BJ70. New guy needs help.

[BJ70/85]

Hi guys, I'm new at this so bear with me. I'm also new at this 4 wheelin stuff, being into muscle cars for the past 20 years. I just purchased a 85 BJ70 with 400,000k, and the springs are weak. Should I re-arc them or purchase new one? The shock are orginals, and need replacing-any suggestion, which type or kind? I would also like to put a posi. or a locker in the rear end, again any suggestions. Finally I would like to fit 33" under it but still keep it low, is there a kit for say a 2 or 4" lift? Thanks Doug.

 

[BJ70/85]

undefined

Hi guys, I'm new at this so bear with me. I'm also new at this 4 wheelin stuff, being into muscle cars for the past 20 years. I just purchased a 85 BJ70 with 400,000k, and the springs are weak. Should I re-arc them or purchase new one? The shock are orginals, and need replacing-any suggestion, which type or kind? I would also like to put a posi. or a locker in the rear end, again any suggestions. Finally I would like to fit 33" under it but still keep it low, is there a kit for say a 2 or 4" lift? Thanks Doug.

 

[wesintl]

Welcome, I would scrap rearching 19 year old springs and get a new suspension kit. I went with OME which I really like but it's a pretty penny. The ride is awesome compared to the old orig stuff that was jarring when I hit a bump. I hear the Belton Kit is a real bang for the buck. Your pretty limited to Aussi kits due to the front springs being different, the rear are the same as a 60 series. You can choose from OME, Belton, Dobinsons, Ironman. 2.5 in lift. Then go with a lock rite or aussie locker in the rear.

Here is my 70 with OME and 7.5x16.. which are about 31's I evenutally plan to run 34x10.5 ltb swampers. http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=350&PN=3

 

[Stone]

You can get Belton kits from www.gscruiserparts.com. The 50mm lift should be enough to clear 33" tires in your 70.

 

[BJ70/85]

You mentioned that the front springs are different. I'm confused? It has leafs on the front and rear.

 

[wesintl]

The acutal leaf springs for the front are specific to 70 series. The rears are the same as a 60 seriers. Since there is somewhat of a low demand for the springs none of the average cruiser places will have a kit for the 70. Basically your choices are an aussi kit or custom springs like alcan or you local spring place but make sure they are metric. HTH.. Oh.. you might want to post this in the International cruiser tech as the 70 folks are more likely to check there on items that are specific to 70's

 

[JohnL]

Your simplest and most integrated bets are OME or HFS from Coolcruisers.com

Welcome!

 

[wesintl]

Your simplest and most integrated bets are OME or HFS from Coolcruisers.com

Welcome!

Basically this is exactly what I was trying to steer you from(not cool cruisers, the info). Cool Cruisers (HFS) doesn't have a kit that will fit a BJ70. I just checked their page, unless john works there and they have a new kit

Edit: they would have the usual things bolts, bushings, shackels, etc. but I doubt they have front springs for it.

Call Sheldon at GS.. posted by Stone

 

[Stone]

Greg's the Belton guy to talk to at G&S. He has the exact Belton kit that you're looking for installed on his BJ74 right now. He is running 35" SSRs on 1.5" spacers with the Belton lift, and he's moved his front axle 0.75" forward (so 33" will be no problem with the same lift on your BJ70). If you want pics of how the stance of that Belton kit is on the 70 series, let me know. I'll shoot one and post it up for you.

 

[BJ70/85]

Does anyon know anything about an aussie kit called Terrain Tramer, sold through a company in Edmonton Alberta called 4wheelauto. www4wheelauto.com These guys have lots of cruiser stuff.

 

[Greg_B]

Stone has the Terrain Tamer under his BJ74. He bought it a long while ago from Dan at 4wheelauto (btw, I think its GREAT there are more and more Canadian sources for many LC parts) , and finally moved to a house where he could run the lift and not worry about underground parking. He took the packs apart and slip plated them, before install. It sits nice, rides nice, and seems like a nice kit.

In addition to Dan at 4wheelauto, Radd Cruisers that frequents this list also has parts for sale,and is located in Canada. Go to his website and I believe there is a parts area.

Of course, having sold Belton kits, and run Belton springs on my BJ60, BJ42 and BJ74 I am partial. That said, I think you can not go far wrong with OME, Belton, or Terrain Tamer for your 70.. The Ozzie kits seem to have many cyles built into them, due to the metal used and process making the springs.

Regards

gb

 

[Stone]

I have to admit that having had to ride on a bagged suspension for almost a year (because I was living in an apartment with an underground parkade which had a maximum height of 6' 8"...my BJ74 is over 7' with the kit and roof rack) has really made me appreciate my new lift. The ride is firm and controlled, but not overly stiff. I think taking apart the spring packs and slip-plating (2 coats) them has made a big difference. Thanks for the tip, Greg!

What I can say about Terrain Tamer is that I am not too sure how great of a bargain it really is. It is a good quality kit that has a nice ride, but it's within a few hundred dollars of what I could have bought an OME kit for. OME already has several features, such as interleaf greasable anti-friction pads, diamond taper, etc. that Terrain Tamer doesn't include and wants you to pay extra for. Also, the shocks that come with the OME kit seem to be beefier in dimensions than the ones that came with my Terrain Tamer kit. It's nice to be able to compare so many different brands and what they each have to offer. But in my inexperienced opinion...I would have to say that for best bang for the buck...the Belton kit is probably still the one. Cheers.

 

[red dirt squirt]

welcome to the offroad community....don't rearc those old springs get you kit like these guys said. does any one ever complain about OME.....almost cant go wrong there. in my opinion i'd definanly go locker over positrac...others might not agree with me but definantly arb or detroit. good luck enjoy your bj... ha! ha!