Parabolics for FJ45

[bullsac]

I've read the article in Trails and I'm curious if anyone has purchased these springs yet? I want to know the price and shipping etc.

[OnTheSpot]

I like the idea of less leafs= less friction. I'm interested in them also.

[PSPBrian]

I just installed some Rocky Mountain Parabolic springs in my father's 80 FJ40, while the ride is better, I would not call it an amazing tranformation. I definetly need to spend more time dialing in the Koni dampers. I also had some other small issues with this brand, lmk if you would like to hear about it.

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally Posted by PSPBrian

...I also had some other small issues with this brand, lmk if you would like to hear about it...

I would like to hear about the problems...

[PSPBrian]

Minor problems, bushings have wrong size sleeve for stock shackle bolts, they are about 1mm too small for the 1980 shackle bolts. Simply used different bolts.... I have a decent supply, not everyone has these kicking around the garage on Saturday afternoon.

The springs have a very bad paint job.



The rear end sits low, drivers side worst. W/O hard top it will probably sit nice.

[bullsac]

How was the price? What parts did you have to use exactly?

[Cruiser Ken]

I contacted great basin rovers (TIC parabolic dist. in the US). He said the springs would be about $700 with bushings (same price he lists for the rovers). www.greatbasinrovers.com

[PSPBrian]

4 springs w/bushings and 4 procomp es9000 dampers for $600+ ship. He won't sell the springs w/o the shocks... too bad, it would be an even better deal w/o them.... figure they sell for roughly $120/4.

[chef]

I wrote the article, and can maybe answer any specific questions you have. I'm also putting together a bulk order for guys in my local club, probably place the order in Feb. This may have price advantages. Hit me offline if that interests you.
I don't know about the Rocky Mountain Parabolics, but the TIC stuff is a really good performing product...

[Cruiser Ken]

I checked into the Rocky Mountain Parabolics a little. They have a main web page.

http://www.parabolicsprings.com/

Also have a dist. in the US listed on their page:

http://www.wiseowlparts.com/

They don't list any land cruiser springs, but the Rover springs show prices that aren't even close to what you listed. Where did you buy yours?

[bullsac]

Thanks Chef..

What extra parts did you need for the FJ45 install exactly?

new shackle bolts?
which ones?
anything else?

[nuclearlemon]

alan,
do you think the parabolics will still work in a work truck application? are they up to some weight once in a while. i don't always haul stuff, i do occasionally and that's what the 45 will be for.

[Leafsprung]

As you are aware the rover guys have been running these springs for years. Lots of folks swear by them because they put them on and their rig rides so much better. However, the majority of the improvement is due to the fact their old springs were trash. Rocky Mountain and Wise Owl are really the same place Im not sure why they have the distinction but Ray Wood runs em both. TI Console is based in the Netherlands and sells through Bill Davis at Great Basin Rovers. The TICs seem nicer to me but not drasticly. Both offer different spring packs for different applications/weight handling. Ive got them in a few of my rovers.
-Ike

[Radd Cruisers]

Originally Posted by chef

I wrote the article, and can maybe answer any specific questions you have. I'm also putting together a bulk order for guys in my local club, probably place the order in Feb. This may have price advantages. Hit me offline if that interests you.
I don't know about the Rocky Mountain Parabolics, but the TIC stuff is a really good performing product...

My customer is looking to run this kit in his FJ45 with 1HZ,H55 conversion.

I guess what he is looking for is some long term positive fee back on the kits.

The shocks would be something I would look at other brands, maybe even OME. Heard lots of good things about Bilstiens, thinking they are for the hard core driver?

[chef]

Hey Kids;
Long term feedback: Leafsprung and the Rover guys are gonna be the best source for this, unless you can get "international references" from TIC. AFAIK, I'm the first set of TIC springs for Cruisers in the US. My only concern at this point is "sag over time." If the Rover guys are satisfied with this, I have no issues.
Weight carrying: The rears we used (which you can see if the Toyota Trails article: go join TLCA!) have one overlaod leaf for load carrying. You can remove this, and they do make packs with one more. We did load the trick with about 500lbs of junk at one point, and it did not sag out under the load.
Kits/parts: For the early FJ45 we had, we got springs, ubolts, and wrong bushings. I suspect the stuff would have been right for a ltare model non usa 45. Spring eyes and bushings changed in '80 or something here? Finding bushings to mount the TIC springs to the shackles and pins on the early truck was just a metter of doing some reading at the SOR bushing page, no prob really.
Shocks: we ran OME's that we had at hand. The adjustable Koni's that TIC sell are purported to be good units.
Prices: I got my TIC Springs thru Great Basin Rovers. Nice guys, easy to work with.

