SwayAWay units. They're less than $400.00 and make a vast difference in suspension feel and ride quality.
Congratulations on using your truck for its intended purpose by the way. I've got some pics of a customer's truck with 36s if you'd like some food for thought.
Take care
Matt Qualey
Qualey Enterprises"
That was the start. Matt and I spoke about details and pricing and in about 2 weeks the gear was on the way.
Meanwhile I had also linked up with Drexx Laggui. It turned out that Drexx already had a lifted UZJ and confirmed the info Matt had told me. So, with Drexx's trail-tested info I was stoked!
Components were:
OME 865 Rear Coils
OME N100/N101 shocks
SwayAWay 1661 front torsion bars
Installation took my mechanic about four hours as this was his first Land Cruiser upgrade. All went well except that when we road tested it, the truck pulled to the right 24/7 and when accellerating is was plain extreme. Concerned we re-looked at everything and hit the alignment shop. After alignment it drove perfectly. In fact, here's our impressions of this setup
on-road:
*Smoooooth
*Handling was much improved. Less sway and much less dive (the lift compensated well for that heavy bumper/winch combo. It cornered and handled more like a "sport truck".
*Looked fantastic especially with the 33" tires.
*Did I say smooth? This was a concerned.....that we'd loose the plush ride. We did not. In fact we far prefer the ride with this suspension compared to stock.
So, here's some completed pics. Remember, at this stage we had 2" OME lift and 33" tires:
Evaluation:
With the lift installed we were eager to see how it changed things on the trail. First up was the Sedona area. We were familiar with the trails before the lift so this would make for a good way to compare after.
WE WERE THRILLED! Less dragging, more clearance, more aggressive lines taken....the research and wait paid off, no doubt.
Ride quality on the trail (and dirt roads) remained very cushy, despite the slightly stiffer Old Man Emu suspension. The front-end could benefit by a slightly stiffer shock. In fact, about 1-year (or so) after adding my OME lift, OME released a slightly stiffer N133 front shock. For the record, the 133 did make an improvement, is recommended, though for me on a vehicle with an ARB bumper and winch, still would prefer an ever stiffer front shock.
What's up next? I've been talking to Slee Off-Road about sliders. Now that the 100 is lifted you know I'll want to take more risky trails and more risky "lines" on the trails....gotta have protection though!