Question about springs, shackles, OME suspension kit

[JAFO2014]

I've been driving my FJ40 three years now and I am finally thinking about the suspension. I am pretty sure the springs are stock, but my shackles are not. Shackles measure 4 1/2" in the front and 5 1/2" in the rear. I think shackle location is factory, meaning the shackles up front are in the front and rear has rear shackles. My front sits a little higher than the rear currently. I like the look. What I don't like is how very stiff and jolting the ride.

So, questions....

1. Are my shackles in the factory location? I have been searching here on shackle reversal and I don't think I have that on my rig.

2. Are people happy with the Old Man EMU springs?

3. What does the ride feel like? Is it softer?

4. If I purchase the complete OME suspension kit, I think it comes with shackles. Will the amount of lift I get keep my FJ40 at the same height I have now with the non-stock shackles currently installed? I will see if I can find some pics to post of the side view.

5. Does someone have pics of an FJ40 with 31's and the OME suspension?

 

[JackA]

A picture of the shackle hanger would be helpful. Can't really tell what is going on in that picture. Also, all those questions have been asked many times before.

 

[JAFO2014]

Well, trying to get the answers all in one place. I did searching and you get threads that are a mish mash of answers. Lots of times a bit vague on the details. Or you get hits of the same thread over and over that was a mish mash.

Here is a couple of pics when I was rebuilding the knuckles and re-gearing the diffs. Maybe these show the shackle enough.
Appreciate anyone that could provide some feedback.
Thanks.

Here are some rear shots...

 

[Yellowknifer]

Here is a side picture of mine with ome and 31s. I'm happy with the ride. It is still bumpy to drive but that is to be expected. Where I notice the big difference is when hitting bumps, the springs are smoother through the motion, my stock springs were very harsh when the suspension cycled.

 

[78fj40mg]

I agree with @Yellowknifer ^^^ Old Man Emu (OME) is the suspension of choice with good quality parts and excellent ride, I used the same system on mine and am very happy with my choice.

Here's a pic of mine, I used shackle reversal on the front, with 31x5.5x15 tires.

 

[B y r o n]

I've been driving my FJ40 three years now and I am finally thinking about the suspension. I am pretty sure the springs are stock, but my shackles are not. Shackles measure 4 1/2" in the front and 5 1/2" in the rear. I think shackle location is factory, meaning the shackles up front are in the front and rear has rear shackles. My front sits a little higher than the rear currently. I like the look. What I don't like is how very stiff and jolting the ride.

So, questions....

1. Are my shackles in the factory location? I have been searching here on shackle reversal and I don't think I have that on my rig.

2. Are people happy with the Old Man EMU springs?

3. What does the ride feel like? Is it softer?

4. If I purchase the complete OME suspension kit, I think it comes with shackles. Will the amount of lift I get keep my FJ40 at the same height I have now with the non-stock shackles currently installed? I will see if I can find some pics to post of the side view.

5. Does someone have pics of an FJ40 with 31's and the OME suspension?

Some observations based on your photos.

1. Yes, your shackles are in the factory locations. Factory shackles measure about 2-3/4" CTC on the pins.

2. Yes I'm happy with mine. I'd been riding around on an old set of Burbank 3" lift springs that had very little give except under extreme conditions.

3. I now have a smoother ride with more compliance. OME are claimed to be a two stage spring so softer without a load yet still support when loaded.

4. This depends on which kit you purchase. In looking at your pictures it looks like you have six leafs front and rear so this is leading me to believe that your springs are not factory. That and the longer shackles gives you more lift than factory to begin with.

5. This picture is with OME CS001F and CS001R springs and Iron Man anti-inversion shackles that are 3" CTC on the pins. Tires are 33-12.5x15 on 10" rims. My FJ40 also has a V8 which weighs less than factory 6 which went into my decision making process.

The rear flares make it hard to compare against yours but hopefully the front will help. I also have Warn 8274 and power steering gear box in front of the axle. I bring this up because weight of your rig, front and rear, are major factors in making spring choice.

Something else to consider: If your spring bushings are dry or the shackles too tight that will restrict movement and make for a harsher ride. Shock compression can also firm up a ride. I decided to go with an adjustable shock to give me a little more control in this area.

 

[TheHardWay]

Agree with Byron on the shackle mounts. The round rivet heads look like factory to me.

 

[JAFO2014]

Thank you everyone that responded. Very helpful. And very nice rigs.
I also emailed with Kurt at Cruiseroutfitters and he filled in the blanks on some other questions. I'm going to get the OME kit from him and feel I should see ride improvement. Currently when I hit even a small ridge in the highway it is very harsh jolt. I sort of like the stance of mine, which has the front a little higher than the back. Kurt says that OME makes their setup either higher in the rear (for carrying gear) or level, not higher in the front. I guess I can live with level or maybe I can mess around with shackles a bit. But main thing is I get a little better ride. I know it is leafs all the way around, but I am hoping to get some of that harsh hit out of going over a bump.

 

[Tysano]

I've been driving my FJ40 three years now and I am finally thinking about the suspension. I am pretty sure the springs are stock, but my shackles are not. Shackles measure 4 1/2" in the front and 5 1/2" in the rear. I think shackle location is factory, meaning the shackles up front are in the front and rear has rear shackles. My front sits a little higher than the rear currently. I like the look. What I don't like is how very stiff and jolting the ride.

So, questions....

1. Are my shackles in the factory location? I have been searching here on shackle reversal and I don't think I have that on my rig.

2. Are people happy with the Old Man EMU springs?

3. What does the ride feel like? Is it softer?

4. If I purchase the complete OME suspension kit, I think it comes with shackles. Will the amount of lift I get keep my FJ40 at the same height I have now with the non-stock shackles currently installed? I will see if I can find some pics to post of the side view.

5. Does someone have pics of an FJ40 with 31's and the OME suspension?

O.M.E. Dakar springs 31inch Goodyears

 

[Xpnsv72fj]

Another thing that will help ride quality is a good body bushing kit. If you haven't changed them they are most likely old and warn out.

I also have the OME kit and I'm very happy with the quality, I can't speak to ride quality yet as I'm in the middle of a frame off.

 

[JAFO2014]

Thanks everyone. I have ordered the master OME kit from Cruiseroutfitters. Kurt says as soon as the shackles come in he'll get the kit out to me. I'm looking forward to replacing all the suspension and seeing the results. Just doing the job will be fun. I like working on my 40.