First attempt at replacing the suspension on my '78 (1 Viewer)

[White Stripe]

You could cut the bottom shock mount off and weld it back on 1/2" further down the axle housing on each side.

 

[Mark Jennings]

You’re in pickle. I would look at shimming the ‘center arm’ and see if the steering box could be pushed over….
Doesn’t look like you need uber clearance. Just enough to keep the steering link off of the shock.

 

[cruiserkev]

Mine slightly rubbed the shock for years, just marred the paint on the shock, it didn't bind anything up. If it is actually hindering steering, follow Marks advice above or do what I did and install a 60 series power steering box to eliminate that link and a whole lot of steering slop.

 

[fjc-man]

I still think the easiest fix is a pair of Bilsteins.

 

[hobbes]

My mini-truck p/s, Dobinson spring, and Bilstein shock setup…

 

[Antlerboy]

My mini-truck p/s, Dobinson spring, and Bilstein shock setup…View attachment 3854864

Definitely going to look into these this weekend. Thanks guys!

 

[Rochfort]

I got this FJ about 5 years ago, bought it online through a listing from a dealership in TX. I hadn't had an FJ since the early 90s and I wanted one so bad, that it obviously clouded my better judgment. The dealer had a dozen pictures and that's all I needed to see at the time I guess. Got it shipped to me and thought it was just the friggin coolest thing ever. Had a few issues, but I overlooked them, cause now I owned an FJ40 again dangit! I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, and running my own business makes it tough to find time to work on my own rigs myself. The FJ has creaked and groaned for 5 years as it's just getting going in 1st, or reversing. I knew something wasn't right, but don't have the real "know-how" to troubleshoot. A friend was helping me with it one day and crawled underneath to see if he could visibly see where the sound was coming from. He said, Get down here and check this out! He rocked it forward and backward and it was obvious what was up. The u-bolts on the rear passenger side were loose enough, that it was allowing the axle to rotate just enough where it was causing the driveline to flex up and down at the u-joint I had already ordered an entire new leaf spring and shock kit from CruiserCorps, and yesterday me and the Mrs decided to get a start on it. We quickly realized this was going to take more tools than I had. Called my son's best friend, and he brought a torch and many other tools along with him. I think this FJ was possibly found at the bottom of the ocean due to the amount of rust the frame has, and a different body was put on it (I did get many many pictures, after I had purchased it, of what it looked like before restoration, and it was a heap of junk, that's for sure). Anyway, we put about 8 hours into it yesterday. We got the front disassembled and all put back together. The rust slowed our progress a lot, but we got it done.

Here's the blame for all the creaking and groaning. Passenger rear u-bolt. We only attacked the front yesterday, and I'll get to the rear in a few days, just showing what was up here.

View attachment 3851201

It would've been helpful if the kit came with some instructions. We had no idea which ones went on the front or back. Watched some YouTube videos and I think we got the fronts in the right position. If someone notices that they aren't, please please let me know. There were parts of the kit that came with threaded holes, that the bolts just won't thread nicely into. Going to go get a kit for dies and re-tapping this afternoon. I thought that was kind of crazy that they wouldn't thread. Oh well...

View attachment 3851206View attachment 3851207View attachment 3851208

The finished product... Springs attached as well as all 3 shocks. Ball joints and a master cylinder leak to work on next.

View attachment 3851209

The driver's side shock is up against the steering rod. Not sure how to fix that. Any suggestions?

is that a leaky wheel cylinder left?
new shackles too?

 

[Antlerboy]

is that a leaky wheel cylinder left?
new shackles too?

Yes sir it sure is. Since the pictures and post were made I've replaced all the wheel cylinders.

Yes, new shackles too. The rear left side shackle slipped, or didn't stay straight, and is now making that corner sag but I haven't had time to address it yet.

 

[firemanj92]

Yes sir it sure is. Since the pictures and post were made I've replaced all the wheel cylinders.

Yes, new shackles too. The rear left side shackle slipped, or didn't stay straight, and is now making that corner sag but I haven't had time to address it yet.

View attachment 3918371

It appears your shackle is backwards-the tab should point towards spring pins (center of vehicle)

here's a couple of helpful links.....

OME 2.5” Lift - Anti Inversion Shackles - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ome-2-5-lift-anti-inversion-shackles.1147980/

Cruiser Outfitters - https://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/tech_OME_leaf_tech.html