Another OME Kit Question...

[Natty]

Hi Guys, just looking for some last minute advice... I'm running the stock chrome bumper w/ PTO and 34" x 9.5" Swampers... I'm ordering an OME Kit for my 73, and after reading up on things it seems the recommended setup would be heavy springs up front, re-drilled 2 top springs 1" forward for added tire clearance and anti inversion shackles... and for the rear medium springs as well as anti inversion shackles... would this be generally accepted as the ideal setup for my rig? there will only be moderate loads in the rear of the truck for the most part. I am pondering just going heavy all the way around as I don't want it to sag, but from what I understand it might be overkill? I realize everyone has their own opinions, but I really am just looking to make an informed decision... also I've never bought a lift kit before... Thanks! PS - I have read up on this, but it is really hard to come to a conclusion!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Make it HD all round then take a leaf out if its too harsh. When the springs get old you can put the removed leaf back in

 

[wesintl]

I'd do heavy up front in and med in the back. You can always order the helper spring later if carrying heavy loads. I had heavys on my 60, always raked and never loaded it enough. My 70 I went with med in the rear. I've never needed the helpers. I don't know if i'd redrill the front til you see how you like it.

 

[bull]

Good advice in the above 2 posts. I have done the same. Waiting to see if I need to move the axle forward after I get back from CM08

 

[bj70_guy]

why not just get the heavies front and rear and take out a leaf in the rear to start - then if you end up needing it, it doesn't cost you anything for an extra leaf?

 

[Natty]

I was thinking that about the heavies, taking out one leaf and saving it... the thing I would hate most is buying the mediums and having it sag in the back after a year or whatever... but then again there is mention in various posts about guys removing a leaf from a medium spring pack as well... the fellow I am ordering this OME kit from is recommending mediums for sure, but I'm the type that would rather have too much than not enough if you know what I mean... any feedback from any of you running OME heavies in the rear of your 73 / 74? By the way, thanks for your input guys...

 

[Natty]

and about drilling the front springs, I would love to leave it... but I would hate to tear it all apart again and do it after the fact... from the sounds of it it is ideal when fitting 35's, I'm hoping that with my 34's it would be okay without... make sense???

 

[Joe70]

It depends on what kind of 35's you want to run but I had 35" Goodyear MTR's on my OME lifted BJ74 and I had no issues whatsoever (without altering the front leafs). It rubbed the inside of the wheel well sometimes but never damaged the tire or the truck. If you were going with 35" Super Swampers though you would have some issues. I run 33" swampers now and they are about the same size as the 35" MTR's.

I run heavys in the front and mediums in the back and it's the ideal setup for me. I carry heavy loads on and off road. No sagging to date and I drive my truck pretty hard. You will ba amazed how fast you can fly down rough trails with total control and stability with the OME susp.

 

[Natty]

Thanks alot for the reply Joe... I know what you mean by 33" Swampers being as tall as 35" BFG's... plus all the side knobs stick out so much as well. From your account it sounds like I should be OK with my 34" Swampers... I think I will put off redrilling the springs... how long have you had the OME kit on your 74, and by saying heavy loads, how heavy are we talking? I anticipate carrying a large toolbox, full size spare, some chain and misc. camping gear... to me thats alot of weight... but I only will have that much weight on trails, etc... obviously not in the city... does this sound like your situation?

 

[prado t]

Heavy front so it wont sag cuase of the winch

Medium rear so when driving in town it wont "buck" and still can carry loads
I run heavy/medium set-up no issues with sag and still get full articulation dont forget these middys 73/74 way alot more up front

 

[wesintl]

dont forget these middys 73/74 way alot more up front

How is that? They come with a pto? add a bar and an 8274 and it's probably the same/more. IMHO I don't know why anyone would run other than heavy in the front. The rear granted you could run heavy if you're always loaded. If you're only going to be loaded a few times a year I doubt it's worth it IMHO.

I'm not real happy with the sag in my heavy fronts...

 

[prado t]

How is that?

well first 3B/13BT has a sprung weight of close to 900lbs sitting on the front axle . If you have winch and bullbar thats even a couple hundred more

 

[wesintl]

Disregard.. I though you were comparing the front to the front of something else.. not the rear.

 

[Joe70]

Thanks alot for the reply Joe... I know what you mean by 33" Swampers being as tall as 35" BFG's... plus all the side knobs stick out so much as well. From your account it sounds like I should be OK with my 34" Swampers... I think I will put off redrilling the springs... how long have you had the OME kit on your 74, and by saying heavy loads, how heavy are we talking? I anticipate carrying a large toolbox, full size spare, some chain and misc. camping gear... to me thats alot of weight... but I only will have that much weight on trails, etc... obviously not in the city... does this sound like your situation?

I've had the kit on for about a year now. By heavy load I mean all of my recovery gear 100lbs, full size spare, camping gear and sometimes 1 or 2 rear passengers. Unless you plan on carrying a heavy load more then 50% of the time then I would imagine that the mediums in the back would be the ideal setup for you. That being said, I have never ridden in a 70 series with heavys in the back. If you are still on the fence call ARB and ask their advice. They have always been more then accommodating when I've called them.

 

[prado t]

Oh sh*t your fronts are sagging. You have a 3B ? and if you add a leaf for the front you loose articulation

 

[prado t]

Disregard.. I though you were comparing the front to the front of something else.. not the rear.

No problemo/ Thanks

 

[Natty]

Thanks again Joe, sounds like you carry alot more weight than I will... so I guess I am leaning towards mediums in the rear, and I will not remove a leaf to make up for moderate loads. I will contact ARB as well, just to get their 2 cents worth... by the way, thanks for all the posts everyone, I feel alot more informed after hearing all the feedback - thats what makes this site so awesome.

 

[wesintl]

Oh sh*t your fronts are sagging. You have a 3B ? and if you add a leaf for the front you loose articulation

It still rides good but has sagged a bit. If I ever go to something closer to 35's I'd take it to alcan and get custom springs. I'm going to get the 255/85/16 Truxus so we'll see how it does. I have a bar and winch on the front with a 3B that was turbo'd. Rear is fine with mediums for me. I don't drive it but maybe 5k a year if that but It's always loaded with both sides of a rear axle, birfs, inner axle fronts, and tools to change and a fridge.

 

[prado t]

It still rides good but has sagged a bit. If I ever go to something closer to 35's I'd take it to alcan and get custom springs. I'm going to get the 255/85/16 Truxus so we'll see how it does. I have a bar and winch on the front with a 3B that was turbo'd. Rear is fine with mediums for me. I don't drive it but maybe 5k a year if that but It's always loaded with both sides of a rear axle, birfs, inner axle fronts, and tools to change and a fridge.

So far so good for the heavys up front. I run the OME anti inversion shackles which work well . I have close to 300lbs of gear in the back, tools spare chromos( birfs) recovery gear etc. The meds. are working great so far. I put about 10,000 kms ( 6000) miles lots of hard use on the weekends. I run 285/85 16s YOKO GEO M/T pluses