FJ60 suspension upgrade questions

[jasheehan]

know that there are a bunch of posts regarding suspension upgrades, but I have a few questions for whoever wants to offer a little [COLOR=#ffffc0! important][FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, serif][COLOR=#ffffc0! important][FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, serif]advice[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR].

I have a 20 year old rig with a 20 year old suspension. It really is sagging, and there is not much left to it. I want to get a new suspension with a 2 - 3" lift. I've looked at both SOR kits, and Old Man Emu. Would I need to get the "deluxe" OME kit, or just the basic one for a 20 year old rig? Also, I'm a little shocked at the price of each of them. With shipping from CA, I'd be into it for another $200.00 or so. Does anyone know of anyplace in the NY city area that does reliable work? And, are there any other more affordable options other than MAFre and OME for suspension upgrades.

Thanks.

 

[Mat60]

Call your local toyota dealer and get them to quote you for a new suspension. . .
Then look at the OME again...

 

[High Desert]

CCOT has a suspension system "hell for stout" less than OME, CCOT.com I don't know any thing about it. I have a OME heavy set up, love it.

Yew you need the whole sheebang...your shocks won't work with a lift, they will not have the travel to handle it, they will "top out". Your U-bolts will probably strip out when unbolted as will your Shackle pins and hanger pins, you might as well go with greasable pins and new shackles, OF COURSE your bushings are shot to hell...so yeah, get the whole kit...

Any suspension shop can bolt on a suspension, any good mechanic can too. It's just a bolt on deal, no computers needed. Just a person that can work a wrench.

Don't get kidded into thinking it's any big deal. But any mechanic is gonna want $70 per hr plus and it's probably a 4-6 hour job, (took me 11hours, but I'm no "wrench").

For local systems find some redneck shop that works on trucks. do some searching for some of the other brand springs like alcan and bds. those are not so "special" that the price is over inflated. If your rig is a beater and you'r gonna street drive it till it rots from rust...GO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT at the Toyota dealer as Mat60 suggested..unless it's more $$ than OME or CCOT etc.

Just some input, others will think differently...

Wanna hear more from me..PM me same with the other folks if you like what they are saying..

jon

 

[Mace]

www.cruiseroutfitters.com

Kurt rocks..

 

[jmylie]

I'm running CCOT's HFS on my HJ60 and I'm very happy with it.

As you are in the NYC area, check with both Gotham City Land Cruisers and Yankee Toys for "local" mechanics.

Jose is in NJ and Spencer is in CT. There may be others.

Hit me of list for Spencer's number. Jose has a link from the GCLC website
(resources, vendors)

 

[Front Range 4x4]

I'm running CCOT's HFS on my HJ60 and I'm very happy with it.

jmylie - how old is your HFS setup?

Mine's 4 year old and pretty flat. Disappointing to see the short lifetime.

 

[seanzy1105]

i need some ideas for a new rear leaf spring kit does ne one have an idea for a cheap kit? (i have a broken leaf spring on my 87 fj60)

 

[Texx]

I have 60 stock springs, but am in Tx...freight might be big bucks.

 

[seanzy1105]

well i would just need 2 rear leaf springs if possible

flat rate shipping charges are from 12-30 depending on size and weight.

 

[cody c]

does anyone know about using xj or half ton ford or chev springs, i think someone posted about that a while back.

 

[Bayou_Flyer]

Your description sounds just like what I had! Bought my 2" Ironman lift for $650 shipped off eBay . Maybe it won't last, maybe it will, but I've been very pleased thus far. I only paid $800 for my 60, so it's become a personal quest to see how little I can actually spend fixing up the old girl. Good luck!

 

[moneypit]

For an inexpensive alternative it sounds like the full length MAF add a leafs night be a good and inexpensive option.

 

[89s rule]

Never foget about Alcan if you want to customize your set-up. Custom springs whatever lift you want with whatever load rating you need/will need.

Search on Alcan and you should find my install and write ups. I have under $1K in my lift but I did buy some things used. Shop around, landcruisers are not meant to be cheap, but they will last if you treat them well and do the maint that they require.

 

[Corbet]

Get the OME and be done with it. You will not be disappointed.

Cruiseroutfitters.com great vendor.

 

[lovetoski]

Also, I'm a little shocked at the price of each of them.

Shocked as in you can't pay the price, or don't like paying the price? Not trying to be rude, but there are two time-proven options depending on which camp you fall into:
A - OME. Nobody has complained about the quality or performance. Price grips, sure. Key point is performance. If you can afford OME, buy it. You won't ever regret it.
B - Long add-a-leafs + a few new things (shocks, ubolts, bushings). Key point is minimum price. Depending on how you plan to use your cruiser, this setup can deliver satisfactory performance. For example, if your intent is to run larger tires, and you want the cheapest lift that will enable this, long AAL's are the way to go.

The exception to the above is that there was an ebay deal on Ironman sets for awhile. That was a killer deal.