lift for a troopy

[dingbatt]

Hey yo, I've done a search here on MUD, but did not find anything on this subject specifically.

What is the minimum lift required, on a troopy, to fit 33 x 10.5 tyres through full suspension articulation?

I want to run this tyre size, or something similar, on mine. For the time being it has completely stock suspension. I have been looking at Dobinsons springs, from Queensland, but the springs they make for the all FJ/HJ45s and HJ47s have only a 40mm lift (1.57"), and I don't think that alone will be enough to clear 33 x 10.5s. Maybe with extended shackles? If so, how long will the shackles have to be?

I would like to go with Dobinsons, because I want to stick to a local (Australian) manufacturer, and also because as far as I can tell they make good stuff and have been around for a while. Here's their website:

Dobinsons Spring & Suspension

So, I suppose I am asking a few questions ... anyone had experience with a Dobinsons setup? Will they give enough room (with extended shackles) to run 33 x 10.5s? And what are my other options?

This suspension upgrade won't be happening for a little while yet, I am just doing my research for now.

Cheers heaps guys.

Matt

 

[flaminbandit]

i run 35x13.5x15 on my troopy with a sagged set of 2" springs some rubbing on the inner arches when wheeling but that was all

if your still running stock steering 33's will rub on the steering linkage

a mate of mine runs 33x12.5x15's on his stock height troopy rubbing on the steering linkage and the inner wheel arches

 

[40Flipper]

A 2" lift should do it or even just longer shackles possibly. The main issue is rubbing while turning. Some wheel spacers on the front are an easy fix. 35's are when you get into major issues.

Or you can do a SOA and make a nice monster truck out of it!

 

[dingbatt]

So just steering rub issues?

i run 35x13.5x15 on my troopy with a sagged set of 2" springs some rubbing on the inner arches when wheeling but that was all

if your still running stock steering 33's will rub on the steering linkage

a mate of mine runs 33x12.5x15's on his stock height troopy rubbing on the steering linkage and the inner wheel arches

So what steering setup are you running? I used to have 31 x 10.5s and even they rubbed just slightly on the tie rod end.
I wanted to keep the tyres narrower, rather than running the usual 33 x 12.5, because I reckon they look awesome on a troopy, plus my feeble arms can still turn the steering wheel without power steering with 10.5" wide tyres.
I also figured that, with a 10.5" wide tyre, if the sidewall was taller (say a 33" tyre compared to a 31"), then the major width of the tyre (bulge) will be further away from the centre of the wheel and, therefore, further away from the steering linkage, and therefore preventing any rub whilst turning the wheels. does that make sense? I can draw a diagram for the perplexed.
Please note also that all these dimensions are in inches, but I would in no way object to running metric size tyres of similar dimensions, such as these 255/85r16s (picture shamelessly stolen from another thread):


Although I'd probably rather stick with 15" rims.

A 2" lift should do it or even just longer shackles possibly. The main issue is rubbing while turning. Some wheel spacers on the front are an easy fix. 35's are when you get into major issues.

Or you can do a SOA and make a nice monster truck out of it!

SOA!? No way, my friend. No way. If I wanted to do away with subtlety I'd just buy an F250.

So, the problem will be from steering linkage rub, not suspension wheel flex ... I suppose that makes the job a bit easier, as long I can solve the problem of steering rub - hopefully my theory of taller tyres moving the bulge away from the linkage will work. What do ya reckon?

I know that josh (aka HJ47) runs OME 2.5" springs and 33 x 10.5 x 15s comfortably. I must ask him........



Thanks for your help guys.

Cheers,

Matt.

 

[Clint79]

Hey mate malaga springs and sus use the dobinsons springs

 

[flaminbandit]

im running 60 series power steering so it gets rid of the steering arm down the chassis rail

the easiest way to stop the rubbing is to adjust the steering stops on the diff gives you less turning circle but hey its a troopy its not that great to begin with

 

[herbs]

Just make sure yoo don't get Ironman or Cross Country branded suspension, the Cross Country stuff on my HJ 45 DOES NOT MOVE. I'm going to get a different set of springs to try and get the ride a bit better, it's shaking the poor girl to bits.:whoops: I'm going to check out Dobinsons as they're local to me. Priced OME and it's some dear dear stuff.

 

[dingbatt]

Clint - Cheers for the heads up man, I was trying to find out on the net who the WA distributers were.

