FJ62 2" lift question

[yodafrick]

i'm pretty ignorant about lifts, and other things of course


i have a 2" lift on my 60. the PO did it or had it done. when i have been underneath it all i can see are the shocks as being new or different. i don't know if he did an add a leaf on it too or what. the shocks are the only thing that stands out to me. i know it is not OME for sure, but i just think he did a cheapy job on it. not sure if it really matters or not though.

would it be worth me posting some pics of what is under there for some opinions on what i have, or would photos not tell the story? also, what are the drawbacks if he did put some cheap lift on it?

Patride- Did you look at your shackles? 2" over stock shackles could have been installed. Post pics and we'll let ya know.

 

[gulp3000]

Pics would tell the story pretty fast. Most of the stock rear springs you see on 60's are flat or close to it by now. I think 2" shackles only result in 1" of lift over previous height. The drawbacks of a cheap lift (if any show up) are usually premature saggy springs, stiff ride due to poor shackle angles, right or left lean and no impressive stickers for your tool box.

 

[patride71]

i'll post some pics this weekend.

it does not lean side to side, but does lean forward a bit.

it bounces around quit a bit too, but mainly when i am on the freeway/tollway, which is rare.

 

[Exiled]

I'm with Gary, a *good* spring-over (and considering how important a modification, I can't understand why people would cut corners on one) will cost about the same as an OME complete setup. It will also yield a better ride and allow for better clearance offroad (plus fitting bigger tires). There is some fabrication involved in a SO since there is no kit per se, but you can source most of the components easily and then put it all together over a couple of weekends.

I have about 40,000 miles on my FJ62 since the SO conversion and other than tightening the u-bolts, it's been essentially maintenance free. I haven't done much wheeling lately, but when I did, it was *awesome*!

PS: My truck looks a lot like HZJ60's avatar, except about 3" lower.

 

[TOY350]

Mine is sprung over as well (see post New Member 60 pics) and it was done by John Groves of Cruiser Parts here in Grants Pass. With a Hy-Steer kit, new shocks, all new spring bushings and new brake lines it would run about $1200 for John to do it. That is also welding new shock mounts on the axles, new perches for the springs and some other stuff I'm sure I'm leaving out.

But my main concern is this: Doing a spring over while running stock engine and drivetrain increased your front driveline angle to almost unusable. We didn't worry about this with mine because I ended up dropping in a SBC, Turbo 400 and dual cases. But for the couple of months I ran stock engine/drivetrain we had to notch the crossmember in the front for the front driveline to clear and that was on my '86 which is supposed to have better clearance because of the tranny being setup for a 5th gear option. '85 an older rigs would have a worse time with the angle yet. If any of you are running SOA with stock engine/drivetrains how did you get by the front driveline problem? Just curious for future SOA conversion up at my friends shop.

 

[Exiled]

My front axle is cut and turned, and the crossmember was modified. It really wasn't a big deal, and there is no interference even at full droop. Mine's stock drivetrain with an H55F.

 

[lowtideride]

I have a sprung over pig. And I din't have to notch the crossmember. Only prob i had was getting the proper pinion angle. i'm pushing about 6 1/2 inches of lift.

 

[patride71]

here are the photos of my lift. the first 2 are of the rear if you can't figure it out. the last one is of the front. like i said the PO did it and i don't know much about the stuff. appears everything is stock except for the shocks. all the steering linkage looks original to me.
so is this a 1/2 ass job? if so, what might i do to improve upon it other than starting over or going OME. i would just like to improve upon what i have rather than starting over etc.
also, funds are limited right now!

 

[patride71]

anyone?

 

[atomicpunk]

Patride71: the springs appear to have a good arch to them. they look alot like my bds 2.5" lift springs. the shackles look stock. If you would like to add a little more lift, put some longer shackles on. you can pick them up for under $100. Could you post a pic of the whole truck?

 

[nuclearlemon]

I just got the jist from the parts guy... was mis quoted. Got quoted for an fj40 kit. Here's the real deal:

ProComp - $570 (ubolts, shocks, springs)
SkyJacker - $580 (springs and ubolts)
SuperLift - $700 ("everything")
BDS- $930 ("everything")

.

so are those the fj40 prices...cause i've never seen procomp or skyjacker listings for fj60. i just checked 4wpw catalog since they are procomp, and they only list fj40

 

[lovetoski]

patride71,

Great pics...how does your cruiser ride and handle? I don't have an SOA, and can't really tell from looking at your pictures if it's done right or not, but if it drives straight, and handles well, then that's a good clue that your SOA was done well.

Best Regards,

 

[patride71]

thanks for the replies on the photos. it handles pretty well and does not have any sagging on one side or anything like that. i might look into the sway bars though since it feels a bit unstable on any curves at higher speeds.

there are photos of the entire truck on cruiser garage.

thanks again.

 

[kevin g]

Nuclearlemon,
I think you are right. THe only one of those four that offer lifts for 60s is BDS.

lovetoski,
patride71's 60 is not SOAed. It looks like to me a spring lift with stock shackles.

 

[60wag]

Patride - Your springs look a look like OME to me. The ends for the leaves are rounded and tapered. I havn't seen any other manufacturer (besides Toyota) who does that.

Kevin G - have you started your install yet? How's it going?

 

[kevin g]

60wag,
Haven't started yet. Pretty much everything except caster shims (on order from local shop), spring hanger pins (in transit from Liquidoffroad.com) and extended brake lines (haven't ordered yet) are sitting on a ping pong table on the back patio. I was test fitting the spings, bushings and shakles to eackother the other day to make sure everything fit and the width of sping eye with bushings installed is about 3/32" wider that the inside width of the shackle. I called CCOT about this and their response was "oh, you may have to sand the bushings a little". This along with the 3/4" of thread of the shackle bolts inside the shackle hasn't make me too impressed with the "kit", lacking attention to detail IMO. Sanding those things is very time consuming. I may take off on Friday and get started, but am not sure yet.