1.75" Dobinson's lift / steering feels vague

[SoCalFJ803FE]

I lifted my 97 FZJ80 with a 1.75" lift kit from Dobinson's, I changed springs, shocks and included a 12-stage steering damper, now the truck feels vague at freeway speeds, I installed the minimal lift to avoid this however is happening, any recommendations to improve handling at highway/freeway speeds? anything above 50 MPH feels the truck is not safe.

Thank you.

 

[reklund5]

Get your caster measured and report the readings.

 

[60 toy ota]

^^^^

the lift will also exaggerate the effects of worn control arm and panhard bushings. But start with castor.

 

[TheBussman]

normal if you don't correct castor.

 

[crikeymike]

Yep, need some caster correction.

Dobinsons Rubber 2.5° Caster Bushing Kit for Land Cruiser

Dobinsons RB59-522K Rubber Caster Bushing Kit corrects the front caster angle when you lift your Land Cruiser 80 Series anywhere from 0-3"

exitoffroad.com

or

Dobinsons PB59-503K Adj Front Poly Caster Bushing Kit Land Cruiser

This PB59-503K Adjustable Front Radius Arm Caster Bushing Kit is designed for the 1990-97 Landcruiser 80 Series Wagon 105 Series

exitoffroad.com

I'd go for rubber at that height.

Edit: Also, old worn out stock springs would be lower than stock which would have even more caster (heavier steering), so the difference from that up to the new height would feel quite different without correcting the caster for the lift.

 

[Blilrat]

Curious why rubber is the right choice. I just finished a 2.5” lift last weekend and have those poly bushings in hand to install. Should I have gone with the rubber ones?

 

[crikeymike]

For 1.75" you need about 2 degrees of added caster. The more you lift, the more you need. You're fine with the poly set, usually with 2.5-3" of lift, that's what I'd recommend anyway.

 

[SoCalFJ803FE]

Yep, need some caster correction.

Dobinsons Rubber 2.5° Caster Bushing Kit for Land Cruiser

Dobinsons RB59-522K Rubber Caster Bushing Kit corrects the front caster angle when you lift your Land Cruiser 80 Series anywhere from 0-3"

exitoffroad.com

or

Dobinsons PB59-503K Adj Front Poly Caster Bushing Kit Land Cruiser

This PB59-503K Adjustable Front Radius Arm Caster Bushing Kit is designed for the 1990-97 Landcruiser 80 Series Wagon 105 Series

exitoffroad.com

I'd go for rubber at that height.

Edit: Also, old worn out stock springs would be lower than stock which would have even more caster (heavier steering), so the difference from that up to the new height would feel quite different without correcting the caster for the lift.

Thank you, I will try that

 

[landtank]

You might consider my 2.5” caster plates. They do require that plates to be stitched after install. But retain the factory bushings. If you line up a welder it’s no problem to cautiously drive the truck to his shop.

 

[Cruiserlab]

If you can swing it, the best option would be @Delta VS radius arms. They have a chart that tells you how much caster correction each size provides, so you can get it dialed. $$$ though.

 

[ChaseTruck]

One thing that has kept me from considering Dobinson springs is that about everyone reports that those springs result in an amount of lift that’s significantly higher than advertised. Before deciding on a way of caster correction, I’d suggest to measure the actual amount of lift that those springs provide to YOUR truck.

 

[Cruiserlab]

@ChaseTruck, I was thinking the same thing. I've seen their 1.75 inch springs yield nearly 2.5 inches of lift.

 

[crikeymike]

It all depends how you're measuring it, and how worn out/sagged the stock suspension was. The first 80 series I ever lifted with a 2" OME lift gave me 3" up front and 5" in the rear, as the stock coils were so roasted compared to when it would have been new.

Just need some hub to fender measurements. He should be around 22" front and 22.5-23" rear

 

[landtank]

I’m building another truck and counting on 2.5” of lift. The plan is 33” tires, short bus bumper and winch, sliders and No rear bumper.

Thinking that 2.5 will drop to just over 2.0

 

[AN470]

Agree, check caster. But you may have worn out bushings or steering components making things worse. I have the 222/223 springs which is also marketed as a 1.75" lift, but Im around 22.0-22.5 hub to flare which is exactly what I wanted.

Other than the lack of power, I have no issues with driveability up to 80mph without caster correction. I'm waiting for my sliders to arrive so I can get those on, then check caster and get delta arms eventually. Rear end has all new control arms and bushings, front end is all new as well except for control arms.

