Landcruiser's are AWESOME!

[edgextreme]

Landcruiser's are awesome.... I'm a proud owner of 2 and the most recent addition to the family is my 95 FZJ80.

I'm currently in the process of uncivalizing the FZJ80 and today it received one of it's most useful and visually pleasing additions (in my opinion), an ARB winch bumper.

The EMO 2.5" lift should be here tomorrow and the instillation shouldn't be a problem for me short of the caster kit and after install alignment. I could use a little help here.... I don't have access to a press, is there a hillbilly way to get the old casters out and the new casters in without a press? I could probably figure out a way but I'd like to hear from someone who's done it the hardknock way.

Also is the alignment as simple as pulling a measuring tape on the front and rear of the front wheels and adjusting accordingly? I don't see why it should be more complicated than that but this is the first time I've worked on an 80 series.

If worst comes to worst I can do the lift myself and have a shop put in the caster kit and do an alignment but that's just more money out of my Landcruiser's pocket.

A little background on where I'm at.... I recently purchased a 95 FZJ80 in Washington state and I'm driving it to up to Alaska, which is where I call home. I'm outfitting my TLC while I'm here (shipping to Alaska is OUTRAGEOUS) but I'm seriously limited in what tools I have. A Craftsman tool kit and the factory FZJ 80 jack with lug wrench are what I have in the arsenal.

One way or another I'm installing the EMO 2.5" lift so I can buy some decent 33" tires for the Cruiser. I wouldn't trust the tires I have now to make it to Alaska. I'm moving to WA this fall and I'd like my FZJ80 to get me to Alaska and back with a lot of good times in between.

 

[retrofive]

Congrats.

You should be fine with your OME 2.5" and no correcting the casting a the moment. I have the same setup (2.5" Med OME, and 33's). I have the caster bushing, but as far as I have read this is a job for a real press, or shop that will take care of them for you . Mine are still sitting in the garage tring to coordinate a time with a friend with a press. Driving without them I can tell the difference, but nothing that concerns me.

Side thought: if you have the 2.5" Heavy setup withOUT armor your castor correction could be worse than mine, and may want to take care of sooner than later.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Tis the troof. The 80 series is the s***.

BTW...it's Emu...not Emo. An Emo is a young kid that cuts himself. ---->

 

[Bergretter]

Yeah, I would definately recommend using a good shop press for the bushing removal. While pushing mine out, I had the press up to a fairly high pressure and those bushings popped out like a gun went off!! Also used the template as installation instructions recommend for installing the new bushings, this worked out real well. Enjoy your new ride!

 

[MARLIN375]

You will need at least a 12 ton press, keep looking. Someone you know, knows someone with a press. If the bushings are installed correctly you will not need an alignment. Your truck will drive just like it did 6hrs earlier...only 2.5 inches closer to the sun. Anyone with skills and worth of common sense can install the OldManEmu 2.5 safely. (read the FAQ and do some searching, when it says to use big jack stands, use big jack stands ect.)

And Yes, I agree, Landcruisers are fricken awsome.


Oops almost forgot...WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION

 

[d0ubledown]

watch out for the EMO lifts...they tend to want to cut themselves


congrats on the purchase and welcome to the 80's you're in good hands.

 

[jvazquez53]

Bienvenido!!! = Welcome!!!

 

[PACNW96]

Congrats on the new rig!

 

[arndog123]

Congrats and I agree that 80 series Cruisers are awesome. I got 2 as well and searching for another one for my parents.

 

[ThePookieBear]

watch out for the EMO lifts...they tend to want to cut themselves

Dang... beat me to it.

 

[blzrfn]

Lets see some pics of your new ride!

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Congrats! Where do you call home in Alaska? I'm in North Pole if you ever want to show off your new wheels.

TK

 

[nicholas]

Congrats and welcome!

 

[edgextreme]

I live in Kenai, Alaska so it's a little bit of a drive to get up to North Pole but if I'm going to be in the area I'll drop by for sure. The lift won't be here until the 5th due to unavailability of the front and rear
"OME" coils. I asked about EMO coils but like you guys said, they all cut themselves. Anyways... here's a few pics of the Cruiser sporting it's new ARB bumper.

 

[1shot1kill]

That's great! I hope you enjoy her!

