Builds The Belgian 1997 FZJ80 Build (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter TheBelgian
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- #22
Thanks! As fast as the budget permits
I have to say, it has been really rewarding working on this truck!! I appreciate the LC more than my other "modern" cars since I get to fix and improve things ah!
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- #23
Just got my Extended Brake Line Kit (5") today, will try to install everything on Thursday, go wheel over the weekend and report on the improvement next week
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- #24
Got everything installed just in time for my wheeling & camping trip this weekend! Will report on the whole package in a few hundred miles once it's all broken in and settled... Def. love it so far, I can already tell the difference in braking power.
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- #25
Went wheeling, camping and shooting with a buddy. His big F250 had a hard time keeping up ahah!! The trails is moderate 80% of the way with a few sections being difficult/technical but even without lockers, I was able to hop around without any issues. Being at 3,000+ elevation was def. challenging on the inline-six but then again, nothing more gas pedal couldn't solve
Gotta love when four-wheeling changes from reaching the destination to being the destination! We enjoyed steel target shooting and a nice campfire to reward a hard day's work
We got lucky with the weather, not too hot (this area of NorCal can hit triple digits no problem) during the day and not too cold at night so I was able to sleep in the back of the LC and enjoy the view.
Good times for sure! No wives, no kids... Can't wait to go back!!
–"Today was a good day, I gotta shoot my AK"
Did you install OME caster bushings?
1997 FZJ80 40th Anniversary Edition with 245,045 miles. Top pics are from the day I picked it up on 5/7/15. Was stock so started by baselining the truck then it all started...
- OME 2.5″ Heavy Duty 850/ 863
- 315/75/16 Cooper STT
What was the resulting camber when aligned?
Was it within +2 to +4 factory specs?
How is your FM radio reception when led headlights are on?
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- #28
Yes on the bushings and here's the alignment report... Hope it helps!
As for the radio, not issue to report. The cooling fans are noticeable but they also help remind me to turn the lights off ah!
Mine was done at Cains too!
Yes on the bushings and here's the alignment report... Hope it helps!
As for the radio, not issue to report. The cooling fans are noticeable but they also help remind me to turn the lights off ah!
Do you feel it wander more than when stock?
Ive been advised to consider Slee 3 degree bushings or even better Manafre bolt on plates and new stock rubber bushings
Mine has +0 degree and yours is even more extremely out of spec
Do you know why?
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- #30
Dude that's hilarious!! Good to see there's another local on here!
To be honest, I bought my LC on a Wednesday and had the OME installed (also by Cains) on Friday with the Cooper STTs so I can't really tell the difference before & after... The old tires, shocks & springs were shot so it was def. not handling that well and I have to say I'm pretty happy the way it currently rides and it doesn't wander on the highway.
I'll look into the Slee bushings if it can improve the cornering, that's the one thing I'd like to improve on the way this rig handles...
lumbee1
Native American
How do the brakes feel? I am in desperate need of new rotors. My pads are fairly new but my rotors are well below minimum. I would prefer slotted or solid over cross drilled but I really wanted your opinion on the whole package.
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- #32
So I've got just over 700 miles on the new brakes, rotors, etc. and I'd say the improvement is noticeable. Not huge but def. there... I'd say 25% marginal gain compared to the old brakes. They "bite" a bit better but the brake pedal still feels kinda the same to be honest. I was expecting a "firmer" brake pedal but maybe that was the wrong expectation to have.
Now, on trails and heavy braking (like downhill, etc.) def. a serious improvement!! I can ride the brakes much longer without fade and get a better feel & control overall.
For the price I paid (~$305 OTD) for the kit (rotors and pads) I'd say it's a valuable improvement. I got quoted close to $1,200 for the same kinda kit from a local brake place (with labor) and that would not have been worth that kind of money.
Since I did the SS brake lines at the same time, I'm not sure how much improvement is to be attributed to that... Hope this helps!!
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- #34
No, I have to go back to Cains as I also suspect they installed the OME springs wrong... Left side is lower than right
Common rookie mistake as springs are labeled for Aus handed drives. Stupid.No, I have to go back to Cains as I also suspect they installed the OME springs wrong... Left side is lower than right
Its also possible to install OME bushings "clocked" (oriented) incorrectly resulting in insufficient caster.
Factory suspension should be +2 to +4.
2 1/2" lift w OME bushing should be similar.
Curious what you do and result.
- Thread starter
- #36
I stopped by today to talk about the issue, will go back on Thu. to double check it all... will keep you posted!
