Does anyone have a lift they want to get rid of or have any suggestions. I've searched but would like local feedback/support.
2"-3" fj40 lift kit
- Thread starter Groundhog
- Start date
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Groundhog said:
Spring over, cut n turn, some shims for the rear pinion angle, some new shackles/bushings, good to go.
If you do a spring over you will adjust the pinion angle when you weld on the new spring perches. No shims needed. Easy.
If you buy, my suggestion is skyjacker or OME. Both ride well, OME is $$. SteveLC has skyjacker on his 40.
1911
chupacabra
Wouldn't a spring-over net quite a bit more than 2-3" of lift, even using flat springs? I've never done one on a 40 mind you, just curious.
I'm happy with my 3"-lift Alcan springs but it took some tweaking to get everything right. Still not positive my shocks are the best length.
1911 said:
SOA is cheap....kind of...and this dude asked for cheap. A lift kit, per se, is expensive, though, IMHO, the net reults are better.
It seems SOA is about a 5-6 inch lift. I went with Rough Country 4" lift as they are relatively inexpensive, and I believe they have a 2.5" kit as well. They are very "Rough", but understand any SUA wth that much of an arc is going to be rough. SOA will generally give you a softer ride.
the ride difference in my 40 between 2.5" lift springs and the SOA was huge. I had lift shackles on the springs too and the ride was downright harsh. I don't recall who made the springs as this was many years ago, but it wasn't any of the ones mentioned here.
alcan supposedly makes great softer riding springs. I vote SOA with a front shackle reversal. you can fit 35" tires with no trouble and minor mods from there can net 38" tires if the want arises later. don't count that factor out. once you wheel with a more capable rig, you end up wanting more.
alcan supposedly makes great softer riding springs. I vote SOA with a front shackle reversal. you can fit 35" tires with no trouble and minor mods from there can net 38" tires if the want arises later. don't count that factor out. once you wheel with a more capable rig, you end up wanting more.
jstncse
Crawling over something
Mine had a 3/8" leaf added to the front and what appeared to be FJ60 springs in the rear which gave it a little bit of a lift over stock, maybe 2". Now that I have done the SOA I am much happier with the ride and articulation. I also turned the springs for more wheelbase while I was there.
I'm SOA and love it! Mine is pretty mild for a SOA with completely flat springs front and rear and I still fit in the garage with 35's (barely). Its pretty gushy for a 40 and leans a lot through the turns but off road it flexes pretty nice. I think with detachable sway bars it would be pretty good on and off road.
It's fun feeling the rear end sink going over speed bumps
It's fun feeling the rear end sink going over speed bumps
- Thread starter
- #11
i never asked for cheap. just looking if someone had upgraded and had extra goodies.
keep in mind this rig has a SBC (weight/distribution?) and id like to be able to pull a small popup trailer.
SOA questions:
what needs to be lengthened drive line, control arm, etc????
stock springs?
is this set up side hill wobbly for a SWB?
SUA questions:
better stability?
small lift with shackle reversal=no need for cut/turn?
quicker?
ive read the Safari springs are stiff but they have a SUA Crawler setup with SR and extended shock towers that looks like a good stable set up.
i never asked for cheap. just looking if someone had upgraded and had extra goodies.
keep in mind this rig has a SBC (weight/distribution?) and id like to be able to pull a small popup trailer.
SOA questions:
what needs to be lengthened drive line, control arm, etc????
I assume you mean drag link. drive shafts- yes, drag link- only if you want the steering wheel centered.
stock springs?
yes.
is this set up side hill wobbly for a SWB?
mine is set up a fair bit higher than a regular SOA, I often put it off camber very far. I am a bit wider than stock , but higher too.I wouldn't worry about that, it will go farther over than you are comfortable with.
SUA questions:
better stability?
around corners on the street, yes.
small lift with shackle reversal=no need for cut/turn?
I never cut and turned mine when it had stock axles. really depends on your drive train and how long the front dive shaft will be.
quicker?
probably
ive read the Safari springs are stiff but they have a SUA Crawler setup with SR and extended shock towers that looks like a good stable set up.
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alia176
SILVER Star
It sounds like if you went to SOA, good quality shocks with proper valving will complement the ride. Also, SOA sounds like opening up a can of worms in certain respect.
Are you planning on rock crawling the thing? Since you want to tow a popup camper, it sounds to me like you want to keep the 40 very street friendly with great hwy manners.
Are you planning on rock crawling the thing? Since you want to tow a popup camper, it sounds to me like you want to keep the 40 very street friendly with great hwy manners.
- Thread starter
- #14
My goal is to end up with a rig that can pull a trailer big enough for two people and my creeps(pics of creeps to follow) long distance ie:Ouray, Moab, Chama etc. upon reaching said destination be able to hit trails that fall just short of rock crawling. This 40 is too nice to thrash. Im trying to get a little more lift / articulation just short of soa...just enough to get me into those spots where I'm saying "Damn I'm destroying this beautiful rig, I should've gone soa!"
jstncse
Crawling over something
I am marking this day on my calendar,
I want to see how long it is before you say that and then do it. I personally think it is the way to go especially if you have a SBC to pull it around. in the meanwhile I would talk to Mcbrides about leafspring options that keep you SUA and add a little bit of travel.
SOA is in your future, I can see it coming
alia176
SILVER Star
Given your intended use for the 40, it sounds like SUA is a good compromise. At least try it for a year and see how you like it.
I have stock gears for '75, 35s and a Chevy 305 mildly built (intake, Holley carb, torque-y cam, headers) and it's a dream on the road. Towing no problem, 80mph+ no prblem, just need some lower gears for crawling and sway bars for highway.
That being said, 33's on a SUA lift would be a good place to start. Quicker to install about the same price.
that is exactly how I started when I bought my 40. bought stock, and wheeled it. soon it had 3" lift and 33's. wheeling was fun getting into harder trails, but got to a few spots I couldn't get past. need lockers and power steering...got 'em, and got to the next spots I couldn't get past. need SOA and 36" tires...got 'em, now on a whole new level of wheeling and blew the engine (no fault of the trails), chevy LT1, auto tranny, 1 ton axles and 40" tires...
could've saved a bunch of money by skipping a few steps. switched lift type, locker type, power steering type once and upgraded twice, tires size went up 3 times...Jstncse is probably right, it's only a matter of time.
that said, the SUA lift sounds great for your current needs. OME and Alcan are probably the best quality wise.
could've saved a bunch of money by skipping a few steps. switched lift type, locker type, power steering type once and upgraded twice, tires size went up 3 times...Jstncse is probably right, it's only a matter of time.
that said, the SUA lift sounds great for your current needs. OME and Alcan are probably the best quality wise.
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alia176
SILVER Star
that is exactly how I started when I bought my 40. bought stock, and wheeled it. soon it had 3" lift and 33's. wheeling was fun getting into harder trails, but got to a few spots I couldn't get past. need lockers and power steering...got 'em, and got to the next spots I couldn't get past. need SOA and 36" tires...got 'em, now on a whole new level of wheeling and blew the engine (no fault of the trails), chevy LT1, auto tranny, 1 ton axles and 40" tires...
could've saved a bunch of money by skipping a few steps. switched lift type, locker type, power steering type once and upgraded twice, tires size went up 3 times...Josh is probably right, it's only a matter of time.
that said, the SUA lift sounds great for your current needs. OME and Alcan are probably the best quality wise.
and then a trailer, followed by a tow rig.....
yes, it became a trailer queen somewhere in the middle...
edit- and admittedly I have the sickness worse than some.
