Softer Ride FZJ80 Daily Driver
- Thread starter Doso
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- daily driver fj80 suspenion
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- Thread starter
- #62
Thank you auttiman,
My tires are only 2 years old.
I was surfing the local sites yesterday and found out that there is a strong market for second hand tires.
My dunlop tires could get me half the price of the new tires.
I am really considering changing them now rather than in 2 years time.
My tires are only 2 years old.
I was surfing the local sites yesterday and found out that there is a strong market for second hand tires.
My dunlop tires could get me half the price of the new tires.
I am really considering changing them now rather than in 2 years time.
Have you considered going to LX450 oem shocks and springs?
- Thread starter
- #64
Thank you White Stripe,
I did consider it but I found out that the shock are the same but the valving is different so I got Rancho RS9000XL Adjustable Shocks so
it would be tuneable.
As for the coils for the FZJ80 come with 2 part numbers one for winch and no winch. and the LX450 came standard without a winch, my
truck has a winch so the spring load would be different, and I do not know what effect this will have on the suspension.
I did consider it but I found out that the shock are the same but the valving is different so I got Rancho RS9000XL Adjustable Shocks so
it would be tuneable.
As for the coils for the FZJ80 come with 2 part numbers one for winch and no winch. and the LX450 came standard without a winch, my
truck has a winch so the spring load would be different, and I do not know what effect this will have on the suspension.
In the USA their was no option for a oem winch. So their is no springs for a winch available here. However I get totally different part numbers for LX450 springs and LX450 shocks compared to Land cruiser springs and shocks. The springs are discontinued but you should be able to find some used. For the front land cruiser shocks I get part
48511-69435, not sure what happened to the font, sorry. For LX450 shocks I get pn 48511-69445.
.
bwesty
SILVER Star
Are your current tires E rated? If so, that's contributing to your ride discomfort. Try to find a C or D rated tire. It makes a big difference.
- Thread starter
- #67
Thank you bwesty,
My current tires are C rated (6 ply 51 PSI).
But I checked the ratings on my tire and a tire that I am considering from the manufacturer sites.
I checked third party sites and the ratings are consistent.
My current tires are C rated (6 ply 51 PSI).
But I checked the ratings on my tire and a tire that I am considering from the manufacturer sites.
I checked third party sites and the ratings are consistent.
- Thread starter
- #68
Thank you White Stripe,
I asked an engineer, and he said that the reason for the different part number is that the springs for a truck with a winch are stiffer to prevent the nose diving down when winching.
- Thread starter
- #69
I have an update for you guys, 
I got a friend with an inspection pit so I took the truck there and I was looking at the bushings when something caught my eye.
The space between the bump stop and the axle was about 1" and there was no dust or dirt under the bump stop. It was making contact ! , I applied a thin layer of grease on the axle and took the truck out on a drive and I drove gingerly on small speed bumps, And to my surprise the truck was hitting the bump stops on speed bumps all the time and at any speed !
I asked an engineer to take a look and we decided to check for clearances, we found out that I should have an upward travel of 2.5" before any of the tires , shocks , axles , etc bottomed out .
Since the bump stops had some cracking on the bottom face and we might change them anyway,we decided to try and cut them back so I had only a 2" clearance to be on the safe side.
AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
The ride is so much better and it is not jarring anymore.
I got a friend with an inspection pit so I took the truck there and I was looking at the bushings when something caught my eye.
The space between the bump stop and the axle was about 1" and there was no dust or dirt under the bump stop. It was making contact ! , I applied a thin layer of grease on the axle and took the truck out on a drive and I drove gingerly on small speed bumps, And to my surprise the truck was hitting the bump stops on speed bumps all the time and at any speed !
I asked an engineer to take a look and we decided to check for clearances, we found out that I should have an upward travel of 2.5" before any of the tires , shocks , axles , etc bottomed out .
Since the bump stops had some cracking on the bottom face and we might change them anyway,we decided to try and cut them back so I had only a 2" clearance to be on the safe side.
AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
The ride is so much better and it is not jarring anymore.
If you found only a 1" gap before cutting the bump stops down, then likely the springs are shot. I replaced mine with OME j-springs (which have a stiffer spring rate) because I needed the lift for my upcoming engine swap. But after replacing the worn-out stock springs with OME j springs, and Fox 2.0 IFP shocks, the truck sits taller and rides about the same. I also replaced the front bushings with OEM fatory rubber bushings and that helped a little. I'm pleased with the ride, it feels more planted but it's still pretty soft when loaded, not jarring like other vehicles I own (that also have stiffer than stock springs).
I have the Fox 2.0 IFP shocks and they are pretty soft (when compared to OME shocks). I believe the Fox 2.0 IFP shocks are tunable. I recommend you call Fox and see if they can build ones for your situation.
I also recommend replacing the seats, it helps a lot. Both Landcruisers I've owned gave me back aches after a few hours, replacing the seats stopped it. My 60 series had seats from a Ford Explorer, my 80 has seats from a 3rd generation Mistubishi Eclipse I picked up cheap from the local junkyard. I really like them a lot, but they do sit noticeably higher than the stock seats.
As others have said, weight in the back also improves the ride, and they are right that tires can also make a difference.
