Maxxis Tyres

To upgrade FJ suspension or not?

Post Reply
User avatar
LesseW
Location: Centurion, Pretoria
Has thanked: 53 times
Been thanked: 58 times
Posts: 901
Joined: Tue May 29, 2018 4:03 pm

To upgrade FJ suspension or not?

#1

Post by LesseW »

I recently bought a 2012 FJ Cruiser with 90k km on the Clock, on Thursday I put 4x Pirelli AT+ tires on to improve it's 4x4 capabilities even more. I had a FJ before and it was very capable without any mods, with my previous Prado I put a Mikem/Billstein suspension on which gave me 40mm lift but a stiff suspension.

The big question, would I waste my money on a Mikem/Billstein suspension on the FJ and is the FJ's standard suspension good enough? I am not intending to climb "At se Gat" or "Briekmerk" however I would like to do i.e. most obstacles on a 4x4 route.
Land Cruiser 200VX
FJ Cruiser
Bushlapa Baobab 4

User avatar
Mad Manny
Location: Johannesburg
Has thanked: 439 times
Been thanked: 883 times
Posts: 6425
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2018 9:31 am

#2

Post by Mad Manny »

I'll ask around - but Mike Nel would know...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

Mike Nel
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 81 times
Posts: 1460
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:22 am

#3

Post by Mike Nel »

Upgrade your suspension

Every person here would tell you different in what suspension you should get. But the choice is still yours. I had and still have Tough Dog adjustable suspension on all my vehicles and I am extremely happy with them
2017 Land Cruiser 200
2022 Corolla Cross (Yes. It's a Hybrid)
BushLapa Ratel nr 731

User avatar
KurtG
Location: London
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 13 times
Posts: 2405
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 12:52 pm

#4

Post by KurtG »

Here is a picture of Mike Nel’s “slightly modified” FJ:

Image


__________________
Flex is overrated
Flex is overrated

BushWacker
Location: Johannesburg
Has thanked: 236 times
Been thanked: 81 times
Posts: 1838
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2018 6:27 pm

#5

Post by BushWacker »

“I am not intending to climb "At se Gat" or "Briekmerk" however, I would like to do most obstacles on a 4x4 route.“
I’m reluctant to dampen your ambitions ...
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...

Mike Nel
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 81 times
Posts: 1460
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:22 am

#6

Post by Mike Nel »

KurtG wrote:
Mon Jan 20, 2020 7:42 pm
Here is a picture of Mike Nel’s “slightly modified” FJ:
__________________
Flex is overrated

Drool Image
2017 Land Cruiser 200
2022 Corolla Cross (Yes. It's a Hybrid)
BushLapa Ratel nr 731

User avatar
LesseW
Location: Centurion, Pretoria
Has thanked: 53 times
Been thanked: 58 times
Posts: 901
Joined: Tue May 29, 2018 4:03 pm

#7

Post by LesseW »

BushWacker wrote:“I am not intending to climb "At se Gat" or "Briekmerk" however, I would like to do most obstacles on a 4x4 route.“
I’m reluctant to dampen your ambitions ...
Chas, thanks for your valuable input, I can always count on you...
Land Cruiser 200VX
FJ Cruiser
Bushlapa Baobab 4

User avatar
GarrethG
Location: Roodepoort
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 8:17 am

#8

Post by GarrethG »

Most lift kits the average guy can afford will give you a harder or stiffer ride. I’ve had a few suspension setups in my Fortuner which has almost the same suspension as your FJ. If the bilstein suspension was not to your liking then I would not lift it. I would fit a set of Monroe gas magnums shocks or try get a set of Rancho RS9000xl, these are also imported by Monroe and they are 9 way adjustable. Your local Midas can help they just need to look in the Monroe parts book.

My fortuner runs a full FJ suspension funny enough. Apart from my rear coils I got all the part numbers from a FJ. Of the 4 or 5 setups this has been the best so far. Running the Bilstein B8 5100 shocks and OME heavy duty coils.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post Reply