Review Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review (1 Viewer)

[wngrog]

So a few weeks ago I was discussing some of the new things happening with @orangefj45 and him launching a US branch of Terrain Tamer.

He went on to tell me he was stocked up with Parabolic kits and asked if I would give a lot a chance for my next customer build.

I told him I would do him one better and I would buy a kit for my own truck and then I'd have some experience before I sold someone on a kit I had no experience with.

Test Bed - The Goat 45 .... my 1967 FJ45 pickup. Arguably the worst riding Land Cruisers on the planet. These trucks are too light in the rear and, unless loaded, generally buck and kick around like any worthy one ton truck should.

The Goat was built before I discovered my current favorite suspension system, the Dobinsons IMS

The suspension that I removed after only about 5000 miles in 8 years was as a standard OME setup with 3 leafs removed in the rear and one added in the front. Bilstein shocks....

I have been happy with the stance on this truck but have always been dissatisfied with the ride. Amazingly, I have been able to build quite a few FJ45s over the years using the Dobinsons IMS so I knew there was an upside to my setup.

These things look so incredibly strange. That's the first thought that came out of my mind. Cowboy was not impressed.

I caught a break between customer trucks and decided to make this swap happen. First, get the measurements on my current setup.

Pretty much dead level which is great for ride and looks but I can say, I really took away the load capacity when I removed the rear leafs. Of course with those in it would have been completely unbearable to drive

 

[wngrog]

Taking inventory of the kit, I was happy to see it came with the proper fixed end rear spring pins and the larger bore bushings that the 45s use in the rear (front is standard 40)

I think I remember before I stripped the rear ARB springs each pack was about 95#. These with 3 leafs out weighed in at 75# each

The goofy Parabolics onmy weigh 56# each. Not light but way less than the OME

 

[wngrog]

Next suprise to me was the standard grade "yellow" Terrain Tamer shocks. I was fully expecting them to be lame like the standard OME and Dobinsons "yellow" shocks.

I was therefore pleasantly surprised when I pulled the bands off them and they actually self expanded.

Also, these things are massive. Not quite Dobinsons IMS massive but almost.

Testing them against the much loved Bilstein most people "upgrade" to over OME yellows, they are very comparable on the compression as my high tech bathroom scale goes.

That said, with shocks, there is no replacement for displacement. I would expect the larger terrain tamers to stay cooler longer. My biggest complaint using Bilstein over the years has been how fast they fade out off road.

One thing I found hard in the rear install. I have a method where I use my rolling cart to jack the heavy ass spring up to the fixed hanger.

The huge overlaid spring was hitting the arm on my lift so I had to install on the shackle end and swing them forward.

When you work solo you come up with these things. Just an observation.

 

[wngrog]

I got 1/2 done yesterday then dove into the front today after lunch.

First things first, add some 4* shims via Valley Hybrids to the front pack.

The extra small leaves on these packs are used to take up the same physical space in the Ubolt as a standard multi leaf pack. I doubt they play any part in the action of the spring at all.

One other feature. The other two leafs don't touch. They have isolators between them to reduce friction.

The front springs are really crazy light compared to OME - 60#

Versus only 30#

I'm running a @lcwizard flip kit but looking at the ubolts provided they are just standard stuff. Same as the others.

Side by Side the difference in design is stark

I like how the parabolics are nice and flat where the caster shim goes. All other brands they are curved there and you have to really tighten the crap out of the center bolts.

Bonus, the Terrain Tamer center bolts were long enough to be reused with the 4* shims

 

[TheHardWay]

Sufficiently intrigued

 

[wngrog]

Took me about 3 hours to button up the front and take it for a spin.

As you can see the truck sits pretty level. It's about the same as my pre lift numbers.

Impressions.

This setup is noticeably better than the OME setup. I honestly did not really expect that much difference seeing these light rear 45s all pretty much ride harsh.

I was hoping to get it to the Dobinsons IMS level of comfort at least so I'm happy to say these springs actually feel a good bit smoother than even those.

Potholes are not jarring. Seams in the road are not felt in your spine at all. Corners are great.

Overall I'll say I'm 100% happy I upgraded.

I don't think I would change out a Dobinsons IMS setup for this setup but I would advise new buyers to strongly consider the Parabolics over traditional leafs for an FJ45.

I look forward to trying them out on different models to see how they do on them. I'll be sure to follow up with any other platforms I get to test.

 

[wngrog]

 

[wngrog]

Random musings.

The front shocks on most 40 kits are a bit too short and when on the lift they are the "limiting" strap on the suspension.

Not optimal but I've built 30 40s and I've never had an issue breaking a shock.