From what you say about the bump stops though, I'd recommend a new set of springs, you'll probably be happiest with new factory replacements of what you have now.
I have the Fox 2.0 IFP shocks and they are pretty soft (when compared to OME shocks). I believe the Fox 2.0 IFP shocks are tunable. I recommend you call Fox and see if they can build ones for your situation.
I also recommend replacing the seats, it helps a lot. Both Landcruisers I've owned gave me back aches after a few hours, replacing the seats stopped it. My 60 series had seats from a Ford Explorer, my 80 has seats from a 3rd generation Mistubishi Eclipse I picked up cheap from the local junkyard. I really like them a lot, but they do sit noticeably higher than the stock seats.
As others have said, weight in the back also improves the ride, and they are right that tires can also make a difference.
From what you say about the bump stops though, I'd recommend a new set of springs, you'll probably be happiest with new factory replacements of what you have now.
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
Wow. @Doso that's kind of funny.
Sounds like you found the plush ride of your cruiser again.
You were chasing a softer ride, but sounds like your springs are so soft and sagged it's caused your issues.
Post a side photo of the vehicle at ride height.
If you do any off-road driving, be aware that having shortened your bump stops if you got any larger bumps at speed you run the risk of bottoming out and damaging shock absorbers. New stock replacement springs might be a better permanent solution.
Sounds like you found the plush ride of your cruiser again.
You were chasing a softer ride, but sounds like your springs are so soft and sagged it's caused your issues.
Post a side photo of the vehicle at ride height.
If you do any off-road driving, be aware that having shortened your bump stops if you got any larger bumps at speed you run the risk of bottoming out and damaging shock absorbers. New stock replacement springs might be a better permanent solution.
Just my .02. I'm running TJM 50mm linear springs and Icon Stage 1 shocks and my LX rides better than when I bought it with the OEM LX suspension. I'd like to add a bit heavier springs in the rear when I have the whole family along for camping but it rides like a dream compared to my buddies with OME 850/863 with long travel shocks. I don't have any armor besides sliders, I always have a fridge in the back and about 200lbs of gear (about 300lbs in all). I'm running BFG KO2 tires (33") and have a RTT on for the past few months. Very, very happy with this setup.
- Thread starter
- #73
Thank you Rollinns, mudgudgeon and Dissent,
I may get OEM or Dobinson comfort spring I will need to do more research and compare cost, since shipping the Dobinsons would cost an arm and a leg.
I forgot to mention that I have changed the driver seat foam and it is a bit more comfortable especially the bottom cushion but I tried the trucks ride with the old foam first.
I did check the fj80 dimensions and my truck is at 14" to the bottom of the side step as per the information I found.
I am planing to change the tires but they are out of stock.
I checked my shocks travel and it was 4 1/2" and my clearance now is at 2" so I do not think this will cause any issues. and I drive 100% of the time on road.
Dissent, I think you should look into helper airbags for the rear. you can use them when needed so most of the time you have the same setup.
I will post some pics of my truck next.
And thank you everyone for your help
I really love this community.
I may get OEM or Dobinson comfort spring I will need to do more research and compare cost, since shipping the Dobinsons would cost an arm and a leg.
I forgot to mention that I have changed the driver seat foam and it is a bit more comfortable especially the bottom cushion but I tried the trucks ride with the old foam first.
I did check the fj80 dimensions and my truck is at 14" to the bottom of the side step as per the information I found.
I am planing to change the tires but they are out of stock.
I checked my shocks travel and it was 4 1/2" and my clearance now is at 2" so I do not think this will cause any issues. and I drive 100% of the time on road.
Dissent, I think you should look into helper airbags for the rear. you can use them when needed so most of the time you have the same setup.
I will post some pics of my truck next.
And thank you everyone for your help
I really love this community.
Last edited:
I would not cut down the bump stops. Clearance on the front suspension is very tight. If the suspension is allowed to compress more that toyota bump stops allow, then you may bottom out the front driveshaft or damage steering components. Some 1" spring spacers would be a better and very inexpensive option to give you more uptravel.
- Thread starter
- #75
Thank you White Stripe,
That is an excellent idea, it will eliminate the issue without any possible adverse effect to the suspension or the steering.
And i might as well change the bump stops.
That is an excellent idea, it will eliminate the issue without any possible adverse effect to the suspension or the steering.
And i might as well change the bump stops.
Good idea on the air bags, easy sell with the onboard compressor!Thank you Rollinns, mudgudgeon and Dissent,
I may get OEM or Dobinson comfort spring I will need to do more research and compare cost, since shipping the Dobinsons would cost an arm and a leg.
I forgot to mention that I have changed the driver seat foam and it is a bit more comfortable especially the bottom cushion but I tried the trucks ride with the old foam first.
I did check the fj80 dimensions and my truck is at 14" to the bottom of the side step as per the information I found.
View attachment 2148244
I am planing to change the tires but they are out of stock.
I checked my shocks travel and it was 4 1/2" and my clearance now is at 2" so I do not think this will cause any issues. and I drive 100% of the time on road.
Dissent, I think you should look into helper airbags for the rear. you can use them when needed so most of the time you have the same setup.
View attachment 2148217
I will post some pics of my truck next.
And thank you everyone for your help
- Thread starter
- #77
Glad to be of help
