Old Man Emu Question

[Angelo]

Hi.
My truck is a 66 FJ45 and was upgraded with an Old Man Emu Suspension before I got it. It would appear that the front leaf spring mounts were moved forward and the front rear spring mounts have been altered as well, to fit this leaf spring.
My problem is that the rear shackle mounts are too wide, every time I make any turn I hear a loud clunk and the front end shifts a bit. I would like to replace the shackle mounts but I do not know if they are OME or Toyota?
I also need to figure out what OME replacement leaf bushings kit to get?

Any helpful input is appreciated.

 

[MyCruiserisaHogBeast]

You have a shackle reversal installed, a PO installed a similar setup on my truck. You'd have to figure out what exactly was used, but chances are it's OME bushings (pretty sure there is only going to be one size for your truck) on the springs and factory shackle bushings at the frame. I would guess that the bushings are bad and that's where you're getting play. Call OME, they're helpful guys get the part numbers from them and order online, then grab new factory shackle bushings and see what happens putting it back together, I'll bet it'll do the trick.

 

[Angelo]

You have a shackle reversal installed.

I have been on line with Duffy from ARB most of the day. Yes, real helpful guy to work with. I got some things narrowed down. Still looking for the bracket that attaches the frame to the shackle. figuring its Toyota and thus has a toyota bushing. You seem to know my plan.
Thank you.

 

[MyCruiserisaHogBeast]

No worries I've been dialing my suspension in for a couple of years now

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,

Angelo, you need to determine the inner diameter of the spring eyes, and the outer diameter of the spring pins, in order to get the correct sized bushings.

It is hard to tell from the photos, but I think the shackle mounts are not stock but home made. Honestly, for a shackle reversal it works better if the upper shackle pin goes through the frame vs. a separate mount attached to the frame. You might consider changing this when installing new bushings.

Good luck,

Alan

 

[Angelo]

Hi all,

Angelo, you need to determine the inner diameter of the spring eyes, and the outer diameter of the spring pins, in order to get the correct sized bushings.

It is hard to tell from the photos, but I think the shackle mounts are not stock but home made. Honestly, for a shackle reversal it works better if the upper shackle pin goes through the frame vs. a separate mount attached to the frame. You might consider changing this when installing new bushings.

Thanks Alan,
I have seen some of those and priced a kit. The kit I would be 1/2 wasted since I would only be using the shackle mounts. Normally I wouldn't mind but the kit I found was pricey. That and the fact that going through the frame would require a welder that I do not possess. I haven't ruled out the possibility of going that way although I am concerned that it would limit the shackles range of motion.
I am hoping I can just find an OEM mount, the correct OME bushings and be done with it in my garage one afternoon.

 

[3_puppies]

It sure looks like the old LCAH kit, land cruiser advanced handling kit, made in OR by I can't remember his name.
They used stock bushings, the ID bore was the same as stock 64-80 FJ40.
looks like the spring eye on the shackle end is wider, there should be shoulders on the bushings in the frame mount end. maybe just replace the bushings

 

[Angelo]

maybe just replace the bushings

The OEM bushes came yesterday but I'm thinking I might need to add a fender washer type spacer to fill the 3/8 gap, beyond the bushing nub.
No ones got the OEM shackle hanger but I'm still looking.
Thanks.

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

That is not an OEM shackle hanger. That hanger came with the shackle reverse kit. If you were to put an OEM hanger on there, you may have enough changes in geometry to change your pinion angle and increase your caster in a bad way. Also, SOR has a wide variety of poly bushings listed with dimensions. I used them when I fitted up 60 series springs to my 40.

 

[Angelo]

That is not an OEM shackle hanger. That hanger came with the shackle reverse kit. If you were to put an OEM hanger on there, you may have enough changes in geometry to change your pinion angle and increase your caster in a bad way. Also, SOR has a wide variety of poly bushings listed with dimensions. I used them when I fitted up 60 series springs to my 40.

Thanks for weighing in. Whatever hanger mount it is, it was cut down one side with a torch, So I'm figuring its custom. I sent out for OEM bushes because I want to have them on hand when I take it apart. Not planning to do this twice if I can help it. Since I can not measure the rubber on either side of the shackle I am going to have to get the OME bushes as well. Luckily, they only have two sizes, 15mm and 18mm. So that's my next task. As far as the different mount changing any geometry, that is my reservation with using an in-frame mount as apposed to replacing the eyelid one I have now. I'd like to go with an OEM eyelid. I don't see any problem as long as I make sure it's mounted in the same place.

 

[MyCruiserisaHogBeast]

I have the same kit on my Cruiser. a lot of people say you have to sleeve the frame, but I don't have any issues with mine other than it acting like a plow in the dirt when I drive up to something steep, as long as you have enough driveshaft I say roll with it, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Plus if you were to just sleeve the frame you would have to do something to bring the front hangers up or else you caster would become wacky and there's a chance your truck could start to feel twitchy. The hangers on that old shackle reversal hang waaay down there.

 

[Angelo]

I'm beginning to wonder if I have been going about this the wrong way.
After measuring I found that the spring and the shackle mount are both the same width, so why are the bushings all warn away after only 2 years of sporadic use?

Well, I have checked to see what else could be causing the problem and came up empty. the only thing I did find is that instead of replacing all the bushings 2 years ago, the receipt states they only replicated 4 items and not 6.

all the OME kits I have seen thus far were marked as consisting of 4 items (2 sets of bushings). Morris 4x4 has the same kit listed with 3 sets of bushes (6 items), 2 sets for the OME spring and 1 for the OEM shackle mount. SO I ordered 2 kits and am crossing my fingers.
Thanks for all the help thus far.

 

[Angelo]

It sure looks like the old LCAH kit, land cruiser advanced handling kit, made in OR by I can't remember his name.
They used stock bushings, the ID bore was the same as stock 64-80 FJ40.
looks like the spring eye on the shackle end is wider, there should be shoulders on the bushings in the frame mount end. maybe just replace the bushings

I have searched LCAH kit. the forward spring mount looks very similar but the Shackle mount is shaped like the one offered by LC_Hamma in his FJ40 Shackle Reversal Brackets post.
Question; How long do your bushings usually last?