shorty 40 question

[bambam]

Hey guys, I've spent ages reading all the 40 suspension info on the cruiser bible, and my brain hurts.
What I want is: to keep my 2" lift height, but move my BJ42 (1981 model) rear diff back about 4 or 5 inches, and take some leaves out to improve the rock hard ride and lack of flex. Also, preferrably leave the front shackles on the front (no shackle reversal) and do the same job with the front, moving the front diff as forward as possible without upsetting too much steering and clearance issues. What would be the easiest spring mix for me? 75 series reversed? 60 series with which leaves removed? Or bite the bullet and buy new custom springs made to order?

The next question, has anyone experienced the pro's and cons between a big and small block chev petrol v8 conversion in a BJ42, keeping the factory 4 speed, and who does the best conversion kits?

Thanks lots

[andrewfarmer]

I went custom springs - you can keep the cost down by just getting the top two leaves made and reusing others from your existing packs.
Reverse your rear hangers to put in a longer rear spring.

ONce they're in, you can cheat and get an extra 25mm either way of adjustment by drilling new locating holes in the perches and bottom plates to move either forward or backward.

Be warned - with a lot of leaf in front of the rear diff, I found I had to run 3 full length leaves to control tramp. Anti-tramp rod would resolve this but it's a bit more work.

UHMW strips between the leaves soften the ride up a lot - as do greasable pins.

I could only get 25mm out of the front before it started hitting steering rods. Power steer conversion fixed this - wnet forward another 25mm then.

[Tojo]

60 series rear springs in the rear, 75 series front springs in the front. Simple, cheap and effective. Marks 4wd adaptors make a variety of adaptors for V8 comnversions. If it where me i would choose an auto gearbox such as a turbo 400 or 700. P.S. - i might be interested in buying your 3B motor if you swap it out

[plowy]

on ebay there is a chev 350 lt1 corvette spec motor item num is 4593321293 and the bell housing adapter to suit it and a 4 or 5 speed item num is 4593321221

or type in landcruiser on the ebay search list

[MILLSY]

The quickest cheapest n easiest way to get what u want is to spin the front and rear springs. It wont work on the front unless u get rid of the 40s steering set up n go for a 60s box n shaft set up. Spinning the spring packs will give u approx. 5inches per end.

You'll have to add caster wedges to get pinion angle back to standard.

Hope this helps!!

[bambam]

thanks for all your answers guys, I've been offline for a few days, sorry I'm late. I have been informed (yesterday) that the previous owner has put the front 40 springs in the rear and vice versa, and shortened my tailshafts to suit, and the truck has an extra short wheel base. No wonder it has such a shocking ride! I always thought the front springs had more leaves because the engine weighs more than the back. duh!
So I'll be switching them back and rotating them 180 degrees to get the extra wheel base. Unfortunately I recently bought a 40 PSteer box, so I'm hoping I can dodgey it and get away with not modding it too much for a 60 Psteer set up.
I'll check out ebay, and yes I'll definately be selling the 3B, and a near new Marks adapter full kit for holden pattern v8 to cruiser 4speed that I foolishly bought thru the trading post last month.
Wish me luck!

[Tojo]

the spring length is the same front and rear in a standard shortwheelbase. The centre bolt is offset. So i don't know why they would swap the front and rear springs around. And if they did it wouldn't increase or decrease the wheelbase unless the also flipped them. Standard the short side of the spring is at the fixed end and the long side is at the shackled end. If you flip them try to get before and after wheelbase measurements and some pics! I would be interested to see the change.

[Busiboy]

My 40 has longer springs in the front than the rear.

The rear springs have a offset centre bolt too.

[bad_religion_au]

My 40 has longer springs in the front than the rear.

The rear springs have a offset centre bolt too.

maybe it had the 60 series springs done to it already???

their the same length for 40's front to back,

a little collection we're maintaining can be found here

http://www.3rdrock4x4.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=217

[Busiboy]

They are the same length

40 spring pins are offset 3inches with short side solid mounted

was the bit that got me confused though