866 vs 865 and a bull bar questions

[Greg B]

Has anyone measured the amount of up-travel left in the N101 when the suspension is compressed to the bumpstops?

 

[spressomon]

Thought I would post a pic of the OME 865 and OME866 springs for those that might not know the difference.

 

[dclee]

Somebody's gotta try 863's (not 863J) and the 80's L-rear shocks. I have that on the 80 and the springs have never come out. The droop is better and therefore traction. Gotta try on the 100 but I'm tired of swapping parts. Who has an old but decent set of 80 L-shocks to send me?

I'm kinda thinking the L's don't have enough extension. You could go quite a ways further without the coil falling out. Especially once you get Christo's 6" coils... I thought that Bilstein made a shock with 14" of travel, and I think Koni has something as well. Bonus: IMHO both are of much higher quality than OME. What about some of the Aussie makes like Tough Dogs?

 

[dclee]

Thought I would post a pic of the OME 865 and OME866 springs for those that might not know the difference.

Interesting. Based on the pic, it looks like the 866 is progressive and the 865 is not. That probably just made my choice for me (though I have to wait until the new vehicle warranty wears out before the wife lets me get too crazy with this thing).

Here are some more random thoughts:

1.) When I sit in the driver's seat, the truck drives smooth as silk, no matter what is loaded in back. However, when sitting in the second row (started doing this with the baby seat back there), the ride is noticeably harsher on the same roads. Third row is even worse. I assume this has something to do with the rear end being live and the front being independant. What that says to me is that we might think that the stiffer coil still rides nice, because from the driver's seat it's ALL nice, but if you were to actually sit over that axle, it might not be as nice as previously thought...

2.) For my uses (NOT rock crawling where extreme articulation is paramount - that's what the 80 is for), I like the idea of a medium weight coil (865 or 866) so that the ride stays somewhat smooth even unladen, and use AirLift airbags in the rear end to compensate for weight when loading it up for a trip. Most of the time the truck is empty. Sometimes I even pull the third row.

My $0.02,

 

[dclee]

On the bullbar, I also seriously thought about the T3 Classique from TJM. Very nice looking bar. But it actually was only a little cheaper when all was said and done (shipping cost from East Coast was more, and the winch mounting box was also another $250 on top of the price of the bar itself). If you don't plan on running a winch (I still haven't made up my mind on that) then the TJM would be significantly cheaper because you wouldn't need to buy their winch box (which is required to run a winch as the bar itself is not strong enough to support one). But apples to apples, it's not really such a steal.

Plus, my truck is a 2004 model, and TJM USA did not have any of those in stock, and they could not confirm if I could transplant my OEM foglamps like on the earlier T3s. Also, I wanted full barwork up top to preserve my headlights and fenders from animal encounters. So, after some debate, I went with the ARB Deluxe with the IPF foglamp kit. Very happy. It's definately an over-engineered hunk of steel, with lots of cool features.

 

[NMuzj100]

What about some of the Aussie makes like Tough Dogs?

I think these are actually made in Canada for sale down under. I don't think any of them are made for longer travel though.

 

[spressomon]

On the bullbar, I also seriously thought about the T3 Classique from TJM. Very nice looking bar. But it actually was only a little cheaper when all was said and done (shipping cost from East Coast was more, and the winch mounting box was also another $250 on top of the price of the bar itself). If you don't plan on running a winch (I still haven't made up my mind on that) then the TJM would be significantly cheaper because you wouldn't need to buy their winch box (which is required to run a winch as the bar itself is not strong enough to support one). But apples to apples, it's not really such a steal.

Plus, my truck is a 2004 model, and TJM USA did not have any of those in stock, and they could not confirm if I could transplant my OEM foglamps like on the earlier T3s. Also, I wanted full barwork up top to preserve my headlights and fenders from animal encounters. So, after some debate, I went with the ARB Deluxe with the IPF foglamp kit. Very happy. It's definately an over-engineered hunk of steel, with lots of cool features.

