LJ71 suspension question

[Joe Kotze]

Hi there all fellow Cruiser owners. I am new to this forum and am still feeling my way around the site. Hopefully this post will be succesful. I spoke to a few friends this weekend and they advised me to join this club.
Mahatma Ghandi once said: "Live as if you're gonna die tomorrow, Learn as if you're gonna live forever". I am fairly new to 4by4ing, and I truly believe I am living when using my Land Cruiser to it's full potential. In the same breath, I am learning something new everyday about my LC.

I have a few questions about my LJ71 though, and maybe someody can help me.
The time has come to replace the shocks on my LC. Apparently the rear right shock is larger than the rear left. Can anyone confirm this?
If this is true, why would you build a LC with the 2 rear shocks in different sizes?

Can anyone recommend good shocks for this specific LC?

Last but not least, I know there are not a lot of LJ71 in the country, but I'd like to get in contact with those that do own these. I spoke to Janus already, who is registered on this forum as well.

My LC is the LJ71, 96 model, 2.4 lt diesel.

Thanks for all the effort.
Cheers
Joe

 

[crushers]

what country?

 

[Joe Kotze]

Hi crushers,
South Africa.

Do you have any info re the LJ71?
Vheers
Joe

 

[crushers]

oh, i have a whee bit of experience with them and the LJ78.
the shocks are different sizes due to the track arm location. to buy new you can pull the old ones off, measure what size they are (i used to know) full compression and full extension, eye and pin size and then call these specs into your local parts dealer. they can compare and locate you the proper setup for your truck.
but
i STRONGLY recommend a complete Dobbinson lift kit from Oz. i ran a unit and the ride is so smooth even in the roughest terrain and yet it still looks stock. worth every penny.

best of luck.
Wayne

 

[Joe Kotze]

Thanx for the help Wayne. Do you own a Lj71?
Do you know what the difference between lj71 lx and sx is? I suppose luxury and standard?
Yesterday I took a peek at my rear shocks, and they are of equal length. I don't think theprevious owner knew that they might differ. He told me he asked the guys at his local shock fitment centre to replace the front shocks with new ones and replace the rear shocks with the older front shocks. Is it possible that the fitment centre could've fit the wrong length right hand rear shock? My LJ 71 stands level.
Cheers
Joe

 

[crushers]

i have owned a couple LJ71 and wheeled a couple LJ78s, wicked machines off the road.
i tried the Dobbinson lift and the OME lift. the OME is poor quality compared to Dobinnson, night and day difference.

i will see if i can find the pics of the LJ71 i lent to a buddy and he towed a M101 behind it through some of the worst Alberta terrain. that LJ71 was sold to another bloke about 4 years ago and untill i moved east he would stop by in it. one of the few that never had a head issue. (so far)

as for your shocks, take off the old and compare. maybe the parts place sold you a wrong one.