FJ62 leaf spring to coilover conversion

[like47ninjas]

I've searched around a bit and have not found anything on the subject. I don't suspect there is an outfit somewhere that makes a conversion kit, is there? I imagine it would have to be a custom job. What do you gents think? Is it a lot of money for not that much of an improvement in ride quality?

 

[torfab]

Nobody makes a kit, but you can always move the 60 chassis over to an FZJ80 frame

 

[90FJ]

People don't link for ride quality, they do it for articulation.

Get an OME suspension and a sway bar if you want a nice ride.

 

[CLove]

Sounds like defeating the purpose of the pre-Bling Landcruiser.

 

[Elbert]

yeah its been done...but its a fabrication thing....and I assume not cheap if you have to pay someone.

I would buy a FJ80.

 

[90FJ]

That said if money is not an issue it would be bad ass, throw in a diesel and a six speed and a rocket launcher while you're at it.

 

[ntsqd]

I've looked at doing it FOR ride quality, don't give a rat's arse about articulation. I have the OME springs with Fox 2.0's and I'm less than impressed with the ride quality. The springs are simply too short to ride well.

It would be a custom fab job no matter how you approach it.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

People don't link for ride quality, they do it for articulation.

Get an OME suspension and a sway bar if you want a nice ride.

In this community, yes, that's correct. However, if designed correctly, a linked suspension can provide awesome on-road characteristics and vastly improve ride quality over a leaf spring suspension. Make the links long enough and the articulation comes with it.

 

[sk8salomon]

That said if money is not an issue it would be bad ass, throw in a diesel and a six speed and a rocket launcher while you're at it.

Lol

I've seen dsltoys rig up close, he did rear coils on a 62, looks awesome when you are driving behind him to watch it work.

Saying that, 2 gsmtrs ago I talked to an old guy from FL named Archie. He said a correctly setup SOA 60 should ride better than an 80 in the woods. I can't imagine, guess mine is still not right... Lol

 

[CLove]

I've looked at doing it FOR ride quality, don't give a rat's arse about articulation. I have the OME springs with Fox 2.0's and I'm less than impressed with the ride quality. The springs are simply too short to ride well.

It would be a custom fab job no matter how you approach it.

Buy a 4-runner or a 100 series, IMHO.

C

 

[TobyB]

a linked suspension can provide awesome on-road characteristics

...and then, if you REALLY want your mind blown, go to independent 4- wheel
suspension and ditch the wagon axles completely...



t

 

[90FJ]

...and then, if you REALLY want your mind blown, go to independent 4- wheel
suspension and ditch the wagon axles completely...



t

Not easy in a heavy ass SUV, owned a 2007 Pathfinder with both IFS and IRS that rode like s***, installed Bilstein 5100 struts and Airlift 1000 in the rear, still s***ty. My 2014 Tundra rides a cubic fxxxton better.

 

[ntsqd]

Buy a 4-runner or a 100 series, IMHO.

C

4-Runner: Only version worth buying is a first gen. They lack a second set of doors.

100 Series: WannaB ugly fake Land Cruiser. Real Land Cruisers ended at the last of the 80 series produced.



I think that a radius arm front system could be built fairly simply. Design a tab A, slot B bracket at the housing and it could bolt on to the housing on the spring perches. Put the frame mount on the bottom of the rail and bring the main tube (I'd make it 2"x .250 wall DOM) forward to be flush with the bottom of the OE spring perch. Then off the top of the housing I'd bring a smaller tube back and down to the main tube. Make these tubes adjustable in length for caster changes. Place things right and it all would fit under the frame rail, even at the stock full bump position.
The key part would be setting the radius arm length such that you'd have minimum plunge in the front drive-shaft. At the typical SUA OME ride height that would result in a nearly horizontal main tube, so Caster change in bump would start out good and gain. Should make for a nice riding, predictably driving rig.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

4-Runner: Only version worth buying is a first gen. They lack a second set of doors.

100 Series: WannaB ugly fake Land Cruiser. Real Land Cruisers ended at the last of the 60 series produced.

Fixed

 

[cruisermatt]

At least for US market

 

[like47ninjas]

zero sum game

So am I to understand that typically it is difficult to improve on road drivability without sacrificing off road ability?

Also, 90FJ and GLTHFJ60, Your avatars are friggin' sweet! I hope I get to shake your hands some day.

and regarding the Diesel, six speed, I plan on it. I'm liking some of the builds that some of these other cats have done on the 80 chassis.

Rocket launchers? the supermarket was all out.

 

[ntsqd]

It can be done, but lacking a lot of Engineering chassis dynamics education it will be an iterative solve. In other words, cut and try backed by as much reading on the topic as you can find.

Search POR for the latest linkage Excel file ("ExcelCAD"?) if you plan on a 3 or 4 link. MUST use a track bar ("panhard ber") for front lateral location. Doing it with single or double triangulated links will result in massive bump-steer unless you opt for some really crazy steering linkage.

 

[like47ninjas]

Conversion costs

After having read the Project X² thread (and throwing up at the end) I've come to wonder how much the cost of throwing a 62 on an 80 chassis is. I mean, it seems like doing that doubles the cost of the project alone. I’m trying to decide between an 80 with a swapped LS/Vortec, a 62 with a swapped LS/Vortec, or a 62 on an 80 chassis with a swapped LS/Vortec. How do the costs differ between the three options? Or rather, all things equal, is the chassis swap astronomically more than just doing the engine swap on a 62?

 

[torfab]

An engine (Vortec) swap in a 62 will run 12-14k.

Bolting your 62 body on to an FJ80/FZJ80 frame would probably cost 15-20 including a donor frame and rebuilt axles. Doing both at once would certainly lower the total price because a lot of it is re-mounting the engine/transmission.

 

[like47ninjas]

An engine (Vortec) swap in a 62 will run 12-14k. Bolting your 62 body on to an FJ80/FZJ80 frame would probably cost 15-20 including a donor frame and rebuilt axles. Doing both at once would certainly lower the total price because a lot of it is re-mounting the engine/transmission.

thats totally doable. Anyone know of a good shop in Utah. Ever since Profits Cruisers closed down, I'm not sure of who to ask.