Spring manufacturers/options (~2.5" lift)...

[FJ40|RUNNER]

So I have gotten away from the idea of doing something completely unconventional (small body lift with drivetrain lift for flat belly and 34 TSLs on a stocker...seen here [dammit @White Stripe after reading I'm re-reconsidering because I know it will perform best and I love your unconventional approach to a great performing rig!]) as I can't take the project on right now.

With that said, it's tire time and so the time to fix things is now. For the time being I am definitely going to go with the 32x9.5 TSL that I love (I already need more gear...orion and something before I go 34x9.5 TSL). My suspension is saggy enough (particularly with all the beer I typically travel with!) that they are chunking due light to contact with everything.

My question at this point is, where do I go if I want the best possible spring lift for heavy use? I know OME is the go-to, but I also hear spring rates are unreasonable for what the average user is actually trying to achieve. I am looking for a ~2"-2.5" lift, HATE springs that are too short (that is not how they are supposed to work), want full military wrap as stock, don't want to start cutting hangers, etc...what is my best option? I am happy to work with a custom spring manufacturer if that is the only answer (feel like it might be), but am afraid that it would have to be an iterative process to have success?

Would go SOA if I weren't looking to stay as low as possible (longer term I think SOA with sunken hangers is the best fix...looking to stay stocker as is reasonable for a while though because I'm so impressed with a stock '40).

Does anyone have experience with many spring options??? Thanks for any help!

 

[Jdc1]

So I have gotten away from the idea of doing something completely unconventional (small body lift with drivetrain lift for flat belly and 34 TSLs on a stocker...seen here [dammit @White Stripe after reading I'm re-reconsidering because I know it will perform best and I love your unconventional approach to a great performing rig!]) as I can't take the project on right now.

With that said, it's tire time and so the time to fix things is now. For the time being I am definitely going to go with the 32x9.5 TSL that I love (I already need more gear...orion and something before I go 34x9.5 TSL). My suspension is saggy enough (particularly with all the beer I typically travel with!) that they are chunking due light to contact with everything.

My question at this point is, where do I go if I want the best possible spring lift for heavy use? I know OME is the go-to, but I also hear spring rates are unreasonable for what the average user is actually trying to achieve. I am looking for a ~2"-2.5" lift, HATE springs that are too short (that is not how they are supposed to work), want full military wrap as stock, don't want to start cutting hangers, etc...what is my best option? I am happy to work with a custom spring manufacturer if that is the only answer (feel like it might be), but am afraid that it would have to be an iterative process to have success?

Would go SOA if I weren't looking to stay as low as possible (longer term I think SOA with sunken hangers is the best fix...looking to stay stocker as is reasonable for a while though because I'm so impressed with a stock '40).

Does anyone have experience with many spring options??? Thanks for any help!

Havnt run them but Alcan seems to be a decent place to do business with. Deaver might be worth a call too. I had a set of Deavers on a Tacoma and they were great.

 

[brian]

skyjacker

 

[White Stripe]

Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your rig. I would just do a add a leaf or 2 to freshen up the tired springs and spend your money on tcase gears if u have a split case, or a Orion. It makes wheeling much more fun and controllable. Then that will buy u time till u go soa or whatever. Deavers and alcan are expensive, around 300 per spring. I have alcan up front.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I think Hell Creek is still an option but I know they switched spring manufacturers a few years back. I haven't seen a review of them since.

 

[Spike Strip]

I just installed a 50mm lift (2" or so) Tough Dog kit on my '74 and am very happy with it. Not sure if it's medium or heavy but 7 leaves rear, 8 front. Up to 300 kilo constant. The foam cell shocks are beefy.

 

[1911]

Alcan Alcan Spring - Manufactures Fine Custom Leaf Springs will make anything you want, any length, any whatever. You have to be very specific though, especially on the front and back laden weight of your truck.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I just installed a 50mm lift (2" or so) Tough Dog kit on my '74 and am very happy with it. Not sure if it's medium or heavy but 7 leaves rear, 8 front. Up to 300 kilo constant. The foam cell shocks are beefy.


View attachment 1573195 View attachment 1573196

This is a new one to me - who sells this and where can I get info? I'm a bit of a ways out from a lift yet but it would be good info to have.

 

[Jdc1]

This is a new one to me - who sells this and where can I get info? I'm a bit of a ways out from a lift yet but it would be good info to have.

Trail Tailor is a distributor. Is it me or does that kit look identical to an OME suspension(even the font on the springs) with different colored shocks?

