84 damper rods

[Ham]

the top half of my anti dive units have been blanked off by previous owner,I changed out leaking fork seals and found the 3 washers still in forks and the damper rods unmoded, should I ditch the washers and drill out the damper rods with 4 5/16 holes as per mods Iv read in forum.

[FJmonkey]

the top half of my anti dive units have been blanked off by previous owner,I changed out leaking fork seals and found the 3 washers still in forks and the damper rods unmoded, should I ditch the washers and drill out the damper rods with 4 5/16 holes as per mods Iv read in forum.

The current mod for FJ forks is the RaceTech cartridge or the RPM valve. No modification to the damper unit in the forks, just cut the "D" rod short as the new valve does all the work. I have the RPM valves in and they are fantastic. The front is really planted now in the corners. If you are into modding your FJ then search this site for lots of really good ideas. There is so much you do to make your FJ better.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to the club, swing over to the introduction section and post an intro.

[SlowOldGuy]

RaceTech valves will require that you drill the extra 4 holes in the damper rod.  If you've got them out, go ahead and do the drilling just in case. 

DavidR.

[FJmonkey]

RaceTech valves will require that you drill the extra 4 holes in the damper rod.  If you've got them out, go ahead and do the drilling just in case. 

DavidR.

What if you don't have any valves in? Will this kill the damping?

[Ham]

David, Im saving my $ for new race tech springs and rpm valves,so I will drill out the damper rod and, not refitt the 2 wave washers and the flat washer as I need FJ back on the road. Will this work OK, many thanks.

[FJmonkey]

David, Im saving my $ for new race tech springs and rpm valves,so I will drill out the damper rod and, not refitt the 2 wave washers and the flat washer as I need FJ back on the road. Will this work OK, many thanks.

Ham, if your forks are still stock and you are not adding fork valves then don't drill them. Stock damping may suck but until you install an alternative control device, stock is better than none. 

Let me be very clear on this!!! Unless you are installing an additional control device like the RaceTech or RPM valve then drilling your damper out will eliminate all damping your forks have. Like removing all the fork oil, springs only.... Not safe to ride on.... 

[Ham]

Thanks Monkey, the original info I got was off that fj owners club document (early fj fork upgrade 84to 88) by using post 88 fork bottoms for 17 in wheel upgrade. It stated you can use pre 88 damper rod in this set up and the 3 washers arnt used but reinstall the tapered spindle. It also stated that dlilling out the early damper rod compensates for no anti dive circut so maybe that is a misprint in that document.

[SlowOldGuy]

Dammit Mark, slow down and understand what the guy's asking!

Drilling the damper rods, which is adding extra holes above the "step" that the tapered spindle rests on, will ONLY defeat the anti-dive units.  It will not affect the fixed compression or adjustable rebound damping.

Ham, what you quote above is correct.  Drill it and do not use the washers.

DavidR.

[FJmonkey]

Dammit Mark, slow down and understand what the guy's asking!

Drilling the damper rods, which is adding extra holes above the "step" that the tapered spindle rests on, will ONLY defeat the anti-dive units.  It will not affect the fixed compression or adjustable rebound damping.

Ham, what you quote above is correct.  Drill it and do not use the washers.

DavidR.

Thank you for the correction David, I was thinking that the holes were getting drilled below. Sorry for the alarm...  As you were Ham.

[fj11.5]

have a spare set if damper rods left over from my 84 forks, is it worth the effort drilling the extra holes ,  , or would it just be something else to tinker with on a rainy day , , the ambulance could do with rpm valves but I'm not going to spend money on her , , when effie neeeeeds them