Best suspension for MY FZJ80

[BJANDCJ]

I just spoke with the guys at Down South Motorsports any they told me that if my truck is oversprong changes the shocks in not going to change much. Basically that I need appropriate spring travel for the shock to do its job.


I think that everybody agrees that OME suspensions are designed for Heavy expedition style rigs.

I am going to talk with the guys at ICON and see what they say.

 

[Joshau]

@BJANDCJ - I'm in a similar boat ... growing somewhat tired of the firm ride around town and want to coordinate swapping in a soft riding 2.5"-3" lift suspension possible with the new front & rear bumpers (4x4 labs swingout rear & slee short bus front). Interested to hear what you find out.

 

[Cruzilla]

Just wondering if anyone has hub to fender height for heavy springs with ARB number, 12k winch and dual battery?

 

[Mandrake]

I don not thing going back to stock suspension is a cheaper option. I would need to buy smaller tires to fit under stock suspension and driving down the highway with 4.56 gears is less than ideal.

...which is why I mention the spring spacers and body lift. The springs and shocks give you the smooth ride you want, and the spacers give you the lifted look you like. What size tires are you running, anyway?

 

[BJANDCJ]

I just got off the phone with the guys at ICON. They told me that they designed their suspension around a stock 80 with a front bumper and winch, aluminum rear bumper and aluminum roof rack. Guy I talked too says it rides very simmalar to stock with little weight added. Sounds like the best option for me without spending crazy money. I am going to pull he trigger on an Icon stage 1.

I while I am putting the 80 back on the operating tingle for a quick face lift. I am going to remove the OME caster correction bushing!and go back to OEM and fab up some caster plates. Maybe ever get suped and machine a set on the CNC mill

Mandrake,

I have ZERO interest in body lifts. I would rather cut the fenders out, But that is not going to happen either.

Spring spacers on a stock suspension is a good budget option and may be a good option period. But generally I am not a fan of springs spacers outside of making minor adjustments to your rig to keep it level.

 

[Mandrake]

No worries, bud. It's your rig; do what you feel is right.

 

[69 4 fun]

I don't know if you have looked into it but the 2" tough dog rides very nice. I have only put about 400 miles on it but on corrugated gravel roads it rides great and with 35 bfg @35 psi! Plus Jason has unbelievable customer support. Good luck with decision!

 

[BJANDCJ]

I don't know if you have looked into it but the 2" tough dog rides very nice. I have only put about 400 miles on it but on corrugated gravel roads it rides great and with 35 bfg @35 psi! Plus Jason has unbelievable customer support. Good luck with decision!

No, I have not looked into tough dog, but I will! How much extra weight have you added to your truck?

 

[Comet]

Dobinson's was very economical for me. @crikeymike walked me through the spring selection for the scenerio I was looking for. It seems though that the weight carrying capacity and ride height you are looking for doesn't match what I wanted so my progressive spring combo sounds a little heavy for your needs. I am running Toyota stock shocks and load E rated 285/75/16 tires. I noticed a much improved ride moving from stock springs to the Dobinson's but the body roll became slightly pronounced. I have a winch and ARB up front. I carry the third row seats and about 300# in the back most of the time. My take away from what little I know is that progressive springs just keep the ride height relatively consistent with increased load capacity. Unfortunately, I have not had a lot of seat time on dirt roads to be the expert on ride quality/teeth chattering reduction in my truck. As stated by many already, choosing a suspension is purpose intent driven. I have seen guys/gals start with one set of springs and then shift to a completely different weight combo as their needs changed. My OEM suited me well until I started to load it down. Do you have access to other cruisers with the set up you might want to install?

I completely understand your 60-80 hour work week.

 

[69 4 fun]

I don't have any added weight but plan on a bumper and winch. Jason set me up with a medium front spring for future add in and anti stink bug. Very affordable and rides smooth with no bumper.

 

[BJANDCJ]

Yes, I sold my BJ74 to Mike and ended up but a ton of gear from him when he worked with ARB.

