School me on coils springs - tilting FJ80

[pleasedontbreak]

Y'all, take me to school.

I've tried to do some research (read the FAQ) on coil springs, different lengths, weights and what not. I cannot seem to get my head around it.

I'm trying to at least get my FJ80 level and fix the tilt it has. It's a 91 and not stock height, but not sure what height. Seems about 2 inches. Color code on the crappy spring (Driver side front, I think is saggy) is just White. I've counted 7.5 wraps in the past.

The cruiser has 31s on it and I don't think I'll go larger, but may 33s one day. PO had put new shocks all around, but couldn't explain or didn't want to acknowledge the tilt when I asked after purchase....didn't notice it before for some reason.

Any help and knowledge is greatly appreciated! Like I said, I just want this thing level, it's driving me crazy.

 

[MoJ]

You could remove the coils and verify the taller coils are on the driver/left side.

If the coils are oriented correctly, and you don’t want to replace them, adding coil spacers to the low side is an inexpensive way to level it.

How much is it leaning? 80’s like to lean to the left, even with original suspension.

 

[BigAxeJack]

If it's leaning to the driver's side, it is likely that the lift springs were installed on the wrong sides. The taller springs always go on the driver's side, supposedly to accommodate the gas tank or some such. The way to confirm is to remove both of the front or rear springs and compare them left to right. I'd recommend the fronts as they're easier to access. You can rent a spring compressor or disconnect the shocks and drop the axle down to loose the springs, being mindful of the brake lines and ABS wires.

Or you can just roll with the gansta lean.

 

[Heckraiser]

"Cruiser Lean" is common to aftermarket springs. As mentioned, they may be installed on the wrong side.

Easiest fix is to just stick one of these on the low side:

 

[pleasedontbreak]

You could remove the coils and verify the taller coils are on the driver/left side.

If the coils are oriented correctly, and you don’t want to replace them, adding coil spacers to the low side is an inexpensive way to level it.

How much is it leaning? 80’s like to lean to the left, even with original suspension.

It's leaning about an 1 1/2" on the driverside. The front coils both have the same wrap count.....just a bad spring on one side?

 

[pleasedontbreak]

That gangsta lean! Well, my wife don't like it haha.

ohhhh, that's pretty interesting. The fronts are both the same wrap count, but that wouldn't help determine their weight rate I suppose.

A question I have is, if I just want new springs, what to do since I'm not sure what height the cruiser is at. I think 7 1/2 wraps, from what I read, means stock height, but this thing def looks taller than stock and from what everyone with a cruiser has told me.

 

[pleasedontbreak]

"Cruiser Lean" is common to aftermarket springs. As mentioned, they may be installed on the wrong side.

Easiest fix is to just stick one of these on the low side:

whoa those are cool. If the spring is rusty and.....kind of scary looking, better to just replace it?

 

[MoJ]

That gangsta lean! Well, my wife don't like it haha.

ohhhh, that's pretty interesting. The fronts are both the same wrap count, but that wouldn't help determine their weight rate I suppose.

A question I have is, if I just want new springs, what to do since I'm not sure what height the cruiser is at. I think 7 1/2 wraps, from what I read, means stock height, but this thing def looks taller than stock and from what everyone with a cruiser has told me.

Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender flare and report back. That will let us estimate how much lift you have versus stock.


Also, measure as above to determine how much lean you have.

 

[greentruck]

Do the coils look like they've been on there a decade or longer? They do get old. Sometimes they lean because they will age differently in the same set, although damage is possible. If it was me, I;d start with a fresh set of known good ones, whatever flavor you like, and go from there. That way if there's an issue, you've got a dealer to help you get it figured out

 

[lumbee1]

I've got a 30mm spacer on the driver's side rear spring. Still leans to the driver's side

 

[pleasedontbreak]

Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender flare and report back. That will let us estimate how much lift you have versus stock.


Also, measure as above to determine how much lean you have.

yes, will do! Thanks.

 

[pleasedontbreak]

Do the coils look like they've been on there a decade or longer? They do get old. Sometimes they lean because they will age differently in the same set, although damage is possible. If it was me, I;d start with a fresh set of known good ones, whatever flavor you like, and go from there. That way if there's an issue, you've got a dealer to help you get it figured out

I like that plan. Going to do what Moj has suggested and will report back.

Also, the driver side does look like it's been on their a decade or so. Rears look good and passenger side is alright.

 

[pleasedontbreak]

Measure from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender flare and report back. That will let us estimate how much lift you have versus stock.


Also, measure as above to determine how much lean you have.

Report:

Driver front: 18 1/2"
Driver rear: 20 1/2"

Passenger front: 20 1/2"
Passenger rear: 21"

So driver front leans about 2" That's the worst looking coil.

Both fronts look like 7 1/2 wraps, haven't counted rears yet.

History on this lift from PO is a mystery too, he had no clue.

 

[satchel]

If memory serves me, I believe 20" measured from center hub to bottom of flare is stock height.

 

[Corbet]

I don’t know of any aftermarket springs with color code stripes? But all the factory ones did. A single white strip sounds right for a 91 from memory. Different years had different numbers of wraps. Sounds like the OEM Springs.

Buy a set of new original height or 2” lift springs and replace. Old Man Emu springs are the standard place to start. Plenty of other choices out there too.

 

[greentruck]

I like that plan. Going to do what Moj has suggested and will report back.

Also, the driver side does look like it's been on their a decade or so. Rears look good and passenger side is alright.

That makes me suspect that DS coil might be replacing one from the rest of the set that broke? Could be mismatched.

Also possible that they all the same group, just that the one coil has bad paint and so looks like it's old then the rest.

Sounds like you're on track to getting it sorted out

 

[pleasedontbreak]

If memory serves me, I believe 20" measured from center hub to bottom of flare is stock height.

well dang! Maybe the 31s just make it look taller? I've parked it next to other stock cruiser and it just looks high....eh dunno then and thanks!

 

[pleasedontbreak]

I don’t know of any aftermarket springs with color code stripes? But all the factory ones did. A single white strip sounds right for a 91 from memory. Different years had different numbers of wraps. Sounds like the OEM Springs.

Buy a set of new original height or 2” lift springs and replace. Old Man Emu springs are the standard place to start. Plenty of other choices out there too.

I think this is what I'm going to do. Any weight recommendations with replacements? It does have some funny aftermarket from bumper that I actually like, but it's minimal and probably not too heavy.

Based on the measurements, would the original height be better than a 2" lift, right?

 

[pleasedontbreak]

I don’t know of any aftermarket springs with color code stripes? But all the factory ones did. A single white strip sounds right for a 91 from memory. Different years had different numbers of wraps. Sounds like the OEM Springs.

Buy a set of new original height or 2” lift springs and replace. Old Man Emu springs are the standard place to start. Plenty of other choices out there too.

I think this is what I'm going to do. Any weight recommendations with replacements? It does have some funny aftermarket from bumper that I actually like, but it's minimal and probably not too heavy.

Based on the measurements, would the original height be better than a 2" lift, right?

 

[pleasedontbreak]

That makes me suspect that DS coil might be replacing one from the rest of the set that broke? Could be mismatched.

Also possible that they all the same group, just that the one coil has bad paint and so looks like it's old then the rest.

Sounds like you're on track to getting it sorted out

I think so! Finally haha. I would agree though. It either worn weird or was mismatched. Knowing the small history on this cruiser...I think the later. Sounds like some OME original height or 2" lift would be good. just need to pick a weight. I suppose medium would be good?