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Builds My '78 FJ40 "44" (1 Viewer)
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I would agree with Dave, avoid back surgery until it is absolutely needed. I had to have two, three days apart, to get the upper hand on a staph infection. NOT FUN!
When driving 44 (stiffer suspension) becomes a problem for your back, then it's time to think surgery. A super stiff suspension is still a long term problem for me. But, a solid suspension is easier on my back than a soft suspension like you find in luxury cars.
I actually changed my 40 over to FJ55 rear springs on both front and back (longer springs). Then I discovered the cracked head, so I haven't really had a chance to find out how the spring change actually works for me.
Don
When driving 44 (stiffer suspension) becomes a problem for your back, then it's time to think surgery. A super stiff suspension is still a long term problem for me. But, a solid suspension is easier on my back than a soft suspension like you find in luxury cars.
I actually changed my 40 over to FJ55 rear springs on both front and back (longer springs). Then I discovered the cracked head, so I haven't really had a chance to find out how the spring change actually works for me.
Don
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44 has great seats... So, even when I have the air bags aired to 60psi, on the back, it doesn't really bother me, unless I hit a lot of dips or speed bumps. I air down to 15psi on rough drives, so that mitigates the stiffer suspension somewhat.
My Tundra, on the other hand, the seats are really soft. So, even with the air bags aired to 50psi, it hurts my back... I first encountered this problem in Feb of last year and it lasted a full year, before it got better. That was after making a 1000 mile drive to Austin... I first noticed it was bothering me when I got out to gas it up in Arizona.
But, Dianna found some really good orthopedic cushions for the seats in the Tundra... They really help!!
I have no intention of having surgery... But my sports medicine doctor says, "listen to what the surgeon says. There are about 16 different surgeries and you may only need a simple one, with an easy recovery".
I'll listen and the speak with my sports med doc before making a decision... He's generally against surgery as well... But, he knows nothing really helps for long... Hardly any relief from the epidurals... Inversion table... Not sure... I know it makes my hip hurt. The sports med doc's manipulation so help... But only for a short while.
Oddly, I feel best when wearing 8" desert boots and hiking uphill.... I sometimes need to squat for a bit to make it quit hurting. Hiking downhill is a different story...
rkymtnflyfisher
Trout Bum
Danny, I wouldn't depend on the airbags as a way to soften your suspension, they are merely a way to assist your suspension, aired up too tight and they act like springs. Using an adjustable type of shock (Rancho 9000 series) to dampen the "spring" of the air bags will go a long way. I run an airbag system on my truck, I have a large Lance truck camper, air bags, and adjustable shocks. With the shocks turned up, and 100 psi in the bags, my truck rides like a Caddy, if I forget to adjust the shocks, more like an old buckboard wagon, or an FJ40. I had to build it as a system, without both of them together it rides like crap, no air and it rides nose up, and "sways" down the road, shocks not turned up and it bounces hard, and "porpoises" down the road. I don't recall what kind of shocks you are running, but I just wanted to throw that out about the bags, and if you are already aware, well, kick me in the shin when we meet!
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I'll be kicking you regardless, Ryan!!
Yeah, I only air them up that high when loaded... Especially when the aux tank is full. My Bilsteins aren't adjustable, but they work great, in concert with the bags... But, I appreciate the info!!
I'm happy with 44s suspension... Even with the bags aired down and the tires at 15psi, the rough roads/tracks beat me up... Unless I keep the speed at 10 or so... Which is about all that's safe on much of it.
The main thing to remember is that every person is different. What works for me may not work for you, or others.
My wife's 05 Buick Century has a suspension that seems to work for me, BUT, the surface of the seat is too hard for me. After a while the seats make my left sacro-iliac hurt. My pickup (3/4 ton) has a stiffer suspension, though softer than the 93 Ford F-250 I had previously. I have added a wedge/horseshoe shaped cushion to the seat in my pickup, and can drive it for a long time without any major problems. We have a 98 Astro (semi-stiff suspension) for our daughter, and can drive that the same as my pickup.
Hiking downhill has been a problem for me for over thirty years now. My knee started giving me problems on a 7 mile backpack into Jefferson Park, and has flared up occasionally since. The big problem with going uphill isn't the knee. Sometime, eventually, you have to go downhill. Oh, well. That's life.
Don
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I'm patiently waiting to see how some of the new spinal repair procedures work since they are advancing quickly - the new cement thing seems promising . I have a similar issue , severe degradation in the lower spine and neck - not wanting to go the full fusion route as recommended by 2 different "practicing" surgeons - no thanks . I still work as a Laborer , just have dropped all the heavy stuff and do what I can , but always get thrown in to "help" with other jobs and that's becoming a problem . Can't retire now for another 6yrs thanks to changes in the Pension plan , grrrr....
Sarge
Sarge
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I feel your pain, Sarge!! I'm older than you (67) and can't imagine having to do labor... and I doubt I hurt as badly as you...
I was talking to a 71 year old neighbor the other day and he said, "When I was young (31) and stupid, a surgeon told me I needed a spinal fusion and they had a new procedure that took little time and had a very short recovery. I said, "Ok" and they did the fusion and I was good to go within a week".
He's never had a problem since... except, he can't recall what the procedure was called or just how it was done... I've never heard of any fusion (40 years ago) going that smoothly.
So, I'm wondering whether he is confusing a lobotomy with a spinal fusion...
