Beginning to Think About New Suspension

[CaptHamster]

Hey all, it's your favorite n00b again. Been using my FJ62 quite a lot lately and noticed that the stock suspension is starting to sag, ride quality is getting bad, and it's starting to lean a little to the left, and (despite having no money) I've been looking at a new suspension set up. Something real basic. I don't go mudding or rockclimbing, I go out to the desert a couple times a year and haul the truck around as a daily driver 98% of the time. After looking around a bit, I realized I have no idea what I'm doing. I thought about an OME kit, but that seems to be more oriented to those who go off-road more than 2 weeks out of the year. So, I figured I'd ask all your opinions. Anybody got a recommendation for a good kit that has good ride quality (and a little bit of lift, too? I'm thinking about 2 - 2.5" max) Preferrably something a mechanic can do easily, or I can do mildly easily (should I choose to take the task up myself) That said, any recommendations?

Your n00b thanks you.

 

[REKCUT]

OME is designed for all uses. There are different weights depending on what your vehicle setup requires. Springs are not made in different shapes to help with rock crawling vs road driving. OME are just the gold standard when it comes to quality, fit, and reliability. What your "off-road guy" sees in them is there ability to take abuse. THey will still give you a great on road ride if you pick the setup thats right for your rig. ALL of them are going to go on the same so for your mechanic. Its just like taking four set of tires to be installed. They may be different brands but they go on the same way.
Dont make a rookie mistake and try and save a few dollars with a off brand suspension casue in the long run you will pay $$$ for that choice.

 

[jessewmcgregor]

Dont make a rookie mistake and try and save a few dollars with a off brand suspension casue in the long run you will pay $$$ for that choice.[/quote]

i made that mistake once, wont make it twice. ome would be my choice, fwiw. dont confuse the price of high quality with the cost of low quality.

 

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Hate saying it, but the OME really is dialed in for "expedition" use: everyday driving in many conditions and then some. Seems like all other kits are just trying to compete with OME. Maybe look around for a used kit? I know that I'd do it over again for certain, and is definitely the best thing I've done for my rig.

 

[Trapper50cal]

got to agree with the consensus on this one. OME is right up your alley and other than some exhertion, it's easy to put on. Do it right and do it once. OME mediums or heavies, new bushings, greasable pins, new shackles and shocks and you'll be done with it.

 

[tonyota]

I flippin love my OME suspension. Rides like a dream. Wheels like a dream. Srevice & tech support is great if you need it. Wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[fowldarr]

All of that said (and when I do it, it will probably be OME, just have a hard time paying more for the suspensions then I paid for the truck) People seem to like the Alcan's as well, custom made in colorado to your specs. That being said then you have to put together your own kit, bushings shocks etc. The OME comes with all of that if you want it to.

 

[CaptHamster]

Ah...sounds good. So, looking at the Man-a-fre website, a medium loads basic kit seems like it would work well. Now, imagine I order that kit, how is the amount of lift decided? By the kit itself, or would I specify how high I wanted it when I order it?

 

[Trapper50cal]

OME's aren't custom to that degree but I don't think they require shims for the from axle or extended brakelines. plus they come with the right shocks. I think heavies lift 3 inches or so and mediums 2 or 2.5. Some go with mediums up from and heavies in back if they are goinng to add a rear bumper or a rack or plan on carrying a lot of stuff. I run Alcans because that's what the PO put on...I added shackles and Bilsteins. And as said they are custom to the application and you have to piece it together.

 

[kramermic]

I will be (hopefully) purchasing my first cruiser in a week or so. I am looking for something for similar use as Capt. This car will end up being my DD so I am more concerned with on road ride quality. I would ultimately be looking for 2 to 3 inches in lift along with a set of 33 x 10.50 AT's. Does OME offer a kit that will only raise the truck 2 to 3 inches?

One other question: I hear people talking about reverse shackles and achieving some lift. Am I interpreting that correctly? I am not very familiar with the suspension on these, or leaf spring in general. Assuming the springs are in good shape on the truck i will be looking at, would it be feasible to do the shackles to obtain enough lift to run 33's? I'm not trying to cheap out. I used to have a wrangler with a 4 inch lift and as a DD, I am still not sure I really want even a 3 inch lift.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Heartworm]

The OME lift with their shackles and pins is what you want for a daily driver. Ride much improved over stock. Can get up to 33 inch tires under a 60 with no problem. Downsides (1) cost (2) popping sound caused by bushings (3) uneven height in rear sometimes (4) raises vehicle which my be problem for short wife, kids or fat dogs. In spite of these downsides, I would encourage you to go this way.

 

[Heartworm]

Install OME yourself and make up the money that you would pay some mechanic to install something else. You can do it...lots of discussion on this board about it.

 

[Lost]

is it really worth spending 1500usd to have better ride? i say keep driving till something breaks then replace it. no point spending so much money to have a more confy ride or to look cool. 2.5 inch isnt much at all. youre in a 20 year old truck; it might be a little rough

now if youre going camping/expedition/logging roads then it might be worth spending the money upgrading

maybe you should just get some new shocks.

if you get a kit, id say old man emu.
i have ome kit x-heavy duty and its a little stiff in the city,

x2 on doing the work yourself. its very basic, and requires no special tools (unless you have rust)

 

[snilloctap]

Do you plan on keeping you 62 for several years? If yes, then I completely agree with the others. Investing in an OME suspension is well worth it. I have owned several 62s, a couple of which I have placed a 2" OME suspension ( leaf springs, shackles, hangers, OME shocks, U bolts, and plates). Installing the suspension is not that tough (I put my last OME (Drakar) suspension on by myself over a weekend. The ride quality both on and off road is remarkably improved with the OME suspension. If you do go with a new suspension, spend a couple of bucks more and buy geaseable hangers. Also ,consider geraseable anti-inversion shackles.

 

[Matt60]

snilloctap only posted so every one could see his sig line...