Replacement shocks

[78cruiser]

I have a 78 fj40 stock-no lift with 32 in GY muds. I have never replaced the shocks since I bought it 8 yrs ago and have never really been crazy about the ride quality. It has a dual shock tower in the front. I use the cruiser off road 20% of the time and dirt roads and trails the other 70% of the time and occasionally a short trip to town via blacktop. The ride quality on the trails and gravel roads is jarring and really throws the vehicle and passengers around more than is desired. I want to replace all six, what recommendations would you have?

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by 78cruiser

I have a 78 fj40 stock-no lift with 32 in GY muds. I have never replaced the shocks since I bought it 8 yrs ago and have never really been crazy about the ride quality. It has a dual shock tower in the front. I use the cruiser off road 20% of the time and dirt roads and trails the other 70% of the time and occasionally a short trip to town via blacktop. The ride quality on the trails and gravel roads is jarring and really throws the vehicle and passengers around more than is desired. I want to replace all six, what recommendations would you have?

This is the 70 series forum,try the 40 series guys

[crushers]

what kind of lift is in it?
if you have dual shocks then remove one and see what the ride is like. chances are it is the leafs that are causing the shitty ride BUT if the compression ratio on the shocks are too stiff then the ride can suffer as well

yes, this is a 70s forum but the answer could serve to educate the 70 series boys as well...no?

[78cruiser]

This is a stock 40 series w/o a lift. Best of my knowledge the leafs are stock. When the shocks were ever replaced is unknown as I bought it 3rd owner with 72K original. I'm getting the feeling the dual shock tower may be partly to blame... Your thoughts?

If this is the culprit, was there an original bracket that was replaced by that dual tower bracket and if so, where would I find another? Man a fre? Cool cruiser? ??

[crushers]

take a pic of the setup and post it up.

decades ago when dual shocking vehicles was all the rage i chatted with a bloke that i trusted. he explained that unless the shocks were designed to run together to dampen the bounce of a particular vehicle then the 2 shocks will make the ride very stiff. one shock properly valved will work better than 2 shocks in the wrong application.

take one off and check the ride characteristics.

the shock tower should have one shock mounted to the rear.

also, measure the distance between the spring and the spring bump stops. you could be bottoming out on the rougher roads if the springs are tired. Dakar makes a good complete kit for the 40 series. med duty up front and light duty out back.

[78cruiser]

Wayne,
Thanks for the reply. I think I will just replace the fronts with one shock. I'd post up a pic but it's up at my farm 4 hrs from here. If I follow your advice here I can leave the tower as is and just replace the rear of the two and leave the forward position open. Is this your thoughts??


MT

[crushers]

yep, you could also just take one shock off and try it instead of replacing them right now...