Spacer Install on OME Lift

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Romer

Romer

fatherofdaughterofromer
Moderator
Joined
Sep 14, 2003
Threads
559
Messages
11,937
Location
Centennial, Colorado
My rig was raking to the front with the weight of the winch and ARB. I originally was thinking of switching to Heavy springs. But discovered there was no need per the following thread in the FAQ:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=44674

So I bought some 1” Mr Gasket Spacers from www.summitracing.com Part number MRG-1285.

I also bought a Coil spring Compressor from Harbor Freight for $12.

Tools: 15/16 Socket (24mm works) Socket Wrench, Floor Jack
1 Inch Space Install 001.webp
1 Inch Space Install 008.webp
 
First, Place the Jack under the frame (not axle). I used the Sway bar mount. If you do the axle, you will compress the spring rather than expand it. Make sure you put a block behind the rear tire.

Jack up the vehicle just enough so you can get the Coil Spring Compressor on both sides. Learned it was easier to place the nut at the top after the first spring.
1 Inch Space Install 002.webp
1 Inch Space Install 005.webp
 
Crank the bolts alternating sides until you compress the spring a bit. Now Jack up the vehicle more and the spring should pop out of the top. Then use the nuts to compress the spring more until you have about a 2 inch gap Use the jack a bit more if it helps.
1 Inch Space Install 006.webp
1 Inch Space Install 010.webp
 
Work the spacer in back and forth until it is all the way around and seated properly. Make sure you check around the back side for proper seating.

Let off on the Jack a bit to get it pushed in and check the seating.

Let the Jack down most of the way. If you let it down all the way, the coils will compress to the point you can’t get the compressors off.

Take off the compressors and do the other side.
1 Inch Space Install 011.webp
1 Inch Space Install 013.webp
 
Excellent write up!
 
Hey Ken

How much lift did you gain for these spacers?? I just installed a set and they "Squished" considerably when all of the weight was put back on them. Did you notice this?

Nice Write Up BTW
 
FatherofRomersDaughter,


Do you have pics that you can post of a before and after? You probably have some good side shots you took after you put on the Slee slidersteps. Maybe you could take an identical angle with the Mr Gasket on now. It would probably be useful to guys trying to decide to make this mod or not.


Also wanted to repeat what I've heard many a time. An 80 should probably have a bit of nose down attitude, as it will level out after you load up your cargo etc. To have a completely level truck might result in a sag after loading it down.



TY
 
I have spacers on my rear and the springs had to be removed to fit them.

Are these a complete circle or do they have a break in them?

Hey Ken

How much lift did you gain for these spacers?? I just installed a set and they "Squished" considerably when all of the weight was put back on them. Did you notice this?

Nice Write Up BTW

Are these spacers a soft compond as the ones I have are made of hard neoprene I think
 
These are soft material with a break in the middle as you can see from the photo where I was feeding it in.

The Front is still lower than the rear and I did not get one inch of lift, the Rear is still higher than the front. I'll take a pic later.

I was thinking after I did the first one that I should have taken a before. I'll see if I can find one with the winch and ARB from the same angle for a before and after.
 
Nice Ken.

Doing this as well this week. Thanks for the write up....

The guy at Summit when I went to the store said that some guys like to put some Krazy Glue on the top side of the spacer before they put it in to hold it in place before the spring decompresses back into place.

I guess with your method there is no need to do that.

Thanks again.
Best.
-onur
Akron, OH
 
Sometimes those spring compressors fail. I'd feel better unbolting the shock and dropping the axle than depending on the spring comrpressors to keep posssion of my fingers.
 
Rich said:
Sometimes those spring compressors fail. I'd feel better unbolting the shock and dropping the axle than depending on the spring comrpressors to keep posssion of my fingers.
Click to expand...

Thats why i did and it worked pretty good. You need big TALL jackstand though, and also have to remove the tires, undo the shocks, swaybars and be VERY careful of the front brake line at the T
 
Yep, most of the same steps as required to install the springs to begin with. The compressors do make for a short cut.
 
Cool Thread This is the same way I did my lift and the spring compressors is the best invesment for the 20 30$ you save so much time .. good to see I was knot alone in this coily situaion.. let see some pic when your done
 
If you notice in Post #3, there is a sfaety bracket that helps keep the compressor in place. It's not foolproof, put your Jack stand could fail while your head is under there to.
 
Well sad to say I removed my spacers today. I had that grinding noise even though I had changed the U joints and had the drive shaft balanced. Seems to be gone now. Based on what I read that should not have created too much a pinion angle problem, but every rig is different.
 
Bizarre

How does the rig sit now? Mine is still kinda raked even with the spacers!
 
It was raked with the spacers. There isn't much difference without them.

Look at the Build Up thread I updated.
 
Does this mean you'll go to the heavies now?
 
perk said:
Does this mean you'll go to the heavies now?
Click to expand...

Nope. I don't mind the way it sits. The heavies and the spacer would give me similar height. The height is impacting the pinion angle on the front drive shaft, so Heavies would do the same thing.

I may end up getting one of the double cardon shafts eventually, if so I'll put the spacers back. It takes about 30 minutes to do both sides (After the first time)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ghostofamerica
removing body lift kit on 97 fzj
Replies
11
Views
1K
ghostofamerica
ghostofamerica
MikePL
Which OME numbers for an even 4in lift?
Replies
12
Views
2K
cruiseroutfit
cruiseroutfit
NatualLivingMaine
Help needed identifying OME springs
Replies
4
Views
358
NatualLivingMaine
NatualLivingMaine
Madcrix12
Electric Power Steering Install
Replies
0
Views
314
Madcrix12
Madcrix12

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom