Which springs would you recommend?

[fe sus]

I use my 95 FZJ as a work/play vehicle. The cargo area is usually full of tools and/or trash. The picture below was before a 1200# dump run. The suspension needs an upgrade. I have a set of OME 851/862s I picked up from a fellow 'mudder. My concern is that I might want something a bit heavier... I also have plans for a winch/bull-bar up front in the near future. And a 1hz as soon as the 1fz is ready to retire. So. What do you'se guys think? Heavies?

edit: By "woulf" I mean... "woof"

 

[94SRUNNER]

I think you might have the wrong spring combo to begin with. Unless you mean the 861 not 851. The 851 is for a 2" lift and I don't think is meant to be paired with the 862 which is a stock level lift spring. You may need to upgrade to the 863 or 864 which is for incressed load. Also how are your shocks?

Other will chime in with there experience.

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

I would recommend at least 863 for the rear from what you described, but you will have a rake with the 851 in the front if your load in the back is little to none.

-Ben-

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Heavies for sure. I think for anyone who tows or has added weight on a truck (sliders, bumper, etc.) Heavies or the like are a must. The unladen ride is not as bad as many project on here, I went from the stock Lexus suspension which was Buick-like (not a good thing) to very truck-like. It's only bad if you're a fan of a truck riding like a car. I have a items on the truck that I feel balance out the bounciness, but the OME setup is known for being more unrefined than other custom setups. Out of the box though, I don't think it's bad at all.
Although, I'm keeping my eye out for when Frankies makes a Heavy setup.

 

[fe sus]

So if I want to add a bit of lift and keep and even stance, keep the 851's and swap out the 862's for 863 or 864?

 

[arndog123]

I think you'll be happier w/ heavies all around, especially since you plan on adding a winch/bullbar up front. You'll probably want to add spacers up front though to get a level stance.

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

Once you get the bull bar and the winch and to keep a level stance the 850J would be a better option or 850 with a spacer.

-Ben-

 

[fe sus]

Okay. I have a couple spacers...
Guess I need to sell/trade what I've got. Thanks for the suggestions. Thinking 850s w spacers, 863s or 864s in back... either would probably be fine for my needs.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

To add to the confusion, you could go with meds and airbag the rear.

 

[fe sus]

Think I'll stick with springs in the interest of simplicity and durability... at least until the "hover" suspension comes out.

 

[zachjp5]

I think you'll be happier w/ heavies all around, especially since you plan on adding a winch/bullbar up front. You'll probably want to add spacers up front though to get a level stance.

Your saying if you have a bull bar you should get heavies all around and using spacers in the front will level the truck out keeping the front from angling downward?

 

[arndog123]

Your saying if you have a bull bar you should get heavies all around and using spacers in the front will level the truck out keeping the front from angling downward?

Yes, the spacers will prevent the "stinkbug" look.

 

[cruiserdan]

864s are suitable for heavy loads. If memory serves they provide ~20mm of lift with a 400kg (880 lb) cargo load. Un-laden they are a bit stiff. I run them with 850Js and 1 inch spacers up front. Here is the stance with a very full load:

 

[94SRUNNER]

Dan...now that is a sight to behold!

 

[arndog123]

Dan, are you running L shocks up front w/ the J's/spacers?

 

[cruiserdan]

No, regular OME shocks. The front end is quite heavy with the blower, winch and so-on. It's not as tall as the spring set up suggests.

 

[fe sus]

Thanks Dan. That looks a bit better than the picture I posted at the beginning of the thread...

 

[wrongway around]

save your spacers till your happy with the stance level

 

[KliersLC]

X2 on the air bags. They are a little more complicated than springs alone, but they are cheaper than any two springs and greatly enhance a spring's utility.

I have TJM heavies on my 80--the spring rate is about 20lbs per inch softer than OME heavies. I DD it back and forth to work empty with three of us in the rig and it rides very nicely on the freeway. I also have 5 kids and a dog, so when the third row is in, the kids are in, our stuff is in the back and the bike rack with 4 bikes and a bike trailer is on, I can put a little air in to keep from sagging and to stabilize the rear end. It takes about three minutes. For that load I usually use about 35 psi. That load plus a 22 foot camper required about 70 psi--max is 100 psi. Airlift bags are stupidly simple and allow me to have a lift, a comfortable ride on road, a level stance when towing and hauling stuff, and they don't interfere with flex off road.

From what I have seen, most affordable spring offerings lack in either ride or load carrying capacity. Air springs added to a set of springs that are tailored to your daily usage is a good way to have your cake and eat it too....

Dan

 

[jvazquez53]

Constant Load, ironman!