Bilstein shocks and OME Spings, 865 or 860s?

[Newps]

Ok so I have search and search about shocks and springs for my 100. I already have a BIO front bumper and step sliders. I bought one of Mike’s BIO diff drops as well. I am going to be installing OME torsion bars. I bought a set of Bilstein HD stocks but have not installed them yet. I am 95% sure I will go with the 865 OME rear springs. I am 95% sure I will be running the Nitto Trail Grapplers in the 295-70-18 (34.57 by 11.73) size. I will tow a small enclosed trailer it’s about 8 feet wide by 15 feet long (weights1500 lbs empty). No rear bumper or 3rd row seats. This is my daily driver, I compute a whopping 2 miles to work each day. I know this is a big tire for my intended purpose but I like the look and the extra ground clearance of a larger tire. What I am looking for is the best compromise of ride quality and off-road capability. This rig will be used as an Expo/toy hauler/ daily driver. I already have a built up 80 that handles my serious trail duties. I want my 100 to be capable but to still have as nice a ride as possible (See, oxymoron).

My question is about the rear springs and the Bilstein shocks I already purchase. First question, “Will the 865 be able to handle the small trailer and it’s added tongue weight?” I am guessing it will be somewhere between 300 to 500 more lbs. I do not want to tow with the front end pointed up and would like to avoid using air bags if possible. So will these springs compress a lot of be fine in this situation? I know I can mitigate some of the tongue weight by adjusting how I load my trailer (i.e. heavy s*** to the back). With the stock springs it does not compress very much but I have only tow it when empty. Worst case scenario I could always add a 10 mm spacer or two to bring me back to level. If the rear ass is going to squat a lot I would just go with the 860 which should give me another ½ of lift and no stupid spacers.

So if the (865’s or 860’s) will work then will the Bilstein shocks work with these spring? I really don’t like the idea of losing suspension travel. I know on the front I am not going to gain any suspension travel with the stock arms so the Bilstein’s are fine. It’s the rear that I forgot about. Stock length rear stocks are not a good paring with 2 to 2 ½ inches of lift.

I know it’s a compromise but I already have the frickin’ shocks in my garage. So unless I am going to get a lot more travel do I need to return the Bilstein’s for say an OME? I have also read that some people are now unhappy with the Bilstein’s on the front with the OME torsion bars. Since they are still brand new I can return them and get a refund. If I did what says the group? OME or hit up Rad-flo that’s right around the corner from me? My only problem with the Rad-Flo’s is I am now going from the $360 I shelled out for the Bilstein’s to about grand for the Radflos. Not really in the budget right now but I could hold off and run the stockers until I get the funds.

Thanks for the impute.

(PS Shotts no need to start up with the OME L’s I have read all about them in every thread about shocks in the 100 section.)

 

[Newps]

Called Radflo looks like it would be 910.00 for the 2.0 without res for a stock arm setup (front and back). I maybe able to get a lower price through Metal Tech. If I was going to drop that much coin on a set of shocks I would upgrade the upper arms, upgrade to the 2.5 shocks with the res. So this option doesn't make any sence. Looks like if the Bilstein's don't work then it's OME.....weeeeeeeeeee!

 

[Gottagetone]

Gotta call Metal Tech for the Radflo shocks, they are now the distributor.

 

[2000UZJ]

Billies will work with any spring you put in the rear. So yes, they are compatible. Depending on how much you tow the 860's will allow more weight. The 865 will give a softer ride. You can always add 30mm spacers to the 865's and have a nice ride and the height of the 860's ( you I'll also have a little bit more sway due to the lower spring rate and load rating)p with 865+spacers).

The bilsteins are a little shorter in the rear than OME. I would say .5" in down travel, but they have a very small compressed length. My 295's rubbed in the rear with Bilsteins but not OEM. I have noticed when wheeling with others I have much more up travel, but not as much down travel. Doesn't bother me. I am not happy with the bilsteins on the front either, I think they are a tad shorter than OME and OEM so I am topping the shocks out quite a bit. I now have a nasty rattle and squeak coming from them. I have 22K on them and they aren't fairings so well like I planned.

