Would you replace your own suspension? 1973 fj40

[captahab18]

Looking for some input/advice

I've rebuilt my carb, front axle, and replaced tie rod ends. Thats the extent of my mechanical experience regarding my 73 fj40

I am looking at replacing the current flat leaf spring suspension with new 2 1/2 inch lift leaf springs, as it dosen't look too complicated to pull apart. With exception to what looks like some stubborn u bolts and a few other 30+ year old nuts and bolts.


My only fear is that I will get stuck removing something impossibly hard and admitting defeat only having to take it into a shop to be done the proper way.

Does this stuff just bolt right on without the need of any kind specialised tools or knowledge? (everything should just fit?)

The guy down here has quoted me 65$ an hour estimating it will take them 4 hours to do leaving me 420$ or more in labor poorer.

Cheers,

-G

[carts]

do it yourself....its not too hard.....

you just need a few jacks and some stands and a good set of spanners and perhaps some extension bars.......WD40 comes in handy also.

[dogbreath_48]

do it yourself....its not too hard.....

you just need a few jacks and some stands and a good set of spanners and perhaps some extension bars.......WD40 comes in handy also.

Make that lots of WD40 and a blowtorch could be handy.

I can't see you having much difficulty so long as you've got the right gear, a decent set of tools and a little patience/attention.

[Shadow]

leaf springs are easy,

but the bolts will be frozen on good and tight by now. Especially at the fixed end of the spring. Youl need to soak it with WD40 for a week before you attempt it, or as someone else suggested use a blowtorch or grinder to get them off.

[CRUSHU]

Keep safety in mind, and buy new bolts and u bolts.
Use heaps of wd40, start soaking the threads a few days in advance, and hope like hell they either come off ok, or break off nice and early.

The worst that can happen is you will cut the u bolts with a grinder, and use long breaker bars for the shackles and front eye bolts.

Keep the vehicle supported on stands, and the diff supported on a jack, for safety.

The only technical part will be in flexing the new springs to get them to line up the bolt holes.

[Sic Lux]

Gas axe would be a handy thing to have should be ok to do. Get a mate to help as it makes lifting and lining things up heap easier expect some skined nuckels mmm pain. A decent slide hammer is a good tool for removing old stuborn shacles.

[Rangie Thing]

get a big rattle gun


And lift the back or the front evenly

and get some rubber grease or the stuff in the spray can

Rick

[high n mighty]

Go nuts mate, leaf springs are as basic to replace as they look.

Just make sure you support the chassis of the vehicle safely and when you can't get shackle bolts in or out it is because the vehicle is either supported too high or too low.

You will honestly kick yourself if you pay someone to do the job