Lift kits

[franklin40]

on my second 40 i got custom low arch 60 springs made by alcan so i can go spring over. this keeps a nice low stance. i want 35s on that one though. there are ways to go spring over and keep it low but it is an involved process. still waiting to drive it as the project is far from finished but the height looks good. SOA with 33 doesn’t look quite right to me though. it needs more rubber in my opinion

 

[pbgbottle]

on my second 40 i got custom low arch 60 springs made by alcan so i can go spring over. this keeps a nice low stance. i want 35s on that one though. there are ways to go spring over and keep it low but it is an involved process. still waiting to drive it as the project is far from finished but the height looks good. SOA with 33 doesn’t look quite right to me though. it needs more rubber in my opinion

on my second 40 i got custom low arch 60 springs made by alcan so i can go spring over. this keeps a nice low stance. i want 35s on that one though. there are ways to go spring over and keep it low but it is an involved process. still waiting to drive it as the project is far from finished but the height looks good. SOA with 33 doesn’t look quite right to me though. it needs more rubber in my opinion

oh yes I tried to get him to go to 35’s. But this cruiser is a budget build. And tires where free. I just posted the pic showing they can be kept low when going SOA. Cheers

Yes 33 look small pic was for reference showing SOA don’t have to be huge.

 

[-MaTTi-]

I’m wanting to lift my bj40 and was wondering what’s your thoughts on a Rough Country 4” lift?

They are cheap and claimed to be too stiff, although there is an anti friction pads like in the OME leafs. I installed a set, but took one leaf less from the rear packs before installing and greased all the packs. 4° shims between the front axle. Your original rear shackles are too short for these.

It’s quite nice to drive now with 35” tires.

There is now 1.5” lean to left, it was leveled after installing. But this is common thing in expensive marks too. I think I’ll need to change the packs from left to right.

 

[Grayscale]

on my second 40 i got custom low arch 60 springs made by alcan so i can go spring over. this keeps a nice low stance. i want 35s on that one though. there are ways to go spring over and keep it low but it is an involved process. still waiting to drive it as the project is far from finished but the height looks good. SOA with 33 doesn’t look quite right to me though. it needs more rubber in my opinion

4x4 Minitrucks and equivalent 4Runners were SOA, up front and rear, from the factory. The suspension makes those vehicles ride different from stock and lifted SUA _J40s, I'd say that it is better? Both for highway use and the trail? I've only known a few people who own one of those gems, all the others had coil springs and tortion bars. Rare but now highly desireable. Again, it is because the more arch on the leaf, the more friction between them, or so goes the theory.

The custom Alcan springs with an almost inverted arch would be neat to see on the trail, fully articulated. I really appreciate SOA builds. Anyone using a custom rear drive shaft, a double-Cardan-type?

 

[jim land]

This one from pinterest is nice and low SOA

 

[pbgbottle]

Here is mine it has been tweaked for years to get it working how I want it. Long shackles ,short shackles ,extra leaves added to springs ,leafs removed from springs no cut n turn then cut n turn stock. 4 sped with stock drive shafts ,sm465 AA long adapter new driveshafts again. Springs flipped ,then not flipped ,double steering arm. to 4x4Labs high steer setup
4 inch lift springs,spring under ,I’ve went through it all.
To how it looks today. Mines taller than some because I also still have a 3 inch body lift. That could be another whole other conversation,lol.
Stock springs stock axles stock driveshafts nothing fancy 37’s. If I ever take it part I’ll remove the bodylift and go to 35’s
,,

 

[shipmag]

The Redline lift that is on my 78 FJ40 rides better than my wife's 62 on OME's. Super smooth and handles bumps amazing.

How much lift did you get on the Redline suspension kit? What size tires are you running? Stock axle or Spring Over Axel?

 

[Aloha Jen]

How much lift did you get on the Redline suspension kit? What size tires are you running? Stock axle or Spring Over Axel?

