Installed Donahoe Racing Coil overs

[ropedrag]

Installed my Donahoe Racing front coilovers. The install was straight forward with the most effort being put into getting the rig jacked up and on the jackstands.

1. Jack the rig up and place on jackstands.
2. Remove the wheels.
3. Remove the keeper and bolt then pop out the outer tie-rod.
4. Remove the strut bar bushing where it attaches to the frame.
5. Remove the top 3 nuts from the existing shock.
6. Remove the bottom existing shock bolt.
7. Minor pry bar action and old shock is removed.
8. Install the new coil over.
9. Put it all back together.

If you know the difference between a 3/8 drive, a box wrench, a torque wrench, coke and pepsi you should be able to handle this in 2 hours. The one mistake I made was when I had to hammer the steering arm to dislodge the taper (#3) by flushing up the castle nut and hitting with a normal hammer. As the castle nut is not solid 100% at the top (gapped for the cotter key) it is a bit weaker than a solid nut and I ended up buggering the threads. I should have used a 2x4 and or a rubber mallet. If you know what I mean you will have 0 problems with this install!

Anyway the install was a complete success and with the factory setting it added 1 ½” of height which is enough to stop the tire rub (285’s BFG AT’s with American racing wheels) Not a lot of difference in the ride quality as I typically notice more difference adjusting tire air pressure than anything else here. The front end is noticeably higher and the headlights need adjusted before they get me into a fight.

[ropedrag]

More install pictures

[TheDuneGuy]

How does it ride?

[FJ #8]

what are you using for the rear?

[07FJFAN]

How does it ride? Did you have to do a realignment of the front wheels??

[ropedrag]

The ride is fine. Like I said I actually notice more difference in ride by adjusting tire air pressure than between these coil overs and stock.

I can tell you that when I hit a bump, drop, etc. the front feels like its pouring over the "thing" as opposed to hitting it. That's nice

I am waiting on the Donahoe rear solution before I decide what to do with the rear set up.

And no I did not need to adjust the alignment. Tracking is just fine.

[4RnrJ]

ropedrag previously said:

The ride is fine. Like I said I actually notice more difference in ride by adjusting tire air pressure than between these coil overs and stock.

I can tell you that when I hit a bump, drop, etc. the front feels like its pouring over the "thing" as opposed to hitting it. That's nice

I am waiting on the Donahoe rear solution before I decide what to do with the rear set up.

And no I did not need to adjust the alignment. Tracking is just fine.

Once you have your rear on and have everything like you want it, your REALLY should get an alignment done. Remember, it's not all just about drifting or camber. Caster is a major thing as well.

I personally had the alignment done on mine right after my lift and it made all the difference in the world. I had them push my tires as far forward as they would go, so now my clearances are MUCH better.

[Stuck'n Muck]

4RnrJ previously said:

Once you have your rear on and have everything like you want it, your REALLY should get an alignment done. Remember, it's not all just about drifting or camber. Caster is a major thing as well.

I personally had the alignment done on mine right after my lift and it made all the difference in the world. I had them push my tires as far forward as they would go, so now my clearances are MUCH better.

What adjustments were changed to "push the tires as far forward" ?

[cruiserlarry]

ropedrag previously said:

The ride is fine. Like I said I actually notice more difference in ride by adjusting tire air pressure than between these coil overs and stock.

I can tell you that when I hit a bump, drop, etc. the front feels like its pouring over the "thing" as opposed to hitting it. That's nice

I am waiting on the Donahoe rear solution before I decide what to do with the rear set up.

And no I did not need to adjust the alignment. Tracking is just fine.

The FJC may track fine, but I'd recommend you have it re aligned. The 2" lift and change in the rake of the vehicle front to rear affect the camber and caster of the alignment, creating tire edge wear and more wander at freeway speeds, even though the vehicle will track straight. If you look closely at the wheels looking head on at the vehicle from ground level, you'll notice the tires taper outward from the top (positive caster) since the donahoes where installed...your tires ride more on the outer edge instead of the bottom of the tread... in general, any height change will affect the alignment on independent suspension, and should be checked and re adjusted...

[Jim_D]

As an FYI, Reggie, the Toyota tech who did all my installs, tells me that on his FJ, with the RevTek lift, he couldn't get the alignment into specifications; but on mine with the Donahoe's and the Total Chaos UCA's, the alignment was a piece of cake.

Jim