Hello everyone! I'm a new member to the site but I have been on it quite a few times. I have searched this site for more information about TPI's smokey mountain 4" lift and I haven't found a whole lot. Nothing bad has been said but it seems like a lot of people haven't bought them. I called them and it seems like a pretty good lift but I would like to hear from someone that has it or has had experience with it. Thanks guys!
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I will say that the seller, Bob, is a great guy and knows cruisers well. Good to support a small vendor at least. Not sure of the price differences/comparisons you are looking at. What components does the TPI lift have?
Good luck,
Joel
Good luck,
Joel
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- #3
This is the summary from the website but instead of black diamond shocks they are Heckethorn shocks which I've never heard of but he said that they are very good shocks. I looked them up and from what I see they are like the rough country and rancho shocks.
"TPI Land Cruiser is famous for the TPI Smoky Mountain 4'' suspension. No 4'' suspension on the market today rides and performs as well as the Smoky Mountain kit. Tested at Tellico, Rubicon, South America and all the major 4wd events. The #1 choice of off-roaders and street Cruisers. Kit comes complete with Springs, Shocks, Anti-Reverse grease shackles, Greasable Frame Pins, all 24 Bushings, U-bolts and Steering Caster Shims. All you do is furnish the labor. This is a damn good suspension, we demand it!"
Let's see if others pipe in. What does it cost? Doesn't man-a-fre or cruiser outfitters sell a OME Mojave suspension setup?
I believe the Heckethorn, Rough Country, and Rancho shocks are all made by Gabriel in Canada, they do have a firm ride, and they are not velocity sensitive like Bilsteins. The TPI springs might be ok (???), but I'd see if they can bet bought without the shocks
FYI - I'm running Gabriel load-levelers (I know, I know) but I believe Gabriel shocks are now made in Mexico (at least the Load Levelers are). Not saying that makes them worse, per se, just providing an update based on fairly recent gabriel shocks. I bought them used, so not sure exactly when the transition was made, or if it was all, or just some of their products.
I used Bob's 2 1/2" lift on my 76' 40. At that time he said the springs were made side by side with OME springs. I bought the entire package from him because I live close enough to save the shipping charges. The package worked well. It was very stiff on the road. He's s great guy. I would have my 45 suspension from him but he didn't carry what I needed. My $0.02 worth.
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- #9
Thanks for the replies everyone! It's about $1,050 for everything. I talked to him about maybe using different shocks like Bilsteins and he said that they don't have enough travel in them. He said that his springs travel up to about 11". He said that the Heckethorn work great and ride smooth. My fj will be driven mostly on the road so I want it to be a smooth ride. I looked up the man-a-fre lift and there are a lot of mixed thought about it. Some love it and some absolutely hate it. Hopefully you guys can help me out
Are you thinking a 2+" OME isn't enough lift? I suspect 4" might be overkill for what you describe. I have the OME 2+" light version and love it. My rig rides smooth and looks "offroad ready" with the lift. My shackles are 4" pin to pin. Tires are 235 85 R16. From the ground to bottom edge of my hardtop lip measures 72 1/2". Here's a post pertaining to 2+" OME stance
Member 78fj40mg can you help me please?
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I just looked on their site at this lift. Looking at the pictures and the shackle angles, it looks like the front springs aren't long enough. This would lead to a stiff ride and lack of flex. It will get plenty of uptravel, but with that shackle angle it will get little down travel. The rear shackle angle looks good and has a good spring length. Spring under axle suspensions can be made to work well, unfortunately most standard suspension lifts fall short and give crappy flex and a harsh ride. I have heard good things about the 4" lift from 4plus products. I don't think they list it on their website so you have to call. It has good shackle angles and proper length springs. You could also go with custom leafs from Deaver or Alcan. If you going to put a lift on, plan on keeping it a long time, so don't be scared to spend a little more money.
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- #12
I'm wanting to put either 33's or 35's. Most likely 35's so I want a 4". I will definitely look at 4plus. The problem with Deaver and alcan is that our (my dad and I) fj is in pieces right now and we don't know all of the additional weight that we will be putting on it.
What are you plans for a powerplant and drivetrain? 
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Not 100% sure yet but probably a 350 sbc with a 700r4 transmissionWhat are you plans for a powerplant and drivetrain?
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I just emailed them since they don't have a phone number listed
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- #17
This was his reply
"No . We designed and manufactured lift kit parts for Man-a-Fre from 1990 until shortly after the banking crash. At that point
their volume dropped to a point that out of state production just added to the cost and slowed things even further. We passed on the drawings and they outsourced the smaller number to local California shops. They sold to a Nevada corp
this year but maintained many of the items. The Mohave springs were not continued. They were the softest riding 40, longest travel springs made however with performance added cost and with the dwindling 40 market I couldn't get the new owners or anyone else to invest. I still have the drawings and will build sets for in house build ups but the cost of doing two
pair at a time would nearly triple the cost of the 50 pair quotes"
"No . We designed and manufactured lift kit parts for Man-a-Fre from 1990 until shortly after the banking crash. At that point
their volume dropped to a point that out of state production just added to the cost and slowed things even further. We passed on the drawings and they outsourced the smaller number to local California shops. They sold to a Nevada corp
this year but maintained many of the items. The Mohave springs were not continued. They were the softest riding 40, longest travel springs made however with performance added cost and with the dwindling 40 market I couldn't get the new owners or anyone else to invest. I still have the drawings and will build sets for in house build ups but the cost of doing two
pair at a time would nearly triple the cost of the 50 pair quotes"
Cahoove
I just saw a Forty with a nice 4" lift posted. I thought it might interest you. 33's look good.
Torfabulous
I just saw a Forty with a nice 4" lift posted. I thought it might interest you. 33's look good.
Torfabulous
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
Buying a pre-packaged suspension kit is a sure-fire way to get a lot of experience in a hurry.
Buying a pre-packaged suspension kit is a sure-fire way to get a lot of experience in a hurry.
Makes sense. Might as well have the best.
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