Lift Thread for a 80% daily driver

[hill]

ok... ive searched a bunch of threads about lifts..but none seem to be up my alley...so if your bored of lift thread questions.. dont read this... if you can offer up soem advice from experience regarding lift and spring combos....cool.

1973 FJ40 with soft top only currently with 2" lift and 33x10's and old rancho shocks.

Truck rides ROUGH..and id like to make it handle better on road, as its a daily driver.

Im putting 33x12 tires (cause i have them in my garage) and id like to be able to put the truck in the garage. Also i have the MAF swing away bumper with a spare 33 mounted on the rear.

Ive read about BDS lifts, OME lifts and springs, HFS, MAF, DAKAR.....

for my needs... what would you guys reccomend? and why..thanks

 

[Slowerthanu]

Well, I am selling my MAF 4 inch springs because they were not right for me.

I will always push a SOA setup for off or on road. Unless you stink at driving, or have teenagers that will drive the rig, the spring over will ride nice, handle decent (do we really think the fj40 "Handles" at all) and the off road performance will blow you away.

Think of it this way, it will make you upgrade old parts that have probably needed it for a long time anyways.

Proffitts Cruisers sells a cut and turned housing. Ruff stuff sells a SOA kit and you can find stock springs or new replacement ones.

Then again, I really like the OME setup on my fj62. Although it is expensive.

I have not ever been "pleased" with the products from CCOT, including the HFS stuff.

 

[dgangle]

Assuming you desire a 4" SUA, most any are going to be a real compromise in ride quality. Maybe that's why OME only offers a 2.5"?????

Removing leafs and relocating the spring hangers to provide a non-vertical shackle angle help until the springs soften all help. After 9 years, thousands of miles, bottom 2 (shortest) leafs removed and the hanger relocation, my BTB's are just starting to get to the point that I don't cuss them every time I drive it. Extra weight helps too. Every single vendor will tell you theirs' is superior to the competition. One guy loves his HFS, others the opposite.

I'd suggest connecting with others locally thru a club or organization that you could actually see/touch/feel/drive. Or maybe pick up something used and broken in for a bargain from one of them.

 

[fj hunter]

seats...

maybe you could try to use shock mounts for the seats. they do take out a bit of the RoUgHnEsS. I am putting in new seats soon, and that is what I plan to do.

 

[singletrackjunkie]

No experience but have seen alot of folks on this forum rave about Alcan springs and I'm leaning towards going this route when and if I can convince my wife I need them

 

[samwise]

I put OMEs with doestch(sp?) tech shocks, extended shackles, 33x9.5 bfg ats and it rides awesome, awesome compared to the stock flat springs anyway. I drive 100% road at this time since I have no time for fun activities, I drive 4-5 days a week as well. Its much better on the potholes and speed bumps, its still a 40 though. I bought mine at a killer price from another mud member. I am not sure how well the 12 inch tires would fit, but I know thats in a thread somewhere. Best wishes though.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

My 1976 came with 4''Skyjacker and shocks same brand ,with anti-inversion shackles at rear,all pins are the grease-type, 33x12.50/15 mud tires ( for the moment) rear MAF swing bumper, front ARb bumper,8274 winch and i love the ride quality,very smooth. But will change the shocks for better ones and the shock rubber the steering rod at full flex.

 

[Splash]

I have 73FJ40 SOA and had Alcan Springs build a stock lift set letting them know it needed to go through a standard 7' garage door with a hard top on and 35" tires. It fits perfect. I installed a quality high steer and it rides great on the road. PM me if you want to see pictures or look at my ROTW link below.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/236823-rotw-73-fj40-color-money-few-bikini-models.html