Suspension replacement advice New FJ60 (1 Viewer)

[Beehanger]

Hi all,
Purchasing clean fj60 with 237k in LA on tuesday. Engine rebuilt but needed a little updating (air filters, battery, NGk wires, distributor cap, plugs etc). Likely needs new suspension soon its seen a little offroading, the guy selling owns an LC shop which is sweet and is checking and replacing some things out for me. He said its old suspension, it has a dakar lift and rough country. He's checking it out today but wondering what would be the best reasonable replacement, not looking to spend a fortune and will be daily and a little off roading. Super stoked, any other advice on insurance provider and what to bring for my drive back (driving back to idaho), etc would be awesome.

Wouldn't have bought without advice from mud, thanks all for previous pointers

Thanks all,
Daniel

 

[JayDoc]

Congrats.
Sounds like you're about to spend several hours on the road feeling out your suspension. I probably wouldn't make any decisions until then.
That said, Old Man Emu has a good reputation. I put an OME lift on my 60 and I'm pleased with it.

 

[MoaByte]

I second that. Cruiser Outfitters in SLC Utah will set you up. It isn't cheap but its quality will pay you back every time you drive it.

 

[Beehanger]

Congrats.
Sounds like you're about to spend several hours on the road feeling out your suspension. I probably wouldn't make any decisions until then.
That said, Old Man Emu has a good reputation. I put an OME lift on my 60 and I'm pleased with it.

What if I’m not “good enough” yet to know how to put a lift on tho or diagnose? This guy knows the car well but I get your point. Would just be nice to have it over with and not have to do it outside in the winter. but maybe I could do it with a buddy one day. Speaking of winter, should I be worried about cold starting? I know Carberated engines have done well in the cold mountains before, but any pointers on what to anticipate? (Parking outside as of now)

 

[Major Nelson]

Changing the leaf springs is a one banana rating on the monkey scale of difficulty IMO. I do have some questions (call me a cynic if you want). You're in ID and picking it up in LA. If the guy owns a LC shop did he not have any recommendations? Also, do you know who did the engine rebuild?

I have OME in my 60 and really like it. I know Trail Tailor sells Tough Dog suspension and you could actually be driving past his shop on the way back to ID.

Some key questions.
1. Did you do an in person inspection on the 60? Or have someone do it for you?
2. Check all the known points for rust?
3. For the engine rebuild does he have all the diagnostics (ie compression test) build out to know what was actually done to the 60?
3. If you're buying it from a LC shop have you done a search on MUD to make sure they're reputable. (MUD saved me from buying a 40 way back from a total scam artist).

Good luck. Just want to make sure you're asking all the right questions so that you get what you're expecting.

 

[Seth S]

 

[Beehanger]

Changing the leaf springs is a one banana rating on the monkey scale of difficulty IMO. I do have some questions (call me a cynic if you want). You're in ID and picking it up in LA. If the guy owns a LC shop did he not have any recommendations? Also, do you know who did the engine rebuild?

I have OME in my 60 and really like it. I know Trail Tailor sells Tough Dog suspension and you could actually be driving past his shop on the way back to ID.

Some key questions.
1. Did you do an in person inspection on the 60? Or have someone do it for you?
2. Check all the known points for rust?
3. For the engine rebuild does he have all the diagnostics (ie compression test) build out to know what was actually done to the 60?
3. If you're buying it from a LC shop have you done a search on MUD to make sure they're reputable. (MUD saved me from buying a 40 way back from a total scam artist).

Good luck. Just want to make sure you're asking all the right questions so that you get what you're expecting.

Answers to these questions and an update, I’m buying it from AK1 Motorsports in LA. FaceTimed him and the car a ton, checked out the shop on google/Facebook. He’s been very responsive and helpful, for photos of title 135 175 140 135 150 150. His uncle did the engine rebuild and work on the car so no service reciepts and I think he holds title but left the car to this guy who owns the shop since he recently left the country. I’ll do some searches on mud tho.
I already have a deposit down and the vehicle is basically mine, will go see it Tuesday, but he talked to his rust specialist today and some of the body rust (nothing too bad) and clear coat she thinks should be fixed (sanded, rust protector, repainted OEM body restored before it sees Idaho winter. Underside is just surface rust looks solid but might have them put something over that too. I’ve heard mixed things on putting something over it, a guy told me if the surface or paint over cracks it could provide a bad environment for rust. So it may be a purchase trip and leave it down there for them to work on it for another month before I fly back down. Will post what they quote me. Buying for 15k instead of 20k because he wanted me to have extra money to beautify (the trucks been in his family while) so maybe this is where that money goes. Not sure how much else he wants to restore and how much that may run me, like I said clean rig all around but how updated do I want this thing to just be my daily? And how much should I leave for myself to figure out in the months years to come (I’m a newbie with no garage yet). I know from the entire research process this things a great rig and deal (can email photos to anyone) but I can’t spend much more than 20/22k right now. Is there such a thing as semi restored and what would the entail lol

 

[Gretsch]

Is there such a thing as semi restored and what would the entail lol

You will prolly want to get the rust stopped/treated as much as money will allow. Not covered up with paint. Stopped/neutralized. Rust is the one Kryptonite of these beasts.