I guess I should of asked first, but which bilisteins are you going with.?

 

[Newps]

I guess I should of asked first, but which bilisteins are you going with.?

The only ones I know that are avaible in the US are the stock replacement ones.

 

[2000UZJ]

The only ones I know that are avaible in the US are the stock replacement ones.

That's what I figured but i thought there was anoer Bilstein. I have seen them, but no idea how much or where to get them.

 

[Newps]

Billies will work with any spring you put in the rear. So yes, they are compatible. Depending on how much you tow the 860's will allow more weight. The 865 will give a softer ride. You can always add 30mm spacers to the 865's and have a nice ride and the height of the 860's ( you I'll also have a little bit more sway due to the lower spring rate and load rating)p with 865+spacers).

The bilsteins are a little shorter in the rear than OME. I would say .5" in down travel, but they have a very small compressed length. My 295's rubbed in the rear with Bilsteins but not OEM. I have noticed when wheeling with others I have much more up travel, but not as much down travel. Doesn't bother me. I am not happy with the bilsteins on the front either, I think they are a tad shorter than OME and OEM so I am topping the shocks out quite a bit. I now have a nasty rattle and squeak coming from them. I have 22K on them and they aren't fairings so well like I planned.

I guess I should of asked first, but which bilisteins are you going with.?

If you had to do it all over again would you just go with the OME's instead of the Bilstein's?

 

[2000UZJ]

If you had to do it all over again would you just go with the OME's instead of the Bilstein's?

Neither, I would save my pennies like I am now and replace it with a King or Radflo. The bilsteins are great for road travel and light off road. For the price you can get 8 sets for the cost of 1 King setup. If you don't have the coin to go Radflo or King, install the Bilsteins and see how you like them, there are more people that like them then hate them. I just find then way to short for the front end, but that also is part of the 100.

 

[Radflo]

Called Radflo looks like it would be 1080 for the 2.0 without res for a stock arm setup (front and back). If I was going to drop that much coin on a set of shocks I would upgrade the upper arms, upgrade to the 2.5 shocks with the res. So this option doesn't make any sence. Looks like if the Bilstein's don't work then it's OME.....weeeeeeeeeee!

The pricing is actually less than that directly from Radflo. You may be able to get better pricing from one of my dealers.

Glenn

 

[Newps]

Thanks for the updated pricing Glenn. It's better but I am still in the same boat. If I was going to spend that much I would want to go all the way with the larger shock bodies, upper arms and res.

 

[no-pistons]

I don't think either spring would be good for what you want to do. Both 865 and 860 are both the same spring rate, so they might be on the soft side for carrying a trailer I would assume.

Also, it looks like you want a tire larger than a 35" with the 295/75-18 tire. Didn't know they had that size or is that a typo? If you're going that big then you'll probably need a 2.5-3" lift. So maybe a 863 spring? Or possibly a 866 with a spacer to give a better ride.

 

[Newps]

You are right that was a typo, it's actually a 295/70/18 which is a 34.57 by 11.73. The rear is not where I will have the problem with the tire size. It's the front wheel well that will need some massaging. The springs that you are suggesting will be way too much for what I need. I do not like the whole stinkbug look too, plus they will ride like crap when their is no trailer on the back. If I have too I will use spacers then air bags to achieve proper lift.

