Battle of the basic lifts TJM vs OME vs IronMan

[sleeoffroad]

I've been intently watching this thread as I too am about to purchase a 2.5" kit. I thought I was going OME but decided I might consider TJM after reading everything. I can't find any TJM 2.5" kits. The Slee site suggest they have stopped production... WTF?

TJM is back in the country, however we have not listed their products back on the page yet. We can get everything from them, however availability is still an issue. TJM does not have the stock levels in the US yet compared to ARB.

The problem is adding it to the site, making everyone excited and then you can not deliver the product. We have product on order from them, but we are still waiting for it. Mostly bumpers at this time.

 

[jdeitch]

TJM is back in the country, however we have not listed their products back on the page yet. We can get everything from them, however availability is still an issue. TJM does not have the stock levels in the US yet compared to ARB.

The problem is adding it to the site, making everyone excited and then you can not deliver the product. We have product on order from them, but we are still waiting for it. Mostly bumpers at this time.

To Slee:

Clarification please... Does Slee/OME offer progressive MEDIUM springs? Does Slee/OME offer rubber (not poly) caster correcting bushings?

 

[sleeoffroad]

The only progressive spring we have as a SLEE spring is a 4" heavy rear spring - SOF4RHP

The only progressive springs I am aware that OME makes is the OME2866 for the rear of the 100 series. The Either OME 2862 /OME2861 (can recall which one) for the stock height looks to be wound progressive as well, even though they list a single spring rate for that.

We do not have rubber caster bushings. I am not aware of any rubber caster bushings available.

 

[jdeitch]

We do not have rubber caster bushings. I am not aware of any rubber caster bushings available.

TJM p/n 66310R 2.5 degree RUBBER caster kit.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...ategory_id=99&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

TJM p/n 66351R 3.5 degree POLY caster kit.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...ategory_id=99&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

OME 2.0 degree POLY caster kit.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...ategory_id=99&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

Slee 3.0 degree caster bushings.
http://sleeoffroad.com/products/suspension_pieces_bushings.htm

I could not find a Slee p/n for their yellow poly bushings that come with their Cool tool.

 

[jdeitch]

Based on my research on the internet, this forum and Andy at Finishlinewest (Thanks Andy for infecting me with Cruiser disease! ) I think I have decided to go with the 2.5" OME kit from Slee. Slee may not be the cheapest OME supplier, but their reputation speaks volumes. From my experience with poly bushing on other project cars I REALLY want to avoid poly bushings. I just need to figure out which bushing to use, or if I really need caster correcting bushing at all for a 2.5" lift. Slee offers more than one and there ARE rubber bushing available. Slee also offers a nifty bushing installation tool I can use with my 20T press.

Can someone from Slee or someone here give me some insight on all the bushing options. (See my previous post for different bushings.)

 

[NTTD]

We have product on order from them, but we are still waiting for it. Mostly bumpers at this time.

You guys have any of the 80 Series rear bumpers from TJM on the way?

 

[LCeighty]

I bought a whole set of Ironman (damper, shocks, springs, trim packer, caster bushings) that averages on 2-2.5 inch lift. as my rig's almost 19 years old, the oem springs have sagged much and gave me 3 1/2 front, almost 4 rear.

after a while it settled to 3 front, 3 1/2 rear.

had to fabricate a solid rubber spacer with ply to accomodate the sag I got from the 150kg steel bumper

for reference, here's what ironman gave me

I would've chosen OME but it was quite expensive. also, am into occassional wheeling only anyway so I got the softer one- ironman

 

[KliersLC]

I meant to weigh in on this last month, but didn't get around to it.

My previous 93 was bone stock.
My previous 94 had OME mediums and bilstein shocks with Ironman CC
My Current 97 has TJM heavies, factory shocks, no CC and Air bags in the rear

I loved the way my 93 handled, and both the 93 and 94 were the wife's DD for quite some time (I only got the 94 when I bought her the Sequoia) As such, I built the 94 for comfort and handling. The OME mediums gave the 2 inches or so of lift, and work fabulously with the bilstein shocks. It handled almost as well as the stock 93 but still had some off extra off road clearance and travel. I would say the ride was even better than the 93. (OME's rep for stiff rides is largely from their shocks)

Fast forward a few years and I now have 5 kids and the 97 is my DD (wife still has the sequoia) I built this one for load carrying capacity. I often drive with 7 people in it, a hitch splitter with either a bike rack and a camp trailer or a bike rack and a hitch hauler. Also have a rack up top with gear on it. This makes the old girl sag a lot. My solution was the TJM heavy spring which is as long as an OME heavy, but with a 40 lb/in lower spring rate. This gives me a pretty compliant ride on a day to day unloaded basis, but still allows me to load everybody and some gear in without sagging. When I have the bike rack and hitch carrier (or trailer) I use my on board compressor to put a few PSI in the air bags and off we go.