 

[franklin40]

i second alcan. i bought from them and they were really easy to work with and will make exactly what you want for your application.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Trail Tailor is a distributor. Is it me or does that kit look identical to an OME suspension(even the font on the springs) with different colored shocks?

Looks like he only carries them for the 60 series. Were yours custom ordered or are you running 60-series springs?

 

[Spike Strip]

This is a new one to me - who sells this and where can I get info? I'm a bit of a ways out from a lift yet but it would be good info to have.

@reevesci Trail Tailor

40-series not on the website, but available. Jason can provide more info -

 

[Jdc1]

Looks like he only carries them for the 60 series. Were yours custom ordered or are you running 60-series springs?

I havnt bought or run them, have been looking at springs for an upcoming project.

 

[Spike Strip]

I'll post more pix one I get the brake soft lines finished and the wheels back on.

 

[DSRTRDR]

why not go with the 4" Skyjackers ? - they do not have full military wrap, though, if I remember correctly

lifts sag soon enough, particularly if you have "heavy use", as you state

do a search for Alcan springs here on MUD, and you will find that people have had plenty of difficulties with them

 

[lcwizard]

My question at this point is, where do I go if I want the best possible spring lift for heavy use? I know OME is the go-to, but I also hear spring rates are unreasonable for what the average user is actually trying to achieve. I am looking for a ~2"-2.5" lift, HATE springs that are too short (that is not how they are supposed to work), want full military wrap as stock, don't want to start cutting hangers, etc...what is my best option? I am happy to work with a custom spring manufacturer if that is the only answer (feel like it might be), but am afraid that it would have to be an iterative process to have success?

Would go SOA if I weren't looking to stay as low as possible (longer term I think SOA with sunken hangers is the best fix...looking to stay stocker as is reasonable for a while though because I'm so impressed with a stock '40).

Does anyone have experience with many spring options??? Thanks for any help!

OME won't have a mil wrap in a 40 spring because they use the late style large diameter bushings. You can change your spring hangers to
80-84 FJ40 hangers. Toyota went to the large bushings like in the 60 series in the last years of 40 production. personally if I had the choice of no mil wrap and large bushings I would prefer that to the small eyelet with a mil wrap. If you're in Phx Dunbar can build you springs. One off springs are usually about 6.50 a pound. Typical 40 springs are in the 40~45lb range so be prepared for 260 to 275 each.
Really flexy springs aren't the best hi load springs. A flexy spring will need more attention to shock absorber choice or you'll get excessive roll and brake dive. A 195~240 in\lb spring for the front, depending on weight. ( a 2F is at least 200lbs heavier than a V-8 ). The rear will be 175~220
depending hardtop, soft top, 4plus carrier ( cheap plug ), auxiliary tank, etc

 

[emac]

I have no other experience with any other kits, so my opinion is based on my single experience. I built my rig with the CCOT designer lift kit. I am running 16" wheels with 235/85 BFG's. See my build thread in my sig for pictures. I am very pleased with the set up. Everything else is new also, steering, ball joints, bushings, etc.

The ride is very comfortable on the street, stable at highway speeds and works well in the very little off roading I have done. Mostly driving across fields and rough gravel/dirt roads.

The bad: A little effort to get the kit installed, and I wasnt crazy about the steering damper boot. The front shocks dont look like they have enough travel, but seem to work fine. If I had it to do over, I may have chosen bilstein shocks and OME steering damper to go with CCOT springs and shackles.

 

[devo]

Have you looked at Dobinsons suspensions? I think they make them for a 40.
I installed a 2.5 inch lift on a 60 last week and was impressed with the parts and pieces. After the install and dealing with Dave Otero I won't recommend OME as a first choice for a leaf sprung 60.


devo

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Trail Tailor is a distributor. Is it me or does that kit look identical to an OME suspension(even the font on the springs) with different colored shocks?

Springs are made overseas in Thailand. Shocks are foam cell not a nitro charged shock like OME.

Looks like he only carries them for the 60 series. Were yours custom ordered or are you running 60-series springs?

I carry them for the 40 series, early 25mm eye and later 35mm eye. I only have a few early sets out right now.I have an early set up in stock now.

Tough Dog has been designing and selling lifts in AU since 1984. They are also an approved OEM replacement for Toyota in the Middle East and South Africa. Toyota dealers are approved to stock Tough Dog parts and install in their service centers. Shocks are made in the US and Mexico by Tenneco (Monroe) and Gabriel.

J

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Sorry... And both the early and the late model springs are military wrapped.

Jason