 

[jgray]

Newps - I had many of the same concerns you are having when I originally purchased shocks and rear coils for my 100. The Bilsteins available in the USA for 100's are more like a stock replacement shock and my research ended up eliminating these mostly because I wanted a longer shock that would allow a little more travel. Don't get me wrong Bilstein makes great shocks. It's a shame they don't offer more for the 100's. I have the compressed and extended length numbers somewhere as I took notes of what was available at the time I ordered my shocks. There are a lot more options on the market now; mostly higher end shocks that are $$$. I think the expensive remote resovior shocks are overkill for most people and the additional money spent is better purposed on other mods especially for people trying to stay budget minded on a build. I also read a lot about people with bad experiences with OME and being rebranded Monroe shocks I felt I wanted to try something different. Again, OME makes some great stuff but I don't think their shocks are one of their better products (not just on 100's; read other forums; same complaints). FWIW I ended up purchasing Ironman shocks which are priced very similar to Bilstein yet share the same extended and compressed measurements of the OME shocks. I have been very happy with the Ironman shocks. The ride is great compared to my stock shocks and I wanted new shocks when I moved to 315/75/16 or a 35" tire. I will be upgrading to a higher end more $$$ shock after I finish some other mods which will be adding more weight to the hundy.

You can always add 30mm spacers to the 865's and have a nice ride and the height of the 860's ( you I'll also have a little bit more sway due to the lower spring rate and load rating)p with 865+spacers).

OME 865's are a 2" coil spring. An OME 860 is a 2.5" spring. A 865 + a 30mm coil spacer will give you about 3" of total lift in the rear and with a light load would be more comparable to a 3" OME 863 spring. I have been running OME 865's with coil spacers to give me 3" of lift in the rear for the 315's. Again, I've been very happy with this setup as it is a great ride around town as well as offroad. I will be moving to 863's when I get the rear bumper installed soon.

 

[Newps]

OME 865's are a 2" coil spring. An OME 860 is a 2.5" spring. A 865 + a 30mm coil spacer will give you about 3" of total lift in the rear and with a light load would be more comparable to a 3" OME 863 spring. I have been running OME 865's with coil spacers to give me 3" of lift in the rear for the 315's. Again, I've been very happy with this setup as it is a great ride around town as well as offroad. I will be moving to 863's when I get the rear bumper installed soon.

Thank you for the feedback jgrqay. I had not considered the ironman shocks. I am still on the fence on which rear spring the 865 or the 860. I am pretty sure I should send the Bilstein's back and run the OME or the Ironman's.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

shocks

If you are not doing UCA's than I'd just stick with OME, just make sure you dont crank the frontend too high.

IF you want to have a better ride and more than 1.5-2" lift, than get the UCA's and shocks. We offer Bilstein, Radflo, or King. The bilstein would be comparable to an OME price wise, maybe a bit better, but in the correct length for use with UCA. The Radflo's and Kings are comparable price and quality, one advantage to Radflo is you have other options, as far as 2.0 or non-res to get the cost down. Kings are only available in the 2.5 remote res, this is what I run. Check out the latest issue of 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine, there is a feature with our arms and the Bilsteins. We dont have all the options listed on our website, but we do offer all of them. You also get a substantial discount on the arms when purchased with shocks.

Thanks for the updated pricing Glenn. It's better but I am still in the same boat. If I was going to spend that much I would want to go all the way with the larger shock bodies, upper arms and res.

 

[Newps]

Carl thank you for the feedback. I think the OME shocks will be my best option unless I want to spend some serious coin and go all out. Since I ride dirt bikes in Ocotillo Wells I can definitely put your upper arms and shocks to use bombing the trails in the 100. I was looking at Metal Tech site and noticed they sell the Total Chaos upper arms. You sell your own brand if I am correct. Any insight to the difference between the arms? I know you developed yours before the TC ones came out.

 

[Sixgunz]

I would stay with the 860's. I can not see any reason to run anything stiffer unless you have a rear bumper/tire carrier AND plan on towing.

The 860's are stiffer than what I had anticipated. I have them on now & am considering putting something softer unless I get a bumper, in which case I would keep the 860's (and nohting stiffer)

I'm 240# & barely move the back end down when I step on the bumper.

 

[jgray]

^ Just FYI... The OME 865 and OME 860 rear coil springs are both rated for 0-200lbs over stock weight in the rear so the spring rate should be the same. You can see the differences on Slee's site here:
Slee - Springs