Need help. How to Lower Spring Over- Short Shackles? (1 Viewer)

[BTUMAN]

Guys, need your help here. I finally got my 1978 FJ. It has a Spring Over (original springs I believe) with Shackles that are 4" center to center ( I understand OEM is 2.75"). This with the 35 x 12.5 tires , this thing is to tall to fit in my 6'11" garage opening (thanks mr. cheap -0 who bulit the home) and I have to get it in! I think it is 7-1 based on my long level and tape measurements.

What I want is the look of a 2.5" lift with 33x10.5 like I have seen on CCOT restos. However, I didn't want to give up the spring over unless I just have to. I have the new 33 tires, original wheels and hubs on order.

I found a short shackle on eBay that says it is 1.5" rather than the factory 2.75 ". Right now I have 4". So doing the math, 4-1.5 = 2.5 and since only one end is pined I assume only half of this so 1.25" lower. With the 33s" I assume I will be about 2" shorter, so that would about 3 " lower and would get me in the garage. Do I have to just start over and go back under axle with a lift kit and the 33's ? Not sure if this short shackle will work with a SOA anyway. Here is a pic of my shackle and the one on the 'bay. Anyone with experience or have ideas?

SET OF 2 -- Provides 1.5 in. to 2.5 in. front or rear drop; The shackles are made of 3/8 in. thick steel with fully welded center supports and feature rounded corners to avoid interference problems; Includes other grade 5 zinc plated hardware

 

[Rock_Hugger]

Run the upper shackle bushing through the frame instead of under it.

 

[PAPAGOOSE]

Spring over with 33s = silly looking. If you are set on 33s I'd go spring under like you already said. just my .02

 

[lcwizard]

4+Plus "Dog Bone" Greaseable Shackles

these are about as short as they come except for stock

 

[1969cruiser]

If it's not your daily driver, let some air out of your tires and she'll fit fine. (That can be kind of a pain doing it twice daily.)

 

[cmiller114]

New wheels, new tires, new 2.5 springs plus all that goes with un-doing a SOA = $$$$.
Has the front axle had a cut and turn? What's the steering set-up? Anti-wrap bar? Are the drive shafts stock?
I'm not being a smarta$$ here......I would seriously consider a taller garage door. Or you may find someone with a 2.5 lift willing to do a side by side trade....lots of work!

 

[cmiller114]

BTW.......Nice rig!

 

[green73]

Take the lid off it. That will net a few inches for clearance. Okay this is only good for a summer time fix, but....

It looks like there is a shackle reversal going on too. If you decide to return it to SUA I am unsure how that will effect things if at all.

Nice rig!

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Or you may find someone with a 2.5 lift willing to do a side by side trade....lots of work!

X2...

 

[rusty_tlc]

It has to be said.
That shackle angle is scary.
I pretty sure you would stand a better than even chance of inverting it on the trail.
Whatever you do that needs to be fixed.

FWIW I resisted the SOA for many years, once it was done I kicked myself for not yielding sooner.

 

[JasonH]

Take it out and wheel the piss out of it and you'll flatten those springs out some. Not enough to run the 33's though. Take one leaf out everywhere and that'll bring it down a bit.

 

[bikersmurf]

Guys, need your help here. I finally got my 1978 FJ. It has a Spring Over (original springs I believe) with Shackles that are 4" center to center ( I understand OEM is 2.75"). This with the 35 x 12.5 tires , this thing is to tall to fit in my 6'11" garage opening (thanks mr. cheap -0 who bulit the home) and I have to get it in! I think it is 7-1 based on my long level and tape measurements.

What I want is the look of a 2.5" lift with 33x10.5 like I have seen on CCOT restos. However, I didn't want to give up the spring over unless I just have to. I have the new 33 tires, original wheels and hubs on order.

I found a short shackle on eBay that says it is 1.5" rather than the factory 2.75 ". Right now I have 4". So doing the math, 4-1.5 = 2.5 and since only one end is pined I assume only half of this so 1.25" lower. With the 33s" I assume I will be about 2" shorter, so that would about 3 " lower and would get me in the garage. Do I have to just start over and go back under axle with a lift kit and the 33's ? Not sure if this short shackle will work with a SOA anyway. Here is a pic of my shackle and the one on the 'bay. Anyone with experience or have ideas?

SET OF 2 -- Provides 1.5 in. to 2.5 in. front or rear drop; The shackles are made of 3/8 in. thick steel with fully welded center supports and feature rounded corners to avoid interference problems; Includes other grade 5 zinc plated hardware

How high is the door framing? Could the tracks be adjusted/changed to get you extra height?

