Leaf spring suspension options?

[Big Sky FJ]

Ive got a 77 fj40 and I love it. That said I grew up on the Rubicon and have decided to do a few things to the fj. Im currently running a HP 44 narrowed front end and a offset narrowed 60 rear both geared and locked. I have an Orion behind and nv4500 and a sbc 350. Running 37's on 17's. That all being said i am stock leafs with soa. It does pretty well but was looking at spring options. Im all for moving mounts and extending wheel base a bit. I would like to keep it leaf spring for a while longer but have some trips coming up and didn't see a thread on this.

 

[franklin40]

i had alcan make me a set that are essentially 60 series specs but with 1 inch inch less lift that stock springs to use as a soa spring while keeping the cog as low as possible. makes them kind of like a good used set of springs. good that way for soa

 

[Big Sky FJ]

I contacted them a week or so ago and definitely leaning that way. Im still currently running shackles up front and wanting to get that fixed. I wonder if a stock 60 height would help with the length on the spring hanger im gonna build. I'd like to keep the front hanger as close to the frame as possible so its not hanging down so low

 

[franklin40]

if you have flat spring i think shackles up front are better. when a flat spring flexes it actually shortens pin to pin. if the rear pin is fixed the axle will then moves backwards which is kind of what a shackle reversal is meant to do with higher arched springs. i’d personally keep shackles up front with flat springs on a SOA. the reversals that have a low front hanger wreck the approach angle and the ones that have short hangers will required more axle work to get the pinion angle right. that’s my philosophy anyway

 

[sofj45]

I’m running dorman fj60 springs on my pig soa in the rear, had them on my wife’s and they were to flat so ended up going 2.5” springs on her spring under. They are soft and went flat but like the ride. Would prefer to move my rear mount back just a hair to give a better shackle angle but went with a little longer shackle and it helped and rides pretty nice. May end up adding another leaf just to stiffen them a hair for cargo. The reason I went that route was strictly price and would do it again tomorrow $67 each with free shipping to Hawaii on amazon Dorman 90-105

 

[rlong]

I’m running dorman fj60 springs on my pig soa in the rear…. …The reason I went that route was strictly price and would do it again tomorrow $67 each with free shipping to Hawaii on amazon Dorman 90-105

I do not see those listed. Other models of Dorman look to be $270 each. You got a great deal!

 

[sofj45]

I do not see those listed. Other models of Dorman look to be $270 each. You got a great deal!

Only 1 left in stock right now which if I remember I had to do the same thing bought 1 and then like a week later bought the second one. Amazon.com: Dorman 90-105 Rear Leaf Spring Compatible with Select Toyota Models : Automotive - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09HYZTMK6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[peesalot]

I too had Alcan make a set, lets you get longer springs to provide good shackle angles which is a problem with off the shelf springs. I had Alcan put the center pins so it increased wheel base. 23 years on the Alcans, SOA. Wish they would have settled and softened a bit but they have stayed almost as installed, I blow out the layers between springs and fluid film them every year.