 

[BenQ]

Hi guys! I was thinking about ordering OME suspension for my new FZJ80 as well. and this seems like a a good thread to piggy-back off of.

does anyone know if the new Nitrocharger Sports are worth it? If it is a significant price jump then i wont buy them, i dont care enough because i think the classic Nitrochargers will work just fine. but if it is just a few dollars more per shock, i will consider it.

Additionally, i am strongly considering the OME J springs with associated long travel shocks. It sounds like i can get about 3.5" to 4" of lift by utilizing these parts. does anyone know why places like Sleeoffroad doesn't offer it as a kit? does he not want people to have[STRIKE][/STRIKE] it? (Slee? are you there? are you listening? you see- there is a demand for it ) for some strange reason, i feel like i might be making a mistake. like Slee knows something i dont; and im sure he knows a lot more than i do about my FJ80. Is it okay if i use the typical OME caster correction for this? is it important to get something like a Man-A-Fre (4+Plus) front control arm bracket? the Manufacture (OME) says it will work with the FJ80, i would just like to trust them and not spend money for added parts. Tell me everything will be okay. Please.

 

[nicholas]

Hi guys! I was thinking about ordering OME suspension for my new FZJ80 as well. and this seems like a a good thread to piggy-back off of.

does anyone know if the new Nitrocharger Sports are worth it? If it is a significant price jump then i wont buy them, i dont care enough because i think the classic Nitrochargers will work just fine. but if it is just a few dollars more per shock, i will consider it.

Additionally, i am strongly considering the OME J springs with associated long travel shocks. It sounds like i can get about 3.5" to 4" of lift by utilizing these parts. does anyone know why places like Sleeoffroad doesn't offer it as a kit? does he not want people to have it? (Slee? are you there? are you listening? you see- there is a demand for it ) for some strange reason, i feel like i might be making a mistake. like Slee knows something i dont; and im sure he knows a lot more than i do about my FJ80. Is it okay if i use the typical OME caster correction for this? is it important to get something like a Man-A-Fre (4+Plus) front control arm bracket? the Manufacture (OME) says it will work with the FJ80, i would just like to trust them and not spend money for added parts. Tell me everything will be okay. Please.

Most of your concerns ave been covered in countless threads. Lift height/caster etc all depend on how much extra weight you are carrying. I think most people try to shy away from the MAF drop brackets. If you are having a problem sourcing J's check out Kurt at cruiser outfitters in UT. He has all of the OME specs listed on his site including J's and he also sells J springs.

 

[BenQ]

I know people have covered this topic in prior threads. some people say caster correction are not important. they say that all it does is improve the safety and ride quality of the FJ after the lift. i happen to think it is important have my FJ80 ride well and be safe at highway speeds, some people dont. i have read those threads. i like to hear from professionals, from the people who design lifts. It feels like a lot of money to buy a comparable FOR, MAF or SOR lift. I'm positive their suspension works great. but i also believe OME has a high standard for safety and put a lot of time and pride to effectively use as much original LC equipment as they can. its as if they are saying that they trust OMEs engineering judgment on all suspension less then 3"; however, OME failed with their 3" suspension and it takes expensive modifications to make it work right. i am going to rephrase my concern. Why is it that some retailers are not comfortable selling J springs and L shocks as part of a kit? I get the feeling like as if they are not endorsing the use of this OME approved modification.

when i started to write on this thread i originally just planned on asking about the Nitrocharger Sports...then another thing that was on my mind spilled out. im sorry.

 

[MARLIN375]

If I can remember a "Cristo quote" from a few years ago.

"It is $1K for the first 2.5 inches and it is $1K for evey inch after that"

Due to inflation/economy it may be more today, but I believe things have not changed to much. There is no "magic bullet". To lift your 80 over 2.5 inches you need to modify more components to maintain "as close to stock geometry" as possible. For the list of components check out Slee's 4-6 inch kit and think about thier function there are no "extras".



And Welcome to Mud BenQ.

 

[BenQ]

Thanks for the friendly welcome. but...i dont believe the OME Nitorcharger Sport shocks is a "dead horse" discussion yet. OME just released them. has anyone tried them out? i haven't been able to get any pricing for them. just wondering if i should wait a few months to buy suspension until these sport shocks become more available.