OME Lift - Which is the right one?

Keyser Soze · 07-04-09, 10:50 PM

'96 LX450.

Stock height running 285 Revo's and suspension is sagging. Wanting to go with an off the shelf height OME kit (2.5 inch-ish).

Not planning on running a bull bar or winch in the front, but am going to run a dual battery... dual Group 34 Die Hard Platinums on the floor in the garage. I assume 860's in the rear (lots of climbing/camping gear & mountain bike in the trailer hitch) but not sure if I want 850's or 851's up front... will I have bad stink bug with the 851's? I've looked around but can't find a pic with a stock bumper listing dual batt's.

Thanks in advance.

retrofive · 07-05-09, 07:59 AM

You should be fine with the 850's up front. If you do get a little stinkbug it wont be much and a couple spacers will take care of it.

mkhilario · 07-05-09, 08:10 AM

Go 850 + 860 set up. I had that with ARB bar (no winch) plus a heavier turbo D motor. Sat nice and level. 850 in front gives nice control. 860 in back is plenty stiff enough unless you tow.

PACNW96 · 07-05-09, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkhilario

Go 850 + 860 set up.

Running 850/860's and couldn't be happier for my uses. If you are worried about stinkbug and don't plan on carrying heavy weight in the rear (ie aftermarket rear bumper) this combo works well for a 2.5" lift.

UCBerzerkeley · 07-05-09, 02:08 PM

850/860 will sag with lots of gear on camping trips and/or passengers.

it's all about your uses. if a roof rack (that you will load time to time) and hauling gear (even camping/backpacking) gear is in your future, consider the heavies, specially since you won't be weighing down the front significantly

Keyser Soze · 07-05-09, 02:26 PM

I was actually more worried about the 50's v. the 51's up front with no bullbar/winch and just the dual batteries. Will the 50's be harsh with so little weight?

Appreicate the input.

PACNW96 · 07-05-09, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

I was actually more worried about the 50's v. the 51's up front with no bullbar/winch and just the dual batteries. Will the 50's be harsh with so little weight?

Appreicate the input.

I don't think you will notice a difference. Keep in mind the spring rates are the same the only difference being the heavies (850's) are .8 inches longer than the mediums (851's).

akarilo · 07-05-09, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PACNW96

I don't think you will notice a difference. Keep in mind the spring rates are the same the only difference being the heavies (850's) are .8 inches longer than the mediums (851's).

Second that; you're splitting hairs!

mkhilario · 07-05-09, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCBerzerkeley

850/860 will sag with lots of gear on camping trips and/or passengers.

it's all about your uses. if a roof rack (that you will load time to time) and hauling gear (even camping/backpacking) gear is in your future, consider the heavies, specially since you won't be weighing down the front significantly

The only times I've had the rear sag a little was with 5 climbers and full mountaineering/camping gear. Roof rack was loaded too. I was also carrying the "kitchen" and food for 7 more climbers. Rig was still manageable.

Usually its loaded with dive gear and 3-4 divers. Sometimes with tanks. No sag and no excessive cornering lean w the 860s.

4x4CPOSEADOG · 07-05-09, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrofive

You should be fine with the 850's up front. If you do get a little stinkbug it wont be much and a couple spacers will take care of it.

X2. If I were on your shoes, I'll go with 850/863 combo specially if you have a lot of camping/climbing gear and bikes on the hitch.

Keyser Soze · 07-05-09, 09:21 PM

Good advice guys... I knew the rears were the same spring rate with different heights but didn't know up front. 50 it is... and I'll think about 60 v. 63. A little sag from bikes on the hitch/climbing gear is nowhere near the bottoming out I dealt with in the Jeep XJ.

Thanks!

UCBerzerkeley · 07-05-09, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkhilario

The only times I've had the rear sag a little was with 5 climbers and full mountaineering/camping gear. Roof rack was loaded too. I was also carrying the "kitchen" and food for 7 more climbers. Rig was still manageable.

Usually its loaded with dive gear and 3-4 divers. Sometimes with tanks. No sag and no excessive cornering lean w the 860s.

hey, that's real good then. how new are the springs?

Tools R Us · 07-05-09, 10:58 PM

OME coil specs, Kurt is also a great vendor to get said springs from;

Cruiser Outfitters

sleeoffroad · 07-06-09, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

Good advice guys... I knew the rears were the same spring rate with different heights but didn't know up front.

Sorry, that is not correct. The rear is different spring rates, the fronts are the same.

Keyser Soze · 07-06-09, 05:23 PM

Got it, thanks for the clarification... so I will be dealing with a rougher ride if I decide on going with 863's? If so I think my mind is made up on the 860's.

Thanks again.

mkhilario · 07-06-09, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCBerzerkeley

hey, that's real good then. how new are the springs?

to me the 860s in the back feel pretty stiff so I would not want to find out what an 863 rear rides like in a lightly loaded rig.

You will feel a big difference when you switch from stock. It is a bumpier ride in the back seats on pavement. This is offset by a big improvement in stability both on and offroad.

I had the springs in for 50,000+ miles over a 12 year period. They did not seem to sag at all or change in feel. I used them with the n73/n74 OME shocks. The shocks are still being used with 861+862 springs now.