[cartercd]

I installed Old Man Emu 861 (front) and 862 (rear) springs with N73 (front) and N74E (rear) shocks. This is the stock height replacement package. The data below might be useful for those considering this combination.

Vehicle: 1997 FZJ, 95,000 miles, relatively stock in terms of weight, 3rd row seats removed, about 50 lbs of tools in cargo area, 285/75 spare tire underneath, ½ tank of gas. OEM = original equipment manufacturer. OME = Old Man Emu

Height from center of hub to bottom side of fender flare (inches)

.................................LF.........RF.........LR.........RR
OEM....................... 19.56.... 19.75.... 19.8 .... 19.69
OME 861/862........... 20.56 .... 20.8 .... 21.0 .... 20.69
Height increase ......... 1.0 ...... 1.05...... 1.2 ...... 1.0

OEM spring free height (inches). If your springs have sagged more than mine you might get more lift and vice versa.

................LF........... RF .......... LR .......... RR
OEM ......19.38 ...... 18.75 ...... 18.75 ...... 18.5

Prior to the install I measured the distance between the floorboard and the shackle of the load sensing proportioning valve (LSPV). It was 8.75”. After the spring install it measured 9.75”, which was expected based on the 1” of lift referenced above. I adjusted the shackle 0.5” so it was 9.25” from the floorboard. The logic here was that my original suspension had sagged 0.5” and the OME corrected this plus provided another 0.5” of lift. So I tried to get the LSPV adjusted to where I think it was when the truck was brand new. This is my starting point. I’ll test the rear brake lockup or perhaps get pressure gages and re-adjust the valve per the FSM.

The results: The ride is a little firmer, definitely less body roll, and just more solid. I am very pleased with the results.

As a preemptive response to “this thread is useless without pics” – 1”of lift isn’t that exciting to look at

[Martin White]

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting information.

[ashooter]

Cool. I'm about to take the plunge on these springs, and was hoping to get about the same results you show here. My OEM measurements are almost exactly what you had.

Thanks for the info!

[97 FZJ80]

Ashooter,

How do you like your 265 Revos?

[jlbuk]

Exactly what I think I need to fit... resurecting an old post 'cos I'm wondering if it has sagged/settled much in the two years or so ?
Cheers - JB

[ashooter]

Originally Posted by jlbuk

Exactly what I think I need to fit... resurecting an old post 'cos I'm wondering if it has sagged/settled much in the two years or so ?
Cheers - JB

I haven't measured mine, but they don't appear to have sagged much if any. Still look just right with my 255/85R16's, which are almost right at 33" tall when mounted on the truck.

[cartercd]

I'm still at the same height as I was when I made the original post 28 months ago.

[jlbuk]

Originally Posted by cartercd

I'm still at the same height as I was when I made the original post 28 months ago.

Excellent, many thanks for the info, off a-shopping I go

[WarDamnEagle]

I searched but didn't spend days looking. Anybody measured their heights with these springs after installing a front bumper (e.g. ARB, Slee, etc.) and winch?

I'm seriously thinking about these springs but will be running an ARB and an M8000/9000 up front.

There was a recent thread about running the 851 springs up front with the 862 rear springs. I don't want more than an inch or so in lift but I do want things relatively level. It would be interesting to see some side by side comparisons on these two routes.

[little_joe]

This got me curious about how mine are doing - I too have the OME stock-height replacement springs. Been on for 19 months now; no 3rd row seats; stock spare underneath, 1/3 tank of gas, <75 lbs weight in the cargo area; all stock as well. Measurements are within 1/8".

Left Front: 20 5/8"
Right Front: 21 3/8"
Left Rear: 20 3/4"
Right Rear: 21 1/4"

[PACNW96]

Originally Posted by WarDamnEagle

I searched but didn't spend days looking. Anybody measured their heights with these springs after installing a front bumper (e.g. ARB, Slee, etc.) and winch?

I am running OME 861/862's with an ARB front bumper (no winch currently installed) and I got between 1-1.25" of lift over the sagging stock springs and my rig is level. Measurements from the ground to the bottom of the fender are surprisingly equal on all four corners.

The OME 861's are heavies and seem to accommodate the ARB weight well. The addition of a winch to the ARB may bring down the front a little which may warrant installation of trim packers/spacers to level things out.

[KurtKuhn]

Originally Posted by PACNW96

I am running OME 861/862's with an ARB front bumper (no winch currently installed) and I got between 1-1.25" of lift over the sagging stock springs and my rig is level. Measurements from the ground to the bottom of the fender are surprisingly equal on all four corners.

The OME 861's are heavies and seem to accommodate the ARB weight well. The addition of a winch to the ARB may bring down the front a little which may warrant installation of trim packers/spacers to level things out.

PACNW96, in looking at your sig., it appears that you switched to 850/860 combination.

How does the new set up compare in ride height and feel to the 861/862? Any other thoughts to pass along on the switch?

Thanks.

-KK

[PACNW96]

Originally Posted by KurtKuhn

PACNW96, in looking at your sig., it appears that you switched to 850/860 combination.

How does the new set up compare in ride height and feel to the 861/862? Any other thoughts to pass along on the switch?

Thanks.

-KK

I can't tell any difference in ride between the 861/862's and 850/860's other than of course height. The only weight I had added on both setups was a front
ARB bumper and no winch. The biggest difference was going from stock springs to the 861/862's as far as ride stiffness. Of course the caster needs attention with the 2.5" lift and I have Slee's blue bushings (and Landtanks template) on my work bench waiting for install.

As far as ride height I don't care for the stink bug look. In my research those that ran the OME medium kit with the OME851/860's typically had more than an inch of stink bug especially with a front ARB. The OME 850's are .8 inches longer than the OME 851's so that would explain why the OME850/860's are near level. Note I have a stock rear bumper and carry only moderate loads on occasion.

Currently, with the OME850/860's the rear is around 0.4-0.5" higher than the front with an ARB front bumper/stock rear bumper and it looks perfect to me.

I highly recommend both of these setups considering my weight and what I use the rig for.

Russell

[mkhilario]

I also just installed 861 and 862. I switched from 850 and 860 which I ran on for 50k mi.

Distance from center of hub to flare edge is 20.6(front)-20.8"(rear)

Load is turbo diesel motor, ARB bar and rails, Kaymar steel rear bumper. Despite the heavier load, measurements are surprisingly close to yours.

Btw, I left in the ome +2 deg caster bushes and the steering feels great. The drop from 850/860 was apx 1 3/4 in. The old springs showed no significant sag.

[WarDamnEagle]

I installed the 861/862 springs and firm OME shocks a few days ago and I really like the ride vs the stock setup after 120k miles. I've already driven three 4 hour trips with lots of interstate, back roads and dirt roads.

I had the LC on an elevated, drive-on lift and took pretty good measurements. It measures 21" on all 4 corners from fender to center of axle.

Btw, I also can't say enough good things about these new 285 BFG AT's. They are as smooth as any highway tire on the interstate. I haven't tried them off-road yet but they have to be better than the stock Michelins in that regard.

FWIW, here's a pic:

[retrofive]

Looks good

[KurtKuhn]

WarDamnEagle, I like the results.

Can you post a picture taken from the sunny side?

Thanks.

-KK

[WarDamnEagle]

Best I can do at the moment as it's a bit cloudy. Maybe this photo has a bit more contrast. The parking spot it's sitting on is sloped so keep that in mind.

[KurtKuhn]

WarDamnEagle, thanks for the image from the other side. This is useful.

-KK

[WarDamnEagle]

Took one more today with the sun at my back in a level parking lot. Last one, I promise!