Spring lift height opinions- BJ40 (yes, I searched already!)

[40Flipper]

I have a 1980 BJ40 and the springs are toast. Shipped a 1HZ half cut in the back of it from Ausitralia and the springs are literally flat. Need a lift kit fast!

Debating on 2.5" or 4" lift.

I've been searching threads for 3 days now and haven't decided.

I will only wheel it once a year, maybe twice. Mostly will be around town with the wife and kid (no trails within a 2 hr drive!)

Looking for a comfortable ride that can go off road when necessary.

I have 31" swampers.

I've heard that larger tires can cause faster wear and tear on the engine so that's my hesitation on a 4"...plus I've heard they ride very stiff. Not worried about the extended brake lines etc.

2.5" is fine I think but I'm worried I'll regret not doing a 4". I've heard the 2.5" lift is much more comfortable and cushy for Mall wheeling. Comfort is key. My 2 year old will be in the truck at times and don't want him getting jolted all over the place.

Bottom line- which is more comfortable and what would you do??

Note: SOA is illegal in MA so that's not an option

 

[eleblanc]

i love how mine is comfy (OME), and if the hight is not there for whatever tire, just put a longer shackle. OME shackle are 3". so i change them for 4.5". But the ride is soooo much better compared to original. But go heavy front and rear.

31" tire on a 4" lift will look lost. I think on 4" lift 33" tires are a minimum, and without regear on a 3B you will be miserable.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

^^ x2. 4" lift and 31's wont look right. as for larger tires wearing the engine faster, im not sure about that, i think larger tires put more stress on the transmission which i dont think 31-33's will really hurt that much.

 

[40Flipper]

I wrote engine but meant to write transmission.

I agree that the tires would look odd but I can always go bigger as they are a used set I got locally. I've been leaning towards the 2.5" Hell Creek lift but they are out of stock. They have 4" ones in stock which got me leaning that way again cuz I'm inpatient.

OME are nice but I can't justify spending that much $$$ on something that I won't be driving all that often.

Downey, Skyjacker, and Rough Country (same as HC) are also on the list. Obviously I'm not going for top dollar!

 

[40Flipper]

Definitely won't re-gear it. I have an H55f in it with 4:11's in the rear. All the gearing I'd ever need!

Also, I have a B diesel in it, not a 3B. Having the big lift and tires with such a tiny engine seems a bit goofy

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

OMG, you took my advice?

 

[40Flipper]

Unfortunately yes. After you said I should keep it for a year I kept thinking about all the time I spend on this shizz and how that takes away from my kid and family. Gonna slow things down a bit. I'm very interested in diesels and the bodywork will be easy and fun to learn. You're smarter than you look......

 

[eleblanc]

Definitely won't re-gear it. I have an H55f in it with 4:11's in the rear. All the gearing I'd ever need!

Also, I have a B diesel in it, not a 3B. Having the big lift and tires with such a tiny engine seems a bit goofy

Trust me when you'll it 32-33" you won't use the 5th gear much, unless you put a turbo.

From what you want to do with the truck, stick with a 2.5 and 31".

EDIT: an 80 with a 3B? this is not a canadian truck, is it?
I heard the skyjacker are terrible. Do youself a favor and go OME.

 

[sparkplug]

I have a BJ-40 with a 2B and went with the 2.5 lift. I run 31's and love the setup. I wanted a 4 inch lift but decided to try the 2.5 and if I wasn't happy I was going to just get longer shackles. My cruiser is only driven off-road and wanted a lower center of gravity because I would have to put her back on all 4 wheels by myself. As far as it being a more comfortable ride, my fj-40 with a 4 inch lift is way more comfortable(they have different body mounts). As for transmission or engine wear with bigger tires, I don't think this is an issue at all. So if I was going to drive it around town and not really wheel it, I would like the look of a 4 inch lift with 33's. Here is a pic of the 2.5 lift with 31's. Doesn't look the best but it very functional for what I use it for. Two slightly different angles for you to see.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Is that nitrous?

