Cost of a suspension lift......

[ghosttowner]

Being a So Cal truck all its life, it is absolutely rust free. But I am beginning to see the logic in GREENTRUCK's words. Especially about entry/exit in parking garages. Yeah, most L.A. parking garages are vertically challenged and this is my DD.

The lift is not just a look thing for me, but an assurance to be able to go over taller obstacles on rough terrain. And putting on the lift means, I would be free to install 35" tires whenever I want at a later point. But then, replacing sagging coils and shocks with stock components, I could add the sliders.....and send bottles of fresh water to mod5csi

If I could find a way to install them without spending an arm and a leg, I probably would go at least 2 inch taller. But stock height might just be fine for most off-road needs in Death Valley and Eastern Sierra trails. Maybe not Bismarck Canyon....but all others.

Decisions, decisions!!!!

 

[gnarlynick2072]

I decided with the 2.5 OME due solely to costs and less component replacements. You're looking at $2000 increase for just 1.5" more lift (if you're looking at slee's 4"). The numbers didn't add up for me. My $0.02.

Find a buddy or fellow cruiser addict and pay them with beer. Should be able to do it real quick!

 

[shoresoccer13]

i did mine in about 5 hours if you subtract the multiple trips to work where i have access to a press. read the instructions from slee i installed one set of casters 180 from where they should have been, also did the rest of my part time kit at the same time. I would do it myself if i had to do it again it is a fun project.

 

[greentruck]

Being a So Cal truck all its life, it is absolutely rust free. But I am beginning to see the logic in GREENTRUCK's words. Especially about entry/exit in parking garages. Yeah, most L.A. parking garages are vertically challenged and this is my DD.

The lift is not just a look thing for me, but an assurance to be able to go over taller obstacles on rough terrain.SNIP

Decisions, decisions!!!!

Those parking garages can be a pretty CONCRETE limitation on what's possible if it's your DD.

So, have you wheeled a truck as capable as the 80 in those places before (he's asks in total ignorance having last been in Cali in 1965 when I was 9 yo)? I think you'll be surprised by what it'll do. With what I'm running now, close to stock really, this truck is way better than my FJ55 ever was (in most ways, I still loved my Pig) as well as the lesser 4x4s before (76 Subaru wagon) and between Toyotas (84 Trooper II and 93 Rodeo w/the big tire pkg). I've been in grad school since I've owned the 80 and looking forward to getting back to Colorado, so done very little of what I consider hardcore (Michigan and Indiana a few times but that hardly counts at least where I was). I anticipate no problems going anywhere I want with it and where it won't go, well, that's just CRAZY anyway in Colorado

Me? I see sliders in your future and easy entry to most garages, as well as a very capable weekend warrior.

 

[Stout Hond]

Paid less than $500 for full suspension swap - 2.5" shocks and springs including steering stabilizer and castor install. Shop would have provided discount if I purchased Old Man Emu through them. 500 mile follow up check visit on install to ensure nothing worked loose was free

 

[retrofive]

Paid less than $500 for full suspension swap - 2.5" shocks and springs including steering stabilizer and castor install. Shop would have provided discount if I purchased Old Man Emu through them. 500 mile follow up check visit on install to ensure nothing worked loose was free

Location would help with posts like this. Add to the post, your sig or user CP.

 

[mod5csi]

Being a So Cal truck all its life, it is absolutely rust free. But I am beginning to see the logic in GREENTRUCK's words. Especially about entry/exit in parking garages. Yeah, most L.A. parking garages are vertically challenged and this is my DD.

The lift is not just a look thing for me, but an assurance to be able to go over taller obstacles on rough terrain. And putting on the lift means, I would be free to install 35" tires whenever I want at a later point. But then, replacing sagging coils and shocks with stock components, I could add the sliders.....and send bottles of fresh water to mod5csi

If I could find a way to install them without spending an arm and a leg, I probably would go at least 2 inch taller. But stock height might just be fine for most off-road needs in Death Valley and Eastern Sierra trails. Maybe not Bismarck Canyon....but all others.

Decisions, decisions!!!!

Looking forward to the water! Now they can stop drinking out of the snow melt streams of Colorado!

 

[ghosttowner]

Looking forward to the water! Now they can stop drinking out of the snow melt streams of Colorado!

View attachment 1128590

Well, look at that! California is in a severe drought. Water is a pretty sensitive issue in these parts of late. We are probably drinking up the briny water of Mono Lake. And there you are, enjoying mountain streams and snow melts! Nope, I am not sending those bottles your way

I am seriously considering your (and GreenTruck's) suggestion to stay stock and get sliders instead, especially if I stay 33s. It would be the most practical choice, for sure.