 

[frawstme]

Everyone says to increase caster, what degree of caster are you shooting for with that lift? I'm running the exact same setup and I could still up my caster some if needed. When I'm on the highway if I have to make a fast motion things do feel a little sketchy. At the same time though I think if I increas caster any more that my wheels might rub

edit:
just realized I'm on the 80 series forum, ignore me

 

[SoCalFJ803FE]

Ok, took it to Toyota to check the numbers before alignment.

Tech at Toyota is saying I do need to correct the caster, should I install both of these or just #1 or just #2?

1. DOBINSONS 5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION PLATE KIT – WA59-514K

DOBINSONS 5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION PLATE KIT – WA59-514K - Dobinsons Spring & Suspension USA

For 4" to 6" lift heights, realigns front caster Zinc plated steel with all hardware supplied, super heavy duty Simple bolt-on design with some grinding required Not necessary to remove OE bushes, saving time and money Optional RB59-536K replacement rubber bush kit available for Radius Arm to...

dobinsonusa.com

2. DOBINSONS RUBBER 2.5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION BUSHING KIT – 4 BUSHINGS PER KIT – RB59-522K

DOBINSONS RUBBER 2.5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION BUSHING KIT – 4 BUSHINGS PER KIT – RB59-522K - Dobinsons Spring & Suspension USA

For 0" to 3" lift heights High quality rubber, producing the highest ride quality Adjustable during installation to offer 0 to 2.5° of caster adjustment Replaces OE bushes holding front radius arms to the axle Also available in Polyurethane, part PB59-503K RB59-522K Caster Bushing Kit...

dobinsonusa.com

Also, the other alternative is going Delta, the difference in price is very high (being Delta way higher) is it worth it?

Delta Vehicle Systems - FJ/FZJ80/LX450 Caster Correcting Front Radius Arms

If your rig is lifted, you NEED to fix the caster! Make sure you get all the extra flex your lift offers by installing our narrower arms.

www.deltavs.com

Thank you.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Ok, took it to Toyota to check the numbers before alignment.

Tech at Toyota is saying I do need to correct the caster, should I install both of these or just #1 or just #2?

1. DOBINSONS 5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION PLATE KIT – WA59-514K

DOBINSONS 5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION PLATE KIT – WA59-514K - Dobinsons Spring & Suspension USA

For 4" to 6" lift heights, realigns front caster Zinc plated steel with all hardware supplied, super heavy duty Simple bolt-on design with some grinding required Not necessary to remove OE bushes, saving time and money Optional RB59-536K replacement rubber bush kit available for Radius Arm to...

dobinsonusa.com

2. DOBINSONS RUBBER 2.5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION BUSHING KIT – 4 BUSHINGS PER KIT – RB59-522K

DOBINSONS RUBBER 2.5 DEGREE CASTER CORRECTION BUSHING KIT – 4 BUSHINGS PER KIT – RB59-522K - Dobinsons Spring & Suspension USA

For 0" to 3" lift heights High quality rubber, producing the highest ride quality Adjustable during installation to offer 0 to 2.5° of caster adjustment Replaces OE bushes holding front radius arms to the axle Also available in Polyurethane, part PB59-503K RB59-522K Caster Bushing Kit...

dobinsonusa.com

Also, the other alternative is going Delta, the difference in price is very high (being Delta way higher) is it worth it?

Delta Vehicle Systems - FJ/FZJ80/LX450 Caster Correcting Front Radius Arms

If your rig is lifted, you NEED to fix the caster! Make sure you get all the extra flex your lift offers by installing our narrower arms.

www.deltavs.com

Thank you.

You need to share your current caster numbers in order to determine how much correction is needed.
I haven’t lifted my 80, but would be inclined to go with the spendy solution of new arms when facing that problem .

 

[SoCalFJ803FE]

You need to share your current caster numbers in order to determine how much correction is needed.
I haven’t lifted my 80, but would be inclined to go with the spendy solution of new arms when facing that problem .

Asking Toyota how much caster is now. On a side note I wrote to Dobinson's and they say plates is too much for a 1.75" lift, the recommend the rubber bushings not the plates, however in a Cruiser meet up on Saturday everybody voted for the plates....

 

[SoCalFJ803FE]

ok...update, I think I forgot to mention that I changed the tires to 315/75R16, that is closer to a 35, with that the total lift is 3" correct? then should I go with the plates or the rubber bushings?