Best suspension components for best ride quality?

[haystax]

A friend of mine recently purchased a stock '72 FJ 40 and I was wondering what the concensus was on the best aftermarket setups in terms of springs and shocks for a slight lift and stock drivetrain cruiser. OME? Downey? MFE? Don't want much lift, don't want to go SOA just get some decent shocks, springs, and shackles to bring ride quality around. thanks

 

[77TLCFJ40]

I think the best bang for the buck is Hell Creek with their hydro shocks. Do a search for Hell Creek for lots more info.

If you're willing to spend a lot more, consider OME or CCOT - Hell For Stout.

Good Luck

 

[JJS]

I've heard that parabolic springs have an excellent ride, but don't have great load-bearing capacity, i.e., sagging under a fully-loaded rig. They should net you around 2" of lift.

 

[Alz Toy]

TPI

I'm really likeing my TPI Smokey Mtn kit, Vast improvement over what I had before. Might want to check them out, Al

 

[camcruiser13]

ill stay out of this one

 

[haystax]

ill stay out of this one

Why? I'm looking for opinions, especially from those with real experiences with different systems. It won't be a SOA or linked rock crawler, just looking for some suggestions to offer about what to do when he realizes that the stock ride quality blows compared to my rig. I know that much longer springs and longer shackles are the real key - probably what I would do to my own junk next time rather than SOA

So do all the aftermarket offerings suck that bad?

 

[calstyl2]

Why? I'm looking for opinions, especially from those with real experiences with different systems. It won't be a SOA or linked rock crawler, just looking for some suggestions to offer about what to do when he realizes that the stock ride quality blows compared to my rig. I know that much longer springs and longer shackles are the real key - probably what I would do to my own junk next time rather than SOA

So do all the aftermarket offerings suck that bad?

I will give you my experence,

started with some Superlifts, were on the truck when i bought it, rode like a forklift
went to SOR 2 1/2 with 1 1/2 shackles, rode like a forklift with soft tires
bought the CCOT HFS 4" springs with 1 1/2 4+ shackles, OME shocks, rides real well and flexes awsome, buddy running a similar setup with pro comp shocks is a little stiffer.
I love the flex and ride, the sway is there and its not a high speed highway truck, but offroad I rarely hang a tire

FWIW,

 

[camcruiser13]

just stay away from rancho springs.


crapola




ome are decent

 

[metalonmetal]

the ccot 4" springs/1.5" shackles rock, i would suggest using other shocks though than the ones ccot offers. grab some bilstein or ome shocks.

 

[haystax]

I doubt that he wants to go with a 4" lift, probably more like 2" honestly. I see that manafre has OME Dakkars on "sale" maybe they didn't move well as a product who know maybe he'll just throw in an air ride seat from one of his semi's and call it good thanks all for your suggestions

 

[Pin_Head]

Why? I'm just looking for some suggestions to offer about what to do when he realizes that the stock ride quality blows compared to my rig.

I think that the stock suspension is about as good as it gets in terms of ride quality. It is certainly not known for being particularly bad, so that is not the primary reason that people change springs.

 

[Diesel42]

Another vote for HFS

 

[Cruiserdrew]

OME or custom Alcans. How much does he want to spend?

 

[LC_Hamma]

It won't be a SOA or linked rock crawler

So, if a vehicle uses links to locate the axle rather than leafs, it's a "rockcrawler"?
I used coils & links to achieve a much better ride & the same height lift than I had with the sh!!tty leafs, shackles, etc. If you're thinkin cheap bolt on & a short term harsh ride, then stick with waht you want to hear = leafs

 

[froggy]

camcruiser13 :

just stay away from rancho springs.


crapola

X 2 I just HATE them. Rides like if the axles were welded to the frame

 

[haystax]

It won't be a SOA or linked rock crawler

So, if a vehicle uses links to locate the axle rather than leafs, it's a "rockcrawler"?
I used coils & links to achieve a much better ride & the same height lift than I had with the sh!!tty leafs, shackles, etc. If you're thinkin cheap bolt on & a short term harsh ride, then stick with waht you want to hear = leafs

whatever...

 

[LC_Hamma]

whatever...

Hey nowhere in your original post did you mention "leaf" springs nor did you mention any budget, so don't get sand in you vaynay when you ask for other "spring" options & I give you my .02

 

[haystax]

Hey nowhere in your original post did you mention "leaf" springs nor did you mention any budget, so don't get sand in you vaynay when you ask for other "spring" options & I give you my .02

Seriously dude, go fxxx yourself. I don't have time for your e-pissing contest right now okay.

Thank you everyone else for your opinions and suggestions, I'll pass them along.

 

[camcruiser13]

whoa whoa whoa,

what did i miss here,?


yes alcans are very nice, but the price tag is not, best spring ride will be the stockers, but if you wanted to lift it with thos it will only be soa,

look into hfs maybe the best deal?
im not sure though

 

[Tonito]

I've seen Pics from a german FJ40 with modded OEM-Springs (yes, i know it's a SOA setup) ...
here ya go:

The owner seperated the single leafs and put them together with 5mm strong metal plates in the middle of the spring.
On the second pic you can see some PE or PP stripes originally from the old Mercedes-Benz MB100 van on the end of each leaf. This MB100 "anti-friction-pads" are so special, because they came with pins on each side - so you have to drill some holes into the leaf which keeps the pads in place.

The idea is similar to parabolic springs and the ride should be as smooth - you only have to find some good shocks like for the parabolic-springs. Works for SUA for sure.
This setup lasts for now over 10 years with some heavy loading for iceland once.

Hope i could help you and you can understand my miserable english.


greetings