I have a 90 Fj70 and have put lot's of time and money into making it ship shape, but the problem is I hate swb leaf sprung suspension. I have driven the later models with coils and well, way nicer. I would like to know if anyone knows what it takes to convert mine over, if I had a donor rig???? Any help greatly appreciated.
Change over to coil spring front end?
- Thread starter Radish150
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Yes! 80s or 79s radius arm interfere with gearbox cross member, going this route with need mod to your cross member.
RJ70 will have smaller radius arm than 80s or 79s.
Does he want it to have all coil, or just the front only???
If all coil, go for shortening the 80s chassis. Best!!
What kind of leaf springs do you have on there now? You may find with new or reworked springs you can get a more comfy ride without all the cost of going coil.
Or just go and buy a FJ80,probably cheaper than doing a coil conversion.
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I have stock leaves, not that many miles and not flat, but they have been abused. One of the lower leaves removed in front, stock in rear. Monomax in front, gasadjust in rear, good bushings. Actually, it's not sooo bad, but have driven a 97 troopie and just no comparison... I think I want one 
I have stock leaves, not that many miles and not flat, but they have been abused. One of the lower leaves removed in front, stock in rear. Monomax in front, gasadjust in rear, good bushings. Actually, it's not sooo bad, but have driven a 97 troopie and just no comparison... I think I want one
I put some new Dobinsons on the front of my 75 series cab chassis and they ride very well(and its about to get some new HD leaves in the rear as well.
Stock springs like yours would be 22 years and even if they havent done a lot of klms,gravity would have fatigued them by now.
The troopie is always going to be better because of its length AND because it also has the longest leaf springs ever fitted to a landcruiser.
If you want that troopie ride,you are going to have to buy a troopie
I have stock leaves, not that many miles and not flat, but they have been abused. One of the lower leaves removed in front, stock in rear. Monomax in front, gasadjust in rear, good bushings. Actually, it's not sooo bad, but have driven a 97 troopie and just no comparison... I think I want one
Maybe look into a shackle reversal in the front?
From the research I've done it makes a great ride improvement and its not overly costly. Nowhere near the cost of going coils
Its what I plan to do next year
otherwise if you really want coils all round I agree with the post above , shortened 80's chassis would be a go
To be honest I cant see how a shackle reversal would give you a better ride.I thought its one and only benefit was to to push the axle forward (or back on the rear)an inch or so
In regards to the front axle
After a shackle reversal is done it allows the spring/axle to move backwards . With the shackle being at the front when the front axle aborbs impact ( ie a rock) the axle wants to move back but isn't allowed to due to the shackle being at the front and the fixed point at the back . Think how can the front axle move back if the spring mounted at the rear can't move back? It simply can't being fixed
Having the shackle at the back allows the spring/axle to move back which in turn absorbs shock better than that of a shackle being at the front
One wonders why Toyota put the shackle at the rear on beam axle Hilux's but not with Landcruiser 70's. Anyone know?
I don't see the point of a shackle reversal in the rear though
Don't take my word for it. I'm still learning myself but I'm definately leaning towards doing it on my 2 Cruisers for a few reasons
I've heard the ride improvement after the modification is significant
If one side of the axle is moving backwards and the other side is still,then the axle must be twisting in the u bolts.
A lot of suspension shops reckon its bull**** too and advise against it.
Hiluxes dont ride any better than 70 series that Ive noticed.
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True , but this principle also applies to a shackle being at the front
If one side is moving forward ( Ie a wheel getting grip on one side) and the other is stuck
The springs/bushes would take some of this twisting strain as well wouldn't they?
Why?
Although I'm likely to do a shackle reversal in the front end, I'm open to reasons why they shouldn't be done
End of the day mate , to each his own eh
hi guys. iam new here but try pajero radius arm. it is shorter
Question ? Are HZJ 74 trailing arms the same as the HZJ 79. If those dont work you can rig the Prado LJ 71 /78 trailing arms
Shackle reversal is a waist of time and money unless you have to go that route.
Reasons ; You can do whatever you like , The main reason is ; if you do alot of off road driving the design of the shackles in the rear bend back and when the suspention compresses the front driveshaft yoke compresses and HAMMERS the front output bearing on the transfer case.
Anyone who has done a shackle reversal that I have personally talked to that does any amount of off roading has said ; "A waiste of time and money"
Shackle reversal is a waist of time and money unless you have to go that route.
Reasons ; You can do whatever you like , The main reason is ; if you do alot of off road driving the design of the shackles in the rear bend back and when the suspention compresses the front driveshaft yoke compresses and HAMMERS the front output bearing on the transfer case.
Anyone who has done a shackle reversal that I have personally talked to that does any amount of off roading has said ; "A waiste of time and money"
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Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
IMOP it does .. but let's face it .. spring packs are just spring packs .. you wan't it cadillac .. buy one .. or 80 series ..
71 are more comfy compared to 70 .. but still SWB with rear spring packs ..
crushers
post ho
use a donor LJ or KZJ70/71/78 for the easiest conversion.
spring reversals are very old school and not worth the time or the money invested. i did one about 30 years ago and would not bother doing any more. it rode nice over the speed bumps but then so does a Dobinson kit.
are you the same bloke posting on the UK forum?
spring reversals are very old school and not worth the time or the money invested. i did one about 30 years ago and would not bother doing any more. it rode nice over the speed bumps but then so does a Dobinson kit.
are you the same bloke posting on the UK forum?
I cant see why not,same vehicle,just different wheel base
