Battle of the basic lifts TJM vs OME vs IronMan
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smittycrusher
"Hey big guy, you a golfer" - Roger Dorn
X2 for the Ironman lift, they are experts (among other things as well). Brian actually has the Ironman lift on his 80. Their direct line is (404) 508-4800.
Smitty
Not sure if anyone has had this problem yet with the Ironman springs but installed a set on a customers truck and the paint/powder coating has flaked off and the springs are rusting.....looks like trash. Only 2k miles on the springs....not impressed. Not sure yet if owner has contacted Eli about this problem yet.
Love my OME 2.5 heavies.
My humble opinion.
There is probably not a lot of ride difference in these three springs from the specs of each. The biggest difference you will find in ride will come from the shocks and tires used.
I put my OME heavies on with the Doetsch 8000 shocks and kept the Michelin MS LTX tires on. Ride was very nice, not harsh at all. It absorbed the bumps nicely, handled nicely and was a great ride.
I now run Cooper ST's that are a higher load rated truck tire, run them at 50 lbs. This added a bit of harshness on the chug holes but the shocks and springs still absorb the bumps nicely.
No harshness was experienced from the springs and shocks, only when I changed to the heavier tire (which I needed). Love the ride and handling of the OME 2.5 Heavies. The Coopers are great so far. I can lower the pressure a bit if I need a softer ride.
I did not have the expense with the OME's that some have mentioned. I got the springs used for around $250, had about 10,000 miles on them. Got the shocks new for around $40 each and I love the ride. That's about all I have in it.
I have had the same experience on cars in the past where tires have dramatically changed the harshness of the ride.
Only way to know for sure would be to run a set of each on identically equipped vehicles with the only difference being the springs. Same weight, same equipment, same shocks and same tires.
Redmon
My humble opinion.
There is probably not a lot of ride difference in these three springs from the specs of each. The biggest difference you will find in ride will come from the shocks and tires used.
I put my OME heavies on with the Doetsch 8000 shocks and kept the Michelin MS LTX tires on. Ride was very nice, not harsh at all. It absorbed the bumps nicely, handled nicely and was a great ride.
I now run Cooper ST's that are a higher load rated truck tire, run them at 50 lbs. This added a bit of harshness on the chug holes but the shocks and springs still absorb the bumps nicely.
No harshness was experienced from the springs and shocks, only when I changed to the heavier tire (which I needed). Love the ride and handling of the OME 2.5 Heavies. The Coopers are great so far. I can lower the pressure a bit if I need a softer ride.
I did not have the expense with the OME's that some have mentioned. I got the springs used for around $250, had about 10,000 miles on them. Got the shocks new for around $40 each and I love the ride. That's about all I have in it.
I have had the same experience on cars in the past where tires have dramatically changed the harshness of the ride.
Only way to know for sure would be to run a set of each on identically equipped vehicles with the only difference being the springs. Same weight, same equipment, same shocks and same tires.
Redmon
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been all over the suspension threads in this place and looking for some feedback on my final thoughts before I go out and purchase..
97 DD w/ 33's, still completely stock.. back country camping whenever I get the chance.. 75% on the pot hole ridden streets of LA; 15% on the narrow, pot hole ridden freeways; 7% washboard; 3% of the fun stuff (approximately).. day to day I keep about 100lbs in the back, when I'm loaded up with gear and people I can add about 750-1,000 lbs (roof rack; 2x fuel, water, spares; multiple 200+ lb passengers)
looking for a 2-inch lift and better ride on all these small-moderately bumpy surfaces.. Most importantly the washboard when fully loaded
so far I know I'm going to get progressive springs.. I hear good things about both TJM and Ironman so it's a matter of price at this point..
I'm still spinning when it comes to shocks.. I've heard the reservoirs are great for washboard, and I've really only looked at King's for this, and they seem a bit over my budget.. OME nitrochargers also seem to do the job, but I'm a little worried about overheating on the washboard..
