Battle of the basic lifts TJM vs OME vs IronMan

[subspd]

So after 200k miles my stock shocks on my 96 LX are shot, time to lift! I know this has been discussed a lot but after reading through everything and seeing that no discussion has been made between these three lifts I figured it was time now that TJM is selling here in the States.

These are all the common 2"-2.5" lifts that wouldn't need a lot of extras (brakes lines, front DS, etc.) to make work. With the 2" lifts I might add spacers to gain a little extra.

Also I am planning on someday, when someone makes a cheap enough rear tire carrier, adding that to the back but no plans on a front bumper since I have no plans on a winch.

For me criteria falls in order like this.
1. Amount of Lift
2. Ride Comfort
3. Price


TJM
TJM Lift Kit @ Toyotec

OME Medium
OME Medium @ Slee

Ironman 4x4
Iron Man @ Metaltech

After a lot of reading it seems the TJM and Ironman lifts are progressive springs with offer a better ride than the OME but the OME kit gives the most lift.

For someone who doesn't want to buy a front driveshaft and still DD's his truck which lift and why?

 

[Grench]

For someone who doesn't want to buy a front driveshaft and still DD's his truck which lift and why?

Before making a lift choice, you need to establish more information about the use of the vehicle and the intentions of the nut behind the wheel.

How is the truck going to be used?
What additional items are going to be added to it?
What will it's daily driver weight be?
What will it's (if intended) expedition weight be?
What size tires do you plan to run?

Does the driver plan to do the mall (shopping rig), Moab or cruise for dates?
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, how many people, what distances?
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, will it be parked by a hotel valet, in a slot at a road-side motel, on a trailer pad at a KOA (trailer, electric,etc) campground, at a state/federal tent (primitive) designated camp site or somewhere 100 yards off the logging road we found at random in the middle of the night while cutting across British Columbia?

You get the idea...

Any of the above lifts are probably perfectly fine for some application. If you want recommendations we'll need to know what -your- application is.

 

[Ebag333]

After a lot of reading it seems the TJM and Ironman lifts are progressive springs with offer a better ride than the OME but the OME kit gives the most lift.

For someone who doesn't want to buy a front driveshaft and still DD's his truck which lift and why?

You're making it more complex than it needs to be. At the end of the day, a 2" lift is a 2" lift is a 2" lift. No matter which springs you choose, you still get a 2" lift.

If you don't want to mess with a front DS and still DD, you'll need to stay around 2" of lift. That limits your choices a bit, but mostly by eliminating the lifts you've already said you don't want (more than 2"). Some people like the ride and feel of OME, some hate it. Some like progressive springs, some don't care.

Your best bet is to find someone locally that has the lift you want, and drive it, see how it feels. Once you've driven it yourself, you'll have a better idea of what you like, and will be able to make better comparisons.

And just to throw another option in the mix, King springs makes multiple progressive rear springs. So you could choose a stiffer/taller rear progressive spring to accommodate the eventual rear bumper and swing out you plan on having.

Speaking of....

Also I am planning on someday, when someone makes a cheap enough rear tire carrier, adding that to the back but no plans on a front bumper since I have no plans on a winch.

I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. 80's were never imported in large enough numbers that any of the rear bumper manufacturers will be able to make them in large enough quantities for them to be cheap. If you want a rear bumper, you're just going gonna have to spend some $$$ for it.

If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if the prices start to go up as there are less and less 80's on the road every year.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Before making a lift choice, you need to establish more information about the use of the vehicle and the intentions of the nut behind the wheel.

How is the truck going to be used?
What additional items are going to be added to it?
What will it's daily driver weight be?
What will it's (if intended) expedition weight be?
What size tires do you plan to run?

Does the driver plan to do the mall (shopping rig), Moab or cruise for dates?
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, how many people, what distances?
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, will it be parked by a hotel valet, in a slot at a road-side motel, on a trailer pad at a KOA (trailer, electric,etc) campground, at a state/federal tent (primitive) designated camp site or somewhere 100 yards off the logging road we found at random in the middle of the night while cutting across British Columbia?

You get the idea...

Any of the above lifts are probably perfectly fine for some application. If you want recommendations we'll need to know what -your- application is.

THIS! I would need a lot more info before I can give you my opinion.

 

[subspd]

Before making a lift choice, you need to establish more information about the use of the vehicle and the intentions of the nut behind the wheel.

Well I guess I was hoping for those who have these lifts to way in on their experience that way we can have it all in one place on these very similar lifts.

But to answer the following questions, I think I use mine like most people do a DD with weekend excursions.

How is the truck going to be used? I have a lot of family and friends and with the biggest vehicle its always the shuttle to the movies and trips to the mountains. I also do some regular highway driving.
What additional items are going to be added to it? Only thing besides an aluminum roof rack would be a rear swing out of some type. Also carry several mountain bikes 3x a week.
What will it's daily driver weight be? Dunno
What will it's (if intended) expedition weight be? well 6 adults (yep they squeeze in the third row) and their luggage is a common thing next month will be an example to go skiing.
What size tires do you plan to run? Don't want to regear so 255/85/16 with 1.5" spacers or 285/75/16s

Does the driver plan to do the mall (shopping rig), Moab or cruise for dates?
Mall is too far, Moab is too far, married...
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, how many people, what distances?
See above, as many people as will fit I live in N. GA mountains travel to FL several times a year and to W. Virginia for skiing couple times a year. Would like to get back out West again soon.
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, will it be parked by a hotel valet, in a slot at a road-side motel, on a trailer pad at a KOA (trailer, electric,etc) campground, at a state/federal tent (primitive) designated camp site or somewhere 100 yards off the logging road we found at random in the middle of the night while cutting across British Columbia?
Nice options can I pick them all? Honestly though we only camp once a year the rest is all hotels or house rentals, nothing fancy though. I have been thinking about building a teardrop camper though...

 

[khoi911]

For someone who doesn't want to buy a front driveshaft and still DD's his truck which lift and why?

Why do you think you have to replace your front driveshaft after a 2" lift?

 

[subspd]

And just to throw another option in the mix, King springs makes multiple progressive rear springs. So you could choose a stiffer/taller rear progressive spring to accommodate the eventual rear bumper and swing out you plan on having.

Speaking of....

I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. 80's were never imported in large enough numbers that any of the rear bumper manufacturers will be able to make them in large enough quantities for them to be cheap. If you want a rear bumper, you're just going gonna have to spend some $$$ for it.

If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if the prices start to go up as there are less and less 80's on the road every year.

I was with you but now that TJM is here we actually have more options why would they do that if the market was dwindling?

 

[subspd]

Why do you think you have to replace your front driveshaft after a 2" lift?

Well it seems like most with 3"+ lifts start to get vibes...

 

[khoi911]

Well it seems like most with 3"+ lifts start to get vibes...

and a new DS will not vibrate or is it that the OEM DS was not designed for a lift? Who makes an after-market driveshaft?

 

[kidglove13]

I would say look into stock height replacement springs by telling how you will be using the vehicle
Call Eli at Camel 4x4 he will get you straight on a good spring combination to suit yor needs
I dont think you need ny lift at all just a little more weight carying capacity
But with that weight carrying capacity will come some lift if the truck is not loaded
Call Eli

 

[diego355]

If amount of lift is your number one priority go for IronMan It is also great on road. I have experienced thousands of miles in a IronMan 6 inch lifted 80 with all the possible toys and no sway bars in my homeland down in Venezuela were roads are horrible and I can tell you that that thing handles awesome. Ill suggest also you making a mix lift could be better priced and better for your needs. King Springs with OME shocks is a good way to go.

 

[Rwhat]

He's referring to a double carden DS which can take more angle than the stock shaft. Some people get vibes some people don't. Search double carden driveshaft.

 

[kidglove13]

From what the OP has stated he does not need any lift especially if he is only going to run a 285 tire max

 

[Ebag333]

I was with you but now that TJM is here we actually have more options why would they do that if the market was dwindling?

It's not something new. TJM's been making stuff for the 80's for a long time, it's just recently that they starting importing into the US. Same for King and the others.

It's just the way things work. The older and less common something is, the less options there are for it. As the vehicle ages and there are less of them, the options that we have will decrease.

and a new DS will not vibrate or is it that the OEM DS was not designed for a lift? Who makes an after-market driveshaft?

Once you get past a certain angle on the DS, you may need a DC DS. There's some threads on how to get a DC DS inexpensively.

 

[Rwhat]

80 series were made till 2007 or 2008 outside the united states. That's why there is still a market for it.

 

[subspd]

It's not something new. TJM's been making stuff for the 80's for a long time, it's just recently that they starting importing into the US. Same for King and the others.

It's just the way things work. The older and less common something is, the less options there are for it. As the vehicle ages and there are less of them, the options that we have will decrease.

Once you get past a certain angle on the DS, you may need a DC DS. There's some threads on how to get a DC DS inexpensively.

I think that the market will just change cheaper options will become the norm for those who only spend $5k on the truck they are not going to spend 2k on a bumper.

I have a friend that is a BMW Dinan dealer he will tell you that once the cars have depreciated no one will spend money on Dinan they all turn to eBay at that point.

The key will be if some in the industry will adapt and find creative ways to lower overhead to continue to offer products for the 80 at a more reasonable price point. (i.e. the rear tube bumper caps that have a swing out.)

