Builds 1998 FZJ70 Build (4 Viewers)

[cruisermatt]

how is the suspension working?

 

[wngrog]

how is the suspension working?

I made a call to Roark to see if there was a lighter version of these springs like the FJ40s I installed that had just the two leafs and no overload.

Nada.

Turns out these are the same part number as a FJ60 rear according to him.

(Edit: that pic was taken wide angle and it exaggerated the rear height on the one on the right)
Here is is compared to my 70 which is almost an apples to apples but not quite.

My 70 has Dobinsons IMS and the lightest rear pack they make for a 70. It also has a set of Dobinsons drawers with full tool load out. Probably 400# back there. Add the front and rear ARB bumpers and winch. I'd say 1000-1200 pounds heavier. In fact, I added MAF 4.8" shackles to the rear of mine after the leafs
Broke in to give it a 1" higher ass than front.

 

[wngrog]

So going with the above comparitors I'll give the edge to the empty 70 with Parabolics.

It's not night and day better like I found with the 40 and the 45 that I did but it's better. If I compared two empty unmodified trucks (subtracting the 1000-1200 pounds from mine) the parabolic would be a clear winner.

 

[wngrog]

Aight, I put my thinking cap on and came up with the obvious fix for the ass high aspect.

These springs come with 2 spacers that are only there to fill the gap for a standard Ubolt setup to work. Without them most units would possibly bottom out and not get fully tight.

This is a real issue with Dobinsons springs because most ubolts are made for thick OEM packs.

So....simply move the spacers from the bottom of the pack to the top.

Instant 1" lower.

Tagging @orangefj45 for a tech tip

 

[OGBeno]

Aight, I put my thinking cap on and came up with the obvious fix for the ass high aspect.

These springs come with 2 spacers that are only there to fill the gap for a standard Ubolt setup to work. Without them most units would possibly bottom out and not get fully tight.

This is a real issue with Dobinsons springs because most ubolts are made for thick OEM packs.

So....simply move the spacers from the bottom of the pack to the top.

Instant 1" lower.

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Tagging @orangefj45 for a tech tip

I was going to say, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some engineering reason for the location of those spacers and you'll need to move them back.

It's like you have a piece of wood in there now for some hill-billy lift action.

 

[wngrog]

I was going to say, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some engineering reason for the location of those spacers and you'll need to move them back.

It's like you have a piece of wood in there now for some hill-billy lift action.

I'm gonna say some Mud engineer might chime in and say I'm crazy but I don't see any issue.


Think the lean pads I've been putting in these things for years. They go on top.

I know why they are there. They could be completely removed if you wanted to do that.

 

[LDowney]

...

One thing about the 70 is the sliding side/ rear glass on these trucks lets in a lot of noise. The MTs, even new give you a bit of unnecessary cabin noise unless you really need an MT

...

Our FZJ70 is very quiet even with the windows open and MT tires under her. The driving environment is more like a street sedan rather than a Cruiser.
Due to this, I look forward to an opportunity to road test your gem and experience true quiet from your attention to detail.

 

[JuanJ]

Our FZJ70 is very quiet even with the windows open and MT tires under her. The driving environment is more like a street sedan rather than a Cruiser.
Due to this, I look forward to an opportunity to road test your gem and experience true quiet from your attention to detail.

Hello,

For what it is worth, gasoline/petrol 70 Series are quieter than you think. Their engines rattle less than diesel engines.

This is a surprise for anyone used to the diesel engines 70 Series have.

They do use more fuel but, in engines such as the 1FZ or 1GR, reasonable mileage is a matter of keeping the rpm in the right range. This may require some control of one's right foot.





Juan

 

[sadam_husain]

Its not often you see people put lowering blocks into a landcruiser how did tie the spring centrebolt up into the locating hole in the axle perch to stop the axle moving or sliding around

 

[wngrog]

Its not often you see people put lowering blocks into a landcruiser how did tie the spring centrebolt up into the locating hole in the axle perch to stop the axle moving or sliding around

The center bolt is in the same place. The blocks just swapped ends from the bottom to the top.

