"Dar" springs

[woytovich]

I have a set of new springs that I bought from someone on the LCML (Land Cruiser Mail List) a number of years ago. The seller's name was "Dar"... at the time they were referred to as the "Dar springs". He had found a stash of NOS springs that he bought and resold to LCML members. Mine have never been installed.

I was wondering if anyone recalls these springs and if anyone can give me any info on them. My recollecton is that they are 4" lift springs... is that the case? I would like to hear about user experiences from people that have/had them installed. How's the ride etc etc?

Any info would be appreciated.

Mark

PS Brian K, you gave me some info a while back (thanks)... I'm looking to hear additional experiences...

 

[65swb45]

Mark, FWIW I have been in cruisers for 24 years now and have never heard of these springs. What I do know is that there have been a few companies over the years that have purchased springs in bulk from a common central source like NHK and rebadged them with various titles, e.g. Burbank spring/Rancho, Pro-Comp/Standen. THere are nowhere near as many manufacturers as their are brands.

Jim Sickles is a WEALTH of information on THIS subject, and has been in the game for almost 40 years. I'd ask him.

 

[dgangle]

I remember these from my time on the LCML ~2000-2004 and considered buying them becuase they were cheap and reportedly rode pretty 'decent' for a 4" SUA spring. The consensus was that after time they sagged badly, quickly, especially in the rear. If you have them, I'd say run them. They're not of much value to anyone but as they say, one man's junk is another man's treasure. IIRC, these were bought from some company's old inventory. "DAR" was they guy who bought a large lot and resold them.........for whatever all that is worth.

I did an advanced search for 'DAR springs" in the 40/55 section and hit upon a half dozen or so links with good read. Did you try this? You can also search the LCML archives somewhere like offroad.com or birfield.com and join at http://www.birfield.com/mailman/listinfo/landcruisers

 

[woytovich]

As I said in the original post I know Dar didn't make them... he bought and resold them. Fine.

The search here didn't yield much info... you have provided more here... thank you.

How do I find Jim S.?

 

[dgangle]

call Downey

 

[FJ40Jim]

The springs were marked "hecho in mexico".

Searching the LCML archive:
<<New FJ40 springs F/S Mich.
From: Dave and Mysti Plummer <davemyst@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 12:20:12 +0100
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Okay guys, the cool deal on FJ40 springs is back on. Dar went and talked
to the Pres. of the company who actually knew what the heck was up.

Here's the poop: they were making these springs for Rough Country, not
MAF as I had previously thought. We had one at the party to look at. 7
leaves, if I remember correctly. Supposedly 4 inch lift but somewhere
around 2.5 to 3 seems more likely especially after I take out the two
bottom leaves. They do seem a bit stiff but that is the reason I'll try
pulling leaves.

The deal: They have somewhere around 15-20 sets available. As long as we
can take at least 10 sets we can get them for $35 per spring. Basically
$ 150 for four including tax. Less than 10 sets they are $50@. So far
our club has spoken for at least 5 sets and I suspect we'll get close to
10 ourselves.

If you want to get in on this e-mail me DIRECT ONLY please! We plan to
do this in the next two weeks so your check will need to be on the way
soon. We will not be buying any more sets than are spoken for and paid
for in advance. Please keep in mind shipping costs from Michigan to your
location which may change things for some of you. These will have to be
approximated and paid for in advance as well. (Limited personal delivery
may be available... to Chicago for instance...or whatever you can
arrange yourself is fine)

Disclaimers:
1. None of us has any previous experience with these springs. If they
are great or suck we will find out the same time as you. Anyone who
knows about them please chime in.

2. GLLC is not making a dime off of this. All we get is the good price
for making sure we get at least 10 sets.

My e-mail is below. LMK soon.
--
Dave Plummer, mailto:davemyst@ix.netcom.com >>

 

[FJ40Jim]

More time wasted perusing the reference stacks in the halls of the LCML:

<<Subject: 4" lift springs for FJ-40's for sale $50 each
From: "Dar" <cruiser@sprynet.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 15:58:01 -0500
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Several years ago I found a source for high quality land cruiser springs and
Dave Plummer and myself offered them on the LCML. I sold over 80 springs to
LCML listers all over the US and Canada at no profit...as well as several
sets to local club members. They are brand new old stock that was sold
under another well known name. They mentioned the name "Rough Country or
Rugged Trail" but were not positive as it had been many years since they had
last sold them to that company..or at all. I was offered a special deal if
I could sell over 10 sets at a time I could get them very inexpensively.
The springs gave me a solid 4.25" of lift in the rear and 3.75 in the
front...several years ago....if they have sagged since, it has been very
little, I can not confirm completely because I have changed the bumpers and
other measuring points I used back then, as well as moving up several tire
sizes. The ride is very soft I am told by other lifted cruiser owners.
Mine ramps over 1000 on a 23 degree ramp. Since there are plenty of people
on the list that have bought them I welcome their opinions as well.

Since several members in our local land cruiser club are looking for lift
springs and I have to do a large scale wholesale purchase, I thought I would
offer up the deal again if there was enough interest to merit the bulk
purchase price so all those interested can benefit.

These will be the details to the best of my knowledge

First come first served until they are gone.

$50 / corner or $200 / set plus shipping.

Do not include spring eye bushings

I have a great UPS rate through work contact me off list for shipping quote.

Will close the offer at the end of April and purchase (if I have enough
interest) the first week in May

Sorry for the major use of band width but last time I had to email details
10-15 times.

If you have more questions contact me directly at cruiser@sprynet.com

Thanks for the interest

Dar Howard

Agronomist,
President, Great Lakes Land Cruisers
1964 FJ-40 350 TBI, SM 465, 35" boggers,
Lock Rights Front & Rear, Full Exoskeleton,
4 wheel discs, 6 pt. cage, On Board Air,
On Board Welder, Milemarker Winch,
XenBeams H.I.D.Headlights, L.E.D. Taillights.... >>

 

[dgangle]

talk about a blast from the past. How did you search for this info?

 

[woytovich]

Wow, Jim... wow....

Now, get back to work!

 

[psreno]

I also bought these. They do start out at about 4" lift, but mine quickly settled at 2 to 2.5" lift.

I couldn't tell any difference between them and the stock LC (with added leafs) springs.

I have another set I was going to put on another truck without a worry.

Maybe I just got lucky, I don't know.

 

[woytovich]

I also bought these. They do start out at about 4" lift, but mine quickly settled at 2 to 2.5" lift.

I couldn't tell any difference between them and the stock LC (with added leafs) springs.

I have another set I was going to put on another truck without a worry.

Maybe I just got lucky, I don't know.

Thanks for the first hand info.

I did speak to Jim at Downey for a while tonight. He has no direct knowlege of the Dar springs but he is a wealth of knowlege on springs for sure. If I didn't already have these I would absolutely give serious consideration to buying a set from Downey. It sounds like that have taken great care to develop a spring that has the best features... and their price is rockin' good.

His recommendation: use 'em if ya got 'em. They are just not that hard to swap out if they are not what you like later.

 

[FJ40Jim]

talk about a blast from the past. How did you search for this info?

landcruisers Archives

Mail Archive Search

 

[psreno]

WOW, I see the archives are still up!

I thought the LCML was defunct.

I found the new link by googling "land cruiser mailing list".