FJ55 Suspension

FineWynsFJ40 · 10-25-07, 05:14 PM

In determining options for lifting my 55 up about 4", I have determined the following are possibilities:

Alcan 4"
Iron Pig Offroad (page under construction so I don't know)
SOR (2.5")

Is there another model that has the same suspension as the 55 series i.e. compatible with the 45 or the 60/62 series or something? I'm trying to establish all options before deciding. Thanks!

Brian

Gumby · 10-25-07, 05:17 PM

Pigs are their own animal as far as I know.

Rear springs are a unique length. Not sure about front springs.

Spring bolts are the same diameter as a 60, but the spring width is the same as a 40. 60 width is wider. Spring length on 60s are different too. I just put 60 front springs on the front of my pig. It lengthened the front spring by 3-4 inches.

cornholio · 10-25-07, 05:38 PM

Calico Kid just got himself some Alcans. Talk with him, I think he really likes 'em.

nuclearlemon · 10-25-07, 05:47 PM

front springs are same length as 40, but spring pin is in a different spot (centered on a pig)

OregonCruzer · 10-25-07, 08:48 PM

Doesn't Old Man Emu offer springs (and shocks, and greasable shackles) for a pig? I'm starting my research on this option now too. I'll be interested to see
what you find out!

Lucy_FJ55 · 10-25-07, 08:58 PM

I don't believe Old Man Emu has a kit for FJ55's.

Man-a-Fre sells the Safari brand of springs and has a 4" lift kit. I believe Belton and Ironman also have kits for FJ55's.

I am in no way saying any of these are the best brands but you asked for options and these may work for some folks. Check 'em all out.

You may also want to look into having your original springs re-arched/rebuilt with an add-a-leaf or something. Just another thought. Let us know what you go with.

OregonCruzer · 10-26-07, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy_FJ55

I don't believe Old Man Emu has a kit for FJ55's.

Man-a-Fre sells the Safari brand of springs and has a 4" lift kit. I believe Belton and Ironman also have kits for FJ55's.

I am in no way saying any of these are the best brands but you asked for options and these may work for some folks. Check 'em all out.

You may also want to look into having your original springs re-arched/rebuilt with an add-a-leaf or something. Just another thought. Let us know what you go with.

Which option did you go with on your trailpig?

FineWynsFJ40 · 10-26-07, 08:52 AM

Man-A-Fre discontinued selling the FJ55 suspension lift over a year ago due to slow sales. Ironman suspension doesn't have an FJ55 option in the menu. Who sells Belton and Safari suspension? I have heard Prairie Dog Parts but Google failed to return a hit. Re-arching springs seems to be hit-or-miss, but that is an option. I am also doing this to post up in the resource thread to help others consider their options for lifts and such, once I compile my research. Thanks!!

Brian

Lucy_FJ55 · 10-26-07, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FineWynsFJ40

Man-A-Fre discontinued selling the FJ55 suspension lift over a year ago due to slow sales. Ironman suspension doesn't have an FJ55 option in the menu. Who sells Belton and Safari suspension? I have heard Prairie Dog Parts but Google failed to return a hit. Re-arching springs seems to be hit-or-miss, but that is an option. I am also doing this to post up in the resource thread to help others consider their options for lifts and such, once I compile my research. Thanks!!

Brian

Oops. I guess I am a bit outta the loop.

I had not realized Man-a-Fre had discontinued selling their 55 kit. Many folks were not happy with the Safari springs anyway...

I thought for sure Ironman had a set for 55's. Did they discontinue also or am I just mistaken? I have not heard of the Praire Dog brand...are they an Australian company?

I am not aware of anyone selling Belton, but I have heard of folks getting Belton lift kits through Canadian retailers. Man-a Fre 'used' to sell Safari brand. This may all be old news/info. This was all stuff I learned years ago when I went looking for 55 lift kits for my trail pig. I apologize if any of this is wrong/misleading.

I keep leaning towards Alcan's or using original springs for a SO (I know that may be more lift than you are looking for at this time...) Thanks for keeping us all up on the latest.

Lucy_FJ55 · 10-26-07, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonCruzer

Which option did you go with on your trailpig?

I bought the Man-a-Fre 4" Safari brand kit with Old Man Emu shocks years ago. I have actually been pretty satisfied with the kit. It has performed and held up well for me and the driving/wheelin' I have done over the years. Not much sag although I think I have finally noticed it begining to start sagging in the rear-just a little. I went with a shackle reversal, new gearing, disc brakes, mudders, etc. at the same time as well. Completely changed everthing about the pig at the time.

