Parabolic Springs

[Jim_Phillips]

Jonathan

To me it was important to have the adjustable feature. I wasn't certain whether 'heavy duty' or 'light duty' would be better. Now I know - and I havn't had to buy both.

I still think the ride should be better - but maybe I'm expecting too much, after all, the ride wasn't that great on the OEM springs.

A mechanic friend of mine said their was too much bounce in the springs - but if I stand on the tow bar and try to bounce the truck there is not that much movement (compared to a coil sprung 80) But then it does bounce on the road?? I think it needs softer springs and more dampening (if this can be done) The new shocks have the dampening - now I'm waiting / hoping that the springs will ease a little.

[Jonathan_Ferguson]

How many times did you have to go back and re-torque the U-bolts to 100 ft/lbs?

[Jim_Phillips]

I thought it was 86 ft lbs?? I've checked once...... better do it again?

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by cruiser711

I intalled parabolic springs in the front of my 60 about 6months ago. At first I also thought that the ride was too bouncy so i consulted with the suppliers/designers ( Westralia Springworks in Perth Australia). They recommended a heavy duty oil/foam cell shock. They sent me a couple of Desert Fox Shocks. They seems much larger than the old one and they made a huge difference. No bounce, just a very confortable ride. My 60 handles well. I'm saving up for a set in the back.

Cruiser711 I was curious as to how much the parabolics from Westralia Springs cost.I was looking at some for landcruisers at a 4x4 comp recently in Perth and they were the same blue as Jim Phillips but were nearly double the cost of the Beltons leafs.
I was also surprised to hear that Westralia Springs are still going,I thought they closed 20 years ago when the freeway went through.

[Diescipel]

Originally Posted by Jim_Phillips

[quote author=dingo link=board=29;threadid=16201;start=msg156673#msg15 6673 date=1084499610]



There's a lot more that's good that the US doesn't have... like English beer. Oh, do you know why the English drink warm beer? It's because our refrigerators are made in the US

Jim

Mmmmm.... Tetley's........

[Diescipel]

Hey Jim are you still around? Want to give us an update on the parabolics?

B

[White Shark]

Check out the article in the newest Toyota Trails. There is a pretty good write up on the parabolics from this outfit.

[Jim_Phillips]

.. An update on the Parabolics...

I have now had my Parabolics for 7 months and the ride is still bouncy as hell despite fitting Koni adjustable shocks. I have spoken to Paul Heijstee about the problem and he has offered to replace the rear springs free of charge. He will be sending me a 'new & improved' design with 3 leaves. I will be interested (to say the least) to see how these perform. I'll update once they are fitted...

Jim

[marco hollebeek]

I have them on my bj45, and i like them a lot. I Dont now howe to upload pictures, I used the manage attachments buton but it din't work.

My Dutch is better.

[Jim_Phillips]

I have now fitted the 'new and improved' parabolics on the rear of my 60.

Just to recap, the first set I purchased gave a good lift (2 inches) but were bumpy as hell. I fitted Koni adjustable shocks in an attempt to calm them down but this had a limited effect. After 6 months of being bounced out of my seat I contacted Paul at TIC (the supplier/manufacturer) to see what he could suggest.

He informed me that they had been working on an improved design and was happy to let me have a new set for the rear free of charge. Since I hardly ever carry much weight in the back I was advised by Paul to remove one of the four leaves prior to installation.

The new springs give a good lift (I estimate 2 inch above stock) but guess that the stiffness needed to maintain the height compromises the ride quality slightly. Don't get me wrong, the ride quality on road if fine - but offroad they are still just a little bumpy. I have ridden in a 60 with OME suspension and would say they are just as good. The last set of springs improved over the first 6 months / 3000 miles - I anticipate it will be the same with this set.

All in all I am now happy. The parabolics are great value for money, they flex massively when required to and give a comparable ride to the more expensive alternatives.

One thing you can count on is good service from Paul at TIC - he is always available to talk to and is very helpful. In my case he replaced a pair of springs free of charge - you can't ask for more than that.

When fitting, be aware that the long end (with the lettering on) fits to the shackle - the other end (shorter) fits to the chassis. You don't use the Toyota rubbers - throw them away. Don't tighten the shackles bolts until you have the vehicle on the ground and it can settle. Re-tighten the U bolts after 200 miles.

I may fit greasable shackles in the future and anticipate this will help. I also recommend that you get the best shocks you can afford as they contribute in a big way to the ride quality.

