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Keep her on the other side of town till you're ready to bring her around :)

You CAN take the ghetto out de fat girl.

Before: (watch yer eyes)

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Part way to the after:

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Flares coming off next, along with non-plasti dipped grille.
 
I dunno.....the plasti-dipped 18" dubs with low pros was pretty gangsta to me, so much so I broke out The Chronic and enjoyed refreshing gin and juice.

Bahahaha.

Have work to do on wheel finishing, but couldn't wait another day to get the low riders off.

Now, to determine the absolute minimal lift height, in inches above OE ride height, to order up coils that'll eliminate rake and DS lean.

Guess I'll break out the laser and do it right.....
 
Unless you are commissioning custom coiled, coils, after doing a proper corner weighing with each of the likely passengers sitting in their likely seats and all current and likely cargo aboard, just order the OME stock replacement height springs and trim with trim packers. lol.
 
How long is a string? lol.

In my opinion no one will know until they get the springs on and settled. (Yes I know most people say coil springs don't need to settle, I think some settling is going to happen) then once the springs are on, if you want to get really picky, balance the truck about like you will drive it. i.e. half tank of gas, driver analog in the drivers seat any other things you might always have with you and then do your measuring and order trim packs accordingly. Doing it now when you have no idea the condition of the springs that are on it might just mean that you have some really bad springs and it won't be right when you get what you order.
 
How long is a string?

Double the length from one end to the center....

There's a tangible value calculable from others' experiences.....just need to plug it into the equation and run with it.

30mm seems the popular elimination rake spacer, soooo:

PS rear unchanged from OE
DS rear +5mm
PS front +30mm
DS front +35mm

Not really concerned about DS lean, but might as we complicate the crap out of it and attempt to fix what ain't broke. :)
 
Measured from where?

Are you saying stock OE length +5mm, +30mm, +35mm and so on? Or plus from your current sitting height? Well you really can't go off your current sitting height as you have no idea the condition of the springs. And at true stock height I don't believe there was a rake. The rake comes from adding the OME springs which they value a higher back end to account for load. Which you may or may not have. IMO if you are going to do anything. You have to get fresh springs in first. This sets your baseline. The springs could be OE or OME and then if you want to get really picky about rake you can dial it out then. You can not dial it out now as you don't know how those measurements will change until you swap out the old dead springs.
 
... until you have a solid foundation to work from.
Methinks he's doing it wrong.
Has anyone used an Ultra4 race car and skinned it to look like an '80? It seems to me that would be the way to get around the limitations of an 80-series Landcruiser platform. And you can always add A/C later... and you'd end up with really comfortable seats compared to what Mr T. bolted into our wagons. :)
 
Measured from where?

OE details and specific the VIN.

Are you saying stock OE length +5mm, +30mm, +35mm and so on?

Not quite as simple, I don't believe, but I'm an idiot.

Whatever the original value to resist the gravitational load of the OE 80, based upon the OE coil construction, rate, wraps, thickness, whatever else that's important, with the added ability to resist the same load while elevating the corner by those given dimensions. :)

And at true stock height I don't believe there was a rake.

Now that's viable information.

I've never seen a Cruiser....or any that did not, but you raise a good question I'm sure an old timer will have to confirm.

I'm betting on stink bug.

Construction terms, can't build a square wall until you have a solid foundation to work from.

That's construction theory.

Reality is, there's very few square pads and the mark of a true professional is the ability to adjust on what's been left by previous trades, while not sacrificing quality or compromising structural integrity.

There have been instances where a foundation is so wrong, in every perspective, you gotta throw a line down and work backwards from it, creating the basis for above grade trades to work from.

There's mathematical and visual means, then good ol' fashion experience knowing what will be impacted by corrective measures chosen, which can be sacrificed and which must be provided the perfect condition that the POS pour didn't.

Not that it's completely relevant to this discussion....
 
Ok so you are making my argument for me. You are taking OEM measurements specific to that VIN, and then going around the vehicle measuring how much you would need to level it out, but you are doing it on a vehicle that has 18 year old worn out springs and then adding (+5mm, +30mm, +35mm) and those measurements won't carry over when you have fresh springs whether OME or OEM.

Trust me I totally get the WANT to buy new parts for the new toy, but I still think I would get the springs you want to run, get them installed, give it a week or two of driving and then take your measurements.

But we all know this is going to end how every Chris wants to do it. haha.

Doesn't look stink bug to me..... I really think the stinkbug is because OME especially thinks there will be a load in the back.

Motortrend photo circa 1996

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Lexus brochure photo

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Looking better, and it wasn't that bad....sorta. My OMEs stock heights did settle a tad, but it didn't take too long.

What did you get for the rims on craigslist??? :grinpimp::grinpimp:
 
I got comfy....

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Please note the mismatched headrests.

I'm on a worldwide hunt for the two front that correspond, so if anyone happens upon, please bag the damn unicorns and I'll gladly compensate for the hunt.

I confirmed (to myself, whatever that's worth...) this weekend that I'll take the suspension seats in the K5 over the seating arrangements in the LX. Or those with new foam and leather here in the '80. Anytime, hands down. And that's just the seats... :)
 
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I don't know what it is with Blazer guys :rolleyes:

that said, it would indeed help if I wouldn't slide off my own leather driver seat in the LX on an off-camber section :mad:
 
BTW, Chris - congratulations on your new truck :cheers:
 
@scottryana,

Didn't measure anything. :)

Based on process of deduction, the rates and resulting elevations of OME coils by others and their future corrective devices to minimize rake.

Again, you make a valid point that consideration be given to rake not being as pronounced with OE coils (although we know there is some degree of) and another valid point that the OME stock height coils may, in fact, exacerbate rake and are not "stock height" to begin with.

It's all trivial.....but I do listen.....

What did you get for the rims on craigslist??? :grinpimp::grinpimp:

I hunted, but only turned up LX wheels locally.

These are from Jason @ Cruiseryard and have center caps on the way.

I know I'll regret not refinishing before mounting tires, but had to be done before I took up Black and Milds.

Was gonna polish and paint, but don't know if the pitting is too deep.....but will figure it out.

Had no lugnuts, couldn't find any laying around town, so ordered OEs in haste.

I'll say the first scratch is gonna suck.

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And that's just the seats... :)

These are pretty comfy, in all honesty, plus it feels like there's more room in the drivers seat, for a big boy.

That may be the lack of electric motor, thinner seat pan and back, or the lack of sunroof, I can't say, but glad to have all I can get.

it would indeed help if I wouldn't slide off my own leather driver seat in the LX on an off-camber section :mad:

Hahaha.

I had the same issues, but my son's was more concerning.

He'd slide so much, being too short to hang on to anything, his head bounced off the glass a few times, but was too concerned he'd slide out the window if rolled down, based on one run where he looked like Spider-man hanging on to the frame.

(Exaggeration, before anyone calls DHS)

BTW, Chris - congratulations on your new truck :cheers:

Thanks, Claudia......but, and not stated arrogantly, she should be the one congratulated.

She's a checkered past, more than a few physical imperfections to deal with, was a ghetto girl and I'm nowhere close to the first to claim the mountain peak.

That said, runs like a top, stops like a sportscar, and her redeeming qualities are exactly what I wanted.

Considering my track record, it may be a new lease on life for this 80, one devoid of subwoofer boxes, dubs, and enough speaker wire to wrap the globe halfway.
 

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