Member 78fj40mg can you help me please?

[MT72FJ40]

I am in a bind in determining what springs to order (stock mana fre vs. old man emu 2.5" lift):

If you would be so kind, I would like to know the make and size of your tires, and the height of the bottom of the rain gutter/bottom of roof lip at a front corner of the roof and the height of the bottom of rain gutter at the center of the back or a back corner. I would love to order the OME 2.5" kit but am afraid the FJ will be stuck outside in the Montana winters. My house is from 1953 and modifying the garage and roofline is not a reasonable option. If you can help me I would really appreciate it...
Thanks
Mark
Missoula, MT

 

[Jdc1]

@78fj40mg

 

[78fj40mg]

I am in a bind in determining what springs to order (stock mana fre vs. old man emu 2.5" lift):

If you would be so kind, I would like to know the make and size of your tires, and the height of the bottom of the rain gutter/bottom of roof lip at a front corner of the roof and the height of the bottom of rain gutter at the center of the back or a back corner. I would love to order the OME 2.5" kit but am afraid the FJ will be stuck outside in the Montana winters. My house is from 1953 and modifying the garage and roofline is not a reasonable option. If you can help me I would really appreciate it...
Thanks
Mark
Missoula, MT

Hi Mark,

Happy 4th of July, and I apologize for the delayed response but we've been on vacation and didn't have my cruiser at hand.

I definitely recommend the OME 2.5 inch lift springs and shackles, I purchased my set from torfab.com. I'm also using the Good Year Duratracs 31x10.5x15, and steelies OEM Toyota purchased from @beno .

My 40 has a reverse shackle system up front and as the front is a bit higher than the rear see my dimensions below, all dims taken to underside of gutter.

Let me know if you need anything else.

 

[Yellowknifer]

I decided to go with the OME 2.5 lift based on this very picture. I already had 31x10.5r15 duratracs on my stock suspension and wanted to make sure the lift wouldn't be too high. Thanks for the contributions 78fj40mg!

 

[78fj40mg]

I decided to go with the OME 2.5 lift based on this very picture. I already had 31x10.5r15 duratracs on my stock suspension and wanted to make sure the lift wouldn't be too high. Thanks for the contributions 78fj40mg!

View attachment 1285703

My pleasure! Your rig looks great!!

 

[78fj40mg]

@78fj40mg

Hey buddy, thanks for the heads up!! I wouldn't have seen this thread without your intervention.

 

[Uzjgaspowered]

Old
Man
Emu!
Absolutely top notch...

 

[MT72FJ40]

Thanks a million for the reply. I printed that pic you had, got out my calculator and engineer scale, and did some math but was worried about accuracy since what I came up with put me at about an inch clearance (uncomfortably close for margin of error) with the yakima racks (which I dont want to remove as we usually try to kayak 2-3 weekends a month in the summer and taking them off to put the fj in the garage would be a pain in the rear).
Nice cruiser pics from you and yellowknifer.
Thanks again...

 

[MT72FJ40]

I just went out with the tape measure...I was off by about a half an inch in my favor but thanks again as now I know I can do the OME 2.5's as the Coopers I have are 245-75R16 (as soon as I order rims) that will give me a half inch in my favor again....which is good news.
Just went to Torfab website...do you remember what you ordered for duty rating on front and back (and were they different)?
Front available in light/stock VS. Heavy
AND
Rear available in Heavy VS. Medium
I see in your other pics you have a trailer...I do too...so I am wondering if you would have ordered a different load rating and then I guess I should ask if you load down the rear cargo area of the FJ with much weight, and is the toingue weight of your trailer heavy or light?...
Thanks again for your replies and help

PS...I just saw there is a complete medium duty kit vs. Heavy kit...I guess I should ask how you ordered everything as a general question

 

[erics]

