2" lift with OME coils + Bilstein shocks?

[drexx]

08Apr2005 (UTC +8)

Howdy y'all! So I'm now considering just a 2" lift with OME Medium coils. Anybody know what Bilstein part number should I get to fit my FZJ-80?

I recognize ol' info that said the problem with Bilstein shocks is that they're just the same length for stock Toyota shocks. What I want to know if there's any update to this?

As again, many thanks to all for your kind replies!

 

[Gold Finger]

I am think ing of going with Koni but the rally raid heavy duty are a tad too expensive and may investigate there other shocks. I have used Koni on many vehicles and been absolutly delighted with them and they are also adjustable for rebound damping. Koni can also be rebuilt. I will look at weathere I can get them to match an intended lift and if not then will stay with OME Shocks which I have neaver experienced before but should be fine judging by what is said on here.

 

[drexx]

08Apr2005 (UTC +8)

The only reason I'm shying away from OME and considering Bilstein is that I've heard so much good about Biltein and how better their valving is. I myself have destroyed two sets of OME's (for an FZJ-80 and a UZJ-100) each within two years (or about 15,000+ miles or 24,100+ km each). The only thing that has last so far are my OME LTR's for the UZJ-100.

Koni seems good too, as others say. I'll ask a local retailer here about availability for the FZJ-80 and shock length.

 

[CharlieS]

Drexx,

I used to run bilstein "rally" struts on my VW gti rally car.

The "rally" strut/shock has a more stout body and shaft, a longer stroke and different valving.

I doubt you can get off-the-shelf rally shocks for the 80, but maybe. It might be worth asking someone at Bilstein corporate. They probably at least have specs for them, since I bet more than 1 LC 80 series has run a serious race like paris to dakar, or the like.

Bilstein is great also because they will customize the valving for you particular needs. Essentially making a custom shock or strut from a stock body and parts.

You can probably get a set of 80 bodies, with longer shafts and more offroad valving if you're willing to pay the premium.

As I recally they weren't all that expensive, but then again, I wasn't focused on cost while building that car (before marriage and kids).

If you do find info on them, please shoot me the details, I might go in for a set with you. I LOVED their shocks/struts on my rally car and would definitely consider them for my 80 (soon to have 2.5" med OME springs).

Charlie

 

[Bear80]

Don't know if you can get these, but I run Edelbrock ISA shocks. They are softer than the OME on the road but work great running down dirt roads and such.

 

[elmariachi]

08Apr2005 (UTC +8)

The only reason I'm shying away from OME and considering Bilstein is that I've heard so much good about Biltein and how better their valving is. I myself have destroyed two sets of OME's (for an FZJ-80 and a UZJ-100) each within two years (or about 15,000+ miles or 24,100+ km each). The only thing that has last so far are my OME LTR's for the UZJ-100.

"Destroyed" OME? How if I may ask? If you are that hard core, then none of these medium duty shocks will stand up, especially Bilstein.

 

[CharlieS]

Bilstein does not just make "medium duty" shocks.

I think if you do a little research, you will see that Bilstein is a very highly respected strut/shock maker. Perhaps not in the 80 series rock crawling world, but keep in mind that not everyone that owns an 80 crawls with it.

Bilstein makes some serious race suspensions, unlike "Monroe" oops, I mean OME.

"... They worked closely with Daimler-Benz and in 1958 Bilstein became standard equipment on all Mercedes-Benz models, beginning an association that continues today.

To further strengthen their position with auto makers worldwide, Bilstein outfitted factory race cars with their shock absorbers to demonstrate the superior performance characteristics. This started an unparalleled record of motorsports success that has continued over the years at racing venues the world over.

It was the racing success of Bilstein shocks at the famed Baja 1000 off-road race that eventually led to the formal presence of Bilstein in North America."


And, I looked on their site, you can get the 9100 with as much as 17" of travel for rock crawling.

No, you're right. Bilstein is medium duty garbage... OME is the world's best and only.

Charlie

"Destroyed" OME? How if I may ask? If you are that hard core, then none of these medium duty shocks will stand up, especially Bilstein.

 

[elmariachi]

Bilstein does not just make "medium duty" shocks.
I think if you do a little research, you will see that Bilstein is a very highly respected strut/shock maker. Perhaps not in the 80 series rock crawling world, but keep in mind that not everyone that owns an 80 crawls with it.
Bilstein makes some serious race suspensions, unlike "Monroe" oops, I mean OME.
No, you're right. Bilstein is medium duty garbage... OME is the world's best and only.
Charlie

Re-read my post. Did I say Bilstein was medium duty garbage? No, nor did I say OME was superior to Bilstein. Drexx asked about shocks for a 2" OME lift. That is a medium duty application in my experienced opinion, unless hauling groceries is heavy duty. I have run Bilsteins with 80 lifts and was not impressed but I didn't even post that.

 

[CharlieS]

My apologies. You did not say that Bilsteins were garbage, nor did you say that OME was superior.

Charlie

 

[NorCalDoug]

"Destroyed" OME? How if I may ask? If you are that hard core, then none of these medium duty shocks will stand up, especially Bilstein.