The Redline ultimate suspension kit gives about 2.5 inches of lift. Someone told me they just use procomp springs and add bilstien shocks to their kit. So I just ordered the shocks straight from procomp when I did mine and recreated their kit (for substantially less $$). Here’s mine for reference on 33” BFGs.

 

[nabbasi]

How much lift did you get on the Redline suspension kit? What size tires are you running? Stock axle or Spring Over Axel?

I did something similar to @Aloha Jen because I was chasing the red line kit, but it had been out of stock. The procomp springs are discontinued. I went with the skyjacker 2.5" soft ride springs with bilstein 5125s in the front, and a T100 KYB shock in the rear since I plan to run a soft top and didn't need the same dampening in the rear (someone else around here suggested it) and it rides very, very smooth on 33x10.5 (and I've also run it on 235/85R16's). Stock axle, but I did use extended brake lines (but I didn't really need them in the front).

if you look at it from the driver side, you might even see the sparkle from a bypass hose you sold me a little while back!

 

[Buckeye]

Hello All,

I too am in the market for a new suspension kit for my 1978 FJ40 (mostly stock). 33 tires

From multiple searches on this site, below is what I have gathered thus far. Please feel free to correct me or make any edits.

OME/ARB Kit - $1800-$2200 Seems to be a really popular, high quality kit but recent reviews indicate they are possibly a rough ride?

Dobinsons Kit - $1600-2800 - Another high quality kit, very similar (the same), as stock springs? Good initial reviews, but then reports of squeaking springs? Has this been corrected? Looks like the IMS kit is a great ride?

Redline Cruisers Kit - 2.5” - $1800-$2100 - Currently on back order, and have been for months. I was told a few weeks ago that they were coming in on a boat and that they were expecting them in what should be another few weeks from now. High quality, stock like ride kit? Maybe, but no one knows what the new springs will be like? The previous versions were a good ride?

Rough Country - @$650 - Less expensive of a kit and as the name would suggest…they are a rough ride. Like really rough?

ProComp - Cost?? - Currently no longer available? There is speculation that these springs may have been the same springs Redline was using in their kits? It is interesting to note that ProComps are NLA at the same time we are waiting for Redline to receive an import.

Sky Jacker - 2.5” and 4” - @$1200 (doesn’t include shackles) at jackit.com. not as popular as the other kits? Is it the name? It seems like the people who have them like them. A few stories of people who have installed multiple kits, or installed kits years ago with great reviews. Nice soft and quiet ride? Some of these reviews may have been from kits people put together themselves (like with Bilstein shocks?) versus the kit at Jackit.com. One important point has been made that these springs are a little bit longer than the stock springs, which helps better center the rear axle/wheel in the wheel well. Also pushes the front axle forward @ 3/4”.

Terrain Tamer - 2.5” Lift? Full kit with standard shocks ($2900 plus shipping). See @wngrog ‘s recent review, it’s excellent. Sounds like these parabolic style springs have a great ride. And the yellow shocks are much bigger and better than the standard yellow shock.
Do we know how they hold up over the long term?

Hell for Stout. $1700+ for a 4” lift kit, but does not include shocks? They have an “Extreme Kit” that is not currently in stock. Not many reviews? Except that they're military wrapped on both ends, you have to buy the whole kit and they're warrantied for life? Good ride or bad ride?

Shackles: Seems like the crowd favorite (if purchasing separately) is Cruiser Teq’s greasable shackle and pin kit for about $180.

To be continued…

 

[Augustiron]

Add Terrain Tamer parabolic springs and shocks from Valley Hybrids to your list

 

[fjc-man]

I went with Dobinsons paired with Bilsteins

 

[pb4ugo]

You forgot hell for stout. Idk much about them though, except I think they're miltary wrapped on both ends, you have to buy the whole kit and they're warrantied for life. They were going to my 2nd choice. I went with what knew.

I've been running Skyjackers for a couple yrs on my 2nd more street oriented 40 and they're fine. Ride quality is subjective from one user to another on all suspensions. Lift springs need to have longer main leaves. I also ran a set of Skyjackers back in the 90's on my 1st 40 and used to get compliments on there flexibility on the trail. I've never had to use anti inversion shackles. That suspension had seen a lot of hard trail use. Skyjacker sells springs in individual pairs and shocks are optional.

 

[TemboTusk]

I have the OME/ARB kit. Good quality, but they are very rough riding. I'm currently looking at the Terrain Tamer parabolic springs and shocks from Valley Hybrids.

Go to this thread for a comprehensive review of the Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

I have the OME/ARB kit. Good quality, but they are very rough riding. I'm currently looking at the Terrain Tamer parabolic springs and shocks from Valley Hybrids.

Go to this thread for a comprehensive review of the Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review

How do you like the paranolics?

 

[Buckeye]

Thanks for the additions! Will add now.

 

[Buckeye]

The Redline ultimate suspension kit gives about 2.5 inches of lift. Someone told me they just use procomp springs and add bilstien shocks to their kit. So I just ordered the shocks straight from procomp when I did mine and recreated their kit (for substantially less $$). Here’s mine for reference on 33” BFGs.
View attachment 3876818View attachment 3876819

Great looking ride Jen! I like how the rear wheel fits in the wheel well. I have a tan 40 with 33’s so it’s almost like looking in the mirror Minus the surf board and beautiful ocean background Can you please tell me what type of shackles and bushings you decided to use for your set up? And do you have any estimate as to the total cost for this “kit”? Thanks!

 

[Buckeye]

I did something similar to @Aloha Jen because I was chasing the red line kit, but it had been out of stock. The procomp springs are discontinued. I went with the skyjacker 2.5" soft ride springs with bilstein 5125s in the front, and a T100 KYB shock in the rear since I plan to run a soft top and didn't need the same dampening in the rear (someone else around here suggested it) and it rides very, very smooth on 33x10.5 (and I've also run it on 235/85R16's). Stock axle, but I did use extended brake lines (but I didn't really need them in the front).

if you look at it from the driver side, you might even see the sparkle from a bypass hose you sold me a little while back!

Thank you for the information nabbasi! By going with the Bilsteins, did you piece the “kit” together yourself? Or were you able to find a vendor to sell you the springs and shocks as a kit? Also, would you mind please posting a picture of your truck? Thanks!

 

[77mustard40]

My first “aftermarket” suspension was a 2.5” OME, I ran these for ten or more years and they were always firm, even after changing to Bilstein shocks. About a year and a half ago I bought a set of 4” Skyjackers for the front and they were an instant improvement. I finally finished the job a couple of months ago and replaced the rear springs. I’m topless so I removed the bottom thick helper spring and replaced the center pin to accommodate for the thickness of the spring pack. Same old Bilstein shocks and I’m pleased with the result.

My Skyjacker takeaways…1 these springs are longer the OME’s they replaced and the axles moved about 3/4” further from the transfer case front and rear (added wheelbase); 2 the longer springs resulted in better shackle angles front and rear; 3 flex in the front was greatly improved, haven’t wheeled with the new rears but I expect the same result: 4 the front required a 4* shim to correct caster but the rear angles were less than 1* off so I don’t have a shim in the rear

Lessons learned for me, know how you intend to use your 40 when you are shopping. If it’s a Princess and will never see dirt then I see no need to go higher than 2.5”, the parabolic springs are probably the bomb from what I’ve read. If it’s going to get dirty then you may want to go bigger and sacrifice some ride quality in order to handle off-road challenges. SOA is probably the best for those going big and wheeling hard, it’s rides great as well, just more work to get there.

Here mine on the 4” Skyjackers

 

[Aloha Jen]

Great looking ride Jen! I like how the rear wheel fits in the wheel well. I have a tan 40 with 33’s so it’s almost like looking in the mirror Minus the surf board and beautiful ocean background Can you please tell me what type of shackles and bushings you decided to use for your set up? And do you have any estimate as to the total cost for this “kit”? Thanks!

The bushings came with the procomp suspension kit. I bought the kit because I needed new U bolts and hardware. For the shackles, I bought the greaseable shackles from Cruiser outfitters.