1966 FJ40 Front Suspension Questions

[antiquecollector5]

I would kindly appreciate some help answering the following questions:

Q1: How do I attach the front shock absorber tower mounts to the body? Original mounts had been removed and it appears as if they were riveted onto the frame originally. I recently purchased a used set and they are in great shape. Should I bolt them on? Should I use rivets? If rivets, where do I get them? How do I install? Should I weld them? Bolting seems to be the way to go, but I wonder why they were riveted in the first place.

Q2. The measurement between the two shock absorber mounting pins with the vehicle resting on the ground is 21 inches. The vehicle has been lifted. Not sure how much but I would guess about 4 inches. What is the right shock absorber to use. Is a hydraulic shock vs a gas shock the right type to use?

Q3. The original manual for the 1966 model year for the FJ40, FJ43, FJ45 (donated by Jim Casagrande) lists the original specs for the rear shock absorber but not for the front. Does anyone have the specs for the front? Curious as to why the manual does not have this information

Thanks in advance.

 

[rlong]

I would bolt with grade 8 bolts, rivets are hard to get just right. I don’t have shock numbers with a lift but I’m sure someone will offer a number for something like the Bilstein 5100 a very very popular gas shock. I would not run anything else myself.

 

[fireflyr]

If you post a picture of your truck from the front and the side I’m sure someone here can get you in the ballpark on the lift size you have. Then just go to a shock retailer’s website and put in the lift size. I’m running the Bilsteins too and really like them.

This is a 4” OME lift with one leaf removed. So probably closer to 3”.

 

[pb4ugo]

I use button head socket cap screws(allen head)because they look similar to stk rivets. I used them when I had to move my shock tower. Most shock manufacturers have compression a extension numbers to help customers determine what shocks they need.