GX OME Owners: Do it Again? (1 Viewer)

[bluedownton]

For the OME owners - would you do it again? I've read everything (here, GXOR, Expo Portal, Lexus Club, etc.) about all the other outfitters, but I'm curious to whether you like your setup or can't wait to go another route. If anyone is running a RTT on the OME, I'd love to know that also. Thanks for your insights!

Eventual Setup (07 with 44K miles, no KDSS): Family Camping/Rock Climbing (hand, not wheels) Machine
255/80R17 ST Maxx
K9 Rack
Howling Moon RTT: 1.8 or 2.4 (dream)
Sliders

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I haven't done the rear spring conversion yet (still have OEM air bags and OEM shocks in the back), but I have a box in the garage with all the parts needed like the OME medium rear springs, the OME sport rear shocks 60004, the Toyota spring isolators, and the MT conversion kit. So, I cannot tell you if I would do it over with the OME since I haven't done it yet.

 

[bluedownton]

I haven't done the rear spring conversion yet (still have OEM air bags and OEM shocks in the back), but I have a box in the garage with all the parts needed like the OME medium rear springs, the OME sport rear shocks 60004, the Toyota spring isolators, and the MT conversion kit. So, I cannot tell you if I would do it over with the OME since I haven't done it yet.

Looks like we are the few in the woods! I'm tempted now just to give it a shot. At the price point and the better-than-average offroad performance (my past experience, at least), almost worth it to try for a few years and to get back to being fully outfitted....Thanks for the feedback!

 

[HomersCanyonero]

@Romer put OME springs and shocks all around on his daughters gx470.

I think some of us are old school and we had good experience with ome on our other rigs.

It’s good different people try different things, but OME has a good history and great price point.

I saved a post from @sleeoffroad whereby in 2017 he recommends OME for GX470s. He said something to the effect that some of the pricier and beefier alternatives came from the dessert racing world which most of us don’t do.

So, OME shocks and springs are not a bad choice. They are not rare either on GX470s.

 

[bluedownton]

Thanks, HomersCanyonero. That's it and great insight. Walking away from the pricier options after way too much time researching. Sticking with OME. Thanks, all. Will report back with a build report at some point.

 

[Arailt]

I agree with Homer. I've run OME nitrochargers and springs on other vehicles and they're a great option.

I prefer them to the higher end, fully adjustable stuff because they're a "set it and forget it" setup. No rebuilds, no adjusting, no chasing down squeaks, etc.

 

[Romer]

@Romer put OME springs and shocks all around on his daughters gx470.

I have run OME on two 80's, two 100's my 200 and Rachels 470 and have never been disappointed.

 

[GXO]

Depends on your use. The tricked out high end stuff is for tricked out high end performance. If you are DDing it and weekend wheeling mild to moderate trails, the OME is fine. If you wheel a little harder, it is still fine. If you want to have a cadillac and drive faster offroad and carry a lot of weight and maintain a perfect ride, you have to tune a bit and spend a bit. NOTHING is wrong with OME, and you can even step up the BP-51 line for a little more performance. I can bomb down the desert or somewhat rough trails at high speeds and be stable and comfortable. I can run trails and carry a lot of weight while doing it. I spent a lot. OME is a great entry point to get the wheels on dirt and know you will get enough performance to have fun and get home.

 

[bluedownton]

Aralift and Romer, that's the conclusion I've come to. Thanks for the confirmation. Dan, you da man, and I couldn't agree more. Once I tag some adventures in the new rig with the fam, I may upgrade to Icon, but we'll see if its necessary for what we are doing. At this point, it's forest roads to the climbing crags, family camping, mountain snow, and general road side attractions (we always seem to find the randomest and pretty-cool places off the map). I was starting to miss my first-gen, built-over-12-years Tacoma (four door, e locker, OME with 255/80 awesome, awesome trail blazer), but no mas. With two kids, we just got crowded out. Time for a lift, tires, and rack all by day's end. Thanks, everyone.

 

[Jamesf]

Have you considered the Dobinsons setup? I’m stuck between OME and Dobinson.

 

[GXO]

The only thing Dobinson has on OME is the option to get progressive springs. I think a BP-51 with a progressive dobinson rear and correct spring rates up front from OME is probably the best combo kit for a low cost of entry.

 

[phishtaco]

Are people using the 885 or 887 coils?

 

[bluedownton]

Hey Phishtaco,
I'll let you know after tomorrow. Sierra Expeditions has always been great to me, so I will be working with them again on this build. I'll ask them tomorrow when I place the order. Not sure which medium we'll go with yet. I'll eventually move to HD in the rear with I put on the RTT, and HD in the front once I go with the SSO wench (but that won't be for about 6 months to a year). I'll post back soon.

 

[GJMacK3]

I personally installed the BP-51 kit for the 2010 and up FJCruiser on my 470. Other than using the RCC 2.0 HD springs in the rear, I would definitely use this setup again. The only other suspension I think I would consider is the KING kit for 4Runners. Love my 51's.

 

[little_joe]

I saved a post from @sleeoffroad whereby in 2017 he recommends OME for GX470s. He said something to the effect that some of the pricier and beefier alternatives came from the dessert racing world which most of us don’t do.

While true, OME is designed for fully laden 4x4's traversing tough terrain (not rock crawling, think Australia). Their spring rates are absurdly high.

I installed OME on a Discovery, 94 XCab 4WD pickup, and my 80, and in all cases the ride sucked. Sold the Disco, replaced OME leafs on the pickup, and went with a progressive coil on the 80 to solve the problem.

I am not saying their suspensions are bad, they are not. But a "stock height" OME spring for the 80, for example, is like 66% higher spring rate than stock, new springs. If you need that much load-carrying every day, they are fine...

 

[Augie]

Hi @little_joe, I finally got back in 4X4 after been out since 2008. Got rid of my 100 series with OME because am tired of the nose dive and body roll.

Back in 05 GX because KDSS and wanted to try bypass shocks technology. After driving the GX for awhile I am actually not that disappointed with the stock suspension. Goal before buying is to get BP-51.

Anybody tried Dobinsons IFP? They are about $400 less than MMR remote Reservoir. I don't really need the extra cooling capacity of the remote reservoir.

@gjmack3 do you have to modify anything to use 2010÷ FJ BP-51? ARB make specific 120 series kit but I am having trouble finding it in USA.

 

[bluedownton]

Got the OME ordered today. Have to show love to Sierra Expeditions: Always great to work with - patient, considerate to the build as opposed to the price point, and super knowledgeable. Will report back and appreciate all the feedback. Now the K9 and ST Maxxs.

 

[Arailt]

Which kit did you end up going with?

 

[bluedownton]

Standard 2.5 kit (nitros, medium springs, etc.). Gonna shoot for installation next week.

 

[moab cj5]

My only regret was not going with heavy springs in the front. I have 20k+ miles on my OME setup. I went heavy in the rear, and light in the front. Wish I would have gone heavy up front. I will likely be swapping springs next year, and maybe replace the shocks too while I am at it.

I use my rig for light to medium offroad use, and when loaded with gear, the heavy in the rear is fantastic. Empty, its a bit bouncy. I knew that when I went that direction though, and can easily live with it.

The reason I wish I had gone heavy up front is for the weight of a bumper, winch, and more height. As my springs have settled, I am rubbing ever so slightly again.