Comfortable Leafs? (budget of course)
- Thread starter akarilo
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I haven't tried the OME set up but I'm sure it is great, but for my budget I went a different route.
On my first two fj60's I used MAF safari springs +2 1/2 " w/rancho 5000''s and 1 1/2" over anti-inversion MAF shackles front and rear. I was using 33" bfg muds. The set-up worked great for colorado/utah typical trails and it railed around high speed I-70 mountain curves better than lots of cars. It rode stiff, like a sports car but not jarring in town.
Now I'm on my third fj60 (82) with stock springs and some ??? shocks, no lift. Rides very harsh on road and have only done some easy off-road trails and it rides much worse. It's not sagging, but the springs are flat. The PO used it as a tow rig to pull his sailboat back in the 80's and 90's so I think he might have opted for the tow pckge with stiffer springs if it was an option in the seattle area of the time.
On my first two fj60's I used MAF safari springs +2 1/2 " w/rancho 5000''s and 1 1/2" over anti-inversion MAF shackles front and rear. I was using 33" bfg muds. The set-up worked great for colorado/utah typical trails and it railed around high speed I-70 mountain curves better than lots of cars. It rode stiff, like a sports car but not jarring in town.
Now I'm on my third fj60 (82) with stock springs and some ??? shocks, no lift. Rides very harsh on road and have only done some easy off-road trails and it rides much worse. It's not sagging, but the springs are flat. The PO used it as a tow rig to pull his sailboat back in the 80's and 90's so I think he might have opted for the tow pckge with stiffer springs if it was an option in the seattle area of the time.
I have a 60 and an 80. I installed a MAF safari lift on the 60, eventually it sagged, so I have OME AAL's front and rear. Also have OME shackles and shocks. It handles well, good off road, but is fatiguing on long road trips. Swapped in some Lexus leather seats and OMG what a huge improvement in comfort!
Now on the 80, it's by far a more comfortable cruiser. The 80 guys think it's better off-road, but I won't get into that. No question, the 80 is better, but a 60 with good seats is pretty tolerable.
I think of it this way - the 60 is a rugged tractor that you can drive on the highway in somewhat comfort (but you've got to be somewhat tough.) The 80 is a truck, the most reliable truck ever on the planet.
If I had to choose, it would be the 80. If I had to stick with a 60, adding good seats makes all the difference.
Hope this helps...
PS - my son and I have a theory that part of the fatigue factor in a 60 is related to noise. Consequenty we have a noise abatement project in process, and eventually will report back with results.
Now on the 80, it's by far a more comfortable cruiser. The 80 guys think it's better off-road, but I won't get into that. No question, the 80 is better, but a 60 with good seats is pretty tolerable.
I think of it this way - the 60 is a rugged tractor that you can drive on the highway in somewhat comfort (but you've got to be somewhat tough.) The 80 is a truck, the most reliable truck ever on the planet.
If I had to choose, it would be the 80. If I had to stick with a 60, adding good seats makes all the difference.
Hope this helps...
PS - my son and I have a theory that part of the fatigue factor in a 60 is related to noise. Consequenty we have a noise abatement project in process, and eventually will report back with results.
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I agree with the "noise" comment. I was finally able to get my interior tire carrier to shut up, and what a difference. Seems like it took years off the age of the vehicle and created a much more enjoyable driving experience.
I have had an 80 in the past, (`91) and currently have the use of a buddies '94 FZJ. They are nice, but I can't swing another cruiser right now. Needless to say, gas prices arn't helping the matter either.
I agree with the fj60 tractor analogy. Having spent a lot of time on both tractors and fj60's(5 xc trips), the engines respond about the same minus the gearing. You can literally pull anything with a 50 hp tractor and I've pulled already downed trees with my fj with no problem.
I've driven a few 80's and they are truly great riding vehicles, but they don't quite feel like an old truck like the 60's do, especially cruising down a long country road with your dog half way out the window.
As for the maf safari's springs; they went through two cruisers, a flip, at least two cross-country trips fully loaded, and were still holding there own when I sold the second cruiser. I think the new ome dakkar springs are just about the same price as the safari's so I'm not sure which one I'll try on the '82.
I've driven a few 80's and they are truly great riding vehicles, but they don't quite feel like an old truck like the 60's do, especially cruising down a long country road with your dog half way out the window.
As for the maf safari's springs; they went through two cruisers, a flip, at least two cross-country trips fully loaded, and were still holding there own when I sold the second cruiser. I think the new ome dakkar springs are just about the same price as the safari's so I'm not sure which one I'll try on the '82.
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How about cool cruiser's stock spring replacements?
Not really economical, either, but I have recently replaced OEM shocks but very flat springs and don't really need a lift. Alternatively, the original Toyota replacement springs are about $2000.
Not really economical, either, but I have recently replaced OEM shocks but very flat springs and don't really need a lift. Alternatively, the original Toyota replacement springs are about $2000.
