Hybrid suspension

[Yspen]

I am experimenting with a coil-over shock .
My first step is to strengthen the shock mounts ( as they will break if left unmodified ) - this will be done in a few weeks time .

I have done numerous searches and find that it does not seem very popular . Why ? If you want that extra inch lift but does not want to have a harder ride , could it not be the ideal compromise .

I fitted them ( front only , as I already have RideRite air helpers in the rear ) and find the ride to be very soft . Only issue I have with them is that with the rear Aussie locker the car lifts in the front when I accelerate and that lifting motion is now accentuated.

Apart from the fact that the shockmounts will break if not strengthened , what other issues are there ?

 

[ntsqd]

Each type of spring has it's own, unique ideal damping rate. Mixing spring types (coil & leaf) means that no damping rate will work well, if they work at all. They'll obviously still damp if in serviceable condition, but the damping will be grossly mis-matched. Can it be made to work? Sure, but it's a LOT of work if you want it to work right. Consider that most of the desert racing damper mfg's strongly advise against mixing spring types.

Couple all of that with the damping usually found in those coil-over 'assist' shocks being dubious at best. You have a lot of spring rate in there now with not a lot of damping. From the sound of it the system needs more rebound damping.

 

[lehiguy]

This used to be (and maybe still is) extremely common of FJ40s. I see no reason to be concerned other than what you already mentioned about shock tower strength, but the only broken ones I have seen have been the result of a shock that was too long. If it works, run it. What NTSQD said may very well prove to be true. But if that particular shock has enough rebound dampening to handle it's own spring rate plus that of the original leaf spring, you should be fine. If you end up pogoing all over the road, you may need to find a different shock. Other than that, it should not be any different than putting in an add-a-leaf except that the extra lifting force is concentrated on the shock tower and not the spring mounts.