The TT front shocks are 2" longer fully extended so what (non) issue that could be is fixed with the proper length shock.

Pretty cool.

 

[wngrog]

Random thought 2....

They have rubberish bushings that I liked. Not at all a fan of the OME bushings.

 

[wngrog]

Random throught 3....

Having my bias against "yella" shocks, I tried to buy this kit A la carte and just keep running my old Bilstein shocks and maybe even buy some Dobinsons IMS to go with the parabolics.

TT has these things listed as a kit and taking the shocks off only saved me $150 or so so I told Roark to just send them and I'd use them on something else.

Sure glad I did that. These are not like your grandmas "yella" shock

 

[EWheeler]

Random thought 2....

They have rubberish bushings that I liked. Not at all a fan of the OME bushings.

View attachment 3876648

That's an awfully nice way to say "do not break down and crumble like our competitors bushings"

Good honest review. I'm curious if the ride would improve dramatically with the IMS shocks, paired with the parabolic leafs. Who knows what the internal magic is like in the new yeller shocks. Traditional leaf spring packs are very progressive in rate. Those parabolics should be more linear and give you a chance for a very decent ride with a good shock, but I'm not a leaf spring engineer.

 

[wngrog]

Final thoughts.

With these standard shocks and the full kit, it was $3200 shipped to me.

($2900 plus shipping)

That is about $400 more than Dobinsons yella and about $250 less than Dobinsons IMS.

I have not bought any OME in years so I don't really know how that compares.

That's an awfully nice way to say "do not break down and crumble like our competitors bushings"

Good honest review. I'm curious if the ride would improve dramatically with the IMS shocks, paired with the parabolic leafs. Who knows what the internal magic is like in the new yeller shocks. Traditional leaf spring packs are very progressive in rate. Those parabolics should be more linear and give you a chance for a very decent ride with a good shock, but I'm not a leaf spring engineer.

I don't know. These seem pretty legit but I know the IMS is king.

If I get some FU money for some reason I'll try them out.

Likely won't though.

 

[OGBeno]

Random throught 3....

Having my bias against "yella" shocks, I tried to buy this kit A la carte and just keep running my old Bilstein shocks and maybe even buy some Dobinsons IMS to go with the parabolics.

TT has these things listed as a kit and taking the shocks off only saved me $150 or so so I told Roark to just send them and I'd use them on something else.

Sure glad I did that. These are not like your grandmas "yella" shock

View attachment 3876649

pAiNt TheM bLaCk

 

[orangefj45]

@wngrog thanks for taking the time to write up your review of our Terrain Tamer parabolic suspension kit.
Given your experience with cruisers, as long term owner ( as in “fully afflicted hoarder” not unlike myself ) and somebody who works on cruisers on a daily basis, it’s a HUGE COMPLIMENT to us to get a glowing review.

We’ve obviously installed a number of these here at the shop at Valley Hybrids and we have plenty of these parabolic suspension kits in stock ( along with lots of other parts ) at the new Terrain Tamer North America branch in northern CA!

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Terrain Tamer
209-714-4210
Northamerica@donkyatt.com.au
Www.terraintamer.com

 

[OGBeno]

@wngrog thanks for taking the time to write up your review of our Terrain Tamer parabolic suspension kit.
Given your experience with cruisers, as long term owner ( as in “fully afflicted hoarder” not unlike myself ) and somebody who works on cruisers on a daily basis, it’s a HUGE COMPLIMENT to us to get a glowing review.

We’ve obviously installed a number of these here at the shop at Valley Hybrids and we have plenty of these parabolic suspension kits in stock ( along with lots of other parts ) at the new Terrain Tamer North America branch in northern CA!

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Terrain Tamer
209-714-4210
Northamerica@donkyatt.com.au
Www.terraintamer.com

Looking forward to trying these on my SWB 70, G.

But, please send me bLAcK shocks.

 

[knuckle47]

Thanks @wngrog you just cost me $2000.00. I had been debating for months. I have a lot of work to do on my truck. Mostly upgrade swaps but big ones. Several your suggestions!! I had decided a few days ago just to replace the bushings when this was all apart. On the other hand, I highly regard your thoughts and opinions and that convinced me to bite the bullet now. Your review is substantive and very convincing that the improved ride is well worth it. That railroad track video is on point. I expected to see some yaw and bounce…. Practically non-existent . Great job

 

[knuckle47]

@OGBeno

A present for you

 

[OGBeno]

I prefer Toyota 218

 

[Chilkoot]

The “oh yeah” after the jump sold me.

 

[reklund5]

I'm *really* intrigued by these for my old worn out 40. The CCOT springs the PO put on are waaaay too stiff. Might have to drive over the hill and see @orangefj45 this summer