Battle of the basic lifts TJM vs OME vs IronMan

[kidglove13]

If that is what you want then I would go with 2-2.5 inch lift and shocks and be done with it
Ironman, TJM and OME are all good bets and will all perform relatively the same
I personally run Ironman in the 6 inch variety and I am pleased

 

[subspd]

Toyote,

Thank you sir exactly what I was looking for!

 

[Grench]

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!

OK - now we're getting more detail.

Are you dragging the spare tire? Look up the washer mod to lift the spare tire up into the frame.

Are you dragging the trailer hitch? Do you really need a trailer hitch? If you're only using it for bike racks, look up the adapters to go from the four holes in the rear bumper into a no-trailer-bike-rack-only 2" receiver.

Raising the spare and removing the trailer hitch can get you quite a bit more departure angle on the cheap - but runs the risk of dragging the bumper end caps. The hitch is semi-protective of the tire and the bumper.

Do you prefer a smooth ride that wallows a bit in the corners or a stiffer ride that corners with confidence - but the passengers feel the bumps?

 

[subspd]

Already pulled the spare out from underneath since it kept getting caught. Only throw it on the roof when doing a long distance or off road trip. Hitch is an issue. I am looking at using the slee bumper hitch unit and cutting the stock rear bumper and installing it through that.

So yes it's part of the plan but still planning on lifting it even further. I would do just a rear bumper like the 4x4 labs but the weight would cause the back to sag even more and my shocks need to be replaced anyway.

So the cheaper option would be a lift, slee hitch and tire on roof.

This would address all my issues I think.

The lift just needs to ride well. I lifted my 06' Tacoma and loved the firm ride but the wife not so much plus the 80 gets used more for people hauling anyway.

 

[Grench]

Tire on the roof is a bad bad idea IMHO. Especially if you're still using the port-installed "factory" roof rack. There simply isn't a good way to tie it down - as there isn't anything strong enough to tie it to.

Check into the spare tire washer mod - you might be able to put your spare up between the frame rails - mostly out of drag-danger - for cheap. I'm pretty sure 33" tires fit up in there too - you'd have to ask others about that though. I have a 24 gallon gas tank in that particular position on my truck.

 

[subspd]

Problem is that with the slee rear bumper hitch you can't put the spare under there. So it is a give and take kinda thing. When I am DD'ing I leave the spare at home only put it up top on trips or wheeling.

 

[Everett80]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this, but... If you are dragging your butt, or close to it as much as you are saying, then something besides worn out springs is going on - or they are REALLY worn out. That being said I'm not here to talk you out of a stock height kit, but I'm willing to bet going stock height replacement (which runs taller than stock) is going to give you at LEAST the 2-2.5" you are looking for. If you go for a true 2" lift, you may be looking at 4"+ from where you are sitting now. I would be really interested in seeing some current pics of your rig, and some measurements from middle of hub to bottom of fender flare for some comparison.

 

[SerpentHunter]

I'm kind of in the same boat with my lift decision. I'm not really bound by a magical 2" number but I really would never need more than a 4" for any reason other than to clear an engine swap. I am very interested in the progressive springs and the better ride quality they are supposed to deliver. I don't have an 80 with OME but I do have a 4Runner with an OME lift package. It is one rough S O B and definitely not what I want to do to another vehicle. I've only ridden in two other Toyotas with OME on them and they were also way too rough for what I want in a road cruiser that occasionally goes up a fire road or does a little bit of light weekend wheeling. So far I think Toyote is the only one who gave some comparative "seat of the pants" data in this thread. Has anyone else swapped OME for something else? If so did you like or dislike the switch? From what I've read in other posts I'm leaning towards the Iron Man, TJM or Deutsch Tech.

 

[profro]

I went from old, OEM springs and shocks on my 97 to a 2.5" OME with heavies up front and mediums in the rear as I was adding a winch behind the front bumper.

On road the ride is much harsher and a little more tippy. It rides more like a truck now.

Off road the ride was greatly improved as I now have more travel before I hit the bump stop.

Since mine is not a daily driver and pretty much an adventure vehicle I'm happy with my choice. Otherwise I would have gone stock height and not mediums nor heavies.

 

[subspd]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this, but... If you are dragging your butt, or close to it as much as you are saying, then something besides worn out springs is going on - or they are REALLY worn out. That being said I'm not here to talk you out of a stock height kit, but I'm willing to bet going stock height replacement (which runs taller than stock) is going to give you at LEAST the 2-2.5" you are looking for. If you go for a true 2" lift, you may be looking at 4"+ from where you are sitting now. I would be really interested in seeing some current pics of your rig, and some measurements from middle of hub to bottom of fender flare for some comparison.

