What should be the right angle?
My shackles, unloaded and before break-in.
My shackles, loaded and after break-in.
Front haven't moved much but rear I find it already too much angled and I'm not at max payload.
FJ40 (soft) Suspension
- Thread starter Bakes79FJ40
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My shackles, unloaded and before break-in.
My shackles, loaded and after break-in.
Front haven't moved much but rear I find it already too much angled and I'm not at max payload.
1MOA
SILVER Star
Couple of points:
It's a 40 year old (+/-) live axle vehicle with a 90" wheelbase that was made for rough use on unimproved roads or no roads at all so your expectations might be a bit much.
As far as broken in suspensions after instillation if you are saying that driving it around on some bumpy dirt roads is breaking it in it is not. Take it out and go flex the hell out of the suspension after you instal it and it will loosen up nicely. I had a stock 77 that was switched to the +2 OME med heavy's with Bilstein 5100's that rode for dog 5hit after the instillation. Took it out wheeling within 100 miles and it rode much smoother and was much more predictable after a day on some blue trails. and some light rock crawling.
It's a 40 year old (+/-) live axle vehicle with a 90" wheelbase that was made for rough use on unimproved roads or no roads at all so your expectations might be a bit much.
As far as broken in suspensions after instillation if you are saying that driving it around on some bumpy dirt roads is breaking it in it is not. Take it out and go flex the hell out of the suspension after you instal it and it will loosen up nicely. I had a stock 77 that was switched to the +2 OME med heavy's with Bilstein 5100's that rode for dog 5hit after the instillation. Took it out wheeling within 100 miles and it rode much smoother and was much more predictable after a day on some blue trails. and some light rock crawling.
EWheeler
GOLD Star
The mustard40 build just completed by @wngrog for @jomelo proved a 40 can have a bitchin ride with proper leaf spring setup and great shocks. Pretty sure there is video of the truck jumping over railroad tracks?!? I think those Dobinsons shocks are over $1k for the set of 4? I understand this is probably more than most want to spend, but in the grand scheme of things it's really not that much more to go to the Dobinson's full bomber setup (leaf springs & shocks) like this truck has versus a complete OME kit that most say they are content with, but we all know the leaf springs are too short and result in poor shackle angle and also poor rear tire alignment within the wheel well.
The Dobinsons IMS is the bomb. I have the leafs on
My 60 as well and they are unreal smooth
My 60 as well and they are unreal smooth
Max- you really need to break that suspension in before you know what it will be like. It will settle/soften with time. As the springs flatten, the shackle angles will improve and that alone lets them absorb more than they do now. Some people recommend adding some weight and driving it. I’ve also heard that parking it overnight with it flexed is even better. My OME settled just sitting in the garage for a long time.
I need to see this video!
EWheeler
GOLD Star
Post 1035 in the mustard build
Builds - 1978 FJ40 Mustard Yellow - almost perfect thread.
I’m curious as to why the adapter is 2 pieces? All of them are two (or 3) pieces The 2300 for 2F uses the OEM heat shield, adapter (Sniper) then another adapter to air cleaner This puts them both on one end so you can go directly to the air cleaner.
forum.ih8mud.com
I didn’t put a huge number of miles on before noticing the difference. The springs that I removed were horrific by comparison, so almost anything would have been an improvement.
Where did you get your Dobinson setup?
Jason @Ozark cruiser Overland Outfitters.
Hi, Leaf springs and shocks are a start, better seat cushions,body to frame cushions ,good tires also help a lot . Mike
1MOA
SILVER Star
I was really interested in getting a full set up for my 40 from them and they never responded to multiple emails or phone calls and gave up and went OME.
Jason at Overland Outfitters is the way to get Dobinsons stuff.
fj40ingkc
SILVER Star
Yup, I think seat cushions are next
fj40ingkc
SILVER Star
I think I’ll try dobinsons on the next rig, I’ve heard good things like going over railroad tracks and soaking it up. Mine would break some linkages with the OME,,,
I’ll try the removal of front leaf 3rd from top arb said would help. The 3rd leaf is full length but doesn’t wrap around shackles.
I usually have to tune OME springs by removing leafs. I ended up taking out 3 in my 55 and 45 rear packs.
Actually added one in the 45 to front.
The worst thing about an OME suspension is the shocks. They are not good. Springs and shackles are important and they are not one-size fit all. Pulling leafs and experimenting is part of it but a OME yeller shock is just plain MEH.
fj40ingkc
SILVER Star
Did removing leafs change ride height any?
