New To The Forum! 1983 HJ47 Flat Bed (1 Viewer)

[HJ47UteMate]

In true FNG fashion, I posted this in the wrong category.. Lets try this again..

So, I've been creepin on mud for quite some time, thought it was about time to join & contribute what (little) I can - I'm still quite new to the scene..

Back Story:
On a trip to Hawaii years ago, I saw my first Landcruiser pickup. I knew I had to have one, and found out where most were hiding. I spent a few years working toward the goal, and this last year picked up and moved to Australia. I began bartending and saving every Aussie dollar I earned to get the perfect Ute. After looking through countless gumtree ads and traveling all over Oz, I found the one. Bought it from a landscaper in Adelaide and drove back to Melbourne, where I was living. After cruising a few more cities up the coast, I shipped it home. Now, it lives with me in Sacramento, Ca where I've been driving it around town up until recently. Its now time for a few upgrades..

The Rig:
1983 HJ47 Tray Back/Flat Bed/Ute/Pickup
4.0 Diesel
5 Speed
Power Steering
Front Disc Brakes
After Market AC

Right now, I've got it up on jack stands, ready to be ripped apart for a lift. I know my options (from creepin this forum) are: SOA, OME 2.5", Small Shackle Lift, or Custom Springs.. I'd like it to be around 4" with 33s.. I'm not a huge wheeler,yet, but will maybe hit trails once in a while..

One of my biggest concerns is what I'm currently running. Are my springs stock? Do these usually have the 2 stage springs in the rear like mine?

These pics are: When I picked it up in Oregon, how I drive it every day, and test fitting the 33s from my Tacoma (they clear with no rubbing at all)

Thanks for the welcomes, I look forward to hangin with yall on iH8MUD

 

[HJ47UteMate]

After some reading on mud, I decided to call cuiser outfitters about an ome spring lift. I sent these pics, and Bryce (?) advised me that my rig appears lifted with these springs.. What do yall think?? Thanks for the input

 

[JackA]

Looks like a low rider to me.

 

[HJ47UteMate]

Looks like a low rider to me.

So I'll take it you dont think its lifted.. I was thinking that the leafs dont look stock & it clears 33s..

 

[JackA]

The rear springs don't look stock. The fronts looks stock. I have 33's on non lifted trucks so that's not anything to go by.

 

[jfz80]

I have a sudden urge to go serve beer in 'stralia.


Nice looking ride that looks to be in great shape. Welcome, enjoy the madness.

Agreee with Jack those rears look aftermarket but doesn't really look that lifted. Whats the true size of that tacoma wheel/tire combo? 285? 255? it looks great on there.

 

[HJ47UteMate]

The rear springs don't look stock. The fronts looks stock. I have 33's on non lifted trucks so that's not anything to go by.

Good to know. Thanks for the input. I dropped my springs off today @ sacramento springs to have some custom ones built. I'm thinking of going 4" lift all the way around. But, since the front are the same as standard 40 series, shouldn't I be able to order the fronts and only have to custom make rears??

 

[whitey45]

Yes fronts are the same, have had numerous Aussie rigs with rear overloads, they are factory, looks stock height in the pics, nice ute mate!

 

[Living in the Past]

I picked up a set of rear HJ47 springs. Plan was to use them on my 65 FJ45LP-B. Think I'm run into a issue with the fixed perch on the frame not being wide enough. Compared to my old 45 springs these are really heavy duty.

 

[sneaky]

These are still used by landscapers and other tradies daily especially if the tray is alloy , so I'd think the springs were for load capacity and any lift is incidental.

 

[HJ47UteMate]

Thanks for all your input & sorry I've been absent lately. I've been cranking away on the rig! Here are some updates & pics..

 

[HJ47UteMate]

Seats reupholstered w/ spectre covers & TruFit mat installed. I bought this mat myself when I was in Australia. If anyone needs to know about trufit mats/ carpets, I can give you what I know..

 

[HJ47UteMate]

So, I've still got my rear springs being built (4" higher) and I order skyjacker front springs. But now I've ran into some problems.. my new skyjacker springs are not as wide as my stock ones.. my stock bushings are thinner than the skyjacker ones they suggest I use, so I thought that was the problem. After ordering & installing the new bushings, the extra space is still there.. I thought maybe I had the year wrong, but after double checking, it all checks out. I'm stuck.

 

[HJ47UteMate]

I picked up a set of rear HJ47 springs. Plan was to use them on my 65 FJ45LP-B. Think I'm run into a issue with the fixed perch on the frame not being wide enough. Compared to my old 45 springs these are really heavy duty.

I went & measured my rear perches for ya. Hope these help out

 

[HJ47UteMate]

Yes fronts are the same, have had numerous Aussie rigs with rear overloads, they are factory, looks stock height in the pics, nice ute mate!

Thanks brother. Maybe you have some insight as to why my new skyjacker springs are more narrow..?

 

[wdukes]

I am not one to know every detail, but it looks like your spring perch ID is 3". It also looks like your leaf coil is 2 1/2" OD. I would think that would leave you about 1/4" for each of your bushing flanges. Do you have those to measure?

 

[Living in the Past]

View attachment 1587320
I went & measured my rear perches for ya. Hope these help out

Thank you, believe I might know where I can get some spring perches from a late model.

I am not one to know every detail, but it looks like your spring perch ID is 3". It also looks like your leaf coil is 2 1/2" OD. I would think that would leave you about 1/4" for each of your bushing flanges. Do you have those to measure?

The spring perch on the late model has a large opening on the outside that the bushing is inside the perch giving it more room.