 

[40Flipper]

That looks pretty good. like I said I don't want to over-do this and I had the same shackle idea as well. If you saw the truck in person you'd understand why I'm thinking 2.5". Just seems like the right height for it. Plus I have an M101 with no lift or SOA done so will line up a little better

 

[GarnerFJ40]

Here's my recent suspension lift. 4" Pinnacle springs with anti-inversion shackles... 31" tires...

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

i vote 4" and 33's.

if you are contemplating 2.5 and 4", go with 4 because you wont be happy with 2 1/2". you can always just jack your truck up 2 1/2" with a floor jack and see if you like how it sits and then jack it up to 4" and see how it sits.

 

[sparkplug]

Is that nitrous?

Water for grass. Currently there is a 5 month drought in the rain forest. Must be global warming due to all of the smoke coming from the 2B's. Enjoy it while you can.

That looks pretty good. like I said I don't want to over-do this and I had the same shackle idea as well. If you saw the truck in person you'd understand why I'm thinking 2.5". Just seems like the right height for it. Plus I have an M101 with no lift or SOA done so will line up a little better

I run a regular 2 inch ball behind my BJ and put it in some very strange angles and have had no problems but it does look weird.
I have seen your rig ( yellow, right?) but not in person. Post up some pics when you get the new suspension.

 

[40Flipper]

pics of the BJ. the left rear spring is flat....and I mean FLAT. This shot is the good side. Figgering it'll be 4" above what is here now with just a 2.5" lift. Sorta happy with that but now the 4" people are gaining interest.

That 4" with the 31's doesn't look goofy at all.....would leave a bigger tire option but does open up vibration issues with the short driveshaft on the 5 speed in it

These pics are 31x12x15 or something to that effect. The swampers I have are 31x 9.5x15 I think. Maybe 10.5 but really not that wide. The tires in the pics are stuffed in so you can tell the sagging is ridiculous.

 

[cruiseronly.com]

i would save up and get the ome. i have had them all and it is the only kit that wont throw your kid out of the back.

 

[sparkplug]

GarnerFJ40's 4 inch looks lower to the fenders on the front tires ( maybe the 2F is lighter than the 2B????? I don't know). Looks like his rear tires are closer to the rear on the body but farther from the body on the front of the rear tires. I have 2.5 and he has a 4 inch lift. Strange. My tires have 95 percent tread. Go figure.

As far as cruiseronly.com stated about OME lift not throwing your kids out of the back, I think any lift will throw your kids out of the back when you hit a decent size pothole without the top on or weight in the back(unless you have heavy kids). Not trying to start an argument, just my experience. On my BJ I usually have a 150 lbs of sand in the rear and 100 lbs of sand on the front bumper so I can drive at higher speeds and gain more traction when hauling heavy loads of 2000 lbs or better on a steep grade. I am currently installing a railroad track front bumper to eliminate the sand bag on the front bumper( I have a Warn 9000 but keep it off the truck when not needed due to not wanting it to get stolen). I have OME 2.5 lift and I need a mouth piece to keep my teeth from wearing down. I don't know the weight difference of an FJ VS BJ, just stating what little I know.

 

[40Flipper]

Honestly for the cost of an OME and for the amount of time I will be driving it, it would be wasteful to spend that much. I know everyone swears by them but paying double or triple for essentially the same outcome it seems crazy. granted they probably flex better and ride better but I'm gonna drive about 2,000 miles per year at best and an extra $.50 per mile to get a slightly better cushion on potholes would be stupid on my part. rather dave the $1K and take my kid on vacation.

I've owned a 40 with OME springs and it was nice but I'd rather save $1K.

I do have a winch I'm putting on and the hardtop will be on for a good chunk of the years since I'm in the Northeast. Playing around with the springs, bushings and shackles will be half the fun anyway