I recently bought a 83' FJ60 with the spring over conversion done with 37x12.50x17 tires. It's huge. I would like to remove a few leaf springs and then go down to 33 or 35 for a little more practicality. Does anyone have pictures or advice on a similar setup? I'll attach a picture of what it currently looks like it.
I did a SOA conversion on my 60 last winter and love it. Removing leafs just to make it lower will have more effect on the ride. You’ve already got pretty flat springs like I’m running. Appears whoever did the SOA did it right. Is it just too hard to get into? How does it handle? When I rebuilt my gearbox I tapped it for hydro assist and it handles really well. I was nervous about going SOA and up to 37s but it turned out better than I could have even thought. You bought a spung over 60, 35s would be your easiest route to lower but I think it looks great. 33 would be ridiculous.
Its more than sprung over it looks like it is shackle reversal and chevy springs or some kind of different springs in the rear and the rear axle looks at least 2 inches further back... has it been regeared?
Its more than sprung over it looks like it is shackle reversal and chevy springs or some kind of different springs in the rear and the rear axle looks at least 2 inches further back... has it been regeared?
With concerns about practicality why did you buy a spring over truck? You could maybe ditch the rear spring over in favor of a spring under lift with extended shackles. That should level things out and bring the rear axle back under the wheel wells. Looks a bit ridiculous from that camera angle. You could then go down a tire size too. Front does look like shackle reversal. If it drives OK I'd be inclined to leave the front end alone.
Edit: To be clear, I meant ditching those rear springs entirely and getting something like OME specifically designed for 60 series.
I’ve got Chevy 63 springs on my 60 and it’s drives great. I drove my 60 5 years SUA and after driving my 60 SOA I wouldn’t go back.
I think changing his setup, aside from 35s, is going to cost time and money. If the SOA was done correct then there was a cut and turn on the front axle.
Not sure why you’d buy a spring over 60? Why not just buy a stock one and convert it? I see them on Craigslist all the time in Portland, Oregon.
Looks like there’s some serious rust on your damaged rear wheel wells and quarter panel. I’d say that’s a much bigger priority that lowering the height of your 60.
Rear axle on that looks moved back so they could open up the wheel opening but never got that far. If you flex it out or hit a big bump likely the tire will smash the quarter panel even with smaller tires. Will have to relocate the axle or cut the wheel opening before going too far.
Rear axle on that looks moved back so they could open up the wheel opening but never got that far. If you flex it out or hit a big bump likely the tire will smash the quarter panel even with smaller tires. Will have to relocate the axle or cut the wheel opening before going too far.
Its more than sprung over it looks like it is shackle reversal and chevy springs or some kind of different springs in the rear and the rear axle looks at least 2 inches further back... has it been regeared?
Just to be clear, I don’t “have” to change anything. It drives fine. It’s my daily driver, so if there was a simple/easy way to make it a little more practical, I was interested.
There will be nothing practical about a SOA 60 on 37's Going to 35's won't change that.
I daily drove FJ40's SOA/SUA on 35's and 37's for years. (and 80's, 45's, 55's all in various forms and lift/tire size) I can tell you none of them have been very practical. The most practical one is the BJ74 I have now. 20mpg average on 33's, not too tall but still pretty modded.
I have a 2000 TDI jetta 5spd that is my practical car when I want to drive it. (which isn't often) You can pick these up for $1,500 dollars or less which would be the most practical thing you could do to your 60.
@Bandito I should mention my SOA 60 has a 4BT Cummins and 5 speed. My buddy Brian drove a 2F SOA on 35s and liked it. I guess that’s part of the reason I went SOA and also due to motor swap clearance for oil pan and front driveline.