Back on track.

I still want a lift as it sits now loaded with people and stuff I drag my tail on everything. A stock Sequoia had better rear departure angles than this thing!

So I don't want a stock height kit. But I also don't want to ruin the DD aspects. For me a 2.5" lift with slightly larger tires would get me more hauling capacity and further off the beaten path without loosing anything else in return.

Issues remain... Hate to loose the cushy ride. Want to get as close to 3" of lift as possible without having to get more stuff.

As my truck sits now stock I have to approach driveways in my area carefully if I don't want to drag my butt do to how steep it is.

 

[Brunt Force Trauma]

I have found The brand of the coils matters little compared to the height and shocks chosen. A 2" coil is basically a 2" coil. Now if you run cheap shocks vs high end shocks, that will makes a huge difference.

 

[Grench]

Well I guess I was hoping for those who have these lifts to way in on their experience that way we can have it all in one place on these very similar lifts.

But to answer the following questions, I think I use mine like most people do a DD with weekend excursions.

How is the truck going to be used? I have a lot of family and friends and with the biggest vehicle its always the shuttle to the movies and trips to the mountains. I also do some regular highway driving.
What additional items are going to be added to it? Only thing besides an aluminum roof rack would be a rear swing out of some type. Also carry several mountain bikes 3x a week.
What will it's daily driver weight be? Dunno
What will it's (if intended) expedition weight be? well 6 adults (yep they squeeze in the third row) and their luggage is a common thing next month will be an example to go skiing.
What size tires do you plan to run? Don't want to regear so 255/85/16 with 1.5" spacers or 285/75/16s

Does the driver plan to do the mall (shopping rig), Moab or cruise for dates?
Mall is too far, Moab is too far, married...
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, how many people, what distances?
See above, as many people as will fit I live in N. GA mountains travel to FL several times a year and to W. Virginia for skiing couple times a year. Would like to get back out West again soon.
If the vehicle is going to be used for travel, will it be parked by a hotel valet, in a slot at a road-side motel, on a trailer pad at a KOA (trailer, electric,etc) campground, at a state/federal tent (primitive) designated camp site or somewhere 100 yards off the logging road we found at random in the middle of the night while cutting across British Columbia?
Nice options can I pick them all? Honestly though we only camp once a year the rest is all hotels or house rentals, nothing fancy though. I have been thinking about building a teardrop camper though...

Honestly - I don't think you need a lift.

• 255/85R16 and 285/75R16 are both 33" and fit fine on a stock height truck.
• Accessing a roof rack is more difficult with a lifted truck.
• Loading & unloading bikes is more difficult with a lifted truck.
• Your 6 passengers (you included) will have a rougher ride - even with progressive springs.
• The valet is going to try to park your truck in the parking garage around the corner. If it has a lift - he'll still try to put it in the parking garage - and remove your roof rack for you.
• A 2"-3" lift makes 33" tires look small.

From your described use - I would suggest new shocks and a set of AT type tires with a stiff enough compound to get you decent gas mileage (non snowflake on mountain). If you want to stiffen up the suspension (better handling, worse ride) you could consider the OME no lift heavy suspension that Slee sells - I put one on my wife's truck (people hauler) and she loves it. However it is definitely more of a truck ride than a '70s land yacht.

 

[subspd]

I appreciate the input but a lift is a must I drag the tail on this thing on basic trails around here. My bike carriers are hitch mounted platform style so getting them off the top is a non concern. Also I don't live anywhere near a parking garage and have little concern of a valet since I have never used one...

I understand the tires will look small but getting more clearance is a bigger issue than fitting bigger tires in fact I am seriously considering 255/85s

Thanks again guys!

 

[Toyote]

My truck is relatively stock and is usually my daily driver; no armor, no sliders, etc at this point. I like it this way. The only significant mod I've done is adding a mild lift; I had the OME medium/2" lift on for about 18 mos. I added the Slee 3* caster correction, and with that, experienced no ill effects in steering, drivetrain, etc.

I liked the stance a lot...but...for my purposes--90% city driving, occasional fireroads for camping and skiing--the OME felt just too jarring, too abrupt. It felt like I wasn't 'suspended', like it took too big a hit to activate the springs.

I recently swapped those coils for the TJM 50mm (2") progressive springs (and left on the OME shocks). The ride is PERFECT now. I still have the lift, but the ride is vastly improved whether the truck is unloaded (just me), or has 2 adults, 3 kids and a bunch of gear. It rides tight, but not harshly; it feels planted and confident.

FWIW, having experienced both OME and these TJMs, from your description (which sounds similar to my use) I would say TJMs in a heartbeat. Happy to discuss more if you like.