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Suspension and Armor 

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This was me on delivery day...I don't normally condone "selfies", but for this...I made an exception. I knew it was epic when my dog wanted in on it.

I have been wanting to upgrade my suspension for over a year now. When I first bought the FJ in 2012, I had a lift/leveling kit put on to help accommodate the tires I put on. It was spacers up front and Zone rear socks. It did what I wanted it to and it performed good off road, but I wanted more. 
The opportunity presented itself for me to upgrade so I did. I took advantage of all the sales going on at the end of the year (2013) and needed up saving a good amount of money. The vendors (Metal Tech 4x4 and Chittown 4x4) I bought from were very helpful and took the time to answer all my questions.

I went with the following suspension:

FRONT:
- 2.5 Sway Away front coil overs
- Light Racing Upper Control Arms (UCA)

REAR:
- Icon Piggy Back shocks
- Icon Overland series springs



I also took advantage of sales the RCI Metal Works was running and TRDParts4U. I had been wanting to upgrade from the factory skid plates to something more solid. I also wanted to better protect my rear differantial so I didn't damage it when wheeling. Again, thanks to some great deals, I was able to save some money.


I bought the following:


RCI Metal Works
- Front skid plate (steel)  
- Transmission skid plate (aluminum)


TRDParts4U
- BozTek rear diff. skid. 




I decided to wait and install everything at one time. It was not easy to wait. When I get something in...I want to install it right then. Once everything came in, it was time to do the install.

With the help of my Father-in-law and a friend, along with the use of my Father-in-law's shop, lift and tools, we were able to install all the suspension, front skid plates and the rear diff. skid in about 5.5 hours. I know a lot of time and skin was saved with the use of the lift and tools. Had I tried doing it on the ground with a jack and stands, I sure it would have taken 3 times longer so thank you to my Father-in-law and friend.



1) Suspension

Sway Away front coil overs
Icon Piggy Back rear shocks
Loaded up suspension and armor
Loaded up suspension and armor
Laying out the suspension before install
Coil over not adjusted
coil over after adjustment
Had to fab up a bracket
Stock rear spring on left, Icon rear spring on right. Icon is longer than stock

2) BozTek rear diff. skid

Painted it red

3) RCI Metal Works skid plates

Stock skids removed
RCI skids installed

End result... 

BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER
Rear diff skid

* I am very happy with the install. The suspension looks great and there is a noticeable difference in the ride. It is still kinda stiff right now, but I'm sure it'll get better as time goes on. I do plan on installing 1.25" wheel spacers soon and also getting a body mount chop (BMC) to clear turning and keep the tires from rubbing. I couldn't be happier with the added armor. I do plan on adding the RCI Metal Works transfer case skid plate later on. 

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