Fj60 OME suspension and shackels questions

[TOYOTERO]

Hey guys. I bought an 85 fj60. It came with an OME suspension kit "just the springs" and aftermarket shackels. The truck is about an inch 1/2 higher than the front and it leans to the front right. Shackels look o.k but I've been told that the right front spring might be bad. Previous owner told me, and I know that the suspension is about a year old.

I want the truck to be as tall as possible, but also even. I want to get brand new OME springs, since they are not that expensive BUT I do not know if I should buy the front springs medium or heavy, reason being is because I will get an ARB bumper and a winch. I called MAN A FRE and the tech mentioned that if I get the heavy springs I shouldn't have to change the shackels to make the 60 look even because the heavy springs have an extra leaf. I was told to get the 4+ super heavy duty anti inversion shackels 6 3/8 for the front and 5 3/8 for the rear if I decided to go with the medium springs.

What do you recommend??? sugestions??? any pics that could help me. I will try to post a pic of my 60 that way you are able to see what the truck looks like.

Thanks a ton

 

[BlueHZT60]

Heavy/Heavy springs, new bushings, OME shocks. Bumper/Sliders/rear tire carrier. If you screw around with trying to get too much height on a SUA (spring under axle) you'll mess with the steering geometry and add all sorts of problems to a simple spring installation.

OME springs/Shackles will add about 2.5" over stock height. You will be able to fit 33's no problem. 35's start to get rubbing issues. I'd pull the front right spring (the one that may be damaged) and measure it off vehicle - ARB customer service is very good. You may need a whole new spring pack, or just replacement of one bent/broken spring.

Enjoy the build up.

 

[TOYOTERO]

Thanks blue. I believe is bent 'cause the previous owner used to beat up on that 60 like crazy and he ran into a rock "don't ask why". Know instead of doing one spring only i'll do both for the front.

I already have all 24 new bushings. Now should I go with the Heavy heavy ones???

 

[PhilC64]

Congrats on the rig! Looks nice!

I'd do the heavy's just for the fact that they will settle a little awhile after install and you'll be putting on a bit of extra weight with the bumper and winch. You can search through the entire 60's section for "Cruiser lean" to find out why you lean to one side. It's something peculiar to the truck. I've learned to live with mine and don't mind it much. As Blue stated you might be able to get a new leaf from ARB, it might be worth the phone call. For shackles I went with the OME anti-inversion unit's.

An example "Cruiser lean". Notice it tilts to the side even though it's sitting on new OME heavy's all around.

I have a little bit of a "stink bug" stance as well with the new springs but it doesn't bother me.

Here's an example of the anti-inversion shackles.

A lot of folks on here went through Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. He's a straight player and knows the 60 series like the back of his hand. Here's a link to his 60 series suspension page.
Cruiser Outfitters

 

[OLDNSLO]

I'd do the heavy's just for the fact that they will settle a little awhile after install and you'll be putting on a bit of extra weight with the bumper and winch. You can search through the entire 60's section for "Cruiser lean" to find out why you lean to one side. It's something peculiar to the truck. I've learned to live with mine and don't mind it much. As Blue stated you might be able to get a new leaf from ARB, it might be worth the phone call. For shackles I went with the OME anti-inversion unit's.

An example "Cruiser lean". Notice it tilts to the side even though it's sitting on new OME heavy's all around.

I have a little bit of a "stink bug" stance as well with the new springs but it doesn't bother me.

Here's an example of the anti-inversion shackles.

A lot of folks on here went through Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. He's a straight player and knows the 60 series like the back of his hand. Here's a link to his 60 series suspension page.
Cruiser Outfitters

Don't listen to him...he knows nothing!

 

[TOYOTERO]

Thanks Phil. My concern here is to make the 60 even in height front and back, as you can see, mine is higher in the rear. If I get the Heavy Heavy for the front " im only buying the front springs, Im not touching the rear ones", then the 4+ super heavy duty anti inversion shackels 6 3/8 for the front and 5 3/8 for the rear you think it will look even front and back.

I was told by the M-A-F tech that the difference between the medium and heavy front springs are one leaf.

I dont wanna spend money on the 4+ super heavy duty anti inversion shackels and end up the same way I started.

Thanks

 

[PhilC64]

The only difference is one spring but you can remove that from the pack if you don't like the feel of the heavy's. You did state you are going to add a bumper and winch so my take would be to get heavy's for the front and it would stay level like you want it to.

Who let the 40 creature in here? Brian, don't you have anything else to do on that Fred Flintstone mobile of yours?

 

[TOYOTERO]

Thanks again. I'll go with that, then if anything I'll by the shackels.

 

[TOYOTERO]

I called ARB, and this is what the tech said. I am running a A and B setting on the rear, and that is how it is supposed to be. However in some cases that setting does not work and a A and A or B and B is required in order for the truck to be even in the rear and front.

Any of you guys hear about this?????

He said that if I replace the B spring for the A spring located on the rear passenger side of the FJ60 that would take care of the problem.

What do u think????

Thanks.

 

[CardinalFJ60]

I've heard that before.

...on my fj60...IIRC I ended up swapping the B to get the matching A's...sits reeeaaalll nice now.

 

[TOYOTERO]

Cardinal, thanks for ur comment. I'm glad I got an answer on that. I was about to change the front leaf. I will get that A spring on monday. By the way, does your FJ60 sit lower up front or is it leveled front and back???

I hate when the truck sits lower in the front. It looks like a drag racer

 

[CardinalFJ60]

no problem

unloaded mine does sit a little higher in the back, not too much. that's with winch/bumper up front and a rear bumper/tire out back and the spare underneath. however, I have Non-OME shackles so I might not be the best comparison. But loaded up, it levels out (loaded with lots of stuff)

On a personal note, when wheeling I don't mind having that loong rear end up in the air a little.

 

[TOYOTERO]

Ur right about that. But if it can be taller in the front that's better. I might mess with the shackels to see what's up. as soon as I am done I'll post some pics

 

[JMRINS]

...on my fj60...IIRC I ended up swapping the B to get the matching A's...sits reeeaaalll nice now.

My new Heavy came in this week with matching A's. Called ARB to verify correct order. ARB tech said they are starting to send more matching A's because they are returning so many B's for A's. Don't know if it's true, but sounded good to me. I just hope it works. Good luck w/ replacement!

 

[Sixty's Guy]

I already have all 24 new bushings.

Make sure that the bushes that you have are the OME bushes. They have a large flange on them and these must be the only bushes used on the OME springs. Otherwise the spring eyes slide over normal bushes.

 

[lehiguy]

I called ARB, and this is what the tech said. I am running a A and B setting on the rear, and that is how it is supposed to be. However in some cases that setting does not work and a A and A or B and B is required in order for the truck to be even in the rear and front.

Any of you guys hear about this?????

He said that if I replace the B spring for the A spring located on the rear passenger side of the FJ60 that would take care of the problem.

What do u think????

Thanks.

That's nothing new, I went through this 12 years ago. My rig leaned to whichever side (I swapped them back and forth) had the short spring. I took it back and exchanged it for a taller one, so I had two As, or whatever. Those same springs are still on the Cruiser today with 170K of toture on them.

 

[TOYOTERO]

Nice to hear lehiguy. At least Im not the only one with this issue. I think the A dn B set up works depending on the FJ. Still waiting for that spring