Flaminbandit - that makes sense, I am considering a power steering conversion. Is it a complicated swap using 60 series components?

herbs - Yeah I don't think I'd ever consider Ironman gear for anything. It just seems to me that these kind of brands copy the market leaders' products, then mass produce their cheap imitations to undercut the other companies to get a large slice of the market due to really competitive prices. The problem with that though, is that their products tend to be crap. So no, I won't be going with Ironman. I've never heard of Cross Country before though - same story?
I am interested to see how much price difference there would be between OME and something like Dobinsons. Let me know how you go if you end up checking dobinsons out, if thats ok.


Cheers heaps for the help and suggestions guys.



Anyone ever run Lovells springs? These guys are another oz company doing a similar sort of thing to Dobinsons. I think both companies started ou making springs for locomotives. Anyway, here's Lovells website:

Lovells Pty Ltd - Suspension for the ride of your life

 

[Chamba]

Matt,

I do run OMEs and 33 X10.50, but I also run HJ60 power steering. I am not too sure if I would get rubbing with the factory steering, but I doubt it. I have OMEs and 31x10.50s on my FJ40 LX, and have never gotten any rubbing there.

I do agree with herbs, though- Ironman is rubbish; you might as well weld the axles straight to the frame if you are going to run those awful springs...it'd probably be smoother than the springs are.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[dingbatt]

Cheers Josh,

Is your FJ40 LX RHD? I seem to remember seeing photos of it in South Australia somewhere on MUD, so I'd assume it is?

I just had a look at the Lovells site, the list price for a complete set of springs, bushings, U-bolts and shocks for an HJ47 is $3,700 for standard duty raised, $4,000 for heavy duty raised

or $1200 for standard springs alone / $1350 heavy duty.

How does that compare, price - wise, to an OME set up?

 

[herbs]

Price I got for a HJ 45 - springs are a bit different, but shouldn't be a big difference in price was $3212 fitted, that was from pAyRB, thing to note is that if something goes wrong with those springs though, is that you're up the creek as far as warranty goes...... I might shop around a bit this arvo, need swivel hub kits for the 45 and a fuel control relay for the shorty. It's neverending.

 

[Clint79]

Clint - Cheers for the heads up man, I was trying to find out on the net who the WA distributers were.

A mate just got them put in his 79 series ute (even though its coil front) the over all comparison from std to dob springs and shocks mates very happy with them , and they will do the springs to suit what ride and weight loading your after

 

[dingbatt]

A mate just got them put in his 79 series ute (even though its coil front) the over all comparison from std to dob springs and shocks mates very happy with them , and they will do the springs to suit what ride and weight loading your after

Yeah sweet, I must go in and have a chat to them. Thanks for the heads up Clint.

Cheers guys.

Time for beer. Oh hang on, I'm at work. Must get back to that.

Matt

 

[Chamba]

Matt,

Both of my Cruisers are RHD.

I paid au$1975 for OME springs, shackles, shockies, u-bolts and bushings from pAyRB (I like that!) for my FJ40, and then installed them myself. I bought the springs for my troopy back in 1998 or 1999, and they were about us$1400 at that time....which tells you nothing, I know.

I did wind up with the Cruiser Lean (which I did not have on my troopy), and pAyRB told me that it was 'normal' and that they would not be covering it under warranty. So, I made a 1/4" plate and put it on the high side of the rear springs, and now she sits level. I don't know if this was because my troopy has Aussie-made OMEs and my 40 has Malasian-made ones, or if it is just that the 40 series springs are not capable of handling the weight difference from side to side.

The HJ60 steering is SO easy to install. If you have moderate fabricating skills, an angle grinder, a friend who can weld well...then you are nearly there.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[dingbatt]

Matt,

Both of my Cruisers are RHD.

I paid au$1975 for OME springs, shackles, shockies, u-bolts and bushings from pAyRB (I like that!) for my FJ40, and then installed them myself. I bought the springs for my troopy back in 1998 or 1999, and they were about us$1400 at that time....which tells you nothing, I know.

I did wind up with the Cruiser Lean (which I did not have on my troopy), and pAyRB told me that it was 'normal' and that they would not be covering it under warranty. So, I made a 1/4" plate and put it on the high side of the rear springs, and now she sits level. I don't know if this was because my troopy has Aussie-made OMEs and my 40 has Malasian-made ones, or if it is just that the 40 series springs are not capable of handling the weight difference from side to side.

