How to improve the ride? I'm asking. (1 Viewer)

[s1r_william]

ride quality

perhaps consider a little smear of grease between the leafs to help them move and get rid of that squeak
just not at the u bolts

 

[ntsqd]

perhaps consider a little smear of grease between the leafs to help them move and get rid of that squeak
just not at the u bolts

That works until the grease is finally washed out. 1920's era Rolls-Royce's came with tight fitting leather covers over their leaf springs, both to keep the grease in and the grit out. I forget how, but there was even a provision for greasing the springs without needing to tear it all apart.

 

[GM60]

My '87 HJ61 runs coil over leaf conversion, with greasable shackles and Konis all round.
Works pretty well.

 

[ntsqd]

My '87 HJ61 runs coil over leaf conversion, with greasable shackles and Konis all round.
Works pretty well.

Pictures, please!

 

[esh]

Shock quality will affect the ride as well. Since going to Bilstein 7100s (over a pretty worn set of OME shocks), my ride has been greatly improved on and offroad.

Onto springs.. if you notice, Toyota went to pads between each leaf in the FJ-62 (at least rear, i don't have a front set handy), so they were onto something just before they went to coils in the FJ80.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I have a lot of perspective on this.

Anyone who says that an OME lift on a 60 will be as comfortable as a coil spring 80 is kidding themselves. I've had both for years and years. A leaf spring truck is still a leaf spring truck. You can improve thins with better suspension, but to make the order of magnitude improvement in the 80 you will need coils and links. Decide what you want, but the 80 will always win the comfort/NVH/power/versatility war every time.

In the last 60 months I did swap Chevy "63 inch" (which are actually 64 inches) 3/4 ton springs into the back of my FJ60. It is a huge improvement. Not a coil spring, but definitely better. They can be used SUA or SOA, but they are a much better spring than stock Toyota, or OME.

Good luck, but you should keep the 80. Keep the 60 too, but if you can only have one, the 80 is it. Trust me on this as an 11 year 80 series owner/10 year 60 series owner!