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Also the “bread trick” for removing the pilot bearing is way better than grease. Five minutes and nearly zero clean up
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For sure springs play a role, if it is over sprung you just won't get any compression out of the springs and you'll drive OVER everything instead of the spring compressing and the shock controlling compression & rebound. I think shackle angle can certainly help as well just based on the physics of how far the body would move for a given extension of the spring with say a 90 degree starting angle versus a 45 degree starting angle. Shocks are USUALLY a bigger factor to ride quality than springs though. Once I get to the point where I want to spend money on making my 40 more comfortable, I'll be looking into the 2.0 Fox adjustable valving shocks and probably calling Alcan spring to build a set of custom spring packs for front & rear.One thing I'd also like to address in the near future is the ride quality. I currently have OME springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks. My research here on Mud has taught me that the OME springs are short and create very near vertical shackle angles which cause a very rough ride. Hell 4 Stout and Skyjacker are two brands of springs that are highly recommended and both are longer which address the shackle angle. Does anyone here have experience with either of these brands of springs on your fj40?
I have installed all three of these springs.One thing I'd also like to address in the near future is the ride quality. I currently have OME springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks. My research here on Mud has taught me that the OME springs are short and create very near vertical shackle angles which cause a very rough ride. Hell 4 Stout and Skyjacker are two brands of springs that are highly recommended and both are longer which address the shackle angle. Does anyone here have experience with either of these brands of springs on your fj40?
Great to hear!! I'm going to get this all back together, drive it for a couple of weeks and then consider ordering some new springs. Can you take a measurement for me please? (assuming you are running the 4" Skyjacker springs now) Front - center of hub to lip of fender. Rear - center of hub to bottom lip of your hard top. I'm curious if they would give me any additional lift. I'm pretty pleased with it's stance now....I have installed all three of these springs.
Call me crazy, but to me, the SkyJackers win...
Keep in mind I’m talking on-road...
That's really awesome to hear. Thanks! I'm so happy you enjoyed the stories and write ups. This community of Cruiser owners is wonderful! As I'm waiting for parts, I'm reading other people's builds and getting great ideas and information.@77CruiserDog I've spent the last few days reading through your build thread. It's been fun, inspiring, and helpful. I have a '77 FJ40 (Not in quite as good of shape as yours but still pretty nice.) and you have really inspired me to get it into better condition for travel. It's very dependable but not comfortable. We live way over in eastern Oregon and my wife and I usually take a trip to Bend every May. I now have a goal to make my Cruiser comfortable enough she'll agree to take it next year. If you can take yours from Seattle I should be able to take mine from Ontario.
Oh and your story about you and your dad going to get it, that sounds very much like my dad and I. We've gone on numerous vehicle acquisition trips together.
Mines more of a day tripper and never sees the rain if I can avoid it, so I took the top off.I also worked on comfort. I've found that increasing warmth, reducing drafts and squeaks/rattles and keeping the smell of exhaust out have been huge in the "adding comfort" department.
@77CruiserDog I can tell, like me, you enjoy tacos.Next time you're in Bend try the Asevedo Tacos at Sintra on Bond St. They are some of my favorite anywhere.