Suspension changes

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sdnative

sdnative

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I have come to the realization that my FOR lift is not going to work very well with all the extra weight I am adding to my truck, so I am probably going to go in a different direction with the suspension. Since I bought the truck I have added a rear bumper with tire carrier, sliders, xfer case skid, dual batteries and some extra cargo such as tools and a few full MWCs/MFCs. I am planning on getting a fridge, front bumper and winch.I want a minimal lift but enough to clear my 315 tires. I guess my choices are OME heavies, OME Js, Slee 4" or Iron Man. I already have the sway bar drop brackets and caster plates, just want to replace the springs and shocks.Can I clear 315s with no rubbing on OME heavies or do I need Js? I have heard good things about Slee but they may be out of my price range.Thoughts?
 
I'm running OME heavies 2-3" lift. They are fine for very similar weight. I'd wonder if it were enough lift to clear the 315's you are running. I'd probably go 4" with those tires.
 
I had Js with spacers on my last 80 and they cleared my 37s with very minimal rubbing. The ride was great even with the crappy Rancho 9000s.
 
I have 850J up front and 863 in the rear. Armor + winch up front and rear bumper w/ spare swing out. Recent trip I noticed some rubbing I think because of the added weight from winch. I have a slight stink bug which I hope to compensate with 1" spacers I got from ruffino. Ruining 35" toyos.
 
fjc8871 said:
I have 850J up front and 863 in the rear. Armor + winch up front and rear bumper w/ spare swing out. Recent trip I noticed some rubbing I think because of the added weight from winch. I have a slight stink bug which I hope to compensate with 1" spacers I got from ruffino. Ruining 35" toyos.
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Sounds like we're setup pretty much the same. I was thinking about the 850J/863 as well as Js all around may be too tall. Possibly the regular 850s on the front but that may not be enough. Are you running L shocks or the regular? Did you have to lower your bumpstops? I was running 850/863 with non-L shocks on my last truck and liked it, but I had 295s. You were rubbing on the front? I wouldn't have expected that with the Js.
 
I am running L shocks and lower bump stops. Rubbing started after I installed the winch. Other than that it did not rub. I am planning on adding drawers soon which I hope will bring my rear down a bit. Regular 863 still sit higher than than The 850J upfront on my setup, even with rear bumper. 863J would have my rear sky high with no weight.

If you want to go 850J/863 maybe we can trade. Are yours 1st or 2nd gen FOR springs?
 
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With Iron Man you have about three choices in springs for the weight you want to handle. I think I have the middle weight springs in the rear to handle an excess of 700 lbs. Give Eli over at Camel 4x4 a call and he could help you out with the right springs.
I am rolling around with a Hanna Rear bumper with tire swing, 100 lbs of cargo box with probably another 80-100 lbs of tools and parts and one thrid row seat.
 
Might want to consider 864 for the rear. I was happier after switching to the 864 from the 863. I have a Baja rack, drawers and tools, 10lb co2 tank, 4x4labs bumper with dual swingouts, and a 35" spare out back.
 
Are you finding out the FOR are already rubbing or you expect them to rub with weight? Or are others with them finding they are not enough?

Just curious because I remember reading all kinds of good things from others about how good they are with the progressive spring rates for loads. At one point I was considering them do to claims and cost, and the fact that many were running them without driveline and castor problems with a lift capable of 315 without rubbing. They seemed somewere between a 4" Slee and an OME Heavy combo. Either way I don't think they are being made anymore anyway. And I am now one of the many ready to move up to 315 and a bigger lift than the 850 heavy 860 medium I am currently running. I guess I can also ad spacers, L shocks and castor plates.
 
Bluetribal said:
With Iron Man you have about three choices in springs for the weight you want to handle. I think I have the middle weight springs in the rear to handle an excess of 700 lbs. Give Eli over at Camel 4x4 a call and he could help you out with the right springs.
I am rolling around with a Hanna Rear bumper with tire swing, 100 lbs of cargo box with probably another 80-100 lbs of tools and parts and one thrid row seat.
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Oh and I must add over the last two months of remodeling the house the Cruiser has handled the weight of tile, cement, sand & grout well. The 700 lb springs really held and kept me from bottoming out.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD App
 
OME makes many more 80 series springs than are commonly discussed on this forum. So, you can truly taylor your springs to you front and rear expected weight and desired lift height. CruiserOutfitters has some great info on their site and can help you. There is no reason to think that your only options are the "common" springs.
 
The rears rub on the top half of the outside frame rail. Not too bad but there is a nice shiny strip on both sides. I have heard it rub the flare somewhere too, but haven't been able to identify where.

I am considering the OME 850J/863 with L shocks or the Slee 4" kit. The Slee springs are really not that much more than the OME and they both use the OME shocks. Anyone running the Slee 4" ?

I understand there are other OME springs than the usuals suspects, but I believe all of them will give more than 3" of lift. I'll check out the chart at Cruiser Outfitters.
 
sdnative said:
Anyone running the Slee 4" ?
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I have been running Slee's 4" lift for a year and a half with no issues whatsoever. The rear is a little stiff when empty (I have no extra weight in back) but rides nicely when loaded. It even handled 1500 pounds of seed I had to deliver when my Tundra wasn't available. - It actually handled the load better than the pickup.
 
I think the springs are OK, just need stiffer shocks. I am working with Frankie on some different shocks.If I did have to change the spings, my first choice would be the Slee 4", but it may be too tall as I do not want to deal with vibration and DC driveshafts. I really dont want to use OME stuff, so I would need to find a good shock to go with Slees springs.
 
Anyone have experience with Radflo?

Radflo Shocks


Also, I am confused with all the different types of shocks available. There is emulsion, floating piston, internal bypass, remote reservoir, 2.0, 2.5, etc. What would be appropriate for a heavy 80?
 
I have seen radflo on fjcruisers and 4runners. They seem to be good quality. Not as popular as Icon in the IFS world. Their adjustable coilovers look beefy.
 
sdnative said:
Anyone have experience with Radflo?

Radflo Shocks


Also, I am confused with all the different types of shocks available. There is emulsion, floating piston, internal bypass, remote reservoir, 2.0, 2.5, etc. What would be appropriate for a heavy 80?
Click to expand...

Eric,
Talk to Mike aka 80BajaBound. He is running those shocks.
 
Anyone local have a stock front panhard rod that I can buy / borrow? Need to do some troubleshooting.
 
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