I just went out with the tape measure...I was off by about a half an inch in my favor but thanks again as now I know I can do the OME 2.5's as the Coopers I have are 245-75R16 (as soon as I order rims) that will give me a half inch in my favor again....which is good news.
Just went to Torfab website...do you remember what you ordered for duty rating on front and back (and were they different)?
Front available in light/stock VS. Heavy
AND
Rear available in Heavy VS. Medium
I see in your other pics you have a trailer...I do too...so I am wondering if you would have ordered a different load rating and then I guess I should ask if you load down the rear cargo area of the FJ with much weight, and is the toingue weight of your trailer heavy or light?...
Thanks again for your replies and help

PS...I just saw there is a complete medium duty kit vs. Heavy kit...I guess I should ask how you ordered everything as a general question

@overton has a 2.5 inch OME Dakar lift set he is selling in des moines, ia

 

[Yellowknifer]

If it helps you I can measure to the top of my Yakima rack on the 4 corners. I'm also running the lighter weight version and essentially brand new so they haven't settled yet.

 

[MT72FJ40]

If it helps you I can measure to the top of my Yakima rack on the 4 corners. I'm also running the lighter weight version and essentially brand new so they haven't settled yet.

That would be great just as a double double check. I think I have the same yakima towers with the 4" risers. I figure I can cut those down an inch or inch and a half and still have clearance for the kayaks to not hit the roof. As for the lighter/stock weight springs, do you tow a trailer much? Did your ride soften a bit?

 

[Yellowknifer]

I think my risers are a little higher(6-7" from the rail to the cross bar) but they barely go over the roof. I have a hard time getting a ratchet strap through right in the middle. My highest measurement was around 80.5" from the floor to the top of the cross bar.

I went with the lighter springs for a softer ride and I don't plan on hauling too much weight around. I don't tow a trailer but if I do eventually I'd probably try to fit some timbrens. It's hard to tell how it changed from stock. My shocks were shot and leafs were original and pretty worn. When I hit bumps it was very bone jarring compared to the new ride. Still bumpy but it's a massive improvement.

 

[MT72FJ40]

Thanks for the help and info. I am not hauling anything too heavy (mostly tent trailer with maybe 50-75# tongue weight). I am thinking a softer ride with the lighter springs is the way to go. Have been looking at the complete kits. I was also wondering if I should look at doing air shocks in the back but I can do those any time if it seems feasible...thanks again and happy cruising
Mark in Montana

 

[tlc762]

Look into air bags for the rear versus the air shocks- I think @pngunme and @bikersmurf have them on their trucks to level the truck when carrying heavy loads. May be they will chime in on their experiences...
HTH,
Will

 

[tls3601]

Always liked the stance of Mike's rig, now I am considering 31's instead of the 33's. My rig is also reverse shackle up front but a 3" Man-a-Fre lift

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I like my BOSS air bags on the rear of my 40... looks like they are $349 thru John at slocruisers.com --- scroll to the bottom of the page for FJ40 air bags
BOSS Airbag Suspension Load Assist Kit---LAND CRUISER 1963-1990

They allow me to raise and lower my 40 approximately 2.5", simply by adding or releasing air. I can level her when I have 22 gals of gas in the aux tank and the rear end loaded... and can easily get in and out of the garage with my roof rack on.

Easy install (remove rear bump stops and install bags in place, run air lines (I installed my air valves under the hood to allow me to hook my compressor to the battery, with clips)) and free shipping.

I also have Firestone Ride Rite bags on the rear of my 2002 Tundra... I've ran them for several years and use them to level the truck when towing my 4500lb trailer.

Edit: The bags allow a max of 100lbs psi - with 40lbs, I can still get into the garage with the roof rack in place.

This is with 30x9.50x15LT tires ... PRE AIR BAGS

This is with 30x9.50x15LT tires and 40lbs of air

This is with 31x10.50x15LT BFG KM2s, with 40lbs of air

 

[Solace in Solitude]

FYI - I added reference pictures to the above post