Leaf spring options on BJ43

[savvas]

I have a BJ43 that I am looking to put 75 series lifted springs on it.

The reasons are:

1. Longer by about an inch which will aid in the shackle angles

2. More arc than the 40 series lifted springs which will give me between 3-4 inches of lift compared to only 2

The problem is the, center bolt - spring eyes, length. In the 40, the rear springs center bolt, is more centered, whereas in the 75 is more offset.

What are my options besides relocating the hangers?

Can I redrill the leafs to relocate the bolt?

Cheers

 

[sadam_husain]

I don't know about the rear springs for your bj43 but I put front 70 series springs into both ends of my fj40, it was a fantastic easy bolt in articulation gain for my truck and particularly the front end, the springs are longer so you end up with a reasonably flat shackle angle, I had to lower the bump stops on the front as it limited the amount of up travel on spring compression, I cant remember if I had to lower the rear bump stops, I had to use shocks with 10" travel and they were pretty much maxed out at compression and extension. The spring centre bolts located in different places so I re-drilled the spring perches to get the axles close to where the originally were, I still had enough length in the driveshaft slip joints but had to cut a notch out of the gearbox cross member to clear the D/S on suspension down travel, I also had to install longer brake hoses. I found the suspension to be pretty soft and flexy and a great improvement for offroad, onroad the truck has a lot more body roll but nothing I have felt was too unsafe, I've never measured the caster angle but whatever it came out at the truck steers better than it previously did I can quite comfortably drive with one hand at 100kph


Left spring is front 70 series old man emu, right spring is 40 series front old man emu, cant remember what the middle one was

The tyres in the pics are 35"

 

[savvas]

From what I know all 70 series front springs are the same so it doesn't matter if it comes from 70/73/74/75 etc

Here are some more info:

Front Leaf Springs:

1991 - 1990 HZJ75: 21.7 + 23.5 = 45.2

BJ40/42/43/44/45: 19.8 + 23.8 = 43.6

It seems the 70 series is about 2 inches longer than the 40 and the spring pin location is pretty much the same on one end.

That leads me to conclude that the spring perch doesn't have to be redrill since the axle will stay very close to the original position and the extra inch in the front will help the shackle angle.

Rear Leaf Springs:

1991 - 1990 HZJ75: 23.7 + 28.5 = 52.2

BJ43 (I believe FJ45) also: 25.9 + 25.9 = 51.9

The problem here if the pin location. Perhaps redriling the spring perch will help but I am not sure.

It would be nice to collect more information on the medium and long wheelbase 40 series so if anyone else has any ideas post them up.

 

[muddonkey]

What if I already have a front shackle reversal? too much lift in the front then?