So, I'm wondering whether he is confusing a lobotomy with a spinal fusion...
Love that Danny! Fortunately I've had neither, but, well maybe a lobotomy is the cause of my memory problems.
This is the first I've heard of anything like this. Definitely got my attention. I'll have to check into this for future reference.
Don
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soaking all this up from the sidelines, smiling. With you all the way.
I was diagnosed with lordosis when I was six and have spent my whole life dealing with back issues. I took up volleyball at 31 [what was I thinking!] Of course the more I got into it, the worse it got. At 36 I developed heel spurs, which the doctor said would never get better. I kept jumping anyways. At 41 my back went out for the first [and thankfully only] time and sidelined me for three months. Doctor said it would never get better. The Taurus in me identified with Mrs. Jenner [Kardashian's mom] who said "When someone tells me no, I realize I am talking to the wrong person."
At 55, I have a fairly regular routine of napping mid-afternoon on a futon with my legs up on a chair to take the pressure off my lower back and let things open up. It's amazing what half an hour can do. I think this is much more useful for the lower back than an inversion table, never mind the fact that it is dirt simple.
I am still firmly committed to the idea that there are two kinds of people in the world: people on the dance floor dancing, and people on the sidelines watching. I've seen the look in the eyes of those who are on the sidelines. No thank you.
I was diagnosed with lordosis when I was six and have spent my whole life dealing with back issues. I took up volleyball at 31 [what was I thinking!] Of course the more I got into it, the worse it got. At 36 I developed heel spurs, which the doctor said would never get better. I kept jumping anyways. At 41 my back went out for the first [and thankfully only] time and sidelined me for three months. Doctor said it would never get better. The Taurus in me identified with Mrs. Jenner [Kardashian's mom] who said "When someone tells me no, I realize I am talking to the wrong person."
At 55, I have a fairly regular routine of napping mid-afternoon on a futon with my legs up on a chair to take the pressure off my lower back and let things open up. It's amazing what half an hour can do. I think this is much more useful for the lower back than an inversion table, never mind the fact that it is dirt simple.
I am still firmly committed to the idea that there are two kinds of people in the world: people on the dance floor dancing, and people on the sidelines watching. I've seen the look in the eyes of those who are on the sidelines. No thank you.
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Me too... Generally when I'm trying to dance... I don't mind the looks of amusement as much as I do the looks of pity
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'Dancing' is a metaphor for all kinds of motion.
A body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body at rest tends to stay at rest.-Sir Isaac Newton
A body in motion tends to stay in motion. A body at rest tends to stay at rest.-Sir Isaac Newton
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That's what Dianna says about my dancing... all kinds of weird motion... I'm rarely at rest.
I do get your point, Mark... Just having a bad day... Trying to cheer myself up...
I'm sadly packaging up all my fly-tying tools and materials and all my wood-carving knives and stuff.. I'm going to carry it all to my son-in-law, when we meet in Colorado, in July... He has a friend who ties flies and wants to learn to carve.
My arthritic hands simply don't allow me either pleasure anymore... I'm hoping I'm able to actually tie flies on my tippit... Otherwise, my son-in-law will be kept very busy.
Looks like the Argentine Tango may be my only remaining pleasure...
That's watching it, not doing it...
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Roger that.
On these days it's best to remember only YOU get to decide if YOUR glass is half empty or half full. From here, it still looks like it's overflowing.
On these days it's best to remember only YOU get to decide if YOUR glass is half empty or half full. From here, it still looks like it's overflowing.
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Roger that.
On these days it's best to remember only YOU get to decide if YOUR glass is half empty or half full. From here, it still looks like it's overflowing.
Oh, it's overflowing, fer sure!!
Sometimes, it's hard to "put away childish things".
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So, Sarge and Don (@handcannon)...
Technically, this 'cement' technique is definitely interesting and promising... not sure yet that it's actually used for degenerative disc disease (my issues are primarily at L1-S1)... it seems to be used primarily for compression fractures, as a result of osteoporosis and cancers... but, it could definitely be good for those who have such fractures.
I'll know more once I see the surgeon and discuss my recent MRI.
This is the most informative link that I've found... Vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, treatment of vertebral compression fractures
rkymtnflyfisher
Trout Bum
Danny, I was working on the rear brakes on my Dodge today when I noticed my drivers side airbag looked funny. I picked up my camper on Monday after it was worked on by a RV place. So when I picked it up I had pumped 100 PSI in the bags (my normal running pressure), well today I noticed that the steel cable band that runs around the bag had rusted apart and snapped, leaving the airbag looking like a basketball under my rig. With only 4 weeks before I head west! Now to wheel and deal with Firestone and see how their customer service will treat me on 8 year old bags.
I know rust is something foreign to you out that way!
I know rust is something foreign to you out that way!
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Damn Ryan!! Good luck with Firestone!!
I have Firestone Ride Rite bags on my Tundra and have only had one problem... the installer didn't include a lock washer on a bracket and it came loose and twisted... I was able to fix it myself.
I think it's always better to install it yourself.
Your case is completely different... I hope Firestone treats you right... I would think they would replace the bag. This doesn't sound normal to me.
rkymtnflyfisher
Trout Bum
Whiskey. Tango.Foxtrot.
What's next, giving up 44! ? !?!
Sorry to hear that you have to give up tying flies, although one door closes as another door opens......
