I have a '67 FJ40 that was parked in a barn for 20 years. I have spent 3 years slowly getting it driving and it is finally running. It is pretty much all stock including all original suspension. It has original springs and ORIGINAL SHOCKS! It does have home-made shackles that are about 5 inches center bolt to center bolt, which is about 2' to 2 1/4' longer than stock. I believe this makes about 1" of lift, right? The shackles are about 1/2" longer in the front than the back. It has 33" new mud tires. I like the height of the rig and don't want it very much higher, but one more inch would be ok. I am not really into tall off-road vehicles. I am a field biologist and a hunter and what i use it for is driving offroad on large ranches, mostly through grass pastures, etc. (BUMPY). Driving on hard ground with grass clumps is akin to washboard. With no shocks, my rig is rough riding! I want to improve the suspension and make it the softest, smoothest ride possible. I dont care about flex. I want to be able to drive 15 mps over grass humps and hold a conversation. I have spent days reading threads about 40 suspension and it sounds like the original springs are softer than most or all aftermarket springs. I also read that people say skyjacker softride springs are very soft. I am considering two options:
1) keep original springs and get new shackles (probably greaseable) that are about 6 inches long bolt to bolt.
2) Get skyjacker softride 2.5" lift springs and stock length greaseable shackles.
Can anyone give their best educated guess which will yield the softer ride? Will anyone share their opinions about the two options? Anything else I should be considering buying instead? I don't necessarily have a budget limit, but of course i don't like to waste money.
I am leaning toward fox shocks because they seem like the best for a soft, comfortable ride. Anyone know of a shock that will help make a softer ride?
Here is a photo of my 40. Does it look like about 1" of lift to you?
Another question: I think my timing may be off because it runs hot even though i put in a new radiator (thanks @65swb45 !) and my water pump is pretty new and because at high RMP, it spudders. When I hook up my timing light, there is no visible mark on the flywheel. Is this normal? What is the best way to turn the engine over by hand to look for the mark? My engine is an F built in February 1973. I wish i had a hand crank, but they seem to cost way too much...need to weld one up one day...
One more: My front axle really needs to be rebuilt. I also want to install a locker up front like I have in the rear. Am I wasting my time and money with the ball and claw? Will I regret dumping money into it? Should I buy a newer birfield axle?
Thanks!!!
1) keep original springs and get new shackles (probably greaseable) that are about 6 inches long bolt to bolt.
2) Get skyjacker softride 2.5" lift springs and stock length greaseable shackles.
Can anyone give their best educated guess which will yield the softer ride? Will anyone share their opinions about the two options? Anything else I should be considering buying instead? I don't necessarily have a budget limit, but of course i don't like to waste money.
I am leaning toward fox shocks because they seem like the best for a soft, comfortable ride. Anyone know of a shock that will help make a softer ride?
Here is a photo of my 40. Does it look like about 1" of lift to you?
Another question: I think my timing may be off because it runs hot even though i put in a new radiator (thanks @65swb45 !) and my water pump is pretty new and because at high RMP, it spudders. When I hook up my timing light, there is no visible mark on the flywheel. Is this normal? What is the best way to turn the engine over by hand to look for the mark? My engine is an F built in February 1973. I wish i had a hand crank, but they seem to cost way too much...need to weld one up one day...
One more: My front axle really needs to be rebuilt. I also want to install a locker up front like I have in the rear. Am I wasting my time and money with the ball and claw? Will I regret dumping money into it? Should I buy a newer birfield axle?
Thanks!!!
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