60 onto an 80 (1 Viewer)

[GW Nugget]

I bought some special super duper never dull bits from the state fair....
They worked for a short time then I just used every bit small to big & pushed the metal around till I got there. That was the #$@$!! part....
Somebody has to sell these springs allready made, but I havent searched.
3rd time. Are you shackle reverse?
What suspension do you currently have?
There is nothing wrong with leaf springs.
I have a LX450, when I build another fj40 I will be using leafsprings.
Can you post pics?

 

[handcannon]

Sorry, I guess I'm just dense. I didn't pick up on your question earlier.

No I have not reversed the shackles. I have swapped to FJ55 rear springs for both my front and rear axles. Because I discovered a cracked head at about the same time I did the spring swap I haven't been able to do anything else. I am interested though in anything I can do inexpensively to enhance a smoother ride on what some people normally considered a rough riding vehicle. I'm used to driving 3/4 ton pickups so I'm used to a rougher ride. The key word here is smooth.

If I can remember it tomorrow I'll try to post some pics of where I'm currently at.

Don

 

[GW Nugget]

There are pros & cons of shackle reversal. I have read 15 page posts with the argument either way.
I did it on my 40 & never regretted a bit. So if you imagine coming up to a two foot tall rock & you climb up what happens with shackle front the axle has to move forward then up. It's a rigid jar then a squish. With shackle reverse the axle moves back & up at the same time. A much more relaxing drive.
A con in shackle reverse is under hard braking you might have a bit more sway, but that can been fixed with a good swaybar & shocks. Don't cheap out with shocks.

Does that make sence?
Another thing is if you do decide to go SR is if you sit a bit low or high you can change your ride height by installing the shackle below the frame or in the frame.
Just my .02 cents

 

[Mace]

With a SU vehicle and a SR the forward movement of the axle is almost imperceptible. It really is an ancillary thing. Also, with a SO and flexy springs, the axle will travel "backwards". But, if it makes you feel better about that "push" forward, then consider it as added traction for climbing. Instead of trying to drive up a obstacle and the truck's front axle pulls away.. (neither are significant, but if it makes you feel better then cool )

For proper suspension geometry the spring should be level. Not plastered to the frame at the front and 6" below the frame in the rear of the spring.

 

[GW Nugget]

With a SU vehicle and a SR the forward movement of the axle is almost imperceptible. It really is an ancillary thing. Also, with a SO and flexy springs, the axle will travel "backwards". But, if it makes you feel better about that "push" forward, then consider it as added traction for climbing. Instead of trying to drive up a obstacle and the truck's front axle pulls away.. (neither are significant, but if it makes you feel better then cool )

For proper suspension geometry the spring should be level. Not plastered to the frame at the front and 6" below the frame in the rear of the spring.

I agree & understand with what you are saying about SF & SU, as far as why Toyota designed it that way. Traction, braking & handing performance is better with SF SUA.
With SF SUA one thing suffers & that's ride quality.
This is where the pros, cons & 15 pages of argument come into play.
The subject matter is ride.
In your own opinion, can you make a SF SOA a plush smooth ride?
The OP has a fj60 SOA with SF with fj55 springs. How do you make that ride better?

 

[Mace]

I have ridden in SOA SR and Conventional trucks. My 40 when it was SOA was the stock configuration. It rode very nice because I spent some time tweaking springs.

Honestly, it's the springs and shock tuning that will make a bigger difference in ride than where the shackle is located.

 

[GW Nugget]

Thank you.
So can you clerify "tweaking"?
I want to learn for myself.

 

[Mace]

Tuning the springs. Adding/subtracting leaves to get the flex/ride I was looking for. You should really start with a good shock tho. That'll make the biggest difference.