Downey vs Hell Creek lift

[Jepson]

I have probably read every post on this forum about lifts and every post about Downey and Hell Creek at least twice. But I am still torn on which lift to purchase. I know that a bunch of you will chime in and say do a SOA, but I'm not interested in putting that kind of time or expense to do a proper SOA at this time. I like the cost of the Downey or Hell Creek 4" lifts. I have read about poor shackle angles and springs going flat over time, have these issues been solved. My 40 sees about 80% street time and only about 20% trail time. My trail time is nothing serious its is mostly hunting, fishing, and camping on logging roads, and the occasional mud pit or hill climb. So any help you could give to help me make my decision would be great.

Also I will be rocking my 31s for a couple of months and then plan on going to a 34" LTB or 33x10.50 BFG MT.

 

[Mark W]

Now it is time for "Downey Jim" to jump in and hawk his stuff... not really fair since Hell Creek does not use these sections for advertising.... but I am sure you will get all the spiel about how perfect the Downey springs are at least...


I can not tell you anything about the Hell Creek springs... I have been very pleased with the newer Rancho springs (not the ones from 10-20 years ago). And also the SOR offerings.

In general 4 inch lifts tend to be pretty stiff. If you are only running 34x10.50s... I would consider a set of 2 inch springs and some slightly longer shackles.


Mark...

 

[landcrusher909]

I have been running the Downey 4'' lift kit on my 73 FJ-40 with 33'' BFG's for almost 2 years , did the Rubicon and alot of other trails since then and all I can say is it works an works Great. There a great bunch of guys to work with and will be the first to back up there product. Thats my 2 cents for what its worth.

 

[Unoman]

I don't have any experience with Downey springs, but I am running 4" Hell Creek on my 40 with 35s and love it.

 

[brewhaw]

jepson,
Mr lincoln couldnt have said it any better, esp nowadays.
anyway i am also looking for a lift but mine will b 100% daily driver on road. saved up the $ to spend on some quality stuff(OME) but would like to know from others if it is really worth the$ for on road use only.

 

[weez440]

does the downey lift come with shocks? i have been doing alot of research on this very issue so i am reading up.

 

[landcrusher909]

Downey Off-Road here is the site for the springs Downey Off-Road and this is for the shocks

 

[Sea Knight]

I have probably read every post on this forum about lifts and every post about Downey and Hell Creek at least twice. But I am still torn on which lift to purchase.

Downey and Mark's Off Road both sell 4" lift springs at a reasonable price. Supposedly they come from the same manufacturer who makes Toyota springs.

Bushings, shackles, u-bolts, shocks are extra. Build your own lift kit and save a few bucks. Speaking of shocks, Bilstein still has their 4 for 3 sale in effect, through the end of April.

 

[MDH33]

... My 40 sees about 80% street time and only about 20% trail time. My trail time is nothing serious its is mostly hunting, fishing, and camping on logging roads, and the occasional mud pit or hill climb....

...and then plan on going to a 34" LTB or 33x10.50 BFG MT.

4" lift springs and LTB's are NOT a good choice for a lightly wheeled street cruiser.

 

[Volunteer]

I don't have any experience with Downey springs, but I am running 4" Hell Creek on my 40 with 35s and love it.

Same here, I have the 4' Hell Creek on my 67 and 4' Skyjacker on my 78 and I prefer the hell creek.

4" lift springs and LTB's are NOT a good choice for a lightly wheeled street cruiser.

X2, I'd say go with the OME 2 1/2 and 33 BFG AT's would suit him better.

 

[mooker82]

I have the 4" Hell Creek and really like it. I agree about the LTB on a daily driver. Great tires offroad and they look awesome but they do wear quickly, are loud, and flat spot easy.

 

[Sea Knight]

I'd say go with the OME 2 1/2 and 33 BFG AT's would suit him better.

I agree 100%, given the type of use he described. No driveshaft or extended brake line issues with OME, and the ride is outstanding.

 

[werd]

You won't regret it!

I have been very pleased with my Hell Creek 4" lift and would do it again!

Tom at Hell Creek offers great support and stands behind his product. Since you have done your homework, I am sure that you know Hell Creek springs have a lifetime warranty. I am not sure about Downey's warranty since it is not on their web site...

Also, I notice that Downey's springs are not sold as a kit. So, the $499.00 price includes bushings, but doesn't include u-bolts or shocks which you will need.

Hell Creek includes the bushings, front and rear u-bolts and Rough Country Shocks (hydro) for about $50 more.

So, with the money you save you can buy some u-bolt skid plates (front, rear if you choose to do so) and some new shackles since your stock ones are probably spent.

I am very pleased with my suspension and I know many others with Hell Creek springs that are also very pleased.

 

[wct49]

I like my Hell Creek lift. I also like how Tom has always been a supporter of Cottonland Cruisers by donating a lift for the Cruiser Crawl every year.

 

[toyman317]

Can anyone post pics of flex with either of these two lifts?

 

[77TLCFJ40]

X 100 for Hell Creek

Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty.

...and they work very well

Stick with the standard (hydro?) shocks and do not pay for the upgrade (nitro?). The base shocks are softer and will give a smoother ride.

 

[singletrackjunkie]

I have no personal experience with either but if you stick with the 33x10.5 they should stuff nicely without rubbing with only a 2.5" lift and some 1.5" over stock shackles. Downey no longer offers 2.5" springs but from all I have read on mud both are great products. If your tires can fit without rubbing I really don't see the advantage of going higher and raising your center of gravity especially if you are 80% street use.

 

[Downey]

I doubt that any of the Landcruiser springs on the market today are poo-poo, everybody seems to like every brand name. The single biggest issue is poo-poo stiff shocks!!! Everybody who complains about a stiff ride does not have stiff springs, they have stiff shocks. The way this normally works is this:
(a) Supplier tells you he has fully velocity sensitive shocks with 9 stage valving.
(b) You and I then believe we would see stage 1 on the glass smooth freeway, and stage 9 when we slam down into off road craters.
(c) Most of these shocks know nothing about stages 2 through 8, takes pratically no bump at all to go from stage 1 directly to stage 9, and you get beat to death on the highway. If these suckers beat you up on the highway, they're going to knock the gosh darn dentures out of your head in off road terrain!!!!!

 

[Degnol]

they're going to knock the gosh darn dentures out of your head in off road terrain!!!!!

Whoah, there Big Boy.....most of these guys are several truckloads of Mountain Dew away from dentures!!!


Ed

 

[pc4400]

Im running 4" downey setup with their shocks (Deutch shocks I believe was the name brand). Im using 33 mud terrains and do abot 80% on / 20% off road. The ride is the softest it's had since the 70's.
Super pleased with my setup. If need pics, search my username and you can find some.