I just picked up a 94 FZJ80 and am trying to develop a plan for it. I have a LONG list of PM and have already ordered several OEM gaskets and a full Toyota hose kit, thermostat and cap. But i am also trying to plan what mods need to be done. I actually want to try to be smart about this and do mods that help make it more useful for me and not just make it "look cool". It has factory lockers and brand new set of 285/75/16 BFG ATs on it. I figure it is probably a very capable truck as is. But it is hard for me not to modify stuff and i have been thinking about springs. The springs in it now are 20 years old with 180,000 miles on them, probably pretty tired.
This is what i want to do with the truck. Eventually it will be my DD when i get everything PMed and worked out. We will be using it for long trips, camping, climbing, biking and backpacking. For example, this summer my girlfriend is talking about going out to Wyoming and doing some backpacking. We would be hopefully sleeping in the truck and car camping also. I would try to plan some 4wd exploring for the trip as well. I dont consider any hardcore off roading but since we are traveling alone i really dont want to be getting stuck. I figured a little lift might not be bad. Also we travel pretty light but gear adds up fast. Also we are CONSIDERING a bumper and duel batt. So there is the load and spring issue.
I would also like to use the truck for some wheeling on weekends with friends. Nothing extreme, just exploring trails and rough mountain forestry roads.
The other big thing is that with all they road miles we are trying to not totally give up MPG. We are planning to try to avoid a roof rack as well. So i could stay with the factory 20 year old springs, really nothing wrong with them.
Or i am mostly looking at the OME "stock height" springs. These give the truck about .75-1" lift over factory springs. Since most factory springs are a little droopy they might even be a little higher. But they are heavier rate to deal with bumper and gear. Slee actually said that they ride harder than the 2.5" medium weight springs. Also they dont need any caster adjustment.
The other option is the OME 2.5 springs. I originally thought that these were to tall for my taste but the more i look at them the more i like them. But from what i read the FJ80 will clear 285/75 with factory springs. So the lift is not really needed with that size tires. Also the MPG would be even worse. Correcting the caster with bushings becomes necessary. I dont mind doing that but i would like to keep things as simple and as factory as possible. It is easier to repair or replace things in the middle of no where the more stock things are. This kind of has me feeling like the 2.5" would mostly be for looks and not really needed for me. But Slee did say that they actually ride nicer on the road than the OME "stock" springs due to a softer spring rate.
I dont know, what do you guys think. Trying to do what i actually need for my use and not just what others are doing.
This is what i want to do with the truck. Eventually it will be my DD when i get everything PMed and worked out. We will be using it for long trips, camping, climbing, biking and backpacking. For example, this summer my girlfriend is talking about going out to Wyoming and doing some backpacking. We would be hopefully sleeping in the truck and car camping also. I would try to plan some 4wd exploring for the trip as well. I dont consider any hardcore off roading but since we are traveling alone i really dont want to be getting stuck. I figured a little lift might not be bad. Also we travel pretty light but gear adds up fast. Also we are CONSIDERING a bumper and duel batt. So there is the load and spring issue.
I would also like to use the truck for some wheeling on weekends with friends. Nothing extreme, just exploring trails and rough mountain forestry roads.
The other big thing is that with all they road miles we are trying to not totally give up MPG. We are planning to try to avoid a roof rack as well. So i could stay with the factory 20 year old springs, really nothing wrong with them.
Or i am mostly looking at the OME "stock height" springs. These give the truck about .75-1" lift over factory springs. Since most factory springs are a little droopy they might even be a little higher. But they are heavier rate to deal with bumper and gear. Slee actually said that they ride harder than the 2.5" medium weight springs. Also they dont need any caster adjustment.
The other option is the OME 2.5 springs. I originally thought that these were to tall for my taste but the more i look at them the more i like them. But from what i read the FJ80 will clear 285/75 with factory springs. So the lift is not really needed with that size tires. Also the MPG would be even worse. Correcting the caster with bushings becomes necessary. I dont mind doing that but i would like to keep things as simple and as factory as possible. It is easier to repair or replace things in the middle of no where the more stock things are. This kind of has me feeling like the 2.5" would mostly be for looks and not really needed for me. But Slee did say that they actually ride nicer on the road than the OME "stock" springs due to a softer spring rate.
I dont know, what do you guys think. Trying to do what i actually need for my use and not just what others are doing.