I also will put a few psi in the bags if I know I will be driving hard on a curvy road--helps keep the rear end stable.

For the OP. I would recommend any of the major spring brands paired with bilstein shocks and air bags.

HTH,

Dan

 

[phxtlc]

Dan, which Bilsteins did you use?

 

[KliersLC]

PN B46-1477 & B46-1478

These are the stock replacements and are supposed to be rated up to a 2 inch lift. I measured a stock Tokico, a Gabriel, a Monroe and a Bilstein and they are all the exact same length fully extended. I would love to get Bilsteins again, but the Tokicos are such a good deal and my airbags make up the difference when loaded.

 

[MojoRisin]

I am overly satisfied with our new TJM 50mm progressive lift!!

 

[jdeitch]

I DID it!

I took the plunge and went TJM. I ordered everything from Ben and TOYTEClifts.com (Best Vendor experience I've had thus far for LC goodies.)

I got a complete TJM 2.5" lift kit consisting of:
2 x 770FR80C progressive front springs
2 x 770RR80C progressive rear springs
2 x 650GE180B front shocks
2 x 650GE280B rear shocks
651048 steering dampener
66310R caster kit

I also got:
Airtec snorkel
4 x Spidertrax 1.5" wheel spacers

Everything is here in the US except for the rear coils. As soon as they arrive in the US and I get my order I will post.

 

[jdeitch]

I was almost convinced by another vendor to switch to the more expensive TJM 9-way adjustable shocks... Until Ben at TOYTEClifts.com informed me the TIGER shocks are traditional hydraulic shocks and are not gas filled. I want to stay with nitrogen charged shocks.

 

[sleeoffroad]

You guys have any of the 80 Series rear bumpers from TJM on the way?

We do not, and I am not aware of they even make them anymore.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I could not find a Slee p/n for their yellow poly bushings that come with their Cool tool.

Yellow bushings are OME and the part number is OMECA77B

 

[Natty]

so whats the update???

 

[BGS1]

To see a video of an overlanding trip with the Ironman 2" suspension lift kit with foam cell shock see post #37 on the thread in expedition portal...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77551

The video was not originally intended to highlight the suspension, nor does it compare OME or TJM, but it does give a good representation of the great ride of the Ironman suspension on a rocky road at moderate pace from inside the truck.

Smittycrusher, who was with me on the trip, and who has an 80 with OME, gives his thoughts on the Ironman suspension earlier in the same thread.

 

[smittycrusher]

I posted this in another lift thread last week. I just found this thread and think this response is even more applicable here:

I have had the OME springs/shocks on mine for about 4 years. I have zero complaints (it rides like a truck...which it it supposed to, right?) With that being said, I WILL BE BUYING AN IRONMAN LIFT SOON TO REPLACE IT. Brian @ ACC Toyota here in Atlanta has been raving about this Ironman lift on his 80 for over a year now. I just took a long trip out west in a good friends 80 and he had the Ironman 2" lift (I think he actually got about 2.75" out of it - he has 315s and they fit with zero issues). We spent hundreds of miles at one time off road and the IRONMAN suspenstion was awesome. I am sold on it, plus it is more cost effective. This suspension blew me away. At the end of the trip I actually met Eli with Ironman. I began asking him a ton of questions about lift options. He said that they offer a full array of spring rates and can customize the lift to each truck. I also liked that he said they manufacture ALL of their suspension components in house. They like having 100% control over quality. I am sold on them and will report back once I get mine and have even more seat time.

Here is a detailed write up for the trip I just referenced. There is also a video posted (post #37) that does a pretty good job showing how well the suspension did.

Smitty

 

[Silver surf]

I read through the thread. My Fj80 will be mostly used to take my freestyle jetski to the lake or free rides on a hitch hauler with tools and gas in the rear. So I'm guessing I will need something a little stiffer in the rear.

Who has the best prices on a 2.5 lift? TJM or Ironman

 

[BGS1]

I read through the thread. My Fj80 will be mostly used to take my freestyle jetski to the lake or free rides on a hitch hauler with tools and gas in the rear. So I'm guessing I will need something a little stiffer in the rear.

Who has the best prices on a 2.5 lift? TJM or Ironman

You can call Atlanta Custom Creations (ACC) in Atlanta to get a quote