As it sits right now without the spare on the vehicle.
FD 17.5 FP 18"
RD 18 RP 18.25"

That was from the fender to the little circle on the wheel cap around the logo...

I think that I will also get more than 2" from the lift according to all the thread I have read with measurements and honestly I hope so.

 

[subspd]

I went from old, OEM springs and shocks on my 97 to a 2.5" OME with heavies up front and mediums in the rear as I was adding a winch behind the front bumper.

On road the ride is much harsher and a little more tippy. It rides more like a truck now.

Off road the ride was greatly improved as I now have more travel before I hit the bump stop.

Since mine is not a daily driver and pretty much an adventure vehicle I'm happy with my choice. Otherwise I would have gone stock height and not mediums nor heavies.

Sounds like I don't want an OME lift for this truck. Its interesting to me though because I had a OME on a Heep XJ and the ride was actually much more compliant and stable all at the same time. Sounds like a different story with the FJ's though. I put a 2" toyotec lift on my tacoma with Billy 5100's all the way around and that also made for a much harsher ride but since it is a truck I preferred it honestly.

I don't want that ride for this though.

 

[72RatCamaro]

I drag my hitch when I go offroad around here on 33s no lift bone stock. The way I feel is I would rather smoke the hitch than the bumper. Personally if I was you I wouldn't lift it for 33s as it looks goofy. Either remove the hitch and hit the bumper or deal with the hitch dragging. If you are on trails that "intense" you would benefit from 35s. Might as well go with bigger tires if you are lifting it.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

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.

Based on how you answered those questiions, I agree that you don't really need much lift and would suggest stock height OME springs and shocks. I got somewhere between 1" and 2" of lift and it looks perfect with 285 tires.

 

[Everett80]

As it sits right now without the spare on the vehicle.
FD 17.5 FP 18"
RD 18 RP 18.25"

That was from the fender to the little circle on the wheel cap around the logo...

I think that I will also get more than 2" from the lift according to all the thread I have read with measurements and honestly I hope so.

Yeah, so it sounds like your springs are majorly shot! Off the top of my head, my 80 with 250,000 miles and stock springs sits ~19.5" up front to the same spot you measured. I would do a search- there was a thread where everybody was posting real world measurements from the lifts they were running. Since you want as much lift as you can get I would recommend the Ironman 2" performance rated setup (believe this is their light set). I'm guessing this will send you up between 4-5" from where you currently sit.

 

[khoi911]

Yeah, so it sounds like your springs are majorly shot! Off the top of my head, my 80 with 250,000 miles and stock springs sits ~19.5" up front to the same spot you measured. I would do a search- there was a thread where everybody was posting real world measurements from the lifts they were running. Since you want as much lift as you can get I would recommend the Ironman 2" performance rated setup (believe this is their light set). I'm guessing this will send you up between 4-5" from where you currently sit.

I have been looking at the Ironman 2" performance setup also. However Camel 4x4 site absolutely has no info about this kit other than the price. I emailed Eli 1 week ago through his web site and have not heard back from him. Everyone says how great he is so I will give him another shout and see what happens.

Eli, if you are reading this, you should consider adding more description and detail concerning your packages.

 

[Everett80]

Ok I double checked my rig before I left for work. I am 19.5" up front and 20" in the rear. I have a 35" spare in the back and close to 100 lbs of stuff in there as well.

How many miles are on your cruiser? I think its definitely a good thing you are going to lift, your coils def need replacing!

 

[subspd]

Yeah I think the Ironman 2" sounds like a great deal I will probably get 3" of lift out of it and improve the ride. Tire size I will save for all the other threads on that.

Anyone with some real world experience with the Ironman 2" lift?

 

[93yotasr5]

OME. I'm biased because this is all Ive had. If I would've found a deal on an ironman or a Tim I would've gone either or any route. Win win win situation.

 

[subspd]

Yeah I have always been a fan of OME stuff but looks like for my application TJM or Ironman will be a better fit.

 

[gtfour43]

I have been looking at the Ironman 2" performance setup also. However Camel 4x4 site absolutely has no info about this kit other than the price. I emailed Eli 1 week ago through his web site and have not heard back from him. Everyone says how great he is so I will give him another shout and see what happens.

Eli, if you are reading this, you should consider adding more description and detail concerning your packages.

Give Eli a call. I pm'ed him here with my phone # and he called me a couple days later. He can tell you exactly what you need or don't need.