- Does anyone know a typical length of time it would take for a non reservoir shock to heat up to the point of not working? I can't imagine hitting more than 50 miles of washboard in a day..
- Do the shocks get back to working normally after cooling down?
- What are the best shocks in terms of warranty or ability to rebuild?
- Is gas better than foam for the small, continuous bumps?
- Do I have to get a shock specifically for a lifted vehicle or do most shocks work for varying vehicle heights?
Also, all of the kits seems to include steering dampers and castor correction.. Are these necessary? or is that something I find out later after I've driven on the upgraded suspension for awhile..
any input is sincerely appreciated.. happy trails
97 DD w/ 33's, still completely stock.. back country camping whenever I get the chance.. 75% on the pot hole ridden streets of LA; 15% on the narrow, pot hole ridden freeways; 7% washboard; 3% of the fun stuff (approximately).. day to day I keep about 100lbs in the back, when I'm loaded up with gear and people I can add about 750-1,000 lbs (roof rack; 2x fuel, water, spares; multiple 200+ lb passengers)
looking for a 2-inch lift and better ride on all these small-moderately bumpy surfaces.. Most importantly the washboard when fully loaded
so far I know I'm going to get progressive springs.. I hear good things about both TJM and Ironman so it's a matter of price at this point..
I'm still spinning when it comes to shocks.. I've heard the reservoirs are great for washboard, and I've really only looked at King's for this, and they seem a bit over my budget.. OME nitrochargers also seem to do the job, but I'm a little worried about overheating on the washboard..
- Does anyone know a typical length of time it would take for a non reservoir shock to heat up to the point of not working? I can't imagine hitting more than 50 miles of washboard in a day..
- Do the shocks get back to working normally after cooling down?
- What are the best shocks in terms of warranty or ability to rebuild?
- Is gas better than foam for the small, continuous bumps?
- Do I have to get a shock specifically for a lifted vehicle or do most shocks work for varying vehicle heights?
Also, all of the kits seems to include steering dampers and castor correction.. Are these necessary? or is that something I find out later after I've driven on the upgraded suspension for awhile..
any input is sincerely appreciated.. happy trails
TJM Progressive For Sure
I have the TJM 50 MM progressive kit on my truck and I love it. Great on trails and on the roads, loaded and unloaded. I don't have bumpers or armor on my truck and probably won't, mostly due to limited budget.
It sounds like you are in LA. I am up in Ventura. If you want to drive up here and drive my truck just PM me and we'll make it happen.
I got my TJM kit from ToyTec Lifts and they are great. Quick shipping and great customer service. I got the kit including the non-adjustable shocks, the steering dampener and the caster bushings. I had it installed at a lift shop here in Ventura. The whole set up is awesome, I could not be happier.
-Russell
I have the TJM 50 MM progressive kit on my truck and I love it. Great on trails and on the roads, loaded and unloaded. I don't have bumpers or armor on my truck and probably won't, mostly due to limited budget.
It sounds like you are in LA. I am up in Ventura. If you want to drive up here and drive my truck just PM me and we'll make it happen.
I got my TJM kit from ToyTec Lifts and they are great. Quick shipping and great customer service. I got the kit including the non-adjustable shocks, the steering dampener and the caster bushings. I had it installed at a lift shop here in Ventura. The whole set up is awesome, I could not be happier.
-Russell
I appreciate the offer, Russell, but I don't think I'll have the time to get up north before I have to make a decision.. Lot's of mods to get thru before my "Spring Break Cruise".. Looks like I'll have to call Toyotec and see what they can do for me..
On a different note: When do all us socal mudders get together to play?
On a different note: When do all us socal mudders get together to play?
CruiseOrlando
Conveniently Enhanced
I have the TJM 2.5 progressives and would not recommend them on a rig with a lot of weight in the back. They might not be so springy after a few trail rides...
