Best fj40 suspension

[PitbullCruiser]

Hey guys, new to the forum. Been doing a frame off resto on my 78 fj40. Trying to decide what kind of suspension and shocks to go with. This 40 will mainly be a daily driver with mild off road use. Just looking for something durable that will have a nice smooth ride. I'll be running BFG AT 33's.

 

[alex e]

OME is what I am going with, FWIW.

 

[VehiculousFJ]

<<<<<-- nOOb

Im actually curious about this too. What is out there?

Old Man Emu
CCOT HFS
Pinnacle Engineering
BDS
Downey
Superlift

Did I miss any?

 

[PitbullCruiser]

yeah, i see a lot of people running ome. That was my first choice

 

[esh]

Spring over with flat springs. Great ride!

If you do OME, go with something like medium front, light rear, or light/light. If you have a spare tank or carry heavy weights, maybe medium/medium. OMEs can feel stiff on 40s. Wagons are where they shine.

 

[PitbullCruiser]

thanks for the info guys, has anyone ran the OME Dakar springs yet? I found a product review on them but I still was wondering how the Dakars differ from the regular OME aside from being more affordable.
The Regular OME springs and the Dakar OME springs both have:

Military Wrap: designed to provide added safety
Draw Tapered & Diamond Cut Leaves: to reduce interleaf friction and to ensure that load distribution occurs at the leaf tips - this significantly contributes to spring life
Anti Friction Pads: regreasable nylon interleaf liners reduce friction at the leaf tips, where the load is the greatest
Graphite Coating: to further reduce friction between the spring leaves and friction pads
Bolt Clamps & Liners: the leaf clamps are bolted to allow installation of anti-squeak nylon liners
Shot Peening. The tension side of all leaves is shot peened to reduce spring stress. This process can double the life of a spring
Flat Axle Seat Area. Allows a positive, safe axle mount reducing spring stress & increasing spring life
Fully Scragged & Load Tested. Scragging ensures the spring takes a permanent 'set' which reduces the risk of sagging. Load testing ensures the spring meets the required specification

 

[PitbullCruiser]

ok, just found an article that stated basically that the only reason they're cheaper in price is because they're manufactured in Malaysia (where labor costs are considerably lower) instead of Australia or Canada. If thats the case I'll go with the 'Dakkar' series as opposed to the Australian made OME leaf springs...because the exportation of labor from Australia or Canada really doesnt concern me, right? They also claim that the Dakkar series uses the same bushings, spring pins, shackles, and fitting kits as standard Old Man Emu leaf springs. I think I'm gonna go with the deluxe kit with dakkar springs and shackle reversal kit. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

 

[PitbullCruiser]

I might scratch the SR kit, i just hope the lift will clear my 33's

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Alcan

You might also look in to Alcan springs. http://www.alcanspring.com/ I hear they are great, also. They will custom make your springs.

Good luck.

 

[my64fj40]

It really depends on what you want to do and how much you can spend..

If you want to keep it SUA and have the coin go with Alcan

or a little cheaper .. go with HFS or OME





For shocks go with Bilstein.. hands down

 

[PitbullCruiser]

kewl, I was wondering what shocks to go with and heard bilstein was top knotch. Luckily I have the money to throw at my cruiser now as I finally graduated college and landed a job that quadrupled my income. I just moved to northeast Texas so I'm trying to familiarize myself with the area. Like I said before, this Cruiser will be a daily driver and wont see much offroading other than very light trails on the weekends. My next project will be to decide on keeping the original 2f of go with a 350crate

 

[1973Guppie]

use the search function! this is discussed every week or so.....

Noah

 

[NorthFJ]

SOR springs?

Anybody have any opinion of the lift kits sold through SOR?
I frequently order other odds and ends from SOR and now that it's time to order a lift kit I thought I'd see what they have.....
We have a 1976 FJ40. The plan is a mild lift (2-4") SUA. Once lifted I will be running 33x9.5 BFG ATs (or something similar) and the truck will be primarily used as a daily driver with the odd off-road adventure (nothing too crazy).

Thanks for any advice / opinions.....

 

[lcwizard]

the FJ40 springs won't have the Military wrap. The 60 springs will

thanks for the info guys, has anyone ran the OME Dakar springs yet? I found a product review on them but I still was wondering how the Dakars differ from the regular OME aside from being more affordable.
The Regular OME springs and the Dakar OME springs both have:

Military Wrap: designed to provide added safety
Draw Tapered & Diamond Cut Leaves: to reduce interleaf friction and to ensure that load distribution occurs at the leaf tips - this significantly contributes to spring life
Anti Friction Pads: regreasable nylon interleaf liners reduce friction at the leaf tips, where the load is the greatest
Graphite Coating: to further reduce friction between the spring leaves and friction pads
Bolt Clamps & Liners: the leaf clamps are bolted to allow installation of anti-squeak nylon liners
Shot Peening. The tension side of all leaves is shot peened to reduce spring stress. This process can double the life of a spring
Flat Axle Seat Area. Allows a positive, safe axle mount reducing spring stress & increasing spring life
Fully Scragged & Load Tested. Scragging ensures the spring takes a permanent 'set' which reduces the risk of sagging. Load testing ensures the spring meets the required specification

 

[splib]

Holy thread reviv....meh.

Take a look at Hell Creek Suspensions. I love mine.

 

[crusinfool]

NOT SOR springs, weld ur axles to the frame first, you will get a better ride

Spend a litte dough and do it right

 

[65swb45]

Anybody have any opinion of the lift kits sold through SOR?
I frequently order other odds and ends from SOR and now that it's time to order a lift kit I thought I'd see what they have.....
We have a 1976 FJ40. The plan is a mild lift (2-4") SUA. Once lifted I will be running 33x9.5 BFG ATs (or something similar) and the truck will be primarily used as a daily driver with the odd off-road adventure (nothing too crazy).

Thanks for any advice / opinions.....

I installed a set for one of my customers a few years ago, and they seem very happy with them. Same kind of use as you anticipate, but they're running 31s.

I don't think the SOR kit would be quite enough for 33s unless your rear wheelwells are cut.

Best

Mark A.

P.S. you can add Ironman Springs to the list now.

 

[davesnothere]

Put the hells creek on my daily driver with 33's. LOVE IT!

 

[AlexJet]

<<<<<-- nOOb

Im actually curious about this too. What is out there?

Old Man Emu
CCOT HFS
Pinnacle Engineering
BDS
Downey
Superlift

Did I miss any?

Man-a-Fre has an option as well.
I'm debating on 4" HFS or 4.5" MAF myself.

 

[NorthFJ]

Thanks for the responses about SOR springs.....I guess I'll stick with the original plan and go OME (or perhaps HFS to go 4" and it seems they have a good rep).
I was looking to save some money but I should know by now that you don't normally save in the long run!