The HJ60 steering is SO easy to install. If you have moderate fabricating skills, an angle grinder, a friend who can weld well...then you are nearly there.

Cheers,

Josh

pAyRB - man I'm slow, that just clicked! Good one herbs! Typical of them to not correct your lean though. I try to avoid ARB stuff wherever I can, to be honest, for this reason. Way too much bureaucracy, fineprint, etc....

Yeah, sub $2000 fo this lift would be great, but its looking a little unlikely now in 2009 . Good ol' inflation! I also got given a tip to check out a suspension place right near where I live. I'll see what they have to offer, and eventually I'll get around to checking out Malaga Springs. When I do, I'll report back!

I bought an HJ60 for $2000 a few weeks ago as a parts rig for my HJ47, but it has become my DD, as Old Yella is out of action still due to a dropped linkage inside the transfer case (stuck in low range ) - I will be dropping in an H55F and split case into her soon to remedy this problem. I will steal off the HJ60 its disk brakes, rear axle park brake, power steering, and an 8000lb Ramsey winch which is in desperate need of a rebuild. The rest I think I'll wreck and sell. I was having a look at what would be involved in the ps conversion, and I think you're right ... it does look very straight forward. Looks like the steering box will end up very close to the shock tower though.

I will be starting a thread soon on the H55F install here on the the FJ45 owners club forum. And I'll also post one up anout my HJ60 in the 60 series forum.

Cheers heaps guys,

Matt

 

[Chamba]

Matt,

Do you know anything about EFS suspensions? I met a bloke in Adelaide with a set on his 40, and he seemed to like them. I don't know about cost, but likely more than OME. I agree with you about pAyRB- very full of them selves.

Yes, your shock tower will have to be moved in order to put he steering box in. You simply move it, and then swap the shock pin to the other side of the tower. I used grade 8 stainless bolts to re-attach it to the frame.

I was wondering about the HJ60 in your signature. Will you be putting the 2H from it into your troopy? Then you can use the air con too Can't wait to hear all about the swaps.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[dingbatt]

Josh,

I just had a look at the EFS site, I had heard of them in the past, but kinda forgot about them. They do a 50mm lift kit, that adds an extra 300kg to GVM. They've got a distributor here in Perth, in Bayswater. Another one on the list to check out! So I've got a bit of homework to do....

Do you have any photos of the relocated shock tower? Sounds pretty simple but just to get a visual idea of the locations of things.

Nah, the 2H in my troopy is in great shape, and already has an A/C compressor in it, currently hooked up to an airline for use on tyres and whatever. I like it like that for now. That 2H had a rebuild about 150,000km ago, so its still young . The 2H in the 60 has about 280,000 original kms, and also runs great (apart from a dodgy starter solenoid). I'm not sure what I 'll do with it yet.

Cheers,

Matt

 

[herbs]

Priced some Dobinsons stuff yesterday, no change out of 2 grand, but that includes everything, full suspension kit for the shorty was a bit dearer too. Good thing is that their springs are longer than original, which is something one should ask of every supplier, otherwise you could end up with standard length springs that are set higher, thereby giving a bad shackle angle and terrible ride.

I'm currently tossing up the idea of power steering on my 45 since it's all apart right now. Anyone know if you can use a 75 series box? I can get one for free.

 

[dingbatt]

Priced some Dobinsons stuff yesterday, no change out of 2 grand, but that includes everything, full suspension kit for the shorty was a bit dearer too. Good thing is that their springs are longer than original, which is something one should ask of every supplier, otherwise you could end up with standard length springs that are set higher, thereby giving a bad shackle angle and terrible ride.

I'm currently tossing up the idea of power steering on my 45 since it's all apart right now. Anyone know if you can use a 75 series box? I can get one for free.

Still a bit of $$, but hey, its the best I've seen so far.... When I get around to getting some quotes off these places, I'll let you know how I have fared

Very good point about the longer springs, I hadn't given that much thought - but that's the brilliant thing about these forums, hey . I have heard very good things about dobinsons....

I'm not too sure about the power steering from a 75 - I think your problem would be adapting / fabricating a bracket to mount the pump onto the H engine of your 45.

Cheers,

Matt

 

[herbs]

Yeah I've got a couple of ideas in regards to mounting the pump on the H donk, I may end up going with thermo fans and an electric water pump as a part of this.