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Fj40 Lift
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:24 am
by FJ40Boy
Hozit. My 40 is lifter a bit, but I want to lift it more to fit larger tyres, whats the cheapest way for this, and to get more wheel travel. Will larger wheels break the 4 speed gearbox? If someone could help me with some pix or instructions please.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:52 am
by Smurf
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:19 pm
by muddy
Longer shackles is the cheapest & easiest lift - but only for the rear! It will stuff the caster angle if you do it on the front. I also had springs re-set & added a new full length leaf, then pulled a couple of short ones. Cost around $350. You then need to look for longer travel shocks to get decent articulation...
Try ripping into the rear guards with a disc grinder for starters. You may not need as much lift as you think... And it's free...
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:11 pm
by FJ40Boy
It is lifted, got black diamond shocks, I have 33s on there now, I thought a lift wil give me more articulation, as that's the main thing I'm after. And then a rear diff lock, but don't know of any price range yet?
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:58 pm
by FJ40Boy
muddy wrote:Longer shackles is the cheapest & easiest lift - but only for the rear! It will stuff the caster angle if you do it on the front. I also had springs re-set & added a new full length leaf, then pulled a couple of short ones. Cost around $350. You then need to look for longer travel shocks to get decent articulation...
Try ripping into the rear guards with a disc grinder for starters. You may not need as much lift as you think... And it's free...
Sorry mate, but what's the caster angle? I'm still learning
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:28 pm
by muddy
Caster angle is to do with steering geometry. Longer shackles on the front tilts the front axle, so it will make the steering wander even worse than usual. It can be compensated with wedges on the axle housing where it bolts to the springs. If all you want is better articulation, then longer shackles with longer travel shocks should do it nicely. Then pull a leaf or two from each spring pack so it flexes a bit easier.
Start by unbolting the bottom shock mounts so they aren't limiting travel, then jack up a corner & see how far the axle drops before lifting the wheel. I'd be very surprised if it doesn't droop further than the shocks allow. It should be obvious that you'll get even more droop with longer shackles. Pulling a leaf or two should soften the springs enough so it will still compress to the bump stops. When you've got the longer shackles, measure the distance between shock mounts at the extremes (full droop & full compression), and find some shocks to suit. The shocks will be the expensive bit....
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:43 pm
by FJ40Boy
Thnaks for the help. Has anyone got longer shackles for sale or do I have to make my own?
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:30 pm
by muddy
If you already have a lift kit installed, it may have longer shackles already. I'd try checking if it's just the shocks restricting travel before doing anything else.