I couldn't find a pic to show to illustrate what Drexx did that MIGHT contributed to the destroying of the OME shocks, but let's just say that he used to try to get his rigs to FLY.

Landings can be a bit harsh on shocks...

I'll look for an incriminating photo or two...

 

[informationjunky]

I couldn't find a pic to show to illustrate what Drexx did that MIGHT contributed to the destroying of the OME shocks, but let's just say that he used to try to get his rigs to FLY.

Landings can be a bit harsh on shocks...

I'll look for an incriminating photo or two...

Don't forget water submersion tests that he has also posted

 

[J.A.P]

"Monroe" oops, I mean OME

Are OME's the Monroes? Would they be the GAS MAGNUMS by chance? I'm getting shock soon and was considering these. I know people say Monroe sucks but a lot of people also like or at least don't mind them.

 

[CharlieS]

Hi J.A.P,

I was being a bit of a pain in the neck there.

I do not know that they are made by Monroe. If you poke around witha search on these forums there are some that assert that they are made for OME by Monroe.

What I read (and have no personal knowledge of) is that they are made by monroe, but are specially valved to the OME specs. Supposedly they are not the same as any of the off-the-shelf monroe shocks.

Honestly, I do not know, so I shouldn't repeat things like that.

The OME are reasonably priced and seem to work well on the 80 series cruiser, so they seem like a logical choice. You don't know exactly what you're getting into if you start guessing at some of the other off the shelf combinations.

Charlie

 

[Darwood]

I would say if Drexx were into flying he should look into the 7100 series Bilstein shocks as well as King, or SwayAway shocks. These higher end lines were built for flying. One day I'm planning on running the 7100's with the stock shock mountings (yeah I'm crazy). All these shocks come with shock eyes so some modifications or adaptors have to be done to mount them to the mostly shock stud 80s.

The 7100's are probably the best bet since you can get them in shorter extended and compressed lengths than the King or SwayAway shocks. The 9100's are nice but have long extended and compressed lengths that would make using them quite the fabrication job, not to mention the cost of the things.

 

[alia176]

I didn't think that Edlebrock IAS shocks were made for the 80s. I thought I called them one time about this some time ago and found out they don't have an exact application. However, you can always find a similar weighed domestic vehicle and use those shocks.

Unless the OME shocks are being bottomed out regularly, how else does one "destroy" these shocks?

 

[Bear80]

I didn't think that Edlebrock IAS shocks were made for the 80s. I thought I called them one time about this some time ago and found out they don't have an exact application.

Well they do, and they are setup for a 3" lift. Kinda pricey they are just about $100 each.

 

[cruiserdan]

My understanding is OME's are made by Monroe, in Austraila, to OME's specifications.

 

[tacomafj-80]

Has anybody used rancho's rs 9000 with the ome lift? im running this set-up on my tacoma with a s.a.s and love the way i cacn adjust them. usually i run them on "4" for street and "6" in the dirt. when i lift the 80 im planning on running the rancho's as well. opinions? does rancho offer something for the 80 with the ome lift?

 

[drexx]

09Apr2005 (UTC +8)

I couldn't find a pic to show to illustrate what Drexx did that MIGHT contributed to the destroying of the OME shocks, but let's just say that he used to try to get his rigs to FLY.

Landings can be a bit harsh on shocks...

I'll look for an incriminating photo or two...

Uh-oh.... I was gonna cry "bloody thieves!" and say OME doesn't honor their 2-yr. warranties, but you let the cat out of the bag I would've gotten away with it too, except that almost a coupla years ago Mr. Slee flatly said no And now I got an Arab-spec FZJ-80 and found some sand dunes and hundreds of km's of dirt roads, I wanted something that lasts longer than OME shocks but the spring rate and commones of OME coils.

For the other FZJ-80, my first choice was Sway-A-Way but they had production problems so I switched to Fox Racing shocks that were 2.5" diameter. Specs call for it to jump and clear a 6-ft wall and land smoothly, but that's another story...

 

[TFS55]

OME, Monroe. Rancho also is made or owned by Monroe USA?

from OME Australia.

Monroe Australia, as the only shock absorber manufacturer in Australia, does produce the Nitrocharger range for ARB under agreement to ARB. In this agreement ARB (Old Man Emu) is the only private brand 4x4 shock absorber range that Monroe can make, other than their own Gas Magnum range. All other 4x4 shock absorbers are imported. The OME product has a number of exclusive features compared to the Monroe Gas Magnum product. They are: 18 mm Piston Rod compared to 16 mm in the Gas Magnum Triple Lip Check Valve Oil Seal compared to mufti lip seal type 1.6 mm Reserve tube thickness compared to 1.3 mm Most importantly, the OME Nitrocharger range has many hundreds of hours spent on valving engineering to ensure the shock absorber is matched to the OME coil range, as well as the OEM coils. This why in most cases there are a choice of part numbers to choose from for an individual vehicle. The Monroe Gas Magnum is valved as a replacement for the original shock and therefore has only 1 part for each application. I hope this clarifies things for you.