I just received my Terrain Tamer kit for my 78 FJ40. Now I just need to make time to install it!!
Terrain Tamer parabolics installed (23 Viewers)
- Thread starter Jonathan Hanson
- Start date
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@BullHab I had decided not to update my springs under a recent series of big upgrades. Questioning the wisdom of that decision since I am driving it so much more. I will be looking forward to your review among the many I have read so far. I am not a rock crawler but I live on a long dirt road and enjoy riding a few fire trails around here. Some of the potholes are not even a bounce but a hit and you feel it. I might describe it like a high end turntable that has locking screws used for shipping but…you remove them when your playing records and the spring action is restored…My truck feels like they never removed the shipping screws . I dont recall any of my other Fj40’s riding like this
My dirt road is jarring enough that the reality of a smoother bounce is starting to gain popularity in my head again. Just getting the mail each day can be an adventure …imagine that?
My dirt road is jarring enough that the reality of a smoother bounce is starting to gain popularity in my head again. Just getting the mail each day can be an adventure …imagine that?
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
You should check out this video Bill Dragoo posted on YouTube. He actually ran a 3-part series about the Terrain Tamer parabolic suspension kit installation on his 40 but she completed well over a year ago. Bill is retired and completely independent. So he’s merely posting his opinion and thoughts about the kit and installation.
Obviously, there are plenty of others who’ve expressed their satisfaction with the right quality of these kits. But he’s a great example. We’ve also installed dozens of these kids here at our shop and end result is always a happy customer. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Terrain Tamer North America.
209-714-4210
Thank you Georg…. Head there right now
I'll let you know how the new kit works out. I'm really hoping that it works as advertised.
Plan to be installing the new terrain tamer springs tomorrow and maybe Saturday if I need the time. I'll try and get some pictures and some follow up thoughts but I'm pretty darn excited to have these on.
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
Looking forward to your update and pics!!!
Georg @ Terrain Tamer North America
PS: if you have any questions, need info or tech support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone call, email or PM on here.
209-714-4210
Appreciate it Georg! And thanks for answering all my questions a few months back!
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
Anytime!
That’s a big part of my job, proper tech support for the items we offer.
Georg
Terrain Tamer North America
Another happy customer!
Sits nice and level, rides much smoother, and nice complete kit. Rear axle definitely came forward compared to the old ranchos.
Now I have to find a way to mount the steering damper to my Saginaw/1 ton linkage...
I do wish it came in a 4" though...
Thanks Georg and TT!
Sits nice and level, rides much smoother, and nice complete kit. Rear axle definitely came forward compared to the old ranchos.
Now I have to find a way to mount the steering damper to my Saginaw/1 ton linkage...
I do wish it came in a 4" though...
Thanks Georg and TT!
Before and after of rear axle spacing...
Thanks @Jonathan Hanson for opening this thread and giving us a nice write up and first exposure (in the states) to the new Terrain Tamer kit. Also big thanks to Georg and Co @orangefj45 for importing and supplying the kit! Tell Mitchell thanks for answering the phone for my couple of questions.
Got everything installed today and it all went quite smooth. Very happy with the kit and very impressed with the ride!
Got everything installed today and it all went quite smooth. Very happy with the kit and very impressed with the ride!
I was going from a 4"BDS (?) suspension with 3 1/4" anti inversion shackles and the Bilstein 5100s (2-4" lift, I really liked them actually even with the BDS springs). The overall goal was to lower it down a little to get the drive line angles a little more proper and make drivability improvements. Big win on all fronts. At Georg's recommendation he added a 4 degree shim for the front in the kit which from a driving and alignment standpoint is perfect. I had a 4 degree in there before and it needed 6 so this works well.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Don't mind the sawdust; everything came nice and clean it was just sitting on my buddies garage floor for a few months since I'm not presently located with my rig and had to make time to get up to WA.
More pictures because everyone likes pictures.
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
Thanks for taking the time to post this and for the kind words!
Please let us know how you like the suspension and ride quality once you get a few miles on your 40.
Looks great!!!!!
Georg
Terrain Tamer North America
209-714-4210
So, for those who have installed these spring sets….where would you say the greatest amount of muscle is required? I lack much of what I had and while I have done my 40 springs but it was 1976…
RevISK
SILVER Star
There are a few techniques that make doing a spring swap lighter work.
I like to do an axle and a time, from the fixed pin back. You can use that as a hinge point and your various jacks and stuff to assist.
The heaviest work is maneuvering the old springs out and the new ones in.
Oh, and removing the old fixed pin… that typically sucks.
I like to do an axle and a time, from the fixed pin back. You can use that as a hinge point and your various jacks and stuff to assist.
The heaviest work is maneuvering the old springs out and the new ones in.
Oh, and removing the old fixed pin… that typically sucks.
