Suspension ID and options

[takern]

Hey everyone. New here with a HZJ 73, still driving it in Japan. Got this thing about a month ago and this far have got a backup camera installed and had the major rust taken care of. Next on my list is to solve the pulling to the left issues, and a super harsh ride. I suspect the two issues are related. Wondering if someone with more knowledge than I can help guide the path. Here is what I can figure out from looking at the truck and Google-foo.

Front and rear have 150mm (~6”) DUNE shackles. Can’t really find any info or a website for these things. Im assuming they give me 2.5-3” of lift.

Rancho shocks front and rear. Can’t really read the part number due to probably being a few years old at least.

Leaf packs look to be OEM but I can’t find any markings. 6 leafs front and 5 leafs rear.

My thought right now is that the shackles are just too dang long, causing the steering issue and making the ride rough. I also think the shocks need to be replaced judging by the surface rust on the rod that I can see. I have always viewed rancho as kind of a low quality product anyways so no issues here.

For solutions, I would like to keep 2.5-3” of lift to keep the truck on 35s. Looking at OME right now as their products have done well on my Tacomas.
It also has a body lift but only about 1.5”, and I don’t have the tools or time right now to redo the rock sliders so I don’t have to dukes of hazard it through the doors.

Does this sound about right or do you guys think I’m way out in left field. Sorry if it’s stupid, this truck is my first running a SFA instead of IFS. Pictures incoming in the next message.

 

[takern]

First 3 up front, last two in the rear

 

[coldtaco]

Looks like rancho 9000(?). Those shackles should be leaning forward a little bit more., that’s probably why the harsh ride. Usually that’s because of using wrong springs( too short). But I’m no suspension expert. I would say it’s time for a complete new suspension. OME or Dobinson,

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Definitely looks like stock springs with extremely long shackles and longer shocks to achieve the current lift. You'd be absolutely thrilled imo with some better springs, matched shackles and shocks.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

As mentioned above, your suspension is not stock.

Rancho is common in JDM trucks.

Regarding stock suspension, the front axle should have five leaf springs. The rear axle should have six leaf springs.

The stabilizer bar bolt suggests your lift is significant, at least 3 in.

Time for a new suspension. Drop in a new steering damper as well.

If you intend to use 35 in. tires, you have to move the front axle forward 1 1/8 in. (30 mm) for them to fit.







Juan

 

[takern]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like y’all confirmed basically what I was thinking.
@JuanJ I believe that forward move can be done by just doing by a leaf spring rotation? I saw something mentioned about it. Need to do some looking into it when I have some more down time.

 

[JuanJ]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like y’all confirmed basically what I was thinking.
@JuanJ I believe that forward move can be done by just doing by a leaf spring rotation? I saw something mentioned about it. Need to do some looking into it when I have some more down time.

Hello,

You have to drill a hole in the axle guide. It is the part where the axle attaches to the leaf springs.

In this way you can move the axle forward to accommodate 35 in. tires.

Lifts will cause 35 in. tires to rub.






Juan

 

[takern]

Hello,

You have to drill a hole in the axle guide. It is the part where the axle attaches to the leaf springs.

In this way you can move the axle forward to accommodate 35 in. tires.

Lifts will cause 35 in. tires to rub.






Talking about the perch right? Looks fairly simple, just drill a new hole and put the spring pins into that one. The driveshaft should have enough stretch in it that I don’t need to extend it with just that little bit. I hope.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Yes, I meant the perch.

The driveshaft stretches enough to fit.

Otherwise, rubbing will remain a problem.

It is better to use skinny tires like 35 x 10.5. Or 35 x 9.5, if that measure is available.

Big 35 tires, and big tires in general, kill Land Cruisers. By big I mean wide.





Juan

 

[takern]

Hello,

Yes, I meant the perch.

The driveshaft stretches enough to fit.

Otherwise, rubbing will remain a problem.

It is better to use skinny tires like 35 x 10.5. Or 35 x 9.5, if that measure is available.

Big 35 tires, and big tires in general, kill Land Cruisers. By big I mean wide.





Juan

Awesome. Thanks Juan. Really appreciate it. After looking at my options still being overseas I think I’m going to have to wait on the suspension bit and just suck up the poor ride until I get back to the states. The options here are meh and even then I don’t have a good work space that I can leave the truck at when I inevitably screw something up and turn a 1 day job into a 3 week job. Probably going to spend my time and money looking at the other things I want to do to it and replacing the inside parts without having to pay for the shipping.

 

[JuanJ]

Awesome. Thanks Juan. Really appreciate it. After looking at my options still being overseas I think I’m going to have to wait on the suspension bit and just suck up the poor ride until I get back to the states. The options here are meh and even then I don’t have a good work space that I can leave the truck at when I inevitably screw something up and turn a 1 day job into a 3 week job. Probably going to spend my time and money looking at the other things I want to do to it and replacing the inside parts without having to pay for the shipping.

Hello,

Thank you for your kind words.

Yes, every job is one broken bolt away from becoming an ordeal.

When you replace the suspension, make sure you have all the axle seals and bearings replaced. Both suffer with poor suspension jobs, and mechanics often overlook them.





Juan