I recently had a baby and had to sell my 4x4 camper to build a more baby friendly model. The new owner has a build thread on here (1988 toyota + 1977 chinook). I decided to get an 1993 FZJ80 with e-lockers, rebuilt axles and rebuilt engine. I combined that with an 18ft 1986 Nissan Sunrader that had a blown engine. All in all, it came together pretty nicely despite having a slightly different wheelbase. I may put a build thread together if people are interested.
Right now I could really uses some advice on rear suspension. I cut about 600#s of metal, glass and upholstery out of the land cruiser and then added the fiberglass shell to the remaining frame. I added air bags inside the rear coil springs to help support the extra weight. The manufacturer of the bags says the bags are good for 1000#s per bag so they should increase capacity by 1 ton. Unfortunately the truck looks like it sags in the back at 35PSI which is the highest the manufacturer suggests in this application, despite other applications being capable of 100PSI per side. I'm considering swapping out the stock rear shocks for OME 2868 shocks since they are supposed to be capable of supporting an extra 600kg (1300#s). The spring rate will change from 170lbf/in to 360lbf/in. I'm looking for advice on how this might affect the rig. As you can imagine it drives like a top heavy Cadillac right now.
1) I'm wondering if taller stiffer springs will help put wt back on my front tires?
I read that stock, the front axle supports about 2750#s and the rear axle supports about 2750#s. Other guys on this forum have weighed their trail built rigs and found 3200#s on the front axle and 3480#s on the rear axle. I weighed my rig dry today (no water, food, gear, dog, baby, wife ect) and found that I weighed in at 2450#s on the front axle and 3960#s on the rear axle. It seems like the extra weight and extra overhang in the back are taking weight off the front tires which I worry will make the rig drive poorly and cause my tires to scallop.
2) I'm hoping that the stiffer springs will make the rig feel less like driving a ship. If not what else can I do to control body roll?
3) Does anyone know the stock distance between the axles and frame on an FZJ80?
Mine looks like it is low in the back but I don't know where to measure or what the measurement should be.
4) Dose anyone know that max rating of the rear axle?
I know what they are rated by the manufactures... but its obvious that they can handle a lot more, but how much?
5) Will these new springs even be stiff enough? I assume that fully loading the rig will add another 1000#s (so something like 5000#s on the rear springs) assuming that the axle can handle 5000#s.
The project still needs a good bit of work. At the top of the list is closing in the gap between the cab and the shell and cutting out the original sunrader floor so I can add 6in of extra head room by utilizing what I left of the the land cruisers floor.
Thank you for your help.
Right now I could really uses some advice on rear suspension. I cut about 600#s of metal, glass and upholstery out of the land cruiser and then added the fiberglass shell to the remaining frame. I added air bags inside the rear coil springs to help support the extra weight. The manufacturer of the bags says the bags are good for 1000#s per bag so they should increase capacity by 1 ton. Unfortunately the truck looks like it sags in the back at 35PSI which is the highest the manufacturer suggests in this application, despite other applications being capable of 100PSI per side. I'm considering swapping out the stock rear shocks for OME 2868 shocks since they are supposed to be capable of supporting an extra 600kg (1300#s). The spring rate will change from 170lbf/in to 360lbf/in. I'm looking for advice on how this might affect the rig. As you can imagine it drives like a top heavy Cadillac right now.
1) I'm wondering if taller stiffer springs will help put wt back on my front tires?
I read that stock, the front axle supports about 2750#s and the rear axle supports about 2750#s. Other guys on this forum have weighed their trail built rigs and found 3200#s on the front axle and 3480#s on the rear axle. I weighed my rig dry today (no water, food, gear, dog, baby, wife ect) and found that I weighed in at 2450#s on the front axle and 3960#s on the rear axle. It seems like the extra weight and extra overhang in the back are taking weight off the front tires which I worry will make the rig drive poorly and cause my tires to scallop.
2) I'm hoping that the stiffer springs will make the rig feel less like driving a ship. If not what else can I do to control body roll?
3) Does anyone know the stock distance between the axles and frame on an FZJ80?
Mine looks like it is low in the back but I don't know where to measure or what the measurement should be.
4) Dose anyone know that max rating of the rear axle?
I know what they are rated by the manufactures... but its obvious that they can handle a lot more, but how much?
5) Will these new springs even be stiff enough? I assume that fully loading the rig will add another 1000#s (so something like 5000#s on the rear springs) assuming that the axle can handle 5000#s.
The project still needs a good bit of work. At the top of the list is closing in the gap between the cab and the shell and cutting out the original sunrader floor so I can add 6in of extra head room by utilizing what I left of the the land cruisers floor.
Thank you for your help.
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