What should I expect?

[LockedCollector]

So through a series of opportunistic purchases I’ve slowly amassed an OME set up (J series). I’m currently running my 80 bone stock. So my question is what should I expect if I slap on this lift and upgrade to 315s without immediate purchase of weighty items (bumpers, slider, etc)? Unbearable stiffness, vibrations, compromised vehicle control, weird stance? Meaning no extra weight as it may take a while to start adding. This is not my DD although I like driving it daily, so intend to add on extras slowly.

For reference I’ve included a pic (or it’s not real) of the parts I currently have:

Springs 863Js and 850Js
Shocks 60070L and 60071L
OME stabilizer
Metal tech 1.5” spacers
Man a fre front bump stops
Icon front sway bar drop blocks
Man a fre front control arm 3” drop brackets
Man a fre rear sway bar drop brackets

This is my 4th 80 but none have been modified so appreciate the input....thanks.

 

[panamacruiser]

you may be needing adjustable panhards

 

[LockedCollector]

Yeah I had thought about that and spoke to father in law (welder) who can help me with the Slee DIY Panhard kit.

 

[retrofive]

Without the weight you may have a little more lift, but nothing crazy. Also without the weight may ride a little more stiff, but again nothing to worry about. I ran the same setup (minus the drop brackets and used MT's caster plates). I never did my pan hard.

 

[Heckraiser]

Will ride more stiff than stock. It may actually (likely) handle better than stock, depending on your ride/handling preferences. I had 863's in the back of my 80 for a couple years with no 3rd row, no extra weight. It was firm, but not terrible by any means.

That's a solid kit you've pieced together there. Only thing missing, IMO would be a delta panhard bracket for the rear, but totally not necessary, would just be good to have. IMO, the delta bracket is a better solution than a longer/adjustable panhard. I would consider both/either to be optional.

 

[LockedCollector]

Will ride more stiff than stock. It may actually (likely) handle better than stock, depending on your ride/handling preferences. I had 863's in the back of my 80 for a couple years with no 3rd row, no extra weight. It was firm, but not terrible by any means.

That's a solid kit you've pieced together there. Only thing missing, IMO would be a delta panhard bracket for the rear, but totally not necessary, would just be good to have. IMO, the delta bracket is a better solution than a longer/adjustable panhard. I would consider both/either to be optional.

Will the MT spacers level it out or should those be installed when adding a metal bumper with winch?

 

[retrofive]

Will the MT spacers level it out or should those be installed when adding a metal bumper with winch?

I ran the 1.5" MT spacers and leveled pretty good with their MT front bumper and Warn 9k, and then later with 4x4 Labs front bumper. But those are easy to install. Maybe wait until the armor comes along or just see where you sit as is.

 

[ajax1]

Just my experience when I had started out, I had j springs front rear, used man fre caster drop brackets. In no way did I have enough caster truck was super dartie almost scary, I switched out the brackets in a month to slee castor plates and it was night and day. The slee plates put me at 2.1 degrees while the man a fres were at like o degrees. You should def extend your brake lines, or you will be way to short on your lines.
So extend brake lines and buy castor plates instead of man a fre brackets

 

[LockedCollector]

Just my experience when I had started out, I had j springs front rear, used man fre caster drop brackets. In no way did I have enough caster truck was super dartie almost scary, I switched out the brackets in a month to slee castor plates and it was night and day. The slee plates put me at 2.1 degrees while the man a fres were at like o degrees. You should def extend your brake lines, or you will be way to short on your lines.
So extend brake lines and buy castor plates instead of man a fre brackets

I thought the control arm drop brackets corrected the caster issue. If not, then what purpose do they have? Did you use the 3” brackets?

 

[ajax1]

I thought the control arm drop brackets corrected the caster issue. If not, then what purpose do they have? Did you use the 3” brackets?

They are suppose to mine which were the three inches did not give enough caster. They did improve over no correction but were still not enough to get me to stock numbers. I went to slee castor plates which did get me to stock numbers and made night day difference. I was j springs with spacer in front no bumper. You def want to extend your brake lines

 

[LockedCollector]

Thanks certainly understand why I would need to extend my brake lines but have to educate myself on caster angles.

