Well it took 3 months in the making but we have finally figured out a long travel rear for the FJ Cruiser. We converted the modified 4 link to a traditional 3 link. We have eliminated the rear upper links, replaced it with a single antiwrap bar and moved the lower links in front of the axle and lengthened them for additional travel. This took quite a bit of time on a suspension calculator to find the perfect balance of what will fit underneath the FJ Cruiser and suspension geometry. I have gotten the antisquat (how much the vehicle will squat under acceleration) to neutral which puts all the power to the wheels immediately (eliminates wheel hop on the trail).
My next challenge was to mount a larger shock to allow for the additional travel that the new link suspension would produce. I developed a shock hoop that is mounted in the inner fender well that allows a 14" travel shock to be mounted. Currently the rear suspension is being limited by the rear spring that is behind held in by limit straps. We are working with a vendor to see about the possibility of a spring that will open up more on down travel to maximize the full 14" of shock travel.
We recently tested the suspension last weekend up in our stomping grounds Tillamook State Forest and it performed flawlessly. From driving on the freeway to off camber situations, being flexed out and absorbing impacts. All the time spent on the calculator/computer has paid off in the real world testing on and off the road. The antisquat, body roll and over all handling characteristics has been dramatically increased over stock.
We are currently working on a link kit that will be compatible with existing suspension systems. This link kit will have the ability to work with longer shocks (Metal Tech shock hoops and mounts) and springs for greater travel. We hope to have this kit available by the end of February with a tentative price of $700 (link kit only including custom mounts and suspension joints). This system will require a custom exhaust as seen in the photos.
My next challenge was to mount a larger shock to allow for the additional travel that the new link suspension would produce. I developed a shock hoop that is mounted in the inner fender well that allows a 14" travel shock to be mounted. Currently the rear suspension is being limited by the rear spring that is behind held in by limit straps. We are working with a vendor to see about the possibility of a spring that will open up more on down travel to maximize the full 14" of shock travel.
We recently tested the suspension last weekend up in our stomping grounds Tillamook State Forest and it performed flawlessly. From driving on the freeway to off camber situations, being flexed out and absorbing impacts. All the time spent on the calculator/computer has paid off in the real world testing on and off the road. The antisquat, body roll and over all handling characteristics has been dramatically increased over stock.
We are currently working on a link kit that will be compatible with existing suspension systems. This link kit will have the ability to work with longer shocks (Metal Tech shock hoops and mounts) and springs for greater travel. We hope to have this kit available by the end of February with a tentative price of $700 (link kit only including custom mounts and suspension joints). This system will require a custom exhaust as seen in the photos.
