I have a 1978 FJ40, I am looking to make this a comfortable driver but still be capable offroad. What kind of suspension upgrade should I be looking towards. It currently has a factory leaf spring and the prior owner put a set of 2" stainless steel shackles that he fabricated on it. Any advice or tips on fixing my rig up are appreciated.
Opinions on suspensions
- Thread starter ctm7840
- Start date
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What sort of driving do you want to do?
In general, 31x10.50s (no lift) or 33x10.50s (2.5" lift), alignment shims on the front, and All Terain tires.
Got Pics?
In general, 31x10.50s (no lift) or 33x10.50s (2.5" lift), alignment shims on the front, and All Terain tires.
Got Pics?
1911
chupacabra
First of all, welcome to Mud!
What constitutes a "comfortable driver" in 30-year-old, leaf-sprung, uninsulated, short wheel base truck is somewhat subjective.
It will never be in the same league as a modern independent-suspension coil-sprung truck. In general, about the best you can do with these old trucks is to match as closely as possible the most typically-loaded weight of the truck with the appropriate spring rate, and to use quality shocks, and to not over-inflate your tires. And to have your steering and brakes maintained in top working order. The good news is, you have many aftermarket options for springs and shocks, including custom spring makers who can fine-tune them for your weight. How much money do you want to spend to get a better ride?
What constitutes a "comfortable driver" in 30-year-old, leaf-sprung, uninsulated, short wheel base truck is somewhat subjective.
It will never be in the same league as a modern independent-suspension coil-sprung truck. In general, about the best you can do with these old trucks is to match as closely as possible the most typically-loaded weight of the truck with the appropriate spring rate, and to use quality shocks, and to not over-inflate your tires. And to have your steering and brakes maintained in top working order. The good news is, you have many aftermarket options for springs and shocks, including custom spring makers who can fine-tune them for your weight. How much money do you want to spend to get a better ride?
new bushings typically work wonders
inkpot
SILVER Star
HOwdy! I prefer factory OEM rubber bushings to aftermarket poly ones. They rubber doesn't quite last as long as poly, but it is noticably smoother riding. John
- Thread starter
- #6
No pics right now, it is pretty sorry looking to be honest, has the usual rust and what not to it. I want something i can drive a few hours back home in if i have to. ( had to move for work). I hate to let it just sit in my barn and rot away. I was thinking of keeping the two inch or about lift to it, but want something that doesn't ride like a wagon. I saw HFS suspensions on a website, then OME on some others and really don't know which is superior if either.
