Box Rocket 1995 FZJ80 Build

Dated I know, but I love seeing videos of snow from that part of the country. I can't get over how light and fluffy the stuff you guys get is.

 

Assuming the new stuff works out like I expect, then yeah I'd probably sell my current stuff. Unfortunately the new OME shocks I just got are already spoken for. But the OME J springs could become available.

 

Meanwhile, down at Mark Miller Landcruiser.. (There's 4 in this picture. Don't mind the ancient phone)

 

What's the new suspension? Are you sticking with the same size lift?

 

I think I can talk about it now since its been announced. Redline Land Cruisers in Colorado will be the US dealer for this new suspension. It's from Autocraft in Australia and designed by a longtime cruiser guy who does lots of "touring" (overlanding) and also drives very fast.
The new stuff still uses the factory coil buckets but the coils are a dual rate coil with much better travel than the OME stuff I have now. The shocks are a custom built, custom valved Icon shock. There are a couple shock options. A 2.0 smooth body, and a 2.5 full bypass with CDC (adjustable). I'm starting with the 2.0s and then switching to the 2.5s in about 6 months to do some comparison.
There is one truck (80LC) I'm aware of in the US that has this setup. It belongs to Woody from IH8MUD and it looks to be really impressive on his truck. Woody helped chase with us for the Baja1000 last November and he's able to carry much higher speeds through the rough stuff and with the extra travel it works great in the rocks too.

Really looking forward to it. I'm hoping it shows up this week but I'll have it installed before Cruise Moab on May4.

It might actually be a bit shorter lift height than what I have right now, but that might not be a bad thing.

 

That's bad ass.

 

Wow!!

 

That looks like a very nice setup. Is it a complete setup like the slee 4" or just a spring and shock package. Looks sweet though. I'm looking forward to the review.

 

Sounds like it can be purchased as individual parts but it will be a complete "kit" with springs, shocks, caster correction, bumpstop extensions etc.
http://redlinelandcruisers.com/?s=Slinky

 

How about an update? A few weeks ago I was able to get my hands on some Autocraft Slinky Long Travel suspension. It was just in time for Cruise Moab, literally. I drove to Moab with my OME suspension and met Darren from Autocraft and Justin from Redline Land Cruisers at Grandpas Garage in Moab and we did the install just in time to make tech inspection.

I will be writing an article for TCT magazine to give a review of the suspension but it will be less focused on the actual install, and rather the performance and comparison of the suspension to my old OME stuff etc. So here's a few pics from the install. Overall, it's a very straight forward installation. My installation didn't require a few steps such as some kind of caster correction and extended brake lines. I already had those, as well as adjustable track bars (panhards). This resulted in just a swap of the coils, shocks and swaybar spacers and bumpstops.

Remember to loosen the track bars and control arms, once it's up on jackstands, just enough to allow free movement of the suspension. Retighten them once the truck is back on the ground on it's own weight.

Getting before measurements.




Old stuff. OME J coil + 2" coil spacer




Here's all the new stuff. After taking before measurements and knowing with the goal was for new ride height and load capacity we chose the set of Slinkys that would best meet the goals. I ended up using 75mm Heavy rate Slinkys on all 4 corners.




OME L shocks compared to the new Autocraft spec ICON 2.0 shock.


Front coil comparison. Front OME J coil on the left, Slinky 75mm heavy on the right. Note: I lost a good 2+" of ride height with the new setup, but gained about 6" of travel. Lots more droop available with the Slinkys.

Both set of front coils






Fitting the front shocks


A couple notes, the shocks come with a pair of nuts for each end of the shock. One larger nut and a jam nut. Tighten then enough that there are two threads left exposed after the jam nut is on.




other side

 

rear end coming apart


rear shock comparison. Rear shocks include a shock boot as well as a stone guard.


Sway bar removed and trackbar loose


installed


reattach sway bar


new longer rear bumpstops


with the weight off the jackstands, retighten the track bar


notice the lower stone guard for the rear shocks.


with weight back on the front, the top few winds of the front coils will settle like this. Normal.


final ride height with 35" tires.

 

For anyone curious about the new suspension sagging with load, here's my truck fully loaded with fridge, 20lb CO2, full tools and spare parts including a rear 3rd and axle shafts. Pulling the trailer with more camping gear and all the old suspension as well as my Tepui display stuff. Still sitting very level. I plan to upgrade to the Stage 4 Icon reservoir CDC shocks in the next few months hopefully.

 

Love seeing pics of this thing

 

Just went through all 25 pages of this thread. Awesome build.

 

You won't get coil bind with them stacked out like that?

 

This build is truly amazing! I love how it comes together effortlessly! Great job with it man looks brand new. @zscott that roof rack is amazing and flows with this truck as wells as the tacos so well!
bravo guys!

 

Hey Adam are you still running the wheel spacers with the SCS wheels? Looking at some wheel options and wondering how a 4.5 BS is going to work out for me. Was running wheel spacers with 4.5BS but on a much narrower wheel.

 

Sent you a PM Adam

 

Your builds at excellent. Keep up the good work.