 

[coldtaco]

I have done the same to my Ute, with 255/85/16 tires and standard 2" lift my Ute wouldn't fit comfortably through my garage door. so I lowered it that way and gained like a 1" clearance.

 

[MistyGoat]

Sweet rig! How does the lift increase from the parabolics compare to what you might get from a set of 3" OME's (like CS004/5) or Dobinsons?
I need to replace my tired OME springs and am thinking of going for parabolics, just need as much height in the back as I can get to help stuff my 35s.

 

[wngrog]

Sweet rig! How does the lift increase from the parabolics compare to what you might get from a set of 3" OME's (like CS004/5) or Dobinsons?
I need to replace my tired OME springs and am thinking of going for parabolics, just need as much height in the back as I can get to help stuff my 35s.

Same height now that I lowered the rear

 

[OlYellr]

I made a call to Roark to see if there was a lighter version of these springs like the FJ40s I installed that had just the two leafs and no overload.

Nada.

Turns out these are the same part number as a FJ60 rear according to him.

View attachment 3931455
(Edit: that pic was taken wide angle and it exaggerated the rear height on the one on the right)
Here is is compared to my 70 which is almost an apples to apples but not quite.

My 70 has Dobinsons IMS and the lightest rear pack they make for a 70. It also has a set of Dobinsons drawers with full tool load out. Probably 400# back there. Add the front and rear ARB bumpers and winch. I'd say 1000-1200 pounds heavier. In fact, I added MAF 4.8" shackles to the rear of mine after the leafs
Broke in to give it a 1" higher ass than front.

I helped put the TT parabolic on a friends HZJ73 and same thought and called too, “Got some in more of medium?”

We’ve added some weight to back etc to drive - helps for sure & now doing other things. Did find slowly adding grease to shackles vs three quick pumps allowed more grease in and also helped.

The stance is sweet and cruiser lean vanished after installing the parabolics.

 

[jsmo]

I can't remember if it was on my Instagram page or in my FZJ70 build thread that I polled the 255/85-16 versus the 285/75-16

For this style 70 the vote was 9 out of 10 people liked the looks of the wider tire in the shorty 70

So.....I decided to get this one some 285s but this time I went with an AT. The Yokohama X-AT is what I have been running on my 200 for the last year on some serious off road trips out west. (Search Whale in the 200 section for trip reports)

One thing about the 70 is the sliding side/ rear glass on these trucks lets in a lot of noise. The MTs, even new give you a bit of unnecessary cabin noise unless you really need an MT

These tires have been amazing on my 200 so I figured I'd give them a shot

Same as on mine, I added a 1" spacer to the rear. Most likely these won't need it because the FJco wheels have the proper 3.5" backspace versus the Smooth Vintique on my 70 at 4.0

Either way this makes the front and rear the same since the rear axle is narrower than the front.

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Do those X-AT's run pretty true to size?

 

[FJBen]

I helped put the TT parabolic on a friends HZJ73 and same thought and called too, “Got some in more of medium?”

We’ve added some weight to back etc to drive - helps for sure & now doing other things. Did find slowly adding grease to shackles vs three quick pumps allowed more grease in and also helped.

The stance is sweet and cruiser lean vanished after installing the parabolics.

Seeing this makes me feel if your current suspension rides pretty good, you won’t see much upgrade. I’d Probabaly be better off putting money into shocks to fine tune mine rather than the leaves.

Mine are old and well broken in, but height is good and it rides quite well save for jarring potholes and washboards.

 

[wngrog]

Do those X-AT's run pretty true to size?

Yes. Nice size. I have a lot of hard off road miles on the ones on my 200 and I've been very impressed with them on and off
Road

 

[matzell]

I was going to say, I wouldn't be surprised if there is some engineering reason for the location of those spacers and you'll need to move them back.

It's like you have a piece of wood in there now for some hill-billy lift action.

I am not sure if it has enough HP to get axle wrap, but maybe?

 

[wngrog]

I am not sure if it has enough HP to get axle wrap, but maybe?

No reason having those blocks on the top or the bottom would effect axle wrap.

 

[matzell]

No reason having those blocks on the top or the bottom would effect axle wrap.

Having it the way you have it now can cause axle wrap, like adding lift blocks