FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Which lift?

Whats up guys? So I going to order a lift kit, and this is the one I'm leaning toward.

http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&...

I have the stock front and rear bumpers so I'm going with the Standard 884 front coils, top plate spacer, and Toytec Superflex rear coils. I dont want to change my shocks yet and from the info on the site, I dont need to unless I'm going with the Medium or Heavy front coils.

Just want to get your opinion on this setup, as I am still new to all this.

Thanks,

Chris

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Boss73 on September 9, 2010 at 12:53pm

Not real sure why you want to change your front springs.. Looks like this kit wil still use the old shocks and still require a spacer up front. Not sure what your trying to accomplish with your life(ie, bigger tires more flex, more gound clearance). I just do not see why you would need to change out the front spring, and still have to add the spacer. I have had a spacer lift with spacers up front and stock shocks and springs with a ext shocks and coils in the rear. I am very happy with it and it has given me what I want.

Espicall if you do not want to chage yoru shocks. I got mine on a goup buy on the blue room. Its rough country and they do have goup buys every now and again.

You can accomplish what you want with less effort and money..

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Permalink Reply by DWH on September 9, 2010 at 1:01pm

I agree with Boss. I think a simple spacer lift would be easier, cheaper and accomplish the same thing.

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on September 9, 2010 at 1:54pm

I disagree.

The 884 springs give you 2.5 inches of lift and the spacers only add another.5 inches of lift. I prefer spring lifts over spacer only lift. Putting all the lift above your front strut could allow too much down travel, allowing over extension of the front axle when you are wheeling it.

If you have no intention of wheeling it, then I am more comfortable advising someone to save a few bucks and buy a spacer lift.

For a truck I intend to wheel I try to buy the best parts I can fit in my budget.

I originally had 885 and 895 OME springs and liked the setup. I went with 885 fronts springs since I intended to add a front bumper. Also have heard good things about the Toytec superflex rear springs.

Opinions on lifts vary widely and get lots of comments. You need to figure out what you intend to do with the truck and why you are adding the lift; rock crawling, occasional fire road travel, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Chris & Heather on September 9, 2010 at 2:16pm

Thanks. I for sure intend on wheeling it as I already have been. So you think it's a good lift?

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Permalink Reply by Bz on September 9, 2010 at 2:59pm

Yup that's a good start!

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Permalink Reply by Chris & Heather on September 9, 2010 at 3:09pm

What's up BZ. How much would you charge me to install that lift?

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on September 9, 2010 at 2:59pm

What !!! I have never ever had any of these problems with my spacer lift and I did get more that .5 " with the spacer. Mine was more like 2.5 to 3. Never had to much down travel..

Sorry PB but I will have to disagree with you cuz after three years I had never ever had any problem..

Of course I tend not to wheel as hard as others.

I still stand by what I said that it makes no sense to me to do all that work to replace your springs and still have a stock shocks. I

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on September 9, 2010 at 3:16pm

Boss I only said I prefer a spring lift regardless if you are using stock shocks or not. I picked up a used set of the off road package Bilsteins to use with my OME springs and was happy (well up until I saw a really cheap set of Donahoe's online).

I am not a suspension expert and do not claim to be one. I just don't like what I've seen where the spacers that go over the top of struts pushing your entire strut assy down and still allow the full travel of the strut. What limits travel on the stock struts is the stroke of the strut itself and binding of the links/control arms. In my opinion, this would allow more travel to the front axle than Toyota designed in.

I am not saying anyone would have problems from using a spacer lift and maybe I am regurgitating a myth but that design makes me uncomfortable to use as I wheel mine fairly regularly.

I would be interested in comparing the angle your front axle goes to versus a stock unit or my coil overs. Maybe the binding of the lower control arm and sway bar would stop it before the axle started to bind.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on September 9, 2010 at 3:52pm

Sounds like a plan.. But your gooing ot have to come up to the house for that.. hehehe

Also my spacer looks a lot bigger than the one pictured in the toy-tec ad.

Seems to me that any lift will put more stress on everything cuz it was not designed to have one.

But yes it would be interested in seeing the difference angles.

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Permalink Reply by daPitbull on September 9, 2010 at 5:10pm

I'm with Boss on this one. If you're not planning on changing out your shocks (now or in the future), this lift doesn't make sense. If you do go with the spring lift and you wheel it, you'll probably end up changing out your shocks anyway due to premature failure of the shocks...ask Resty (C4B). His shocks started leaking after a couple wheeling trips....but he isn't exactly gentle with the FJ either.

Boss and PB need to hug it out. I'm feeling tension, lol.

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Permalink Reply by Chris & Heather on September 9, 2010 at 5:20pm

Thanks for the info. Just so everyone knows, I do have the off road package with the bilstein shocks. That does make a difference right? It's probably something I should have mentioned when I started this discussion.