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- #37
The tags on my springs did have the expected A/B markings (kinda hidden since on top). Slee references them as A for Australian driver side, so in the US the springs with the label A should go on the passenger side and B should go on the driver side.
Slee OME installation
"7. IMPORTANT. In the US, with left hand drive vehicles, if the springs are labeled DS and PS, we install the DS (Driver Side) springs on the PS (Passenger Side) and visa versa. The springs are labeled for the right hand drive vehicles. If you can not locate the labels, or you have used springs, make sure you mark the springs that you remove from your vehicle and match long with the long and the short with the short springs.
Lately some springs are labeled A and B. A is for Australian driver side, so in the US this should go on the passenger side and B should go on the driver side."
Lately some springs are labeled A and B. A is for Australian driver side, so in the US this should go on the passenger side and B should go on the driver side."
ARB USA OME General Fitting Guide
"A/B Fitment
As a general rule, the A springs have a higher free height than the B coils. This is to allow the fitter to compensate for driver weight, aftermarket accessories, vehicle weight distribution, and chassis twist. We suggest taking measurements at each corner before fitting the new suspension components. This will allow for more accurate A/B fitment.
In vehicles with front and rear A/B springs, most of these vehicles will be happiest with an A coil fitted to the front, driver corner and the opposite rear, passenger corner. In vehicles with only rear A/B springs, most will end up with the A spring on the rear, driver corner.
It must be understood that due to the A/B variation, the first spring selection may result in the vehicle to be unlevel. If this is the case, swapping spring locations is necessary before trying other trimming methods."
As a general rule, the A springs have a higher free height than the B coils. This is to allow the fitter to compensate for driver weight, aftermarket accessories, vehicle weight distribution, and chassis twist. We suggest taking measurements at each corner before fitting the new suspension components. This will allow for more accurate A/B fitment.
In vehicles with front and rear A/B springs, most of these vehicles will be happiest with an A coil fitted to the front, driver corner and the opposite rear, passenger corner. In vehicles with only rear A/B springs, most will end up with the A spring on the rear, driver corner.
It must be understood that due to the A/B variation, the first spring selection may result in the vehicle to be unlevel. If this is the case, swapping spring locations is necessary before trying other trimming methods."
That's quite confusing... I would assume ARB USA is referring to the US driver corner right??
Cains confirmed they matched long with the long and the short with the short, so I have the A coils on the driver side and the B coils on the passenger side...
Now, we did confirm that they did not install the OME caster kit (probably wasn't delivered)!! So I'll be back next week to put these in and that should fix the caster situation ha!
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Make sure to have your new post caster correction documented by cains and report here
The tags on my springs did have the expected A/B markings (kinda hidden since on top). Slee references them as A for Australian driver side, so in the US the springs with the label A should go on the passenger side and B should go on the driver side.
Slee OME installation
"7. IMPORTANT. In the US, with left hand drive vehicles, if the springs are labeled DS and PS, we install the DS (Driver Side) springs on the PS (Passenger Side) and visa versa. The springs are labeled for the right hand drive vehicles. If you can not locate the labels, or you have used springs, make sure you mark the springs that you remove from your vehicle and match long with the long and the short with the short springs.
Lately some springs are labeled A and B. A is for Australian driver side, so in the US this should go on the passenger side and B should go on the driver side."
ARB USA OME General Fitting Guide
"A/B Fitment
As a general rule, the A springs have a higher free height than the B coils. This is to allow the fitter to compensate for driver weight, aftermarket accessories, vehicle weight distribution, and chassis twist. We suggest taking measurements at each corner before fitting the new suspension components. This will allow for more accurate A/B fitment.
In vehicles with front and rear A/B springs, most of these vehicles will be happiest with an A coil fitted to the front, driver corner and the opposite rear, passenger corner. In vehicles with only rear A/B springs, most will end up with the A spring on the rear, driver corner.
It must be understood that due to the A/B variation, the first spring selection may result in the vehicle to be unlevel. If this is the case, swapping spring locations is necessary before trying other trimming methods."
That's quite confusing... I would assume ARB USA is referring to the US driver corner right??
Cains confirmed they matched long with the long and the short with the short, so I have the A coils on the driver side and the B coils on the passenger side...
Now, we did confirm that they did not install the OME caster kit (probably wasn't delivered)!! So I'll be back next week to put these in and that should fix the caster situation ha!
Include measurement center of hub to fender flare front and rear
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- #39
Now I have to find the time to install it haha!
Cool to see another local on here. I'm in Petaluma. I'll watch out for you on the road!
