FJ80 coils vs. 2nd Gen stock coils
 

recently there are few members pm'd me regarding a pair of 80 coils i put for sale on the forum. they were not buying but asking me some questions about the specs of these coils. i thought instead of replying few people individually, i'd start a new thread just to present some raw data on these coils side by side with the factory ones. i wish i know this before i bought them.

here is the first picture, left to right: 80 driver side coil, 80 pass. side, 2nd gen stock.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000265.jpg

this pic shows the difference between the 80 driver side and pass side.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000253.jpg

80 driver side coil length: 18-1/4"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000256.jpg

80 pass. side coil length: 18-3/4"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000255.jpg

2nd Gen stock coil length: 14-1/4"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000254.jpg


here are the coil wire dia. my caliper is out of battery, so take a guess.

80 coil

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000258.jpg

2nd Gen stock

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000259.jpg


O/D of 80 coil: 7" top, under frame when installed.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000264.jpg

O/D of 2nd Gen stock: 6-1/2"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000263.jpg


O/D of 80 coil, 5-1/4", bottom over axle when installed.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000262.jpg

O/D of 2nd Gen stock: 5"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000261.jpg

i don't have the OME 901 springs to compare, but take a look at when i put the 80 springs in the 901 spring box, you got the idea.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000266.jpg


my 94 with stock springs/shocks, torsion bars cranked up all the way.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...R/P1000130.jpg

ride hight from ground to top of rear wheel well 34-1/2"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...R/P1000129.jpg


same front setup, but with 80 coils, OME shocks.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...R/P1000135.jpg

ride hight: 38-1/4"

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...R/P1000137.jpg




bottom line, if one wants a 3.5" suspension lift, 80 springs are great, if for 2", can't go wrong with OME's(which i did later)

now, she is with the setup in my sig.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/P1000223.jpg

Those coils are a 100% improvement, I think I'm going to order some soon.

Why did you switch from the fj80 coils to the OME? Just wondering as I have the FJ80's...

i guess it's different strokes for different folks, for me, it get too much lift in the rear than i wanted. also, the ride is bit harsh than i expected.

It should be said that part of the harsh ride, were the shocks that were way too short for the 80 coils. When they are maxed out just sitting in the parking lot, they are not going to do any good, so it really is unfair to say that the coils were too harsh. The shocks you have are a much better match for the coils you have now. Glad you found something that worked for you.

As for not being told about the cruiser coils before you bought them, you should reread your thread asking about coils on mud.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=156743

I say this because I hate it when people ask questions, get the answers they need, still do what they want, and then act like they were led astray. This thread is good though, it shows that you need to really listen and do your homework before working on your rig.

edit:
here is what i've learned after my lift.

imho, doing a 3.5 lift with 80 coils on a 2nd Gen. is very different than a 2" lift. different in terms of parts cost, labor cost, viechle down time, etc. 2" lift is a lot easier and more prictical. most people want lift because of the bigger tires. for 35" and bigger tires is another story because of the gears matter of fact very few 4Runners have factory 4.88's. for 33" and under, 2" is more than enough, 3.5" lift is over kill. for 3.5" lift the main problem i encountered was how to bring the truck to level, it went from "saggy butt" to "sinking nose", i notices my headlights wont' light up farther than 30 feet ahead. fully cranked torsin bars won't do the job as you can see from the picture i posted. plus the tor CV's are in a steep angle, too. front body lift will solve the hight problem but that's another can of worm, diff., t-case drop are needed too. 2" lift is simple and low cost, most importantly it works.

true, we all make mistakes from doing things others told us not to, but that's how we learn. that's how i want others know why i ditched the 80's(but don't want to type it over and over when answering pm's).

"i wish i know this before i bought them"
i couldn't find the info i posted in this thread then, and others still want to know now.

I am glad that you have found what you want. Your rig looks really good and I am sure that you are learning tons about it as you work on it.

i edited reply above. i do appreciate your help. i think that's some mis-understanding.

i have one question were do u guys order your cruiser coils from i live in canada ontario and if called place after place and nothin yet and when u get to find them what do u ask for

My cruiser coils are super flexy and soft

accroding to the PO of the fj80, these coils were taken out and replaced with after market ones after 10k miles, there have been sitting in the garage for many years. maybe that's why there are so stiff. even with the t-bars cranked all the way up, the rear is still noticeablely taller than front. when i put in 4WD, very loud binding noise from the front axle when making a big loopy turn. so i know i have to relax the t-bars. trans drop is just too much work, and the rear needs longer shocks, too. with the front tipped, my headlights beam won't go further than 10 feet out, with my poor night time eyesight, i felt very very uncomfy.

$30-40 USD. i paid $40 because they were in like new condition, paint was still shine, and not a single rust spot.

why you had the 80 coils on i assume you had your bj spacers on too...is that correct?

bj spacers were added on later. fj80 coils+OME shocks were the first thing i did on the Runner, then OME coils, then BJ spacers and ProComp shocks for the front.

that question is were do u guys get your fj80 coils

This is good stuff to know.

There is one detail which as nothing to do with the lift but could use some elaboration so as not to mislead people.

the 4.88 gear option was available on 2nd gen 4runners with automatic transmissions and 31" tires. That ratio is not meant for 33's with that set up so one should expect some adverse affects on drive quality if they combine larger tires with 4.88's and an automatic. Now for a stick.. 4.88's are exactly what you want for 33's.

Now back on topic... I have 2nd gen coils, coil spacers and air shocks. I like the combo. It flexes very well on the trail and has excellent load bearing capability.

Frank

is any one selling fj80 coils

so does anyone have any pictures of the fj80 coils, 2 inch bj spacers and a mild crank on the torsion bars just for the sake of comparison (without being loaded down with gear or a spare tire/heavy rear bumper)? i would be interested in seeing how different the fj 80's are from the ome with the front lifted with the bj spacers.

also, tc4rnr, are you currently sitting in the stock torsion bar position? do you notice much sag with the ome springs and weight in the back? thanks for you posts. we appreciate the comparisons.

Go look in the marketplace on here, I saw a few in there for sale I think.

Spacers only come in 1.5" max thickness. You can adjust more lift in if you want at the expense of longevity in other components.

Frank

good call frank...my mistake. anyone have any pictures with the 1.5" bj spacers and rear fj 80 coils? you see any done that way at sdori frank?