FJ55 Suspension

[FineWynsFJ40]

This is what I have so far on the Dobinson's Springs, he brought up a good point about the modulus of elasticity on springs and how/why springs sag:


"Hi Brian

I could design some leaf springs and manufacture to give 100mm lift, however it is not recommended, the leaf spring will either sagg from the steel being strained by going past its elasticity point or snap the leaves. The way to protect the spring is to decrease the amount of travel by making longer bumper stop so the spring steel will not stretch the molecules past their intended limits.

There may be other factors you will have to look at, like drive line (tail shaft and prop shafts) brake lines, shock absorbers, steering components etc.

Do you want to go ahead? The springs would cost front AU $195.00 and rear AU $220.00 each and will come with no warranties as I cannot guarantee the spring will be protected by bumper extensions.

Regards

Glen Dobinson"

 

[wdFJ40]

I wonder how far they should flex? How much would you have to lower the stop?

I wonder if that's why ALcan's are going bad, over flexing?

 

[RHINO]

for mild lifts like were talking about just move the bump stops to keep the spring from going into a negative arch. you'll be fine that way and the springs will keep a pretty good lifespan. for a little more lift, say 3-4" lower the bump stop a bit more, you can find a happy place to get a little more up travel and still keep some arch when at full stuff.

i mentioned i have ironmans "heavy duty". it gave about a 1-1/2" lift but when i went SOA i purposely let the springs go into a very negative arch until i got them where i like them to lower the overall lift, when i was happy i burned in the new bumpstops so the front springs are about a 2" pos arch and go flat, the rears are flat and go about 2" negative arch.

thats about it in a nutshell.

 

[inkpot]

I heard mention earlier that one option being considered was the springs SOR offers. I thought I had read somewhere that these are made by Dobinson but could be mistaken. Has anyone tried these out? Impressions?

Howdy! I am running the SOR Heavy Duty springs. I'm sure that they have sagged out some over the 10 or 12 years I've had them, but I am quite happy with them They still have several inches of upward curve on my SOA, and I have been known to get pretty twisted up in the rocks, just to test them. John

 

[wdFJ40]

You're running 35's with a 2.5" lift? Any problems rubbing? Got any pictures?

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

I contacted CCOT to see if they could make a 2.5" lift. I'm leaning ALCAN, but I'll see if CCOT can possibly do a HFS kit. Anybody know about the Rough Country suspensions, how are they? I'm getting the Cooper Courser Traction LT tire for my FJ55, which is 30" tall. I was hoping for 32" but I have 30's on my 40 and love them, so I'll be all right. With 30's and a 4" lift, I'm wondering how wierd it would look haha! Anybody have pics? Thanks.

Brian

 

[cruiser_guy]

With 30's and a 4" lift, I'm wondering how wierd it would look haha! Anybody have pics? Thanks.

Brian

It'll look goofy with 30" and a 2 1/2" lift. Stock tires are 29" approximately so 30 will almost certainly fit the stock height.

 

[hks3sgte]

With a little fab work (relocating spring hangers) you could swap FJ45 springs under the rear. With the availability of 2.5 inch lift springs for the '45 (OME makles these IIRC) and the relocated spring hangers, 4 should be easy in the rear.



Mark...

Anyone actually do the FJ45 springs?

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

For what its worth, about half of the first round FJ55 springs I have seen from Alcan have come out shipped too short and very high inversion potential...

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Since the 55 springs seem to have no real solution I'm putting 60 series springs under mine along with 60 axles and shackle reversal. Then I'll have a variety of springs to choose from. Hope to post pics within the next week or so.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Since the 55 springs seem to have no real solution...

Really?? I'm quite happy with the SOR springs so far that we have on the '55. They went under when the truck was fully loaded and then were kept fully loaded as we drove south through Mexico and into Guatemala.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

I wasn't aware that SOR had 55 springs, it's my understanding Alcan is about the only choice.

I can't find any on SOR...

 

[cruiser_guy]

I can't find any on SOR...

I bought them in March of this year when I passed through LA. I installed them in a guy's garage in Phoenix in exchange for the old '55 springs ('40 guys want then for SOA I think).

 

[battle]

SOR Springs

Installed a set of SOR springs last week. So far, I am VERY pleased with the ride.... Gave me exactly 2" of lift using stock shackles.

 

[LXCRSR]

This link should take you to the SOR web page with the FJ55 heavy duty springs.

http://www.sor.com/sor/cat287b.tam?xax=14411

 

[Front Range 4x4]

I don't know how I missed those, thanks.

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

I'm thinking that I'm going to go with the SOR lift. I want to do the body, electrical, and drivability first, then lift it. Going to be expensive, though...

 

[Pighead]

Dude,
Just for grins, look in your yellow pages under "Blacksmith".
That's what I did. Found one that made springs and who would re-arch mine. I asked for an extra leaf. They had enough steel leftover to make me another little leaf. So I got my rears rearched and two leafs added. They made new U bolts to fit. Cost me less than a pair of Alcans. They fit. They're good steel. They sure do carry a load. I'm still using them.
Got them done in one day, supported my local economy and made a useful contact.
So if you've got time, maybe make a few calls to Blacksmiths...

 

[tyama]

I think TPI in Nashville still carries fj55 springs. I don't know anything about the springs but I have ordered lots of gear from them and it's been all good. ty

 

[shermantank55]

My short term solution to springs

Last winter I added a leaf to each of my original 1972 spring packs. They each raised approximately 2". The add a leaf sets came from Man a Fre. Almost a year later, the lift is still there, the springs are still arched and the ride is a little stiff, but better than spongy like it was before. It was easy to do, and I then could afford to replace the bushings, shackles and U bolts. In the rear I used both the long and short add a leaf in the pack. The pix show Sherman back on the road with the remodeled springs and the rear spring before reclamping the pack together-the add a leafs are black. I tow a camp trailer without any noticeable sag in the back.