I think the winch plate mount kit is 'only' $150 (4x4 Connection). I like the T3Classique simply because it is a little more 'tucked up' on each corner; the winch mounts to the frame and not the bumper; therefore the bumper is lighter weight. However I don't like their micky-mouse method of attaching the factory fog lights: They rattle. It's a trade-off no matter what front bumper you choose I think...Christo: Are you reading this?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Nobody says you can't. I am just pointing out the possible issues. See other post for specs on shocks.

I'll be glad to be the forum tester. Send me a set of L's and I'll try them out. If they don't work I'll send 'em back and pay a 15% restock.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I'll be glad to be the forum tester. Send me a set of L's and I'll try them out. If they don't work I'll send 'em back and pay a 15% restock.

As long as they are new in the box condition and never installed. I guess we have a catch 22 situation. I know they will fit, however I am not sure if the dampening rates are even close to the same.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

As long as they are new in the box condition and never installed. I guess we have a catch 22 situation. I know they will fit, however I am not sure if the dampening rates are even close to the same.

Gotta install to try them.

 

[dclee]

I think the winch plate mount kit is 'only' $150 (4x4 Connection).

Yeah, I think for the older trucks it is. However, 4x4Connection told me that for the newer T3 (model year 2004+) the plate was $250. Also, there is a skid plate the bolts on underneath, which the older bars apparently don't have. So there are definately some design differences.

 

[spressomon]

Yeah, I think for the older trucks it is. However, 4x4Connection told me that for the newer T3 (model year 2004+) the plate was $250. Also, there is a skid plate the bolts on underneath, which the older bars apparently don't have. So there are definately some design differences.

Good info...I wasn't aware they had a different mount...and I wonder what the skid plate is all about?

 

[DMX84]

Interesting. Based on the pic, it looks like the 866 is progressive and the 865 is not. That probably just made my choice for me (though I have to wait until the new vehicle warranty wears out before the wife lets me get too crazy with this thing).

Here are some more random thoughts:

1.) When I sit in the driver's seat, the truck drives smooth as silk, no matter what is loaded in back. However, when sitting in the second row (started doing this with the baby seat back there), the ride is noticeably harsher on the same roads. Third row is even worse. I assume this has something to do with the rear end being live and the front being independant. What that says to me is that we might think that the stiffer coil still rides nice, because from the driver's seat it's ALL nice, but if you were to actually sit over that axle, it might not be as nice as previously thought...

2.) For my uses (NOT rock crawling where extreme articulation is paramount - that's what the 80 is for), I like the idea of a medium weight coil (865 or 866) so that the ride stays somewhat smooth even unladen, and use AirLift airbags in the rear end to compensate for weight when loading it up for a trip. Most of the time the truck is empty. Sometimes I even pull the third row.

My $0.02,

Just remember, with air bags you need a minimum of ~5psi, and this will add to the spring rate. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[rzpapp]

I'm back from vacation and my lack of internet connection. Thanks for the good feedback and spring info (technical and observational) I am going with 866.

 

[spressomon]

I'm back from vacation and my lack of internet connection. Thanks for the good feedback and spring info (technical and observational) I am going with 866.

How is your rig equipped...specifically how much weight have you added to the back of it? Drawers? Bumper? Etc.?

 

[rzpapp]

No mods right now that add wieght... but I plan on a Slee rear bumper, and ARB Sahara front.

 

[dclee]

Just curious, why the Sahara (unless for looks)? If you get the Deluxe, you can add the foglamps like the Sahara plus you get the strength of the full steel cage around the headlamps and radiator (Sahara chrome hoop is only a bolt on, not welded).

 

[rzpapp]

Ok you got me... the Sahara is for looks

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Just curious, why the Sahara (unless for looks)? If you get the Deluxe, you can add the foglamps like the Sahara plus you get the strength of the full steel cage around the headlamps and radiator (Sahara chrome hoop is only a bolt on, not welded).

3 years ago when I bought my Sahara I selected it for looks. Back then though the bull bar didn't have the light insert option. Today? I'd pick the bull bar with light inserts but only if I color-matched it (which I would). No color match? Sahara bar (less black stuff).