Jim

[lovetoski]

Jim,

Thanks for keeping us up to speed on how this is going. Sounds like it's working out well for you, and you've documented your experience well so that others of us can learn from your experience.

[leonard_nemoy]

How much did you pay total,, I need all new suspension and I think this might be the way to go. was it hard to install?

[VTCruiser]

I can't see any of Jim's pictures...can you? sounds interesting...

[landwagon]

i would like to know what kind of life you may get out of these vs other springs.
i am just about to buy springs, and so far these look good to me.

[jhstatts]

These do sound like a great option. I was leaning toward Alcan or Dakar... now I am not so sure.

[Darkrealms]

TOZOVR did you ever get a pair and how is the US dealership thing going. I just bought my cruiser and it still has origional OEM springs. Also has anyone decided the best shocks?? So far from what I've heard the Fox ones from Ausi are the best.

Great info and thanks for the updates. Now I am definatly considering them. Also I will be SOA shortly and have been thinking of 4" of suspension lift soo.... the axle" + the springs" = at least 4"s right : )

[BlueCruiser84]

Darkrealm that will be more like 10 inches. A spring over alone with stock springs ogives you about 6 inches.

[Jim_Phillips]

if you can't see my pics then go to www.parabolicsuspension.com & see them there

[Darkrealms]

Anyone got any updates on these things? Any one know of any US dealers? Or any new opinions on these babies?

[Live to Ski]

I understand that Great Basin Rover in SLC (USA) is a dealer. However, I must have called them 3 or 4 times. They keep saying they will email price/availability in a couple of days, but never do. You might have better luck. Here is the phone number: 801 486-5049. Hopefully, your money will be better than mine!

[paulj]

I talked to the owner of Great Basin Rover a couple of weeks ago. He told me that the parabolics for the FJ 40 where in transit from The Netherlands, and would be arriving about now, that they had to clear customs, etc. He also told me that the 60 springs would be coming in April or May. He took my email address and told me he'd contact me when both springs came in. Haven't seen anything yet. He said the price would depend on the value of the dollar vs. the Euro, but thought they were going to price 4 springs and bushings for $700-800.

[Darkrealms]

Originally Posted by dingo

here's a Canadian maker of parabolic springs http://www.parabolicsprings.com/index.html
the site just lists landrover applications but I've heard they also sell landcruiser springs.

So If they're supposed to be so good, why dont you see more parabolic springs in North America??

Ok, I talked with these people and they said they do have suspension for FJ40s but do not do FJ60s : (
Oh well

Originally Posted by paulj

I talked to the owner of Great Basin Rover a couple of weeks ago. He told me that the parabolics for the FJ 40 where in transit from The Netherlands, and would be arriving about now, that they had to clear customs, etc. He also told me that the 60 springs would be coming in April or May. He took my email address and told me he'd contact me when both springs came in. Haven't seen anything yet. He said the price would depend on the value of the dollar vs. the Euro, but thought they were going to price 4 springs and bushings for $700-800.

Let us know when they get in and how much! Who, makes this suspension?

Thanks
Brian

[Live to Ski]

Any updates on reliability/availability?

By the way, earlier this spring I went down and paid a visit to great basin rover. Bill is a very enjoyable guy. Though I mentioned in my previous message that he was kind of hard to get a hold of, it turns out that he is pretty busy (no excuse, but understandable). That means anyone wanting to contact him hasto take the initiative. Anyway, he mentioned to me that the 60 springs would be coming in this fall, though he wasn't exactly a 100% sure when.

[paulj]

I've called him a couple of times since the first of the year, and he keeps telling me that there's some kind of problem and that they'll be here in a month or two. I don't know exactly what the holdup is, though I was under the impression that it's some kind of production problem. Could be wrong about that, though. I'm kind of bummed that he's now talking this fall. I really want to replace my suspension soon, and I want to use parabolics, but if they don't get it together soom, I'm going to go with OME Dakars.

Brian; The parabolics are made by TIC of The Netherlands. Jim Phillips is just a ferry ride away from there being in the U.K. The rest of us are stuck.

[Tapage]

Im very impresed ..



2 leaves in front only 3 in rear setup .. In my knowledge less leaves, makes strong springs with more firm material ..

For more flex, more thickness leaves ..

[Live to Ski]

Tapage,

Where did you pick up the kit?

[paulj]

Yeah, tell us where.

[Tapage]

Sorry mates ... is not mine, is only a pic that I found in the parabolic springs web site ..

P.S. I hope I can win some gift as is ..

[GLTHFJ60]