Bucking Mother Trucker

[MPLSFJ62]

I recently got an '88 FJ62 and am loving it up here in Minnesota. However, I just took it on a small highway road trip and there were times I was seriously alarmed at the handling. I know it's a truck but it was all I could do to keep her on the road when hitting some normal seams in the road doing 75 mph. The whole rig seems to dive and sway a ton, not to mention feeling every single crack in streets and roads. To my knowledge, the suspension is stock and the tires are 31X10.5R15s. Where should I start with trying to reign in my rig? Would new bushings make a huge difference?

Thanks in advance everybody.

 

[hj60]

Exactly like mine.
Caster is the likely cause.
Check the arch of your springs. I bet they're flat, or nearly so.
You can either have 'em re-arched, replaced or shimmed to fix this.

Do a search and you'll find lots of info on this very common issue.

 

[Liam]

Exactly like mine.
Caster is the likely cause.
Check the arch of your springs. I bet they're flat, or nearly so.
You can either have 'em re-arched, replaced or shimmed to fix this.

Do a search and you'll find lots of info on this very common issue.

I just had my springs rearched and also added a full length leaf as well. I had them rearch 1 1/2 above the original free arch...gave me 2 1/2" lift over stock. Cost was around $295. They also put polyurethane inbetween each of my leafs...
Highly recommend rearching if you want to keep costs down...
and even with the extra leaf in the stack they are still smooth riding

 

[billmc]

I had exactly the same symptoms when I took my truck out for it's first highway trip some months after I bought it. Once I reached 50-55 mph and hit the first seam in the pavement I thought I was going to lose control of the truck. I took it home and replaced the steering stabilizer and have not had any steering issues at all in the subsequent 4 years.

HTH
Bill

 

[lovetoski]

Since it's new to you, don't assume anything. Check all the potential "loose" or "worn" spots....tie-rod ends, drag-links, spring bushings, wheel bearings, knuckle bearings, alignment, shocks, tire pressure, etc. Sure it's a truck, but if set up to spec, it will go down the road straight. Bumpy, but straight.

 

[Texx]

Not to overstate the obvious, but shocks should be your first purchase.

 

[Mike S]

SHOCKS and steering stabilizer. Then balance the tires and check the front end - knuckles, etc. Then worry about springs, etc. What kind of tires are you running?

 

[MPLSFJ62]

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I'm running Michelin XCX/APTs on some aftermarket (wider) rims the P.O. had installed. I've been told going back to some stock-sized tires and rims will also help bring everything back under control. Anybody have a set of 4 OE rims for an '88 FJ62 they'd like to get rid of, possibly in trade for my "nice, but not for me" aftermarket ones? If not, any ideas on where to look for reasonably priced OEs?

Thanks again...

 

[Mike S]

Rims from a 62 or 60 are nearly identical. Use either and keep an eye posted on OARTS FOR SALE section of this website. I found a good set of 4 wheels for my trailer and spares here, and they do show up fairly often. EBay also has them often and they usually go for modest prices.

M