News, Knowledge, FJ40 LAND CRUISER
Tips on installing the 2.5 Ultimate Lift Kit on FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser
All the parts are on your floor and ready for installation of the 2.5 Ultimate Lift Kit on your FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Here are some quick visual cues to help you get everything laid out on your floor in the orientation direction in which you will be installing the springs, shackles, and pins.
Make it easy on yourself and get everything laid out and organized so you’re not fighting the heavy springs with wasted effort because you grabbed the wrong ones, attempted to install them in the wrong direction, and placed the wrong one on the wrong side. It happens, primarily if you work in a small garage’s tight confines!
Which Springs Where
Fronts Spring – Visual note: more leaves than rear
Rear Springs – Visual Note: fewer leaves than fronts
Spring Orientation: What is the front-rear of the spring?
From the Locator Pin (roughly center of spring), from the pin to the end of the spring, one side will be longer. The longer side goes to the end of the vehicle.
FRONT] The longer side of the front spring goes toward the front bumper.
REAR] The long side of the rear spring goes towards the rear bumper.
The Red Line Logos will be on the outer ends. The Logo is located at the front of the front springs.
The logo is at the rear of the rear springs. But scientifically speaking:
LEFT? / RIGHT?
You have front springs and you have rear springs.
There are also DRIVER SIDE springs and PASSENGER SIDE springs (for both front and rear)!
FRONT SPRINGS: RL2000 FD & FP
REAR SPRINGS: RL2001 1D & 1P also (2D & 2P)
Pin Orientation:
The Zerk fitting on the Shackle Pin will point outward of the vehicle for proper fitment. (also for ease of servicing).
We use a red high-temperature wheel bearing grease for the pins.
Shackle Bolt Torque Spec: 30 – 35 ft/lbs.
Shock Orientation:
Shock Bolt Torque Spec: 40 ft/lbs.
Just in case you got all happy and tore all the boxes open, pulled all the parts out, and laid them on the floor. You started your garage’s wood-burning heater with the cardboard boxes. How do you determine what shock goes where? Typically, Long shocks are installed in the rear, and short shocks are mounted in the front of your FJ40 Land Cruiser. However, sometimes you may have all four shocks of the same size.
BUSHINGS / GREASING
We use a red high-temperature wheel bearing grease for both the outer circumference of the bushings and the pins, applied via the Zerk fittings.
U-Bolt Plates – FOLLOW THE BELOW INSTRUCTIONS!
When installing the RL1037 FJ40 Leaf Spring U-Bolt Plates, perform the final tightening of the U-bolts with suspension at “static ride-height” (NOT HANGING IN THE AIR!)
Hand-torque U-bolts to 90ft/lbs.
Tightening suspension components while “suspended” (without static ride-height load) could prematurely loosen and cause catastrophic failure.
Double-check torque specifications after 250 miles.
It’s OK to use your MAC TOOLS 20V MAX 1/2″ Drive Brushless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench to do the initial tightening, but don’t torque them all the way! IMPORTANT – DO NOT over-tighten with the Impact Wrench!
HAND-TORQUE with a torque wrench to 90ft/lbs. for the final tightening of the U-Bolts!!!
HAND-TORQUE with a torque wrench to 90ft/lbs. for the final tightening of the U-Bolts!!!
HAND-TORQUE with a torque wrench to 90ft/lbs. for the final tightening of the U-Bolts!!!
HAND-TORQUE with a torque wrench to 90ft/lbs. for the final tightening of the U-Bolts!!!
YES, WE SAID IT FOUR TIMES FOR FOUR U-BOLTS AT ALL FOUR CORNERS!!!!
! Check torque specifications (90ft/lbs) after 250-miles !
!! Double-check torque specifications (90ft/lbs) after 250-miles !!
STEERING STABILIZER INSTALL MOD:
Do not use the large, thick spacers.
The factory mount is tapered inside and we want it to be straight through. Use a 1/2″ drill.
You are only taking a small portion (the taper) out of the through hole.
ONLY USE 1/2″ DRILL.
The threaded 1/2″ portion of the bolt is the only portion going through the mount.
The 5/8″ portion of the bolt is what the steering stabilizer rides on.
ONLY USE 1/2″ DRILL.
Repeat the process of removing the taper of the through-hole on the arm as well.
ONLY USE 1/2″ DRILL.
The threaded 1/2″ portion of the bolt is the only portion going through the mount.
The 5/8″ portion of the bolt is what the steering stabilizer rides on.
ONLY USE 1/2″ DRILL.
We’ve put together our FJ40 Suspension Washer and Nut Kit – RL1268 (SU1-1.A)
These are all OEM Toyota parts.
• 8 pieces of the Inner Washer
• 8 pieces of the Outer Washer
• 8 pieces of the OEM Nuts – RL1268.A (see dropdown menu)
OR
• 8 pieces of the Castle Nuts w/ 8 cotter pins – RL1268.B (see dropdown menu)
Installation Insight:
As you can see in the image above, the coned washers encase the rubber bushing on top of the shocks, but at the bottom of the shocks, the washers flare outward. You may feel that the Toyota engineers made a mistake or that their photography team incorrectly installed the washers on the bottom of the shocks while doing the factory service manual.
However, this is replicated in another image, as seen below, so we are relatively sure that this is intentional and reflects the way Toyota intended us to install the washers. So if you are a concourse nerd, you can deduct a total of 20 points from your buddy’s scorecard for incorrect installation (five points for each washer) at Sunday’s Cars and Coffee or the COEuroAsian Truck Meets!
WARNING
It is the sole responsibility of the person installing any brake or suspension component or kit for that particular application. If you are unsure how to safely use this brake or suspension component or kit, do not install or use it. Do not assume anything! Improperly installed or maintained brakes and or suspension components and systems are dangerous. If you’re unsure, seek professional help. You may obtain additional information and technical support by calling Red Line Land Cruiser at 719.638.2003, emailing us at “info@redlinelandcruisers.com“, or visiting our website at RedLineLandCruisers.com – Use of Red Line Land Cruiser’s technical support does not guarantee proper installation. You, or the person performing the installation, must know how to use this product properly. It is not possible to understand or foresee all the issues that might arise in your installation over the phone or by email.
Automotive equipment, including brakes and suspension, must be regularly maintained and inspected for signs of fatigue, damage, and wear.