Ok so im working on a FZJ80 right now for
@Dubs2017 and put a brand new Dobinsons IMS stock height lift on it. Basically Stock height springs, IMS shocks, and new tires. Ive been driving it around to compare to my coil swapped 60 series just to see how they fare back to back. Both have brand new steering components.
A few differences i noticed and some notes
- The wheelbases are slightly different and you can tell. Mostly when slow (20 ish mph) rolling those neighborhood speed humps. The 80 feels more stable at the lower speeds over them because the front wheel clears the other side of the hump before the back does.
- The 60 is more stable over the speed humps at higher speeds. The body stays flatter and the suspension moves more freely, this is probably due to the MRR shocks and the shock tune
- The 80 suspension isnt as free to move as the suspension on the 60. It feels more "locked up." This is almost certainly due to the johnny joints on the rear arms, and the Delta radius arms. This isnt necessairily a bad thing, and off road the 60 would flex way more than the 80 would, but on the road the 80 feels more like a street car, and is slightly tighter feeling. On the 60 you can feel the suspension working. Keep in mind this isnt body roll or anything, the flexier arms allow the suspension to move and articulate more. It kinda reminds me of when i replaced my leafs on my firstgen 4runner from factory leafs to Allpro leafs that were longer and flexed more. I think if you were planning on running the 60 mostly on the road, I think the move would be custom length upper and lower control arms with oem rubber ends on them. I honestly am kinda thinking of trying this route out.
- The handling on both is largely the same tbh. They have the same steering stuff. The 60 feels more nimble and turns better because its 2wd and has a shorter wheelbase though, but just driving around feels very similar
- The 60 feels smoother over certain bumps, and the 80 feels smoother over certain bumps, but they are largely very very similar.
- The IMS Shocks are overvalved for the 80 series. Just like they were when i had them on my 60. Theyve got to be valved for a diesel 80 because they are too stiff. The whole reason i got the MRRs is because i thought the 80 shocks would be too stiff on the 60, and im glad i can soften them up. The 60 is lighter than the 80.
- Even though they ride very similarly, the ride experience in the 60 is better. You get that older car feel with the interior, its loud in there, and is more fun to drive. The 80 is much quieter, slow as s***, and more modern and comfortable.
- Getting out of my 60 with the LS and getting into the 80 with the 1fz makes how slow the 80 is apparent haha. it is SO SLOW. The AC works about 100% better in the 80 series though.
- 80 series brakes stop a 60 way better than they do an 80 series. Both trucks have completely rebuilt axles and brand new rotors, oem pads, rebuilt calipers etc.
I was kinda nervous when i drove the 80 that it would make me not like my 60 as much but I still would choose my coil swapped 60 over the 80 series.