I think most of the trucks on here would be considered Semi-restored. Everyone does a little at a time as money allows. Congrats on the new truck and welcome to the madness.

 

[MoaByte]

Share those pics please.

 

[Beehanger]

I’m holding off on the full body paint restore, rust coating of underside, and suspension for now. Talked to him and it’s surface rust, gunna enjoy the vehicle for a couple years before I do the pretty girl stuff. I am still thinking about what I can do for the body rust on the roof etc (any pointers on surface upkeep/elimination I can do in the winter until he takes the rust off himself and full repaint etc in a couple years Picking her up Tuesday to drive back, he’s checking suspension and alignment for safety before then. Already did compression etc

 

[Beehanger]

Another

 

[Beehanger]

3

 

[MarkBC]

You'll want to fix that roof rust and likely need to replace the gutter caulking before you leave California.

 

[87CRUSR]

You'll want to fix that roof rust and likely need to replace the gutter caulking before you leave California.

X2

 

[Gretsch]

3

View attachment 2561999

View attachment 2562000

View attachment 2562001

What kind of tire carrier is that? Looks like maybe a shackle reversal was done up front.

 

[Beehanger]

What kind of tire carrier is that? Looks like maybe a shackle reversal was done up front.

What's a shackle reversal? and not sure, might pull off the tire carrier if I can.

 

[Beehanger]

You'll want to fix that roof rust and likely need to replace the gutter caulking before you leave California.

Could I DIY that or drop it off at a shop within a week of when I get it into Idaho? I am parking it outside... :/

 

[Gretsch]

What's a shackle reversal? and not sure, might pull off the tire carrier if I can.

The fixed end and shackle end of the spring are reversed such that the shackle goes where the fixed end should be and the fixed end goes where the shackle normally is. The stock fixed position of a front spring on an FJ60 is behind the front axle. Yours has the shackles there. I think this change requires the springs to be flipped around front end of the spring to the back of the truck as well. I am not totally sure why you would do this. I think maybe because of where the normally fixed spring mount is positioned on the frame, adding a shackle here provides a bit of lift to the suspension. It may do other things in terms of orienting the axle under the truck by causing the tire to move rearwards when the spring is compressed instead of forwards, which may have some handling benefits, I am not really sure.

Stock, shackles in front of the axle:

Your truck, shackles behind the axle:

Perhaps others can join in and elaborate on the pros and cons of a shackle reversal setup is. I personally don't see what the advantage is other than it being a cheap way to lift a truck (which I am not totally sure it does). I cannot see the front of the frame in that shot so a bit of guesswork here. HTH.

 

[Beehanger]

The fixed end and shackle end of the spring are reversed such that the shackle goes where the fixed end should be and the fixed end goes where the shackle normally is. The stock fixed position of a front spring on an FJ60 is behind the front axle. Yours has the shackles there. I think this change requires the springs to be flipped around front end of the spring to the back of the truck as well. I am not totally sure why you would do this. I think maybe because of where the normally fixed spring mount is positioned on the frame, adding a shackle here provides a bit of lift to the suspension. It may do other things in terms of orienting the axle under the truck by causing the tire to move rearwards when the spring is compressed instead of forwards, which may have some handling benefits, I am not really sure.

Stock, shackles in front of the axle:

View attachment 2562900

Your truck, shackles behind the axle:

View attachment 2562895

Perhaps others can join in and elaborate on the pros and cons of a shackle reversal setup is. I personally don't see what the advantage is other than it being a cheap way to lift a truck (which I am not totally sure it does). I cannot see the front of the frame in that shot so a bit of guesswork here. HTH.

This thread was helpful, some guys do it apparently.... don’t know much tho :

fj60 shackle reversal and steering question

Hi, new to the forum. I recently bought an '84 fj60, and am having some steering/suspension related concerns. the previous owner put on what appears to be a man-a-fre 4" lift shackle reversal/OME leaf kit, although it has bilstein shocks. it also has aussie lockers, front and rear. it sits...

forum.ih8mud.com

he’s checking alignment and suspension tomorrow I think, should I have him try to do something to it? I think there’s a lift built in he says Dakar life and rough country suspension I think.

 

[Beehanger]

Congrats.
Sounds like you're about to spend several hours on the road feeling out your suspension. I probably wouldn't make any decisions until then.
That said, Old Man Emu has a good reputation. I put an OME lift on my 60 and I'm pleased with it.

Btw what should I “feel for” that’s good and bad when I’m driving, I don’t have tons of experience with feeling out suspension besides does it feel top heavy or too bumpy etc.