New lift doesn't sit level

[FloTaco]

My new FJ40 has recently had a 2" Ironman installed and still sits at least 2" ass low. I'm very new to this truck so any input would help a ton. Here is the front suspension.

 

[FloTaco]

And here is the rear

 

[FloTaco]

On pretty level ground

 

[Tokamak]

Don't have much experience at this but. . . a couple of things you may have already thought of. Does it have the stock engine or a light weight V8? Front springs on the back and back springs on the front?

 

[AdamKFarmer]

looks like two different type of shackles on it. Are they the same size?

 

[FloTaco]

It does have a GM crate V8. The springs don't appear to be marked, is there an easy way to tell front or back? And the rear shackles are longer.

 

[SW20]

The stock 2F Inline 6 is a heavy, heavy engine. The V-8 you have might be lighter. It can be a combination of things. Engine weight could be 1 of the issues.

 

[Poser]

Hard top weight will make a difference as well.


Define "recent" please.

Are those used suspension components?


They do not look "recently new" to me....

 

[notaclue]

comments above x's 2. No personal experience with lifts.
However I would also check to make sure the shocks are not reversed-ie not running rears on the front and vice-versa (and NO, don't ask me how I know).

 

[B y r o n]

If I remember correctly a V8 will be about 200 lbs. lighter than the in line 6 it replaced.

 

[franklin40]

your front shackle looks too vertical or maybe even tilted back from vertical. it should sit angled forward 45-60 degrees. seems like the front spring is too short which makes me think they are in the wrong spots. check here on mud for spring measurements. the front and back have different measurements. I don't have the numbers on hand right now

 

[Pete]

I had a similar problem once when I installed stock springs and mixed up fronts and backs. I didn't know there was a difference at the time. I contacted the vendor and they gave me the part numbers so I reversed them and that cured the rear end sag. You might try contacting the vendor you got the springs from and ask which is which. Of course you could just swap them but if that isn't the problem you might even make the situation worse.

 

[JAFO2014]

Mine sat just like yours, maybe not quite as exaggerated lower in rear as yours, but was lower in rear. Thing is, mine had the exact same shackles front and rear (same length), so mine had to be due to the springs. I figured that the rear springs were worn out, sagging. But maybe my PO had the springs switched around. Anyway, I installed the Old Man Emu springs front and rear this past weekend and now my 40 is basically level.

Yours having what looks like a longer shackle up front, and possibly as others said the springs in wrong locations, it is really low in the rear. It must be the springs flipped or the rear leafs of a different rating or something.

I have the light/medium springs on rear. Heavy springs up front. I did not want mine high in the rear and I am planning to remove the top, so I think it will be level with the top off. Right now mine is I think level or a tiny bit low in rear, which I like (personal preference of course).

This was when I took delivery and how it set...

And this is with OME suspension.This picture is a little deceiving because I am parked on just a slight incline. The 40 is basically sitting level now.

 

[Tokamak]

Found this in the FAQ. Neither thread addresses your question directly but there are some clues. I think.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/leaf-springs-front-vs-rear.753247/#post-9090413

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/soa-question.84150

It may help. Talks about the difference in Arc of the front and back springs.

 

[YukonCruisers]

I had to boost my pi to pin measurement on the rear shackle to I think 5" to fix front to back rake on mine. Also, if the springs are relatively new, the front will settle down as you drive it because of the engine weight...

 

[FloTaco]

First of all thanks for the great info! To answer everyone's questions:

1. The PO claimed the suspension was new, so who knows. I'll assume it's got some miles on it.

2. Measure the shackles, rear shackles are 3" center bolt to center bolt. Fronts are 2 5/8" center to center.

3. Rear springs measure about 43" bolt to bolt, I did not measure through the camber. Center pin to rear hanger is 25". Front spring measures about 45" bolt to bolt and center pin to front hanger is 25". Front and rear leaf packs all have 7 leafs.

4. At this point I'm thinking longer rear shackles. can I use shorter shakles in the front??

 

[bikersmurf]

I'd not go shorter in the front.

350 is significantly lighter (250 or more lbs)

Longer shackles in rear may help... But after years and many attempts to resolve... I added Airbags in back. Adjustable lift and better ride.

 

[FloTaco]

just ordered new rear shackles from SOR, should boost it 1.5" and removing the top should help. If that doesn't work....heaviest winch I can find!

 

[MOTOV8R]

You can get a set of used stock or lift springs and a leaf or two. Or pull a leaf from the front. I have tweaked several springs to get the right ride and or lift.

 

[cult45]

Longer shackles are a temporary fix. But if you were to do it the rear is the place, not the front or it'll be a PITA to setup the front end even with a proper wheel alignment. As a few have said, the springs don't look new. If they were new you'd know because it'd be rough as s*** for the first few hundred [thousand?] miles.

If you can afford new ones, now's the time. But tell them every factor, ie. that SBC.