What else to do while putting in a lift?

[yotagurl]

Hi guys!

Getting ready to install an OME lift and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what else should be checked or fixed while it's up on blocks. Our driveway is our garage and it's a real PITA to repeatedly pull and put away all the tools and other crap out of the back shed so I'd like to take care of as many things as possible in one fell swoop. Thanks!

 

[MANUCHAO]

LR Tank
SS extended Brake lines
rear / front brakes
bleed brake system
speed bleeders all around
replace diff oil
get 10 mm allen diff plugs..
check for fuel tank recall..

if yah haven't already....

 

[pandasfj]

I just did my ome lift two months ago and had brakes done along with a knuckle job,havefun

 

[62LostInMn]

I would plan to put shims in the front and rear while you have it apart. Front for caster correction and rear to maintain proper pinion flange angle relative to the TC output flange. I've already shimmed the front to get rid of squirrelly steering and am getting ready to put rear shims in to eliminate some drive line vibration. I have 4 degree shims in front and am putting 3 degree in the rear. My lift is OME light/medium and is about 2-3" of lift. Unless you're putting in a taller lift, I would go for 3 degrees front and rear.

If you search "shims" or "caster correction" you'll find a bunch of good info.

Good Luck.

 

[klinetime574]

62LostInMn I also have OME Medium. No shims. No vibes. How long have you had the suspension? I think it's odd certain spring sets require shims. But I guess that's what you gotta do.

I would recommend extended SS brake lines as well!

 

[MANUCHAO]

I too didnt need shims when I did the 2.5" lift.
Until I swap to longer shackles...
I used 4° shims on the front none on the rear with no ill effects..

 

[DFXR]

X3 on the SS extended brake lines...your stock ones will be maxed out in back after the lift.

I got mine from Specter: Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 086 Land Cruiser Brake Lines & Hoses

There may be other options, but SOR was all I knew at the time.

Good luck-

 

[Spike Strip]

What lift are you installing? 2.5" or 4" ?

You will not need shims if installed correctly.

You will need new brake lines, as advised. Recommend Stainless braided lines all around.

If your front knuckles are leaking or have not been serviced in a loooong time, now would be a good time to do it, but it will add another two days to the job if you've never done it before. Might be best left for another time so not to overwhelm you.

Good time to paint and otherwise refurbish the axle housings and undercarriage and rid it of mud and other rust-promoting detritus.

And as mentioned, brakes, rotors, drums, etc, if needed.

Bleed brake lines.

You may need extended sway bar links if 4" lift is going in.

Good luck

 

[62LostInMn]

It's interesting that some have had to shim and some not, especially for caster. I admit that putting in the rear shims for me is a hunch based on pinion angles. I'll know the results in a week or so. The lift on mine is pre-Dakar, installed by the PO and "looks" to be installed correctly. I can't believe that everyone who has had to shim to correct caster or other angles has the kit installed incorrectly. If the shackles are longer than stock (they are) it will rotate the axles some amount based on that increased length. Or did the OME engineers account for that in the spring pack design? Maybe tolerance stack up on some vehicles puts them over the limit? Things that make you go hmmmmm.

It's definitely worth analyzing while you are installing the kit.

 

[Spike Strip]

"Installed correctly" has more to do with the axle housing than the springs. Kurt address this nicely in his TECH section on spring installations. Yes, you should read the whole page.

Cruiser Outfitters

FWIW, I have the 4" OME lift with 33" x 10.5 no shim, alignment is correct and tracks perfectly, but I don't go above (can't really) 65 mpg with my 4:11s Even with the H55f.

 

[Elbert]

no shims for me////

extended front sway bar brackets
rear sway bar setup if you have the mounts on teh axle
new longer brake hoses
new steering stabilzer
grease teh drive train and everyting

 

[TS888]

I'd vote for removing the sway bars. I am sitting on about a 3 inch lift, and don't miss the sway bars at all.

 

[jzilla]

No sway bar here either and no shims.

 

[freepowder]

62LostInMn I also have OME Medium. No shims. No vibes. How long have you had the suspension? I think it's odd certain spring sets require shims. But I guess that's what you gotta do.

I would recommend extended SS brake lines as well!

If your front driveshaft has a mere two u-joints you'll have vibes with a 3" lift. The fix is to put a double cardon joint in the shaft like the early 60's had up to '84 I think.

 

[freepowder]

Hi guys!

Getting ready to install an OME lift and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what else should be checked or fixed while it's up on blocks. Our driveway is our garage and it's a real PITA to repeatedly pull and put away all the tools and other crap out of the back shed so I'd like to take care of as many things as possible in one fell swoop. Thanks!

What year? If you've got the double cardon front driveshaft (Pre-84 or 85), good. If not and you experience a vibration in the front when the hubs are locked, your u-joint angles don't match and you need to stick a double cardon in there. As we speak just such a thing is happening with mine through Georg (orangefj45) on this forum. Cost is about $300.

 

[freepowder]

Hi guys!

Getting ready to install an OME lift and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what else should be checked or fixed while it's up on blocks. Our driveway is our garage and it's a real PITA to repeatedly pull and put away all the tools and other crap out of the back shed so I'd like to take care of as many things as possible in one fell swoop. Thanks!

Oh, yeah! Nearly forgot this one: U-bolt skid plates!
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 290 Land Cruiser U-Bolt Skid Plates
OR, possibly a better solution:
4+Plus U-Bolt Flip Kits Land Cruiser 40 and 60 Series

 

[klinetime574]

Forgot about the DC shaft which my 84 has. Although that only matters of your hubs are locked. Shouldn't be driving 60 mph with them locked anyway. Low speed off-road use is a lot different.

I highly recommend the 4+ U-bolt flip. Just installed one recently. It is awesome.

 

[freepowder]

locked anyway. <snip>

Really? I used to take my '74 FJ55 skiing all the time and wailed away at 50-60 mph in 4wd all the time with no ill effects. Before I put the lift kit on the FJ60 I ran back and forth to Durango at the same speeds, ditto.

Others thoughts on this?

 

[TS888]

No worries with the speed, as long as you're on snow or a loose surface like gravel or dirt.

 

[freepowder]

No worries with the speed, as long as you're on snow or a loose surface like gravel or dirt.

Heheheh, loose dirt, heheheh, back in my youth, me and the ol' 55 did some wild stuff on loose dirt. Heheheh.