Suspension beginner tutorials

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R

Richco

Joined
May 4, 2025
Threads
14
Messages
63
Location
Alberta, Canada
Hello All,
Is there's any beginner to advance tutorials for 4x4 suspension systems,I am restoring a bj42, I want to install a 2 inch lift on it, but my own parts ,I want to know what shocks I can install how I can install adjustable fancy shocks,I found quite a few ready to install kit in the market, but I want to make my own kit please if someone have access to the books,videos please share.Thanks
 
The native search function doesn't work all that well
Try this instead ih8mud search trick in google is to add "site:forum.ih8mud.com" after your search words. This will search mud much more efficiently. Choosing your search words is where its at. Build threads seem to cover the whole job. IMHO not a lot of difference between a 40 or 42 in doing the work on suspension tho the parts will likely be different.

Look at the kits and then google each item like shock or leaf spring...

You tube has tons of vids for DIY. You will watch like 10 yackers to get one that is actually worth watching.

My Sis's driver side passenger door electric lock on her Sequoia quit working. The shop she goes too wanted like $1000 to fix it. I googled it. Found a great how to vid on like the 3rd try. Bought the electric lock assembly on RockAuto with a plastic door buttoner prybar set for less than $100 diverged. Changed out the unit in less than 2 hours. Would have been 1 hr but I forgot to plug in the new motor and had to almost start over.
 
charliemeyer007 said:
The native search function doesn't work all that well
Try this instead ih8mud search trick in google is to add "site:forum.ih8mud.com" after your search words. This will search mud much more efficiently. Choosing your search words is where its at. Build threads seem to cover the whole job. IMHO not a lot of difference between a 40 or 42 in doing the work on suspension tho the parts will likely be different.

Look at the kits and then google each item like shock or leaf spring...

You tube has tons of vids for DIY. You will watch like 10 yackers to get one that is actually worth watching.

My Sis's driver side passenger door electric lock on her Sequoia quit working. The shop she goes too wanted like $1000 to fix it. I googled it. Found a great how to vid on like the 3rd try. Bought the electric lock assembly on RockAuto with a plastic door buttoner prybar set for less than $100 diverged. Changed out the unit in less than 2 hours. Would have been 1 hr but I forgot to plug in the new motor and had to almost start over.
Click to expand...
Such a great explanation, thanks a lot
 
@Richco please take no offense: I ve been a Land Cruiser guy since 1974…my brand new FJ40. Took almost every mod or accessory in the Downey Toyota Catalog and the Man-A =Fre catalog…headers, ignitions, 1/2 cab soft tops, suspension, wheels, carbs, centrifugal distributors…you name it, I tried it

Over 50 years parts have evolved and some have come and gone. One of the BEST suspension mods I have made was the Terrain Tamer springs from Georg Esterer at Valley Hybrids… I have a few write ups as do so many satisfied users.

Look it up, do some reading and educate yourself for the needs of a smooth progressive ride. So many people including myself LOVE THIS COMBINATION. You are spending the time and money…get it right the first time…y ou can thank everyone later…. Call Georg if you not sure..

Al in New Jersey
 
wngrog

Review Thread 'Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review'

So a few weeks ago I was discussing some of the new things happening with @orangefj45 and him launching a US branch of Terrain Tamer.

He went on to tell me he was stocked up with Parabolic kits and asked if I would give a lot a chance for my next customer build.

I told him I would do him one better and I would buy a kit for my own truck and then I'd have some experience before I sold someone on a kit I had no experience with.

Test Bed - The Goat 45 .... my 1967 FJ45 pickup. Arguably the worst riding Land Cruisers on the planet. These trucks are too light in the rear and...
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Jonathan Hanson

Thread 'Terrain Tamer parabolics installed'

I just installed the Terrain Tamer parabolic suspension kit. The difference in ride is hard to believe, more than I possibly expected. My wife said, "Wow!" before we had even got out of the neighborhood when I took her for a spin. It sounds like hyperbole but it is literally a different vehicle—along with the four-wheel-disc brake conversion I'd say it's the best single modification I have done in 40 years of ownership.

The kit came with Terrain Tamer's own twin-tube shocks, but recently Koni sent me a set of their Heavy Track adjustable shocks. I think the Koni Heavy Track and Raid are...
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Here are a couple of links to the latest suspension to hit the US market that has great reviews. Typically people are buying suspension "kits." Inclusive of bushings, shackles, springs and shocks. Don't forget a steel caster correction plate in the proper degree to restore caster angle. All intended to work "together." That's an important aspect as mixing and matching parts can lead to varrying results. For example the wrong length shackle paired with a spring can lead to poor shackle angle and performance.
I would suggest buying a "kit" that is intended to work together and come with customer support.
 
Using 4* shims seems to be a fairly common correction . After install they were measured on a laser setup machine it confirmed how wrong they really were. 3* total after the shims.. even the tech had to be convinced this was going to be perfect

AND IT REALLY IS ! This improved my Saginaw steering so substantially…I am amazed
 
knuckle47 said:
Using 4* shims seems to be a fairly common correction . After install they were measured on a laser setup machine it confirmed how wrong they really were. 3* total after the shims.. even the tech had to be convinced this was going to be perfect

AND IT REALLY IS ! This improved my Saginaw steering so substantially…I am amazed
Click to expand...
Every time I turn around you are convincing me that I need a terrain rare on Linda! You’ve been right about a lot…no need to question you now!

@Richco search sound here, and also redline land cruisers has a pretty good description of their kit. I ended up piecing together my own springs (skyjacker soft ride) and bilsteins and kyb shocks on my ‘67. The ride is very controlled, does great on pavement and off of it. I did it before terrain tamer, and will likely go with terrain tamer on my ‘78. You’re going to want to watch a lot of videos and that will give you an idea of different options.
 
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