anyone rim bilsteins with OME springs?

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2manycruisers

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I have a set of OMEs for my troopy and have been planning to run Bilsteins since I hear such great things about them. I was looking at the 5125s but not sure which to go with. Looking at compressed and extended lengths, I found part numbers that are nearly the same compressed length as the OME, but plus or minus 1" shorter in extended length. Bilstein recommends those shocks for 2" lift fj-40. For 4" lift fj-40, the recommended front shock is 2" longer compressed and 3" longer extended than the OME shock. I couldn't find lengths for the recommended rear shock.

Anyone have any experience with them or should I just get the suspension installed then flex and measure it? Know anything about the difference in valving between the OME and bilsteins?

thanks
 
I agree, though I imagine OME did their homework to match shocks and springs--I know my fj-60 was well-matched.

Mostly what I'm interested in is if others have run non-OME shocks with OME springs and have an opinion over the OME shocks. I'd like the get the shocks to install with the springs, but I'll measure afterwards if needbe.

dmaddox said:
when I did a spring over on the 40, I installed shocks last after measuring everything. You don't want your shocks acting as a bump stop, and you also want full droop as well. I vote shocks last when you can measure your travel and know for certain which shock to purchase.

Later - Dallas
Click to expand...
 
We run Bilsteins all the time with OME suspension. No offense to OME, but Bilsteins are better and about $5 cheaper per shock. We pull lots of OME shocks off that are shot. You just don't notice it as much because the suspension is so stiff.

Put your springs on and then measure. Go to bilstein.com and under the Off Road section, find the 5125. Go under "Search By Application". You will see a chart with all the extended and collapsed measurements. Find your ride height measurement somewhere in between.

I bet you will find that you use the BE5-A465-H5 or the BE5-A465-H7. The H7's will be a stiffer valving and would be recommended for carrying a load.

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks Grease Cruiser, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. I've checked out the applications for the 5125s, but will have to look up those #s you listed. The be5-6251-h5 is the closest to the OME front, but about 1" shorter extended and the be5-6253-h5 is the closest to the OME rear, but also about 1" shorter extended. Both are recommended for 2" lifts for fj-40s. The rear listed shock is recommended for 4" lifts and the A463 is recommended rear fj-40 for 4" lift.

I bought the heavy suspension in case I need the extra leaves, but it's going under a troopy with either a 2F or 350 (haven't decided which troopy to keep yet) and an 8274 on front. Rear is a camper with pop-top, water tanks, cabinets, etc. Not terribly heavy, but more than stock. Plan to run 33s. Haven't bought shackles, yet, either, so not sure how long those will be.
 
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