45/47 lift options: OME v Custom

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2manycruisers

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Has anyone had custom springs made for a 45/47? By who and do you like them?

I have a 1980 troopy with some really stiff lift springs that I need to replace, but I don't think OME is enough lift for me. I'm running 33s right now and may go up to 35s. If I do, they have to clear when off-road.

What I would like to do is have 4" springs built using OME dimensions. That way I can use OME bushings and if I get a newer ('81+) troopy later, I can still use these springs.

Does anyone have OMEs for a 45/47 on the shelf or shop floor that can give me dimensions on springs eye i.d.s and spring widths for both front and rear springs? Or just spring width if they are on a rig (measured with a caliper rather than a tape, if possible). Maybe I can use the OME bushings to determine spring eye i.d. if necessary.

thanks
 
I've called Deaver and they will happily make you a set. You do need to have the weight of the truck on both axles available (easily done at most truck scales). That's the route I'm probably going to go.
 
I was thinking that I will probably end up going Alcan for mine. I also want to run 35's and I will be adding a bumper, winch, and a bunch of other weight. Figure I would be better off having custom springs and OME while good is expen$ive

Edit: DO NOT GO ALCAN. They made my rear springs too short and they didn't bolt up. They said they would fix them by making a new main leaf and military wrap leaf. After I paid the $75 to ship back to them, I received them back all they had done was flatten the spring so I could bolt them up which seriously reduced the amount of lift I requested.
 
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Leaping Deer said:
I was thinking that I will probably end up going Alcan for mine. I also want to run 35's and I will be adding a bumper, winch, and a bunch of other weight. Figure I would be better off having custom springs and OME while good is expen$ive
Click to expand...

Not saying that I disagree and I'm not trying to talk you out of it but on the $$ the Alcan's won't be cheap in the least... I actually like the stiff OME springs. I'm also not a fan of "shackle lift" but I could run the 35's when that day comes I think w/o too many problems.

Good luck bud
:beer:



I did the stiff OME and got it from Bull. Ended up at 4 - 4.5" .... 100% satisfied. Thanks Rodeny!

:beer:


Before:

DSC04431.jpg



After: 2.5" OME and a "little" shackle: (sorry ... Mardi Gras pic..)

DSC04862.jpg


Lifted.jpg


Bx
 
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PScottBx said:
Not saying that I disagree and I'm not trying to talk you out of it but on the $$ the Alcan's won't be cheap in the least... I actually like the stiff OME springs. I'm also not a fan of "shackle lift" but I could run the 35's when that day comes I think w/o too many problems.
Click to expand...

I am not saying it will be cheap just cheaper for exactly what I want. Modifying these trucks aren't cheap. The heavy duty lift kit was $1725 when I priced it. When I called for priceing on Alcan it was like $230 a spring. I understand there are shocks, spring pins that I would need to purchase to install the kit but $800 on all that? My 45 will have an non OEM bed, cage, winch ect. I can have the springs custom made to my specs to handle the weight of my vehicle. I am just saying what works for me.

I have seen 35s with the OME kit and I would like a little more clearance than that. I do however like OME and think they make a great product.

Edit: DO NOT GO ALCAN. They made my rear springs too short and they didn't bolt up. They said they would fix them by making a new main leaf and military wrap leaf. After I paid the $75 to ship back to them, I received them back all they had done was flatten the spring so I could bolt them up which seriously reduced the amount of lift I requested.
 
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Leaping Deer said:
I am not saying it will be cheap just cheaper for exactly what I want. ... I am just saying what works for me...
Click to expand...

No worries. Good luck. Buy em, all the parts and let us know a ball park figure $$ for it.

....and post some pics.

Good luck

:beer:

Bx
 
I bought a set of 4" lift springs from Alcan this past summer for my fj45lv it was about 900 for the springs 260 for Bilstein 5150's on ebay then 40 for the rear shackles and 50 for the front 68 for greasable spring pins and another 12 for bushings and then another 250 for Man-a-fre U bolt flip kits so whats that total. (I hate this part) so for my spring set up that gives me 5" of lift (my shackles are extended) cost me $1580 but 250 of that was in fancy ubolt flip kits so say $1350 when all is said and done.
What i like about it: this is the exact amount of lift i wanted and the price was not bad. I like the Bilstein shocks over the OME by far they don't allow as much wallow. I switch my OME sprung fj62 to Bilsteins and like the ride much better.
what was kind of a pain: getting all the parts from like 5 different sources and the springs had about a 4 week turnaround .
but these are custom trucks so my thought is its got to be exactly what you want.
OME is a great suspension i wish they made a 4" lift and there springs did not settle but i wanted just alittle more height to clear my rear fenders.
hth Jason
 
fogblanket said:
I bought a set of 4" lift springs from Alcan this past summer for my fj45lv it was about 900 for the springs 260 for Bilstein 5150's on ebay then 40 for the rear shackles and 50 for the front 68 for greasable spring pins and another 12 for bushings and then another 250 for Man-a-fre U bolt flip kits so whats that total. (I hate this part) so for my spring set up that gives me 5" of lift (my shackles are extended) cost me $1580 but 250 of that was in fancy ubolt flip kits so say $1350 when all is said and done.
What i like about it: this is the exact amount of lift i wanted and the price was not bad. I like the Bilstein shocks over the OME by far they don't allow as much wallow. I switch my OME sprung fj62 to Bilsteins and like the ride much better.
what was kind of a pain: getting all the parts from like 5 different sources and the springs had about a 4 week turnaround .
but these are custom trucks so my thought is its got to be exactly what you want.
OME is a great suspension i wish they made a 4" lift and there springs did not settle but i wanted just alittle more height to clear my rear fenders.
hth Jason
Click to expand...


Agreed.

Thanks
Scott
 
I'm calling Deaver Friday to get some info. I'd love to have new springs before Cruise Moab, but we'll see. I don't get anything done quickly anymore, not enough time.

Since the spring center pin is off-center, increasing the arch in the springs will have a slightly negative effect on caster, but the biggest change is from using long shackles I would think.

Driving a stock troopy and my lifted troopy this week has me thinking more about the influence of bump steer with that much lift more than anything else. A hi-steer kit or double steering arm might be helpful, even spring under.

cruiser_007 said:
2manycruisers,
What lift did you end up going with? Any pics?

Any idea how a 4" lift would impact the castor on the front axle?
Click to expand...
 
Would you be willing to take some spring measurements for me? With a caliper if possible, metric or sae, how about leaf width, both front and rear springs. Since you can't do i.d of the eyes, how about thickness of the main leaf, front and rear, and o.d. of spring eyes front and rear? Would be much appreciated.


PScottBx said:
I did the stiff OME and got it from Bull. Ended up at 4 - 4.5" .... 100% satisfied. Thanks Rodeny!


Bx
Click to expand...
 
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