New FJ80 Owner

[jstouder]

Four years ago I put a lift on my FJ80. I've got about ~30,000 miles on the kit, and my FR shock has gone out. I certainly haven't beat her up that much, with most of the miles being from when she was a DD. She now sits in the garage as I work from home.

Here is the kit:
OME FJ80 Heavy Duty Suspension Kit With Nitrocharger Sport Shocks

Is this expected life for a OME-60020? I'm a little gun-shy about replacing it as I expect it to run a bit longer.

Would you recommend something else in place of it?

 

[BILT4ME]

Four years ago I put a lift on my FJ80. I've got about ~30,000 miles on the kit, and my FR shock has gone out. I certainly haven't beat her up that much, with most of the miles being from when she was a DD. She now sits in the garage as I work from home.

Here is the kit:
OME FJ80 Heavy Duty Suspension Kit With Nitrocharger Sport Shocks

Is this expected life for a OME-60020? I'm a little gun-shy about replacing it as I expect it to run a bit longer.

Would you recommend something else in place of it?

What's it doing to have "gone out?" Is it leaking oil, bouncing terribly, or clunking?

 

[BILT4ME]

OME nitrocharger lifespan?

Apparently you and everyone else......

A quick interwebs search have the same issues for the LR crowd, stating about 5-7 years max with not a lot of abuse.

Honestly, from my years of working on old stuff......the shocks tend to blow out the seals if they sit for a long time, then start getting used again. The dust and dirt sitting on the shaft soaks up the oil and dries it out, then when it actuates, it scrapes past everything with debris on it, then it starts to leak.

The ones that have frequent full-travel keep the entire shaft lubed and clean so they last longer as long as they are not bottoming them out or over-extending them.

 

[jstouder]

What's it doing to have "gone out?" Is it leaking oil, bouncing terribly, or clunking?

Leaking and clunking (terribly so).

 

[BILT4ME]

Before you make your new decision, take a look here and evaluate.

Why you might not want Fox 2.0s

 

[jstouder]

Before you make your new decision, take a look here and evaluate.

Why you might not want Fox 2.0s

Thank you sir, as always. I went with the Fox 2.0's all around. Called up FOX HQ and discussed my location and vehicle demands. Obviously they were biased, but got some good information about the product.

I'll keep you posted after install and first few weeks of use.

 

[jstouder]

Replaced all four OME's with Fox 2.0's and the difference is notable. Unfortunately, after a day in the mountains, it's obvious that some aspects of my issue remain.

Body Mounts are now suspect and will be investigated and potentially replaced. The witch hunt continues in earnest...

 

[BILT4ME]

Replaced all four OME's with Fox 2.0's and the difference is notable. Unfortunately, after a day in the mountains, it's obvious that some aspects of my issue remain.

Body Mounts are now suspect and will be investigated and potentially replaced. The witch hunt continues in earnest...

What issues are you seeing?

One thing that needs to be looked at is to make sure that your new shocks are not so long that they will allow the springs to drop out on a big flex. If so, you will need limiting straps. You'll probably need to confirm with FOX HQ to make sure you're not too long on the shock travel, allowing a spring to pop out for a moment, then back in, creating a popping or clunking sound.

Just spitballin.....

 

[jstouder]

What issues are you seeing?

One thing that needs to be looked at is to make sure that your new shocks are not so long that they will allow the springs to drop out on a big flex. If so, you will need limiting straps. You'll probably need to confirm with FOX HQ to make sure you're not too long on the shock travel, allowing a spring to pop out for a moment, then back in, creating a popping or clunking sound.

Just spitballin.....

I worked with FOX HQ directly to get the shocks given the exact OME springs and bushings etc. I'm fairly certain it's not the shock/spring combo.

Here's what I have on the issue:
- Emanates from the FR, but can be felt throughout the vehicle
- Looseness in the FR suspension, exacerbated during washboard driving and mild articulation
- Metal on metal bang, smack, clang that is felt extensively in passenger footboard
- Randomly happens when not offroading, start/stop, speed bump, etc.
- Post-shock install I did hard turning on pavement, no report or sound
- Never is the issue reported through or felt through steering wheel

I'm nearly certain it's the body mounts and have a email out to Toyota for OEM's. Replacing those is no easy task from what I gather. I also believe I should replace all of them if I'm doing one....

The $$$$ continues to pour.

 

[BILT4ME]

I worked with FOX HQ directly to get the shocks given the exact OME springs and bushings etc. I'm fairly certain it's not the shock/spring combo.

Here's what I have on the issue:
- Emanates from the FR, but can be felt throughout the vehicle
- Looseness in the FR suspension, exacerbated during washboard driving and mild articulation
- Metal on metal bang, smack, clang that is felt extensively in passenger footboard
- Randomly happens when not offroading, start/stop, speed bump, etc.
- Post-shock install I did hard turning on pavement, no report or sound
- Never is the issue reported through or felt through steering wheel

I'm nearly certain it's the body mounts and have a email out to Toyota for OEM's. Replacing those is no easy task from what I gather. I also believe I should replace all of them if I'm doing one....

The $$$$ continues to pour.

Maybe double check the torque on your front suspension bushings, control arms, track bar. I know you replaced all those bushings a while back, but a double check with an actual torque wrench may be worthwhile. A number of folks think "that's tight enough", but in a flex situation, things may move. Best to check with an actual torque wrench.

I would do that before throwing more money at parts.

 

[jstouder]

It's been a minute, and a journey. Too much to share succinctly but I'll try:

1. LS3 430 Swap w/ 6L80 Transmission. Two years, and 100% over budget. Learned so much and now exceptionally pleased.
2. Dissent Offroad rear bumper with tire and jerry can swing outs. Solid unit, got rear-ended, totaled the car behind me, $38 in parts for me.
3. Dual battery system
4. Front suspension and steering upgrade with Delta control arms, replaced tie-rod ends, red-head steering box, etc.
5. Post-swap rebuild of entire fuel delivery system including custom evap and recirc.
6. Post-swap rebuild of air intake with custom air box.
7. Post-swap rebuild of entire power-steering supply using a Lee's PS pump and PSC reservoir
8. Heated seat switch upgrade to Japanese OEM switches.
9. Dyno-tuned to 308hp on the ground by the guys at RMCR in Colorado Springs.

Big thanks to Justin and George at Redline Land Cruisers. They understood the mission, do exceptional work, and all drive 80's.

Next up is a complete overhaul of the braking system. After I recover, of course.