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02-19-07, 12:45 PM
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 #1 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| Just got MetalTech spacers! (DIY)
Saturday, I picked up my new MetalTech 2” front coil spacers! These things are beefy…   
I decided to do a DIY install so that everybody can see how easy it is to get rid of your stinkbug stance...
The Install:
Tools required- floor jack, jack stands, basic socket set.
The first thing I did was do a base measurement. From floor to fender was 39”. 
Then I got the truck on jack stands. 
And removed my tires. 
Note- I don’t have my swaybars anymore, but if you still do, I would recommend disconnecting them from the axle.
Next step was to remove the shock at the bottom mount. 
Note- At this point, the only thing that is holding up your axle is the friction in the bushings. Make sure that you don’t over-extend your break lines!!! I never had a problem with my 4” longer SS lines, but I did keep my floor jack under the pumpkin just in case.
Then you need to get the springs out. I am running OME “J” springs, so I have to step down on the rotor a bit to get enough room to pull the spring out.   
Next you will remove the bump stop at the top spring mount. Just two nuts and it falls.  
Now attach the bump stop to the spacer. I used the original hardware for that.  
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented.  Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes  Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat  You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper.  | | 
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02-19-07, 12:45 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| Now reattach the bump stop and spacer to the bump stops original location. I used the included nuts and washers.  
The springs go back in next. Because I have J springs, I needed a little help on this part. My camera man had to stand on the rotor while I set the spring. It was just a bit to tight for me to do myself. (Or I am a bit too skinny, which is probably the case.) 
Jack up the axle so you can reattach the shock. And, if you have them, sway bar.  
Bolt back up the tires and you are done! 
Before everything settled, this is where she measured. 
After driving around the block it seemed to settle out perfect. 
And of course you gotta test it!  
Overall, I am really impressed with the quality an fitment of the MetalTech spacers. These boys know how to do things right. It’s nice that we now have an option of getting a spacer that is taller than 1” (MetalTech sells 1.5” and 2”) and is metal, so it will last the lifetime of the truck. Great job guys!
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-19-07, 02:38 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Site Addict
Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Pole, Ak
Posts: 1,238
| Very informative post. Thanks for taking your time to take some pics. I didn't know we had any other choices out there other than the 1" spacer. Looks good, A little battered, but good! 
TK
__________________
1966 FJ-45lv resto. in progress
1966 FJ-45lv donor
1971 FJ-40 fun truck, resto. in progress
1974 FJ-40 donor
1985 FJ-60 donor
1985 FJ-60 OME, 33's, roof rack, etc.
1993 FZJ-80 OME, 285's, sliders, ARB, M12000,CDL mod, etc.
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02-19-07, 02:45 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| LOL! That's the good side! These are a new product from MetalTech. The 1" spacer is all the choice that we used to have. Last week MetalTech came out with these and I jumped on them. As stated earlier, these things are extreamly well built and, IMO, the only option in regards to spacers.
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-19-07, 03:07 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 973
| Nice shoots
__________________
___________________________________
FZJ80KIDPEN
96' FZJ80 186K miles
285/75/R16,OME 850/860's,locked,LED's
Homebrew Rear Bumper and sliders, Flareless and Line-X
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02-19-07, 03:16 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 8,345
| Looks good! I find them easier to install if you bolt the spacer to the cone, put the cone in the spring and install them together.
__________________ Kevin Patterson '96 LX450 '84 4x4 Mini '73 FJ40 Copper State Cruisers #007
"We have come to the conclusion that we can run our car over any road that a man can take a team of horses and a wagon, providing we can get traction." Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, 1903 | |
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02-19-07, 03:24 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 289
| Thanks for taking the time. Nice write-up, good pics. Curious, how did you know to go to 2" spacers? Measurement of difference between front and back, on level ground?
__________________
1997 FZJ80: OME 2.5" Heavy, Slee front + IPF 900XSD, Slee Light & Aux Harness, 255/85 BFG MT
2005 Porsche 911(997) Carrera Cabriolet
I used to get high on life, 'til I realized it was laced with idiots.
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02-19-07, 05:05 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 256
| Great write-up. Gives this  man a little encouragement and hope.
Thanks! 
__________________
1997 LX450 - Factory locked
1996 Land Cruiser - Factory locked
"If I must choose between peace and righteousness, I choose righteousness!" - Theodore Roosevelt
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02-19-07, 05:23 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Tools R Us Looks good! I find them easier to install if you bolt the spacer to the cone, put the cone in the spring and install them together. | Hmmm... didn't think of that. 
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-19-07, 05:24 PM
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#10 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| Quote:
Originally Posted by 80krazE Thanks for taking the time. Nice write-up, good pics. Curious, how did you know to go to 2" spacers? Measurement of difference between front and back, on level ground? |
I didn't... I just used the bigger is better princapal! To be honest, I don't have any bumpers or any of my stuff loaded. Who knows how it will sit when it's done. But for now it looks awesome!
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-19-07, 05:25 PM
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#11 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Thermodyn Great write-up. Gives this man a little encouragement and hope.
Thanks! |
This is about a half job... I think my fan clutch was harder to do. 
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-21-07, 08:10 PM
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#12 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
|
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-21-07, 08:31 PM
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#13 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 850
| That bump is disgusting.
I can't imagine getting that girl's face on my big, hairy stomach.
__________________ If you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.
Steve the Fly Fishing Science Teacher
1995 FZJ80 ~ Lockers, winchless ARB, 2.5" OME, bent-up, rattling, leaky Borla exhaust, MetalTech Sliders, multiple oil leaks, 285 Revos.
HAM: KE7VRZ http://web.mac.com/stevenlent/cruiser/cruiser.html | |
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02-21-07, 08:34 PM
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#14 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| LOL... How about this one? 
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-21-07, 08:54 PM
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#15 (permalink)
| | always broke
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Albemarle NC
Posts: 4,379
| So about 6" of lift, still no caster correction? Feeling the need for it yet? | |
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02-21-07, 08:57 PM
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#16 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| Nah. It's a little darty at times, but still not bad enough for me to go thru all the headache of correcting it. Besides, my 80 will be 3-linked in the front eventually.
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-21-07, 09:02 PM
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#17 (permalink)
| | always broke
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Albemarle NC
Posts: 4,379
| Quote:
Originally Posted by CreeperSleeper Nah. It's a little darty at times, but still not bad enough for me to go thru all the headache of correcting it. Besides, my 80 will be 3-linked in the front eventually. | Cool deal, that's my plan too. Now I just gotta unload these Gen. 2 Slee Arms to recoup some of the cost. | |
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02-21-07, 09:03 PM
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#18 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| LOL! That shouldn't be too hard...
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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02-21-07, 09:04 PM
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#19 (permalink)
| | always broke
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Albemarle NC
Posts: 4,379
| If outback offroad would just hurry up with that 3-link then things would all be good. | |
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02-21-07, 09:10 PM
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#20 (permalink)
| | Forum Lifer
Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 3,376
| I didn't realize that they were making one. I think that Mark at MetalTech is going to do a 3 link on his and I was planning on stealing his research.
__________________ Chad - Cascade Cruisers
KE7VSA - MetalTech
FZJ80 - 37's, lifted, locked, geared, cut and dented. Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnbikes Dewd- You would bend those spindles if I tucked them into the passenger seat You are a candidate for a bobbed 80----not a high clearance bumper. | | |
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