HDJ81 lift opinions please

sailor · 01-01-09, 09:14 AM

After dilligently searching the subject I went and measured from the flare to the centre cap on the wheel and it looks like 25 inches approx. Does this mean the lift is5 inch like a US 80? Rancho 9000 5 speed adjustable shocksand orange sway bars front and banck with drop mounts off the frame .I am running new BFG AT K/O 295 75 16 and this seems like a good package for my kind of driving. but I have a few questions-
1) Any way to determine what kind of lift/spring?
2) assuming the caster is un corrected which route should I go. (steering is a bit 'darty')
3) Drive shafts?
4) Sway bar opinions seem a bit ambivalent. opinions on keeping the rear bar? my 60 had none.

Thanks and happy new year!

jlbuk · 01-01-09, 11:58 AM

a lift that big without caster correction would be a little irresponsible in a road car...

sailor · 01-01-09, 01:14 PM

Will be getting the caster checked with the alignment when I have all steering links replaced at ATEB on the 5th. Car drives well but slightly loose. Much better than my stock 60 and Jeeps. Seems like an adjustment to the nut on the steering gear box itself would help. I am not adverse to investing in safety and have already replaced most wear items in the suspension. I basically just hand my wallet to the guys at Ateb and they do what's best...

sailor · 01-01-09, 01:22 PM

here are some pics

sailor · 01-05-09, 08:53 AM

Bump for any further thoughts. Was hoping some of the more experienced types would recognize any of these components or offer some advice to make my truck safer or more reliable. I am not adverse to some Slee arms etc. if required, but was hoping to do it right the first time...

sailor · 01-05-09, 08:54 AM

Being all JDM import I don't know where the stuff came from.

bpassmore · 01-05-09, 11:46 AM

Hard to believe you have 5" of lift on that rig with no front sway bar drops. I took mine off because it was so close. I had 5" then.

I would re-measure - It looks like you don't have any caster correction, but then again, you don't appear to have that much lift.

sailor · 01-05-09, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the reply. I just measured again from the Toyota 'sombrero' in the wheel center cap to the bottom of the flare edge is approx 25 inches all around.. The front sway bar has a bracket mounted to the frame that puts the top of the bar approx 3 inches from the frame rail at the bushing. I agree there appears to be no caster correction so I emailed Mr. Slee about getting some of his front arms and whatever else I may need. Should I be making a different measurement to determine the lift height? The one I used was the result of searching Mud for advice.

bpassmore · 01-05-09, 01:08 PM

few thoughts:

1. you are measuring right it sounds like. 5 - 5.5 inches of lift.
2. Do you have a DC front drive shaft?
3. It is possible you have a replacement front anti sway bar that does need the drops. (did you paint them yellow?)
4. With 5.5" of lift, and no caster correction, you will be very darty. I have 5 with slee's plates, and it is almost manageable.

sailor · 01-05-09, 01:30 PM

1) I see darn near 25 inches on the tape at the center of the bottom of the stock flare to center of wheel
2) Think D/S is stock but I likely couldn't ID a DC shaft anyway
3) These bars are aftermarket from Japan. I got them this way.
4) I agree. Am trying to correct this. Awaiting a reply from Slee.
5) Thanks for your advice. I want to do this right the first time.

bpassmore · 01-05-09, 01:38 PM

DC pics:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...solutions.html

Well, good luck buddy - Im sure others will chime in the are smarter than I....