More Weight With No Lift

[1990 LJ78]

I was wondering (bad for me).
Is there a coil spring that could be installed in place of the original rear spring that would allow the LJ78 prado to carry more wieght without lifting it.
I like the existing height but need to carry more weight now and then and find the rear springs sag a tad.

 

[Entaran]

There definately are options, but you are aware that a stronger load carrying spring when unweighted (ie most of the time??) is a SERIOUSLY stiffer and more bumpy ride?

Are you planning on carrying the weight constantly or just occasionally? And how much is the weight?

 

[1990 LJ78]

Springs

Yeh I know.
I'll get a bumpier ride.
The weight is approximatly 500 to 600lbs, more or less 3 - 200 lb people for an example.. Actual items, band PA system consisting of sub cabs, main cabs, gig rig 7000watts, boards etc. you get the picture. This stuff just gets the truck sagging a bite and I would like it to stay level at least.
Empty it sits just a little back high.


Anyway Entaran, Ideally I'd just like to take out the originals and insert the heavier ones with no other changes..If there is such a thing..

 

[Jim_Hbar]

If you want to vary the load capacity and not the ride height, install some airbags. Then you can change the load capacity as required.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I was wondering (bad for me).
Is there a coil spring that could be installed in place of the original rear spring that would allow the LJ78 prado to carry more wieght without lifting it.
I like the existing height but need to carry more weight now and then and find the rear springs sag a tad.

Try TLCruiserman here http://westcoastcruisers.com/
He is a Dobinsons dealer and they make a spring especially designed for your purpose.
I read a review in 4WDMonthly and they said it was big improvement over the OEM .
The LJ7* were Toyota 1st coil 4wd and they didnt have it quite right at that stage according to them.

Another option is to fit 80 series springs which has been done before altough that would involve some trial and error.

 

[Entaran]

Airbags are great except you need a compressor onboard and airbags offroad are a seriously easy thing to destroy.

So if you don't go offroad more than primary gravel tracks, it's fine

 

[1990 LJ78]

Air bags--- I have not heard too many good things about them for off road.
I would rather go the spring replacement route if I can just replace them and keep the same hieght.
Like I said I want no lift..Just extra weight capability.

 

[crushers]

stock springs and coil over shocks
air shocks
replacement heavy duty springs from Micheal...

cheers

 

[1990 LJ78]

Wayne I actually thought about coil over shocks with stock springs.
Know of any that would fit.
I know very little about coil overs though..
Any sites that explain the ins and outs of them?
I guess I could google it..

 

[crushers]

not sure what the part numbers would be but with a bit of grunt work you could cross reference the overall length and compression for ones that will fit...
cheers
<BTW, i was about to call you when i got news of the winter front rolling in so haed to head back, next time...>

 

[1990 LJ78]

No problem Wayne let me know any time your coming to the area.
Sooner or later we'll have that Coffee and chat.

 

[Jim_Hbar]

L78

I totally agree that air-bags are not prefered for off road use, and will likely fail at exactly the wrong time. However, the question as I understood it was - same ride height as now when empty and same ride height as now when loaded. We can go into the math if you want, but that isn't going to happen with springs - you need something that will support weight of the load, and be variable with the load.

If you are willing to compromise on the "same ride height" constraints, then springs can work.

 

[1990 LJ78]

OK Jim_Hbar..
I'm leaning towards coil over or air shocks..
However I have not made a choice yet.
I'm all ears to what you have to propose.

 

[Jim_Hbar]

Richard:

Well, like all designs, a 'Cruiser is a compromize - We gave up ride quality by having the big diff's, big tires and the solid front axles, and fuel efficiency with the heavy weight and boxy body shape. With the MWB, we give up easy access to the back seat for better off-road capability.....

For better load capacity, you will need to make a few more choices;
- If you pick stiffer springs, you will get a stiffer ride when empty, and likely a higher empty ride height...
- If you put overload springs in, the main springs will deflect before the overloads pick up the load = lower ride height when loaded, and stiffer when the springs do deflect.
- If you put airbags in, you get the ability to adjust the lifting force that they produce, and the ride height, but you have a device that can be punctured, and plumbing that may be exposed and ripped out. (BTW, you don't HAVE to have an on-board compressor, but it sure is handy!) Airshocks are just small, cheaply made airbags packaged a little differently. And are not re-inforced as well as most airbags..


Personally, I don't (and wouldn't) have air-bags on my 'Cruiser - but I have them on my 47' Chevy P/U , and use them all the time on equipment..

 

[1990 LJ78]

So Jim -
The stiffer spring will make the truck ride higher..
That I understand and that is what I'm trying to avod if I can
The overload spring (coil over shock)..
If they are adjustable couldn't one set them up to deflect at roughly the same time as the main spring there by getting the stiffer preformance required?
I also understand what your saying about the air shocks..(not good)
That then leaves me with a new set of springs I guess stiffer but same lenght as originals.
OR an adjustable coil over shock.(I wonder how many different types of these there are)

Your making me think Jim..Thanks