best method for lifting samurai used on road

[aniesigh]

hi, basically i am just starting my samurai project, and my first step is to plan out exactly what i am going to do and how i'm going to do it!
its going to be used as a day to day vehicle (15mile round trip commute on country roads) but other longer trips too, so it needs to handle reasonably well, ive read about most of the options around such as the SPOA, shackle reversal, rear up front, lift springs, add a leaf, extended shackles, blah blah blah... but basically you guys are the ones with the experience so advice will be much appreciated!
also on a side not, does anyone know of anyone converting a hardtop to pickup truck?
any advice will be much appreciated!
cheers
adam

[bourneyo]

Hello adam, welcome to the forum!

I have bedford rascal/suzuki carry leafs on the back of my SJ and RUF on the front with DIY drop shackles. The rascal springs I find are very hard, but mine are brand new so still need to bed in. the front i hate!!!!!! very bouncy so they are going in the bin and i am going back to stock front springs with ad-a-leaf just as soon as i get my newest project on the road and get my SJ back as she lives in a pub car park atm, lol

Dan

[J66P]

I have a set of Super Trax extended shackles for sale, also got a pair of Add a Leaves (one axle set), plus got some new Procomp extended shockers if your interested

having said all this I would go for proper leaf spings that are manufactured with the required lift in them, problem is they arent cheap

[aniesigh]

ok so are the add-a-leaf/proper lifted springs generally going to be the best bet? i see calmini do a 3" lift with new springs etc but can only find them on there own USA website, anyone know who supplys them in the uk?
also of course i forgot to mention body lifts, are these much good? like i say im going to be doing mainly road work and when i do go offroading its most likely to be abit of playing around/green laning so it hasent got to be amazing!
cheers so far!

[ScottieJ]

If it's being used as a daily then i wouldn't go SPOA (unless it is done well! and all caster angles are kept correct!), for off roading i wouldn't advise lift shackles either as they decrease your approach angle and kill leaf springs! i've heard mixed reviews of shackle reverse but have no personal experience with them tbh.

my SJ used to be my daily as well as my toy and I was running 2" lift ironman springs; these are available from westcoast 4x4 for around £200 for the 4! they are a bit stiff at first but do soften up after a while, then you will need some longer shocks, i would suggest either rough country (from llama 4x4) or pro comps (from the difflock shop)! i run astra shocks but my mate has the same springs and pro comp shocks and the ride is a lot nicer in his truck! you will also need some extended brake lines best place to get them is llamma 4x4.
Body lifts are a good option as they allow you to fit larger rubber whilst keeping the centre of gravity nice and low.

For greenlaning you only really need tyres that are around 29-31" really as most lanes don't have very deep ruts, with just the 2" lift springs you should be able to run tyres upto 30" no problems and then with the 2" body lift on top of that you should be able to fit up to 31" maybe 32" tyres.

[ScottieJ]

as for a pick up conversion have a look at this. it is done on what was originally a soft top sj but should give you an idea on how to do it!

http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php ... tant+rhino

[Henry]

I run add a leafs, ironmans and a body lift.

You can happily get 32" under her and handles ok on the road.

Henry

[Tramp]

I've done15,000 miles are so in my sj, around half are with a calmini 3.5" shackle reversal kit which is a great bit of kit, but probably loads more than your wanting to spend for the odd green lane! I`ve found that calmini kit is really durable and well made so for me i wouldn't put my trust in anything else

luke