Build "New" HZJ73 - Maintaining and Improving

[dosequisrex]

Well time has gotten away from me, and I intended on posting this info last summer. I was able to tackle the suspension job although it really almost did me in. I only snapped a few photos since I was really trying my best to get it all done in the 2 days I had.

I got the Terrain Tamer kits from Valley Hybrids (orangefj45). They really went above and beyond with the service and directly called me to describe it all and ensure I had no issues. Highly recommend.

Once I got to work I started to notice the problems.
1. For starters the bolts on the underside of the ubolt plates would not release. So after messing with those, I eventually decided to just cut them.....which at first was very scary as they would "pop" even when supported well.

2. Getting the Actual leaf to come off - initially was difficult because the original rubber had essentially fused to both the shackle and the leaf. This took a combination of a lot of tools over the 2 days for both the front and the back. I would say this was by far the hardest part of the entire endeavour and the comment I got before from sadam_husain will ring true for me for a long time "I always like greaseable shackles and pins they make the bushes last a lot longer with some lube in them".

 

[dosequisrex]

....Continued

3. I decided to also cut some of the shackles I was already replacing since you know......time is money. I also ended up placing the first one on upside down (the shackle), so I had to go back and fix that after I did the other side. The Gas tank clearance was very little on the rear right but otherwise once i had all the old stuff off, this went decently well.

4. I wish I had more pics of the install, especially on the front but I was racing against the clock and couldn't document as in depth as I was hoping. If anyone has any questions on issues or just the install in general I'm more then happy to help answer. I have never done suspension work before and went into this with knowledge I gained from you all here and some youtube Aussies. This was a VERY hard job but honestly only because the old hardware put up such a fight to come out.

Tools I used:

• Standard sockets, wrenches, drivers etc
• Pneumatic Air impact hammer
• Pneumatic Air ratchet
• Air cut-off tool
• Various hammers, sledges, pry bars etc
• Grease gun
• Multiple floor lifts
• Wood blocks to support axles

If I had only a few pearls of wisdom for those looking to tackle this, they would be: Have access to a FULL shop of tools, do not give up, take breaks to look for other ways of doing things, and finally, probably most importantly, budget 2 to 3 times the amount of time you think you will need.

 

[LuckyDragon88]

Nice! Been thinking about the same on my 74, how do you find the difference after driving it for a while?

 

[dosequisrex]

Nice! Been thinking about the same on my 74, how do you find the difference after driving it for a while?

So if I'm honest I had stock leafs but the previous owner installed Emu Shocks.
It was a "rougher ride" in the sense that in the city, if I hit a bump it was pretty bouncy, like it expected a large boulder after the pothole.
With the new sets all around, if it's just me in the car (so no real load on it) its still "bumpy" but not as jarring. Its not going to be a smooth street ride, by modern car standards, but it returns to center quickly and doesn't seems to be quite as bouncy.
I do plan to load it up with some stuff (cooler, gear, etc) and do a test drive and can report back.
I also have plans (WAYYYYY in the future) for an ARB bumper and we'll see how that effects it. Overall I'm happy with them.

Ps. where did you source your bumper lol.

 

[LuckyDragon88]

To get full benefit of the parabolics you need to be quite close in the weight rating when ordering the kit (ie medium or heavy with overload springs) will make a big difference depending how much weight you carry.

I could be wrong, but it looks like the anti inversion shackles aren’t installed correct, the bolt that kits the top of the spring pack should be closer to the frame side like this, allows for more flex.

Bumper came with my truck so I’ve got no advice on where to order it, quick search of the forum might yield some good results.

 

[SNLC]

So from your first few posts, body filler should not be applied to bare metal. That is the first mistake people seem to make. Next is putting it on way to thick.

Body filler will absorb moisture, even just humidity in the air. This is where most people screw up. It doesn’t take long for it to start cracking and falling off if put on to thick or applied incorrectly. When if flakes off with rust under it, ya it was really really done wrong.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

To get full benefit of the parabolics you need to be quite close in the weight rating when ordering the kit (ie medium or heavy with overload springs) will make a big difference depending how much weight you carry.

I could be wrong, but it looks like the anti inversion shackles aren’t installed correct, the bolt that kits the top of the spring pack should be closer to the frame side like this, allows for more flex.

View attachment 4097539

Bumper came with my truck so I’ve got no advice on where to order it, quick search of the forum might yield some good results.

Yes he installed the shackle upside down. He should correct that.

Cheers