Flipping the rear springs?

[Mark W]

fc187's comments about the length of the springs got me to thinking. Since I'm doing a bit of suspension work anyway, I pulled out some '55 rears and some '40s while I was digging out my '45 rears. No sense in relying on memory and making measurements where there are other variables involved.

Anyway, he's correct about the lengths of these springs. The '55 springs are centered close enough to make no difference. Likewise the long side of the '40 spring matches this length with not enough difference to matter.

Now I just have to figure out where we're getting the extra half inch on our '55 swaps...



Along with the option of using the bushings from SOR you can also sleeve the pins. I've done it both way.


Running '40 springs flipped doesn't really call for shims. You just run a slightly longer shackle than stock.



Mark...

 

[fc187]

yup, many moons ago before spector offered the bushings to adapt them over, I recal using a small lenght of conduit that fit perfect. lowbuck home depot solution! cant beat that

 

[orangefj45]

i recall it being many snows ago.......

 

[peesalot]

you don't recall anymore, remember......

 

[orangefj45]

funny you should ask! just got done pulling them back out after the mock-up stage to clean them up and paint them. going back in later this week along with some different shackles and spring perches.

 

[fc187]

here is a pic of a 55 spring swap I started on an FJ40 today. I still have button up a few loose ends, but you get the idea.

shackle is 6" pin to pin

 

[69cruzer]

funny you should ask! just got done pulling them back out after the mock-up stage to clean them up and paint them. going back in later this week along with some different shackles and spring perches.

how did it ride
with enough of my badgering, im thinking you might get that bad ass going.
i know talking trash is getting me going on mine.

 

[fc187]

with hangers in stock location, 55 springs, 6" pin to pin shackle. flex is AWSOME, ride is CUSH........

 

['74 UA FJ]

55 front springs, sure.

In good shape?

 

[nzdncjw]

I have just caught this thread and it is very intresting.... Thing Is I have a swb 40 and there has been a lift put on it (around 4") and I noticed that someone mentioned having the 'lift' springs the shackle will be on less of an angle or more straight up and down because of this.... My shackles ( I have 6" long ones on the rear) are angled forward byy 5 to 10 deg and the ride is VERY hard..... what will be the best way to fix this? I thought maybe the springs were the wrong length! but it seems from the posts they aren't it is just the extra arch that brings the shackle angle forward.

So what are the options to fix this? I was considering taking a leaf or two out but have swayed away from this idea (I have a good load in there sometimes!)

Maybe get hold of some 2nd hand fj55 springs?

Will flipping my springs round end for end make any difference to the situation?

I want to soften the ride a heap and get some serious articulation without moving hangers and mounts.

Thanks - this thread has taught me heaps!


By the way I am in New Zealand!

Thanks!!

 

[Mark W]

Your springs are in fact too short. It's not that lift springs are supposed to be shorter. It's just that many brands are.

Flipping them end for end will not have any effect on this.

Installing the longer wagon springs will address everything you mention above. But realize tht the wagon springs do not lift the rig. So if you have "4 inch lift springs" on there now, putting a set of stock wagon springs under the rig will bring it back downward unless you do somethig else to compensate (SOA conversion?)

Note, that we are only talking about using the rear '55 springs, not the fronts.


Mark...

 

[Mauger]

with hangers in stock location, 55 springs, 6" pin to pin shackle. flex is AWSOME, ride is CUSH........

I like cush. What about the front end? Can something simmilar be done?

I don't mind a little longer wb, but I don't want it looking like snots.

 

[Mark W]

Same setup works in front.


Mark...

 

[Mace]

BTW, FJ55 front springs are the same length as a 40 spring (basically) but are centered..

Easy 1.5ish extra WB if you do not the major extension.

 

[nzdncjw]

So It looks like I need to replace the rear springs.... My next question.... As far as I can tell from what has been said (I may have missed a piece or two) but from what I can see, It would seem that the way to go if you want more suspension travel and a softer ride then the 55 springs are basically the way to go.... can you get away with using some second hand ones? also if I put a set of 55 springs in the rear does the axle stay in the same place? or does the Wheel Base increase? is there anything that needs to be done to the springs to fit them? or is it a basic unbolt and bolt back in the 55 springs?

Obviously my lift I have currently will drop down but I would imagine the 33" tyres to still fit under the guards ok.... it will be a bit higher than stock with the extended shackles?

Thanks! I love the idea of getting some decent travel from stock mounts! and if there are next to no mods to the 55 springs it is gonna be a piece of cake!

 

[69cruzer]

Same setup works in front.


Mark...

if the rear ride is made "cush" from longer springers and a better shackle angle letting the springs work. how is this replicated on the front? arent 55 fronts the same length as a 40 but centered?
this is a serious question, Im trying to play nice

 

[Pighead]

Good question, 69cruzer, do you have some 40 springs?
I have some 55 springs, lemme put a tape measure on them...
Then we can contrast and compare.

 

[orangefj45]

group hug fawkers!!!

glad to see some tech in this thread! len, i'll get those springs back in the rig this week. then maybe you can sit in it with me and we can both make "wroooom" noises?! oh, i know where this is going......


i am running the identical setup FC posted and can't wait to see how well it flexes in real life.

 

[69cruzer]

group hug fawkers!!!

glad to see some tech in this thread! len, i'll get those springs back in the rig this week. then maybe you can sit in it with me and we can both make "wroooom" noises?! oh, i know where this is going......


i am running the identical setup FC posted and can't wait to see how well it flexes in real life.

what if i make vroom noises and you make slurping noises
anyone got a measurement on the front 40 springs to compare?
so if the springs are the same length the shackle angle would still be the same, if the springs are in the same condition. however the centered pin would give you a little more wheelbase, somewhere in between the stock location and flipping a 40 spring?

 

[Mark W]

if the rear ride is made "cush" from longer springers and a better shackle angle letting the springs work. how is this replicated on the front? arent 55 fronts the same length as a 40 but centered?
this is a serious question, Im trying to play nice

You use the '55 rear springs under the front of the '40 too.



Mark...