Austin Suspension Setup? (1 Viewer)

[Beagle]

What's up. Can't believe I missed another meet up loop!

We just purchased a little Jay Flight Baja camper. Tiny. 14 feet long and 2300 dry weight. I'd like to tow it with the UZJ100 but I know I need to beef up the suspension to start. Previous owner threw on OME Light suspension. Pretty sure I need to move up. Also want to get some new tires.

Is there an Austin suspension shop that anyone really trusts with Land Cruisers? Should I call over to Tim and LC Specialists and ask him? What's my next move with this? I'm overwhelmed with all of the projects I've started and can't get my head around anything these days. Feel like I have ADHD. Anyone able to point me in the right direction? Anyone have any tips as far as suspension? Should I go with airbags?

Thanks!

 

[davegonz]

You could leave the suspension as-is, but add airbags. You can then adjust for whatever load you're towing.

 

[geanes]

What Dave suggested above. If you do want a new suspension, then contact LandCruiser Specialists and consider an IronMan suspension. I think you'd probably be satisfied with the AirLift1000 airbag option frankly.

 

[aljollano]

I just installed Iron Man suspension on my 100 for the same reason that you are doing it. So far, I’m very happy with it. My trailer weights 2000lbs when loaded .

A.J

 

[bloc]

Airbags are the ticket. Extra support when you have the trailer or a ton of stuff in back, compliance/articulation and normal ride height when you don’t. The only thing I’d add then is maybe run a nice adjustable shock in back also so you can dial up the compression damping when the trailer is back there.

 

[davegonz]

@Beagle I think I have a kit in the shop that I intended to install b/c I was hauling the boy scout trailer with the 100. I never installed it and my son is out of scouting now.

 

[Beagle]

@Beagle I think I have a kit in the shop that I intended to install b/c I was hauling the boy scout trailer with the 100. I never installed it and my son is out of scouting now.

Wow! I'll send you a PM!

Thanks everyone for your input. I wouldn't be too mad if I could get away with just the Airbags. I don't really have the dough right now to dump into tires and suspension. This could be a lot better for our needs.

 

[aljollano]

Wow! I'll send you a PM!

Thanks everyone for your input. I wouldn't be too mad if I could get away with just the Airbags. I don't really have the dough right now to dump into tires and suspension. This could be a lot better for our needs.

What coils are running at the moment?

A.J

 

[Beauski100]

@Beagle I am looking to swap my AHC on the LX. I would be interested in your used OME suspension if you choose to upgrade. Or if anyone else has old OEM TBs and rear springs I would be interested in those too.

 

[Beagle]

What coils are running at the moment?

A.J

Errr...uhhhh. Maybe stock? Maybe came with the OME setup? Attaching a bad photo....if that helps?

 

[aljollano]

Errr...uhhhh. Maybe stock? Maybe came with the OME setup? Attaching a bad photo....if that helps?

View attachment 2282444

That’s stock suspension. Maybe upgrading the coils could help you also. It did on my set up.

 

[aljollano]

@Beagle I am looking to swap my AHC on the LX. I would be interested in your used OME suspension if you choose to upgrade. Or if anyone else has old OEM TBs and rear springs I would be interested in those too.

I have some OME 865 for $80 if you are interested. They will give you 1.5 inches of height.

A.J

 

[bloc]

Make sure you compare the rate to stock too.

You can get the loaded height correct with simply longer coils but it’ll wallow all over the place. A better setup is higher rate coils that won’t sag as much for a given load.

This is why airbags are so great. Easily tune the rate to the load you have.

Not that better coils won’t help too...

 

[Beagle]

Here's something I just thought of. How do you go about inflating and deflating them? Do i need to drag an air compressor around with me? Without installing anything like on onboard compressor, how do most people go about that? Thanks!

Edit. Will something as simple as these little things work? I have these all over the place.

Amazon product ASIN B081Q7BFZJ

 

[bloc]

They run at a surprisngly low pressure due the large surface area. A bike tire pump can even work if you don't want to run a motorized tire inflator or similar. If you do buy a tire inflator do some research on here.. there are total trash ones out there, and others that work great for the money. The old standard was the Superflow MV50 but it looks like it's not available anymore. Whatever you get, it's a great investment if you will be traveling with anything with tires.

Beyond that just search in the 100-series section for airbags. You'll definitely find good results with how-tos and pictures, along with different ways of running them. Some people run the air lines all the way to the rear bumper to make adjustment more simple, some people add gauges, I've even seen setups on other types of vehicles that have accumulators to lower the spring rate change as they compress. One thing I can say is that you should not plumb them into the same air line, keep the lines separate. Letting air flow from one to the other is great for articulation, but NOT for trailer/loaded stability.

 

[Beauski100]

I have some OME 865 for $80 if you are interested. They will give you 1.5 inches of height.

A.J
View attachment 2282476

Done deal! I'll pm you.