71 FJ40 needs new shocks

71fj40NY · 07-05-08, 09:03 AM

I have a 71 FJ40 that I want to replace the shocks on.
It has a 7" lift with leaf springs with a shackle reversal. Any suggestions for relacements?

FF LC FREAK · 07-05-08, 10:28 AM

Welcome! I have Bilstein 5125s and no complaints. They seem to work great. I have also heard good things about Doetsch Tech shocks and the Rancho 9000s (no experience with either, though).

If you are asking what size shocks to put on, only you can answer that. With the mods you described, no one can give you a good answer. You will have to measure your suspension travel and get a shock that fits. To do this, do the following:

1. Remove your shocks. Make sure nothing is hanging up your suspension like brake lines.
2. Jack up opposite corners of your rig (i.e. right front and left rear) as far as they will go. Compress the suspension fully.
3. Measure the eye to eye distance on both the front and rear. This is your compressed length.
4. Drop the rig back to the ground.
5. Place jack under the frame and lift up the front until the tire comes off the ground.
6. Measure eye to eye. This is the extended length for the front.
7. Repeat 5 & 6 for the rear.
8. Call your favorite shock manufacturer and give them your numbers. They can recommend the right shock. You can also look up the measurments on the internet for some manufacturers. Remember that you want a shock with a slightly shorter compressed length and a slightly longer extended length than what you measure.

Good luck!

71fj40NY · 07-05-08, 10:48 AM

Thank you! Great information on taking those measurements, very much appreciated... The shocks don't seem to have any markings, wasn't sure what size they were...

jimhendrixx · 07-05-08, 09:30 PM

I used Rancho rs5000's, really nice but the paint peeled and they got rusty within a few years of wheelin'

DSRTRDR · 07-06-08, 12:46 AM

one word: Bilsteins

buy at LMT 4x4 (free shipping

they even let me send back the pair that was the wrong size

)

07-05-08, 09:03 AM	#1
71fj40NY IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7	71 FJ40 needs new shocks I have a 71 FJ40 that I want to replace the shocks on. It has a 7" lift with leaf springs with a shackle reversal. Any suggestions for relacements?

07-05-08, 10:28 AM	#2
FF LC FREAK IH8MUD FREAKin' Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA TLCA# 16112 Posts: 755	Welcome! I have Bilstein 5125s and no complaints. They seem to work great. I have also heard good things about Doetsch Tech shocks and the Rancho 9000s (no experience with either, though). If you are asking what size shocks to put on, only you can answer that. With the mods you described, no one can give you a good answer. You will have to measure your suspension travel and get a shock that fits. To do this, do the following: 1. Remove your shocks. Make sure nothing is hanging up your suspension like brake lines. 2. Jack up opposite corners of your rig (i.e. right front and left rear) as far as they will go. Compress the suspension fully. 3. Measure the eye to eye distance on both the front and rear. This is your compressed length. 4. Drop the rig back to the ground. 5. Place jack under the frame and lift up the front until the tire comes off the ground. 6. Measure eye to eye. This is the extended length for the front. 7. Repeat 5 & 6 for the rear. 8. Call your favorite shock manufacturer and give them your numbers. They can recommend the right shock. You can also look up the measurments on the internet for some manufacturers. Remember that you want a shock with a slightly shorter compressed length and a slightly longer extended length than what you measure. Good luck! __________________ '71 fj40 w/ 23k miles, carb rebuilt and ported by 65swb45, SOR 2 piece header, vacuum advance w/ pertronix, Hell Creek 4" lift w/ homemade shackles sitting on 33s, front disk conversion. ROTW "Yeah, we're runnin' a little bit hot tonight. I can barely see the road from the heat comin' off. I reach down between my legs n' ease the seat back. She's runnin', I'm flyin'!"

07-05-08, 09:30 PM	#4
jimhendrixx IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kenmore, WA TLCA# 3137 Posts: 361	I used Rancho rs5000's, really nice but the paint peeled and they got rusty within a few years of wheelin' __________________ These "roll" with me: 1973 FJ55 Toyota Landcruiser Restoration Project 2001 Toyota Tundra 2007 FJ Cruiser Seattle Cruiser Heads

07-06-08, 12:46 AM	#5
DSRTRDR I can mangle anything... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: BTR, PHX, OMA TLCA# 14706 Posts: 1,878	one word: Bilsteins buy at LMT 4x4 (free shipping they even let me send back the pair that was the wrong size ) __________________ Claudia '72FJ40 with a no-number 2F, new MAF headers, 4spd, 33x10.5 BFG MT, 4" lift, roll cage, ARB lockers f/r, MAF disk brakes f/r, hand throttle, Painless wiring, dual advance dizzy, Bilsteins, 4+ front bumper/rear shackles/U-bolt flip, Kevin-improved frame, finally a functioning CB, with ChaseTruck Copper State Cruisers #40 www.desertrider.net

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07-05-08, 10:48 AM	#3
71fj40NY IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7	Thank you! Great information on taking those measurements, very much appreciated... The shocks don't seem to have any markings, wasn't sure what size they were...