However, I will probably, eventually, soon even, finally give in and go with a spring-over on my trail pig. Now that I have two cruisers it just makes sense to dedicate one to trail abuse and leave the princess pig to DD/camping/overlanding duty. Of course, the princess needs a slight lift also. I am in the same boat. I would like a 3"-4" lift kit for that pig, but I guess I am not aware of any. My solution is to swap the Safari kit on to the princess and then use her springs to SO the trail pig. More on that later...

OffRoad Rage · 10-26-07, 10:54 AM

Here is another option but I have no first hand information: http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/toy_Lndcrser.htm
These are 4" springs from Rough Country. I tried to get feedback from someone that put these on their 60 but never heard back. Most of the information on RC indicated they were very FIRM. I think for the difference in money that Alcan's are still the way to go. But it depends on your intended use.

Mark W · 10-26-07, 11:53 AM

Prairie Dog Parts is/was Lowenbrau and Behemoth60 and another friend or two. Pretty sure that the business is not in operation anymore. They carried Belton springs.

If you want 4 inches over stock, ratheer than over where you sit now, do a low springover.

With a little fab work (relocating spring hangers) you could swap FJ45 springs under the rear. With the availability of 2.5 inch lift springs for the '45 (OME makles these IIRC) and the relocated spring hangers, 4 should be easy in the rear.

A set of 4 inch FJ40 springs up front and possibly a little massaging of the spring mount location (I can't remember the dimensions of the Pig fronts right now and I don't have the numbers handy at the moment).... You're done.

Mark...

redcorn · 10-26-07, 02:06 PM

Hands down, spring over.

OregonCruzer · 10-26-07, 02:12 PM

Yeah, SO sounds nice, but I want to keep "extra" work to a minimum--I'm looking for a moderate lift (2-4 inches max), keep it spring under, new shocks--just breathe some life into the pig. My rear springs are level at the moment and I think the shocks are original from '72

. I like the fact that OME sells complete kits. If putting an OME 60 kit on a pig means moving the hangers a bit, that seems not so bad...

RHINO · 10-26-07, 02:36 PM

eegads i say NAY! to anything like rough country or the other chinese lifts.. i did the ironman from MAF 10 yrs ago when they first started selling them,,, too bad they stopped its a real quality spring IMOP. also far as i know ironman only did a "heavy duty" kit for the pig, it amounted to about a 1.5" lift,, the taller lift MAF sold/sells was a different manufacture.

i spent $200 for each spring pack back then, seemed like alot but it was worth it, and if i knew about Alcan i would have gone that route for the same money. i still have those springs on the pig today in SOA config, they are still great, the rear has gotten very soft, (negative arch wheelin SOA) wont carry much load anymore.

if i dont go coilover i plan to replace the rears with Alcan. Alcan gets my vote for a few reasons,
1) they have done quite a few pigs now and have them dialed in
2) customizable almost infinately
and lastly not much is still made in the USA, might as well support our local workers eh?

FineWynsFJ40 · 10-26-07, 04:16 PM

How much are Alcans? For all you Alcan people out there, what numbers did you give them, what are the stock numbers, and is there anything you would change? So far the list is:
-Alcan lift [$800]
-Iron Pig Offroad [page under construction - will call Saturday]
-SOR 2.5" [$1000+ - www.sor.com]
-Rough Country [$628 - http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/toy_Lndcrser.htm]
-Belton [no supplier yet found]
-Dobinsons [no price yet but email sent. complete suspension, 1.75" lift http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/catalogues/Toyota.pdf]

I have sent an email to Ironman 4x4 Suspension to inquire about 55 series springs. I'll edit this post and update you as they come in.

As far as tonight, Halloween party!!

Where's Waldo? Come find me.

cruiser_guy · 10-26-07, 04:18 PM

I have the SOR '55 springs, shocks, greaseable pins and slightly longer shackles on the '55.

Here's a poser shot both before with the stock 235/75/15 tires and after with 33x9.5x15.

I'm happy with the ride and the spring firmness so far. We did the lift in March of this year.

nuclearlemon · 10-26-07, 08:11 PM

alcans run 195/ea for fronts and 205 ea for rears, iirc.

FineWynsFJ40 · 10-26-07, 11:56 PM

Thank you!! What numbers would be needed to give Alcan, or do they have the information for the stock FJ55 on file? Info above updated.

MiniPigg · 10-27-07, 12:16 AM

I have alcans on my pig....

just call them... tell them what lift you want.. they have everything on file.... they make them custom to your application.. so tell them if you are running a winch... roofrack... etc....