 

[ghosttowner]

Paid less than $500 for full suspension swap - 2.5" shocks and springs including steering stabilizer and castor install. Shop would have provided discount if I purchased Old Man Emu through them. 500 mile follow up check visit on install to ensure nothing worked loose was free

Interesting!
Yes, location would help.

 

[ghosttowner]

Those parking garages can be a pretty CONCRETE limitation on what's possible if it's your DD.

So, have you wheeled a truck as capable as the 80 in those places before (he's asks in total ignorance having last been in Cali in 1965 when I was 9 yo)? I think you'll be surprised by what it'll do. With what I'm running now, close to stock really, this truck is way better than my FJ55 ever was (in most ways, I still loved my Pig) as well as the lesser 4x4s before (76 Subaru wagon) and between Toyotas (84 Trooper II and 93 Rodeo w/the big tire pkg). I've been in grad school since I've owned the 80 and looking forward to getting back to Colorado, so done very little of what I consider hardcore (Michigan and Indiana a few times but that hardly counts at least where I was). I anticipate no problems going anywhere I want with it and where it won't go, well, that's just CRAZY anyway in Colorado

Me? I see sliders in your future and easy entry to most garages, as well as a very capable weekend warrior.

Well, Mike, thanks for making great points in the pros and cons of a lift. I have been driving LCs since 2006, a 1992 first and now the 1997. Had a Range Rover before that. I do remember raising the RR to the full height of the air suspension on certain trails in Death Valley. After the suspension system failed twice in 6 months, I had opted for a static lift of about 2 inches. I remember the RR being very wobbly after that conversion, but I got used to it. Anyway, point is that I think I recall needing extra clearance on certain terrains and in certain situations. Hence it makes it difficult to decide. I may have to think about it a bit more before going one way or another.

Here is an example of a trail I would like to take the truck to. Not sure the stock height and 33s would be adequate.

 

[handsomebob]

Im running ome 851s up front and 862s in the rear. With rancho adjustable shocks and 285 75 16s. Spent about $700 for everything.

Sits level and looks right with that size tire. And seriously this kind of thing can be done in a driveway only thing that does suck is getting the driver side front upper shock nut off. Only thing i didnt follow when installing the springs was the whole a/b side.

What i did for the ome springs was front driver A, front passenger B. Rear driver B and rear passenger A.

 

[Dissent]

I did it in about 8 hours with my 15 year old boy and it took longer to explain what we were doing than it did to get the lift installed. Drivers side shock is a pain but a pipe wrench to remove the KYB and a 19mm crow foot wrench helped me install my Icons. Otherwise it was smooth sailing.
Be sure to look into extended brake lines and axle breather hoses and be careful to not overextend the existing lines if you are planning to keep them.
Keep an eye on the little things attached to the axle like the ABS wires and emergency brake cables and hardware.
Take your time and enjoy honest, straightforward work.
I encountered a bunch of control arm bushings along the way that I'm replacing but it's not normally necessary.

 

[Stuckinthe80s]

I have OME stock replacement springs on my 92 and it looks like a small lift compared to worn out original springs. The PO (@LC8pilot ) is the one who installed them. If I were spending the money on a lift myself, I would seriously be on the fence about doing it again if I knew 35's were somewhere in the future. Having said that, the set up I have is just about perfect for being my DD.

 

[Slim D]

I'm in SoCal as well and need to install my 2.5 inch iron man lift. If you're interested we can link up and help each other. I have tools, access to plenty of room and possibly a press. PM if you're down.

 

[ghosttowner]

I'm in SoCal as well and need to install my 2.5 inch iron man lift. If you're interested we can link up and help each other. I have tools, access to plenty of room and possibly a press. PM if you're down.

SlimD: How do I reciprocate, ok....I am DOWN!!!
We finally found each other!!!! I know nothing about fixing cars but am willing to go the distance to learn and do it. I will get the parts and let's JUST DO IT. Hope it will build character and we both come out better from the experience. DonkeyXpunch will come to help us out. We will get drunk and take 3 days to do a 3 hour job. We will be bosom buddies for life thereon. Trust me, I am not going to let this experience go to waste for any of us.

Where about in L.A. are you? I am in a s**t hole called the Valley. Sherman Oaks to be exact. But we can do this anywhere you want. DonkeyXpunch, you with us?

 

[ghosttowner]

Oh BTW, a Toyota service manager (or something like that) at Toyota in Sherman Oaks has been cool with me and is also into all the craziness Toyota related. I can't name his name, but he would be able to give us a hand or help in some way to do this job, outside of Toyota. I can pay for whatever space and tools he provides us if needed. A great guy to know.