Suspension

[BZEP]

I was curious if anyone has the Skyjacker lift kit on their cruiser. I was thinking about taking advantage of the 10% off and free shipping offers online and purchasing one. http://www.4wheelparts.com/PDT55248.aspx

Any thoughts?

 

[FJ45KC]

I have been running this kit on both my 40's for 10+ years with no problems.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Well, ya asked for thoughts so here is mine on their lifts.

I have had their 4 inch lift on my 40 since about 92 and it was too stiff for what i really wanted. It is still on my 40 but that is because i am still looking for another 40 to play with and drop this one down.

Again this is just my view and they had just come out with the 4inch ones then. My next one will just be sprung over with stock springs.

Do not forget though, it all depends what you are trying to get out of your lift / vehicle.

Tell us more of what you want to do with your truck and we can help out a bit more maybe.

Again all this with a grain of salt.

 

[Eskimo]

multiple, thin leaves will almost always ride better than a few thick leaves.. maybe call SJ and ask them about the makeup of the leaf pack?

Will the 4WP in Charlotte not match the online price?

 

[mtweller]

I regret, to this day, spending any money on a 4" SUA lift. I would recommend SOA and OEM springs.

 

[BZEP]

Well, ya asked for thoughts so here is mine on their lifts.

I have had their 4 inch lift on my 40 since about 92 and it was too stiff for what i really wanted. It is still on my 40 but that is because i am still looking for another 40 to play with and drop this one down.

Again this is just my view and they had just come out with the 4inch ones then. My next one will just be sprung over with stock springs.

Do not forget though, it all depends what you are trying to get out of your lift / vehicle.

Tell us more of what you want to do with your truck and we can help out a bit more maybe.

Again all this with a grain of salt.

I guess what I am looking to do is to build an expedition 40. I am not looking to climb boulders, more of something along the lines of Caney Fork, using it for camping and exploring. I was thinking 33's maybe 35's at the biggest in the future. I have spent the hours reading all the threads on MUD regarding SOA vs SUA. I guess it's a toss up every person out there has a different opinion. My thought was that by not trying to build a monster truck I wouldnt need more than a 4" lift, and some people out there feel that SOA is less safe than SUA (not trying to start a war between which way is better).

 

[BZEP]

multiple, thin leaves will almost always ride better than a few thick leaves.. maybe call SJ and ask them about the makeup of the leaf pack?

Will the 4WP in Charlotte not match the online price?

I will give them a call. I didn't even think about asking for a price match. Thanks. Is there a number of leaves that you feel would make or break the stiffness of ride. Such as if you have at least "x" amount of leaves you should have a decent ride.

 

[Eskimo]

Hard to say, Brian.. the stock FJ packs are what, 7 or so, right? I've seen a lift pack with 3.. rode like ASS.

Could you get by with a 2.5" lift? I had 35x14.5 boggers on 15x10, 3.75" BS wheels with a s.5" lift and con-fer shackles a while back and I don't remember any rubbing.. the rear fenders were trimmed up, and it still had front fenders. How big of a tire are you wanting to run?

Having had both the SUA lift and then SOA, I would go SOA as long as you want 35"+ tires, BUT.. instead of spending money on a lift kit, I'd do the following: Get 4 monotube shocks (Bilstein, Edelbrock IAS, NONE of that Rancho/doetsch/Pro comp cellular twin-tube crap), and a sway bar.
It'll ride much nicer, not soft and mushy, but taut. Most importantly, it'll be in control. body roll will be much reduced, while not beating you to death, and if you're going for something you're willing to drive hundreds of miles, a kidney belt shouldn't be required. Think BMW vs. lincoln.

Most SOA horor stories (mine included) come from reallly soft shocks, most often angled WAY in. Well, when you couple a soft spring rate with a soft spring valving, you get something that'll scrape the sliders going around a curve. But like on my buggy now, a soft spring rate coupled with the proper (firmer) valving in a QUALITY shock lets you get the control you need without being punishing. There's a HUGE difference between stiff (Rancho 9000 on "9") and firm (monotube shock).

 

[little_joe]

Nothing of value to add, except to ditto Rich's comments. This is one area where leafs are far superior to coils - you can mix and match to get just the right spring rate for your app. And coupled with a truly quality shock, you'll be set up.

I still don't understand why every aftermarket spring is some ridiculously high spring rate - give me lift, "soft" spring, and great shocks!

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I am no spring expert here by any means but what i have seen is this.

When you build springs with a higher lift like 4 and above then it is going to get alot stiffer so it can hold its lift height over the years.I got something like that from Alcan when ordering my 4 inch from them for my 60. I like my 60 springs still but by no means is it going to do good in Tellico. For that i should of gone with a SOA. It is my beach buggy / DD so i was not looking for alot of flex out of them. I can flex them enough to rub on the body with the 35's.Once i find me another project 40 that will just be a trail machine i will either go SOA or link it. Again it will be for trail only though.

Again the only thing i never liked about the 4 inch was the flex part. If you do not want / need it to flex alot then by all means go with the 4 inch lift kit. But also think about giving Alcan Springs a call and ask them how much for what you are looking for. They will build to your specs. A little more price wise but at least give them a ring and ask them what they could do for you .

Something else Rich reccomended would be a good 2 inch and some shackles .

Again this is just my experience with them.

HTH a bit though.