[BJ45]

I visited TIC yesterday, it´s only 5 minutes away, and dedided that when funds permit i´m going to get parabolics for my Troopie.
The owner really knows what he´s talking about and that made me less sceptical about the springs. He keeps testing and improving the springs.
I also saw the next batch of springs for Great Basin Rovers, about 10 sets.
I´m planning on getting the two leaf front and three leaf rear springs.
When i get them i can do a write up and take some pictures.

Now i just gotta sell the old 3B.

Mark

[bullsac]

Thanks chef. Do you have the bushing part numbers? I just don't want to think...

[Cruiser Ken]

Originally Posted by BJ45

I visited TIC yesterday, it´s only 5 minutes away, and dedided that when funds permit i´m going to get parabolics for my Troopie.
The owner really knows what he´s talking about and that made me less sceptical about the springs. He keeps testing and improving the springs.
I also saw the next batch of springs for Great Basin Rovers, about 10 sets.
I´m planning on getting the two leaf front and three leaf rear springs.
When i get them i can do a write up and take some pictures.

Now i just gotta sell the old 3B.

Mark

Mark, do you think the 3 leaf rears are enough for a troopie? My current troopie springs are huge (3 big overload leaves, 3/8" thick each). TIC's web page says they offer an overload spring for the rear in addition to the 3 std leaves.

[BJ45]

Cruiser Ken

The three leaf rears are more than enough for the troopie, a buddy of mine runs 'em and it's about 2.5 to 3 inches taller. Besides if they sag to much under load i can always put an extra overload spring in the pack.
I think my current springs are the same as you have, 6 normal sized leaves and 3 thick overload leaves.

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Bushings, I have the info. Since it's my truck ya'all R talkin bout..
Bushings OD was the same as FJ60 stuff, ID on the back fixed pin needed to be 18mm, ID on front Fixed pin needed to be 15mm, shoulder width was thin, i'll get you the exact measurements later when I get home and can sit and remember. Now, All this is for an older FJ45.. If you have 79 and newer the stuff provided should work as the width of the spring hangers is very similar to the FJ60 stuff.

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Bushing information and some info
The springs are meant for a later application fj45 thus bigger spring eye, no problem here's the drop in solution for those interested, no grinding required etc.
front fixed pin bushing I.D.=15 mm, O.D.=1 3/8 inch, Flange=.125
Front shackle, I used a 5/8 greasable pin aftermarket shackle
Front spring bushing size I.D.=5/8 inch, O.D.=1 3/8 inch, Flange=.125
Front frame shackle bushing size I.D.=5/8 inch, O.D.=1 inch, Flange=.195
Same setup can be used on the rear except the top pin of the frame side of the shackle will have 5/8 inch, O.D.=1 3/8 inch, Flange=.125
Or use FJ60 shackle in the back with an ID of 18mm
Rear fixed pin on an fj45 is ID 18mm thus fixed pin spring mount use bushing with ID of 18mm od 1 3/8 and flange .125.
Kinda confusing but it'll work!

[chef]

Alan,
Thank you for your e-mail. The spring rate of the TIC springs is higher then
original so it takes more Kgs/LBS to push it down. Next to that the TIC
springs will not give up (sag) quickly.
However, I can look into it if I have the weights of the vehicle (under
front and rear axle) and aprox the weight of the axles + tires/wheels.

The "low" TIC springs have a lift 30 mm over stock.

Regards
Paul



-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Loshbaugh, Alan J. [mailto:LoshbaughA@missouri.edu]
Verzonden: woensdag 19 januari 2005 21.23
Aan: Paul Heijstee - Parabolic Suspension
Onderwerp: TIC Springs in OSA configuration


Paul;
Thanks for the details on getting the next batch here. Since you
mentioned "low springs and SOA," I thought I'd ask a followup question.
I do have one guy interested in running your springs in SOA. He has
heavy front and rear bumpers, a rear tire carrier with 37" tire, and is
already SOA-but his stock toyota springs quickly sagged to "neagitve
arch." He wants to know if you recommend "stock low springs" or 50-60mm
lift springs: he is afraid the stock height TIC springs might sag too
much, and that 60mm lift might "sag back to stock hieght with
appropriate arch." What are your recommendations for him?
We hope to place our order of 5 or so kits in February sometime.

Thanks, Alan

[chef]

TornadoAlley and I are trying to finish our group buy on TIC springs...if anyone is interested, please pm either of us.

[chef]

TIC group buy closes Feb 15, pm me for details.

[4x4Poet]

How well do the parabolics fight spring wrap, whether SUA or SOA? Is a track bar mandatory with parabolics even in SUA configuration?