Buying suspension kit

[ryanscum]

Looking to replace sagging springs in a bj70. Looking for a 2-3 inch lift, heavy or medium duty kit. Not sure where or what to get. Looked around a bunch online. Located in Alberta, Canada. Suggestions?

[simonliew]

Hi,
the old man Emu Dakar springs seems to be a good product,l have installed a few of the med front (cs006F) and med rear(CS017RA/B) springs with good results.l don't know why they only list one springs for the front and a med and heavy for the rear.l found the heavy(CS004RA/b) to be too stiff for a BJ70.
makesure you buy the complete kit because the greaseable pins and shackles make the truck ride nice.
What kind of price are you getting?
Simon
Winnipeg
OME dealer

[Phil in BC]

I have just installed OME mediums on my 74 and love it. It sits a bit higher in the back with the truck empty but as soon as I load all my camping gear ito the back it levels out. Rides great too. Way better that the stock crap that was on the truck!

[Canuck]

Did you go for mediums all around? Do you have a PTO?

[Joe70]

Originally Posted by ryanscum

Looking to replace sagging springs in a bj70. Looking for a 2-3 inch lift, heavy or medium duty kit. Not sure where or what to get. Looked around a bunch online. Located in Alberta, Canada. Suggestions?

Go with the OME kit. You won't be sorry. You can get it from Modern Motors in Calgary. When I got it about a year ago it cost me around $1700 from what I remember.

also, if you have or plan to get a winch and or bumper you will want the heavys in the front.

[maximBJ70]

Old Man Emu is no doubt the best choice. I bought one from Simon in Winnipeg. Great guy to deal with. Give him a ring and he'll get you set up nicely.

[ryanscum]

Thanks dudes, Just starting to find out what I want to put on. Does anyone have any opinions on any other brands??? Or super good deals? Will definelty get some more info though.

[seapotato]

emus are pretty nice.

tho I presently have around 700 pounds of cement in the back of the truck to break them in quicker, probably still end up pulling a leaf out.


I wouldn't bother with the full kit, all that extra crap they sell you is brutally overpriced. the springs themselves are pretty reasonable, the rest of the kit actually costs considerably more than the springs.




cheers,
ryan

[Canuck]

Originally Posted by seapotato

emus are pretty nice.

tho I presently have around 700 pounds of cement in the back of the truck to break them in quicker, probably still end up pulling a leaf out.


I wouldn't bother with the full kit, all that extra crap they sell you is brutally overpriced. the springs themselves are pretty reasonable, the rest of the kit actually costs considerably more than the springs.


cheers,
ryan

What is the extra stuff you're talking about? Do you have heavys or mediums in the rear?

[Joe70]

Originally Posted by seapotato

emus are pretty nice.

tho I presently have around 700 pounds of cement in the back of the truck to break them in quicker, probably still end up pulling a leaf out.


I wouldn't bother with the full kit, all that extra crap they sell you is brutally overpriced. the springs themselves are pretty reasonable, the rest of the kit actually costs considerably more than the springs.




cheers,
ryan

I would agree that the shackles are overpriced for what you get. You can get a complete set of greasable anti inversion shackles on ebay for half the price. but other then that are you saying that the shocks are crap? And as far as bushings go, if you cheap out you will regret it.

[Phil in BC]

I went with mediums all around with the greasable shackles, new shocks etc. and I do have a pto winch up front. I think thats why it sags a bit up front, but like I said, once I load all my camping gear in the back it levels out nicely. It rides great too. I'm definately happy with the ome lift. It gave me 5" more clearance from the top of the tire to the wheel well. Only problem now is I need a new set of tires. The 31's look a bit small, and their not aggressive enough but the chick thinks their still good and I've spent more than enough dough already. I'm still trying to convince her that 33" bfg mud tires are needed to complete the job, but she's not buying it. Oh well, I'll just have to find a big mud hole to get stuck in and make her go out to hook uo the chain. That should work........... Ive attached a before and after pic.

Phil

[RockDoc]

Originally Posted by Joe70

And as far as bushings go, if you cheap out you will regret it.

I went cheap on bushings for my 62, I now have OME bushings in the mail....

I love my Dakars, but if you go that route, make sure you fix the sleeves in place before installing, and get the good bushings. http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...-problems.html

[seapotato]

Originally Posted by Joe70

I would agree that the shackles are overpriced for what you get. You can get a complete set of greasable anti inversion shackles on ebay for half the price. but other then that are you saying that the shocks are crap? And as far as bushings go, if you cheap out you will regret it.

well yeah, all the hardware is overpriced.
just a budget thing. if you're ok spending over a hundred bucks a shock, then fly at er. I think shocks in general are over rated, and in this case, my old ones were fine ( truck had addaleafs in it, so was already lifted a bit. )

as for the shackles, I'll just make some when I get around to it, I just reused some stock ones from various trucks , I'll make anti inversion shackles when I get the springs settled out and know what length I want them.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by seapotato

I wouldn't bother with the full kit, all that extra crap they sell you is brutally overpriced. the springs themselves are pretty reasonable, the rest of the kit actually costs considerably more than the springs.




cheers,
ryan

Most kits are like this. Usually the springs are cheap on their own but then they add some some cheap painted up shocks and pass them off as top shelf.
Make a list and build up your own kit

I also found air lockers were the same. The pathetically small compressor is about $350 and the upgaded type is $500.
My $280 compressor is miles ahead on both of them and will be used when I get air lockers

[ryanscum]

Thanks for input,

Does anyone know where to get Belton springs? or have any opinions on them? I seen some posts on here with people who had them on their rigs.

Still probably a month from buying, so may as well think hard about it first.

[Joe70]

Originally Posted by ryanscum

Thanks for input,

Does anyone know where to get Belton springs? or have any opinions on them? I seen some posts on here with people who had them on their rigs.

Still probably a month from buying, so may as well think hard about it first.

I had a set of beltons on my BJ70. Didn't like them at all. The ride was terrible. It was a little better when I took out a couple of leafs in the rear, but still nowhere close to the OME's. As far as durability goes they were very good. They were on my rig for 3 or 4 years and I don't think they sagged at all. I don't think the guys I bought mine from sell them anymore.

[OILERSrule]

cant go wrong with the OME. They make the best toyota suspensions out there. I put it on my BJ74 and it rides like a lexus....lumber wagon. No joke way better. If you are in edmonton go to 4 wheel auto and look at dans old 70. It has been beaten to crap for many years and still looks great, no sag. He and every one I have talked to swear by OME. 4wheel is a little pricy though. I found a great deal for a couple buds through Will at north shore off road out of van. great service, price and shipping was like 20 or 30 bucks for the whole thing. I now know 4 people that have put OME in there trucks and love it.
1987 BJ74
1992 mini truck
1994 4 runner
2007 fj cruiser

[crushers]

okay, here is my take on lifts.

the Belton was okay for the price difference.

the Dakar OME knockoffs are nice but if i was going for a custom fit then scrap the OME shocks (they are about 1" too short for full droop), the greaseable pins and shackles are a joke and the bushings are too hard and wear WAY too fast. i would go a set of custom shackles, stock pins and factory rubber bushings. the leafs are nice but the rears are about 1/2" too short as well and can be a bitch to get installed.

as far as a bolt on kit the Dakar is a nice kit, probably the best out there that i have found BUT it could be better.

just my take