Suspension differences?

[Hellebore]

Just wondering if anyone knows if the suspension differs after 1980 on the fj40?

i called a suspension place and they cant get rear springs for my 84.... i thought they were the same as the fronts?

thanks in advance


Cameron

 

[Shawn Russell]

Rear springs should be longer then the front springs.

 

[Downey]

Not only are rear springs different than fronts, but the spring bushings and shackles change between 1980 and 1981. We make the same springs for 1980's and 1981's, but we give different bushings (essentially to make 1980 springs fit 1981 shackles). Any company who offers springs for 1980-older and claims they don't have springs for 1981-newer needs to learn the bushing solution.

 

[Hellebore]

Ok well I am looking at Ironman suspension who happen to have a page with specs for their springs -Ironman 4x4 Suspension - Specifications Leaf Springs

They say that the 1980 onwards are TOY004B on the front and TOY034B on the rear (Which they have no stock of) - however older than 1980 are TOY0001B all round
does this sound correct?

Cheers

Cam

 

[Bodean]

The man that posted right above you that gave you the advice sells springs. Give Jim a chance to help you out. Click on his link or PM him.

Later,

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Yes, there was a change in August 1980, from the old small diameter spring pins to the newer (larger) diameter pins, also used on the 60/62 Series.

Like "Downey" mentioned, many aftermarket manufacturers deal with this issue by building one set of leaf springs with large spring eyes, and supplying year-specific poly bushings.

Regards,

Alan



----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just wondering if anyone knows if the suspension differs after 1980 on the fj40?

i called a suspension place and they cant get rear springs for my 84.... i thought they were the same as the fronts?

thanks in advance


Cameron

 

[Hellebore]

Well i have ordered some new spings, shocks etc from ironman so ill let you guys all know how it goes in a couple of weeks

Cheers
Cam

 

[mudpig]

hey also bout to order my 2 inch kit for my fj40
very keen to hear how you found them mate
cheers sean

 

[Hellebore]

Ironman springs vs Dobinson Springs

well its been a long few months as far as the suspension on my 40 goes.... I
don't want this to be about bashing Iron man products - I am sure they have
great stuff for newer 4x4s and their service was really good - they just couldn't
fix my problem.

all i can say is DO NOT bother with Ironman suspension for an FJ40 - it is
completely unsuitable

First of all the shocks that come with their kit are too short - as in full extension
when the car is on level ground - see pic:

This was sorted eventually after I got in contact with the WA rep and showed
him the problem in person - the shocks I have now are OK (about 4inches longer)

Second problem - the shackle angle the front springs dont work properly its
kidney jarring over bumps...

As you can see its bad - so bad that the anti inversion shackle wont even fit in
the right way around.

after weeks of back and forward with ironman, including getting me to remove
leafs from the pack to try and get it to sit down. They told me that they cant fix
it and that my 4wd is the problem as its too light in the front -ha ha 2f... light funny. (as a test for this in front of the sales rep me and my mate from the parts store got on the front bar - all up about 180Kgs of extra weight and they didnt budge a bit much to his suprise).

I do some more research and it turns out ironmans springs are stock length (I believe this is 505-605mm) butcurved with a higher camber - obviosly thats why
the shackle angle is wrong.

I called a couple of other places and they told me this is 'the norm' and that all
40s point into the air a bit WTF!?

Then I called dobinsons as i have heard some good things about their product.
The guys there are SO helpful and actually sound like they know what they are
on about - they inform me that they make their springs for the 40 25mm longer (505-630mm) to counter this problem and that they are very aware of it .

So ironman have given up and say they cant fix it i get my money back for
them - i get some springs from dobinsons (only a couple 100 more AUD) and
chuck them in - OH MY GOD its like a bloody coil spring car!!

Here is how it sat with the ironman springs

and now with the dobinsons

New shackle angle

Flex is now brilliant with full upward travel to the bumpstop and full down to the
anti inversion pin, ride is like velvet - cant wait to get out for some more
wheeling




So there we have it - dont get iron man for 40 series - I also am aware this isnt
an isolated incident as I met a guy with an hj47 with the same kit while I was
out wheeling - shocks had no downward travel and shackles were vertical.


Cheers guys HTH any aussie 40 owners out there to make a decision on springs

Cam

 

[Twisty]

Good to here Dobinsons helped you out! Have been really happy with there service and the performance of the custom set they did for mine.

 

[DrSlug]

So its been few months now since you got the Dobinsons on, just wondering how they have been? Looking at getting mine down in the next few weeks, they definately have been the best to talk to over the phone so far.