 

[jfz80]

Agreed on all the above.
That was my first kit on a stock 80. The OME castor bushings were not enough and that was springs only,no spacers. Adding spacers to level it will require even more castor correction needs. Without spacers it will sit arse high. It didn’t bother me.

my leveling solution was to run Slee 4 fronts j rear
Sold j fronts to someone with 2.5” Med and leveled his ride too. Win win.

j/j springs and 315s and first armor mod. Sliders

J/J springs and no mods with 285s

 

[bwesty]

I would consider trading out the 863J for 863 and also ditch the front spacers in favor of ~15mm OME coil spacers to level as needed if you have plans to run 35s. That will be more than enough lift to accomplish that even with bumpers, winch, sliders etc. It is going to ride stiff unloaded. Remember the more you lift the more complications and remedies that need to be made. Keep it lower for improved ride, performance and simplicity.

 

[Heckraiser]

To the caster topic, 3" drop brackets should be perfect for a 3" lift, castor wise. For that reason, it may be best to run without the front MT spacers. Put 200 lbs of sand bags in the cargo area and it will ride like a dream

If you do decide to go with caster plates instead of your drop brackets, I have a set of slee plates I'd mail you for cheap

 

[LockedCollector]

I would consider trading out the 863J for 863 and also ditch the front spacers in favor of ~15mm OME coil spacers to level as needed if you have plans to run 35s. That will be more than enough lift to accomplish that even with bumpers, winch, sliders etc. It is going to ride stiff unloaded. Remember the more you lift the more complications and remedies that need to be made. Keep it lower for improved ride, performance and simplicity.

Thanks, if I were to go down from 863J to 863, would the L shocks still work for it? After reading more especially on Romer’s FAQ I am thinking maybe I should stay away from Js given it will be stock weight for the foreseeable future maybe even less weight than average stock as this rig does not have the tow hitch. With what I’ve read I will be faced with issues (including regearing?) it does not have now. Good thing I have not installed it or invested in 315s yet so have time to think and do more research and then decide. Should have considered medium OME world.

 

[LockedCollector]

I would consider trading out the 863J for 863 and also ditch the front spacers in favor of ~15mm OME coil spacers to level as needed if you have plans to run 35s. That will be more than enough lift to accomplish that even with bumpers, winch, sliders etc. It is going to ride stiff unloaded. Remember the more you lift the more complications and remedies that need to be made. Keep it lower for improved ride, performance and simplicity.

Thanks, if I were to go down from 863J to 863, would the L shocks still work for it? After reading more especially on Romer’s FAQ I am thinking maybe I should stay away from Js given it will be stock weight for the foreseeable future maybe even less weight than average stock as this rig does not have the tow hitch. With what I’ve read I will be faced with issues (including regearing?) it does not have now. Good thing I have not installed it or invested in 315s yet so have time to think and do more research and then decide. Should have considered medium OME world.

 

[LockedCollector]

I would consider trading out the 863J for 863 and also ditch the front spacers in favor of ~15mm OME coil spacers to level as needed if you have plans to run 35s. That will be more than enough lift to accomplish that even with bumpers, winch, sliders etc. It is going to ride stiff unloaded. Remember the more you lift the more complications and remedies that need to be made. Keep it lower for improved ride, performance and simplicity.

Thanks, if I were to go down from 863J to 863, would the L shocks still work for it? After reading more especially on Romer’s FAQ I am thinking maybe I should stay away from Js given it will be stock weight for the foreseeable future maybe even less weight than average stock as this rig does not have the tow hitch. With what I’ve read I will be faced with issues (including regearing?) it does not have now. Good thing I have not installed it or invested in 315s yet so have time to think and do more research and then decide. Should have considered medium OME world.

 

[LockedCollector]

Wow glitchy

 

[bwesty]

Springs are very simple to swap out so get the proper springs for your current setup. Unloaded heavy rate coils are not a comfortable ride. Yes L shocks will work with 863 springs. These days there's a lot more spring choices available too which may provide a better solution too.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Why is so much lift needed?
Given your parts list and weight, you will not have enough caster and driving will be similar to herding sheep on a buckboard.
@cruiseroutfit should be your next move IMO