K i need help too . My truck is to fat now. I've been running ome j's and heavies and L shocks for a couple s ettups now but theyre shot before two years . Im to heavy for a progressive spring too . Im hearing dobinson are a good choice for springs now a days . Im after a 3 - 3 1/2 - 4 " spring and shocks to match ?? I abuse my truck on and off the road . Any suggestions?.
The more I read this thread, the more I'm confused.
For me, it boils down to I need a suspension refresh and if there's a slight lift that's fine but it's not really a priority. With 250k miles on my 80, I'm fairly certain the springs are sagging and the shocks have seen better days. The truck drives nice enough for a 20 year old truck, but there's definitely too much nose dive, float in corners and rocking in off camber bumps.
As this is my daily driver, it needs to serve the dual purpose of being at least civil on the street but also able to do some mild offroading.
I'm putting on 285/75/16 Duratracs this weekend, so a huge tire size isn't impacting my suspension decision either.
The obvious choice would be the OME stock kit which provides .75" of lift but all the talk about the shocks that come with that kit have me thinking twice.
This was so much easier on my FJC when I could just pick up some Bilstein 5100 adjustable perch shocks and be done with it.
For me, it boils down to I need a suspension refresh and if there's a slight lift that's fine but it's not really a priority. With 250k miles on my 80, I'm fairly certain the springs are sagging and the shocks have seen better days. The truck drives nice enough for a 20 year old truck, but there's definitely too much nose dive, float in corners and rocking in off camber bumps.
As this is my daily driver, it needs to serve the dual purpose of being at least civil on the street but also able to do some mild offroading.
I'm putting on 285/75/16 Duratracs this weekend, so a huge tire size isn't impacting my suspension decision either.
The obvious choice would be the OME stock kit which provides .75" of lift but all the talk about the shocks that come with that kit have me thinking twice.
This was so much easier on my FJC when I could just pick up some Bilstein 5100 adjustable perch shocks and be done with it.
The more I read this thread, the more I'm confused.
For me, it boils down to I need a suspension refresh and if there's a slight lift that's fine but it's not really a priority. With 250k miles on my 80, I'm fairly certain the springs are sagging and the shocks have seen better days. The truck drives nice enough for a 20 year old truck, but there's definitely too much nose dive, float in corners and rocking in off camber bumps.
As this is my daily driver, it needs to serve the dual purpose of being at least civil on the street but also able to do some mild offroading.
I'm putting on 285/75/16 Duratracs this weekend, so a huge tire size isn't impacting my suspension decision either.
The obvious choice would be the OME stock kit which provides .75" of lift but all the talk about the shocks that come with that kit have me thinking twice.
This was so much easier on my FJC when I could just pick up some Bilstein 5100 adjustable perch shocks and be done with it.
OME "stock" height springs and FOX shocks. FOX shocks are awesome and they'll rebuild them for you for $50/each. I got mine from Downsouth Motorsports ($460 shipped for all 4).
Thanks, I'll look into them.
Are these the shocks you referenced? http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-134610-fox-2-0-factory-series-air-shock-nitrogen.html
It appears the price has doubled.
I bought them from their Ebay store using the "make offer" and got them for $230 per set shipped for fronts and rear 1-2.5" lift.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fox-Perform...odel:Land+Cruiser&hash=item5b0e1aeafb&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fox-Perform...odel:Land+Cruiser&hash=item5b0e1aeafb&vxp=mtr
985-24-073 for rear
Travel: 10.10"
Ext.Length:24.85"
Col.Length:14.75"
Shock shaft size: .620"
- Reservoir: Internal
- Series: Fox Performance
- Accommodates: 1.5"-2.5" of lift
- Travel: 10.60"
- Ext.Length: 27.25"
- Col.Length: 16.65"
- Shock Shaft Size: 0.625"
Travel: 10.10"
Ext.Length:24.85"
Col.Length:14.75"
Shock shaft size: .620"
So you're telling me I should have just listened to you in the first place?
Which 2.5" OME springs did you go with? Did you use any caster correction or steering damper? On a side note, what are the details on your MR2? I had a modded one a long time ago, really fun car.
