The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

buttobase · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: East London

just got an HJ60 from 85 ... the most pressing service need is examining the suspension and steering system. the suspension is mushy and at certain speeds when the car hit a bump it starts resonating like crazy, shakin' it loose.

the suspension I want looking at and replacing the parts it needs and need a garage for that. any recommendations in and around east london?

less pressing and less LC specific is bodywork. the underside is all dandy but the body has a few holes, nothing that could not be welded and would also want a body shop to look at that at one point. and specific rust proofing skills might come in handy, I want to keep this baby for a while.

any feedback welcome. thanks!

Google · Sponsor

jondoel · * Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Location: London

I had one for years. Loved it, took it mountains. Rust is the issue and for MOT failures check the rear seat belt posts and rot in the floor near rear spring anchor points. Milneroffroad.com great for parts. If you off road it, go for parabolic leaf springs. Gimme a shout if you have some probs as I know a bit about them. I know a garage in SE13 that specialises in them.

buttobase · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: East London

hey jondoel,

thanks for that info! what would the garage in SE13 be called and what's their address? that's actually not that far from where I am so could be a good fit. as I mentioned, suspension and steering needs looking at, seems like that's on its last legs:

suspension gets knocked flat (with great banging sound effect) on speedbumps if I'm not careful (am careful now)

steering makes "knocking" noise when turning to limit (parking etc.), like there is excessive play in parts and actually does not seem to turn all the way anymore. it also tends to slightly pull in various directions when going straight, which is intermittent and I think to do with the play in the parts.

as a result of both does it gets into a resonant endless wobble when hitting surface bumps (manhole covers, small pothole etc.) at 50mph and does not snap out of it unless you accelerate.

so I reckon there is a ton of worn out parts that need replacing. that is really something I was looking to doing sooner rather than later.

the guy who sold it to me also mentioned different orogonal toyota that raise ground clearance. I was surfing around and found normal and heavy duty shocks and then custom suspension kits to raise the clearance 2-3 inches. any experience with this stuff. I don't necessarily want to go for the standard springs/shocks. and as you mentioned parabolic springs I guessed it's worth asking.

sorry long story, thanks for looking

Felix

jondoel · * Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Location: London

I will get the name for you but the address is around number 52 Thurston Rd Se13. The guy once had a contract in LIbya servicing all the governments HJ60's.

Unless you want to lug concrete around dont necessarily get heavy duty leaves or you will need to put a pile of bricks in the back to soften the ride and save your vertebrae for ordinary driving. Uplifts by a few inchs are fine. Parabolic springs make for a longer travel and softer ride - better for offroad. Or springs with fewer leaves are softer but you can still get the lift. Mine would literally fly into the air if you hit a kerb at speed. Have a look at Ih8mud.com forums.

If I was you I would get that steering sorted out sooner than later.

Cheers

Jon

buttobase · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: East London

agree on your thinking around urgency of the steering Wink

which is why I am looking for a garage. that place sounds like a real find! if you can find the name let me know.

I'll check on ih8mud, loads on there so it previously was a bit intimidating now I know what to look for. that advice on suspension makes total sense, thanks again!

buttobase · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: East London

hey jondoel,

I really want to move ahead getting my cruiser fixed up. I had no luck tracking down that garage so far, can you have a look again? where do you get your things done?

also on suspension, been on ih8mud and all over the place. seems like old man emu is a firm favourite, I am not sure though whether I really want the lift, seems like all kits give you lift ... also many people aren't so sure it's the way to go for on-road driving. and I can only find american/australian suppliers. would you recommend ordering items directly rather than letting the garage take care of it, this seems all rather special. just don't want to jump into the wrong side of the deepend so to say.

any feedback appreciated, also still need that garage, thanks!

felix