I dont know anybody in my area with progressive springs on a 80 series but I believe the Jeep JK unlimited came stock with progressive spring. Somewhat similar suspension at least in the rear. Not the best comparison but it is what I have access too. The stock unlimited rubicon drives very well on these washboard dirt road

Somebody please correct me if I wrong, but I believe that a progressive spring uses 1) a consistently increasing spring rate thru the length of the shock or 2) a dual rated spring that has two different spring rates. The advantages of progressive springs for my application seems to be that the spring will move more easily. So in theory be more active on the bumpy washboard roads that I am trying to smooth out.

The disadvantage is increased body roll and more droop when weight is added.

I am sure there are more pros and cons.

 

[BJANDCJ]

Yesterday I decided to pull the trigger on an ICON stage 1 suspension. I am very excited to get it on my truck and test her out. Thank MUD for all you input.

 

[Comet]

Awesome. Enjoy the seat time.

 

[BJANDCJ]

New Icon stage 1 suspension is underneath my 80 and man did it make a world of difference! I am felling a very significant decrease in felt chatter over washboard roads and poorly paved roads. On speed bumps sized obstacles at lets say 15-20mph the suspension dampens out much of the impact and i can actually feel the suspension up-travel. I only have about 50 miles on the new suspension but all-in-all i am very happy with my choice.

On the negative side, I have just a little more body roll around corners, but very little, much less in fact than I was anticipating/worrying about.

Again, I have a very light rig compared to may on IH8MUD. I am running a non-winch ARB bumper up front and in the rear i have a Weather Guard Pack Rat drawer box with aprox. 100lb of tools.

 

[BILT4ME]

I would like to thank @BJANDCJ for working with me on his "old" springs and shocks.

After he got his new Icons on, he PM'd me and we worked out a deal. He was VERY fast on shipping, described the parts well, with all the part numbers, and sent me pics of the stuff I was looking for.

I feel he treated me very fair and he got stuff on the road quickly once we agreed on the deal.

Thanks again @BJANDCJ ! I really appreciate it! I'll let you all know when I get it installed on mine (hopefully before the snow flies in the KC area!)

 

[nigelsiam]

New Icon stage 1 suspension is underneath my 80 and man did it make a world of difference! I am felling a very significant decrease in felt chatter over washboard roads and poorly paved roads. On speed bumps sized obstacles at lets say 15-20mph the suspension dampens out much of the impact and i can actually feel the suspension up-travel. I only have about 50 miles on the new suspension but all-in-all i am very happy with my choice.

On the negative side, I have just a little more body roll around corners, but very little, much less in fact than I was anticipating/worrying about.

Again, I have a very light rig compared to may on IH8MUD. I am running a non-winch ARB bumper up front and in the rear i have a Weather Guard Pack Rat drawer box with aprox. 100lb of tools.

How much were the Icon? And where did you purchase?

 

[Hoosier40]

New Icon stage 1 suspension is underneath my 80 and man did it make a world of difference! I am felling a very significant decrease in felt chatter over washboard roads and poorly paved roads. On speed bumps sized obstacles at lets say 15-20mph the suspension dampens out much of the impact and i can actually feel the suspension up-travel. I only have about 50 miles on the new suspension but all-in-all i am very happy with my choice.

On the negative side, I have just a little more body roll around corners, but very little, much less in fact than I was anticipating/worrying about.

Again, I have a very light rig compared to may on IH8MUD. I am running a non-winch ARB bumper up front and in the rear i have a Weather Guard Pack Rat drawer box with aprox. 100lb of tools.

Hey BJANDCJ.

I know this is an old/dead post, but can you give me an update on this suspension setup since install?

What you were looking for resonated with me.

We’re you still happy over time?

 

[Marco Lau]

Hey BJANDCJ.

I know this is an old/dead post, but can you give me an update on this suspension setup since install?

What you were looking for resonated with me.

We’re you still happy over time?

I ran Icon stage 1 for the last 5 yrs, put about 50k miles on them on 50/50 pavement/ dirt and had zero complaints for medium to light load application. I have since switched to Dobinson IMS 2.5 and they are far superior on and off-road; However, cost triples as well. For running 35s or smaller tires, Icon stage 1 is fantastic.

 

[sreyes1103]

how would anyone here compare bp51's vs dobinson mrr's, which is better? I plan on running heavy load on my 80 and looking for a suspension set up for 3" lift and an all around kit on/off road. Any suggestions?