Pulling a couple of shorter leaves could help... As well as shorter shackles.

You could also trade your rear springs for some flatter stock ones.

 

[yzftaco]

Then why did you buy an SOA rig?

From the looks of that picture it's low already! Has low profile front shackle reversal.. about the only thing you can do is take a leaf out here and there.. putting shorter shackles on it will make the angle worse!

As stated before if it's not a DD and you're dead-set on getting it in the garage let the air out of the tires and drive it in.. then re-air so it's not sitting on the wheels..

What I want is the look of a 2.5" lift with 33x10.5 like I have seen on CCOT restos. However, I didn't want to give up the spring over unless I just have to. I have the new 33 tires, original wheels and hubs on order.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I found a short shackle on eBay that says it is 1.5" rather than the factory 2.75 ". Right now I have 4". So doing the math, 4-1.5 = 2.5 and since only one end is pined I assume only half of this so 1.25" lower.

I'm pretty sure that 1.5" means 1.5" over stock, so about the same as what you have. Just do a quick measure of width to height off the screen with your fingers.

Stock shackles will lower it a bit, but will also limit your articulation. Planning to wheel it much?

Different shackles may require different bushings.

Post pics of the front shackle angle.

x2 on good looking rig.

 

[GREGC1]

you could always move your rear shackle mount forward a bit. it will drop the rear and improve that shackle angle.

 

[TLC76]

A couple of harbor freight suck winches? I've actually thought about doing that to mine, I have to swap different wheels onto it when it's time to go in the hangar for repairs.

 

[BTUMAN]

Then why did you buy an SOA rig?

From the looks of that picture it's low already! Has low profile front shackle reversal.. about the only thing you can do is take a leaf out here and there.. putting shorter shackles on it will make the angle worse!

As stated before if it's not a DD and you're dead-set on getting it in the garage let the air out of the tires and drive it in.. then re-air so it's not sitting on the wheels..

Not my DD for sure. Per Seller, the height was supposed to be 6-11. Well, that is the exact height of my garage 3rd bay. The plan was to keep the SOA, but now I'm in a difficult situation. I let the air out to 10 pounds, but it still would not clear (Tires are stiff). Now I'm thinking going back closer to original since I will not be using offrroad and sell the SOA lift kit on there now to someone- perhaps they would want all 5 wheels, etc. Or just part it out. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Mark W]

Ya bought an SOA rig and you only want 2.5 inches over stock? There is your problem.

you can not get a SOA that low.

2.5 will not clear 33x12.5o tires if you really wheel it.


It is an FJ40... why does it need to park inside?

An SOA conversion really is not a "kit" that you can take off and sell.

Mark...

 

[green73]

FWIW SOA is not a Kit, but more of a modification. It requires new spring perches on top of the axle that were not there from the factory. I think it was mentioned earlier to see if someone would to a truck to truck trade axles as a whole, would be easiest IMHO. Then again like I posted earlier I don't know how that low profile shackle reversal will work on a stock, or aftermarket set of springs. It may point the pinion and steering down requiring a cut and turn of the steering knuckle bells.

Good luck to you on whatever you decide. Keep us posted and don't get frustrated with negative responses here. It's all in good fun. Remember this is the BEST source of info, tech, etc in the world for all things Land Cruiser. We ask questions more to be thorough in our answers, responses and advice, than to be jack-asses.

Damnit Mark beat me to the "Kit" reply! I am betting it needs to be inside due to some king of anti American, car hating Home Owners Assn rules.

BTW I fit my 40 in the garage while on 37's with the lid off...just barely. Garage header board is.... you guessed it 6'11" high. It's in there, not due to any HOA crap, but because the SoCal sun and dust sucks. Sorry Mark I lost the hard top and killer roof rack you built for me a long time ago.

 

[BTUMAN]

Ya bought an SOA rig and you only want 2.5 inches over stock? There is your problem.

you can not get a SOA that low.

2.5 will not clear 33x12.5o tires if you really wheel it.


It is an FJ40... why does it need to park inside?

An SOA conversion really is not a "kit" that you can take off and sell.

Mark...

After I realized I had to lower, I thought the 2.5 with 33's woulld be a good option. I would like to keep it, but must go inside. What I get for buying without measuring myself.

Why inside? I live in Oklahoma now and we have hail the size of cats and heat as hot as HE x2 hockey sticks! Would hate to replace all the outer parts and climb in a 130 degree truck.

No worries, i can take the comments. Posted so I would get them. If anyone else needs to vent because it is their time of the month, I can take it. (Just razzing you Mark.)