FJ62: Bilstein shocks with OME (1 Viewer)

[dbleon]

Been running 5125s in the 255/70 valving on an Ironman medium lift for a few years now. I like the setup, it’s rides nicely, but may be a little under dampened.

 

[Nbndallastx]

just bought new bilstein shocks below with new shock bushings from cruiser outfitters (just in case)...i have a '87 FJ60 with a 2.5in OME heavy installed in 2009.
Bilstein B8 5125 Series Shocks 33-230450 - Fronts
Bilstein B8 5125 Series Shocks 33-185606 - Rears

Excited to see the difference on/off road performance.

 

[Tennessee80]

Been running 5125s in the 255/70 valving on an Ironman medium lift for a few years now. I like the setup, it’s rides nicely, but may be a little under dampened.

Under dampened meaning it bottoms out easily?

 

[Spook50]

Ok, I got everything installed. All parts worked great. The stem to eye connector worked perfect and bolted right in. These connectors seem to be built really well. The top of the front shocks still need to use the 5/8 bushings to mount to the connector. All other bushings need to be 3/4". The ride is much better, mostly notice that its a lot less bouncy.
View attachment 556199

That's a pretty interesting setup. I hadn't even realized this was a thing when I did my OME/Bilstein install a couple months ago (which I cant say enough good things about. I absolutely LOVE the improvement in ride, control and clearance. If I have weight in the back it rides almost as good as a brand new vehicle). Knowing this though I think I still would've stuck with my stem style front shocks. It looks pretty, but seems like it would just create more complications than it's worth. You've already ordering different shocks front vs. back, so why not just go with the stem type shocks in the front to avoid having to modify or add anything?

I guess if you really wanna go big you could weld in some Ford style shock towers

On that note, I went back to rubber bushings (ie: used the ones that came with my Bilsteins) on my shocks this time around. Once the bushings start to show some wear I'll switch to poly and see if there's any noticeable difference between the two on this much improved suspension, but I'm more than happy with the ride quality and control using the rubber bushings. For the sake of redundancy of information, factory spring plates and the rear upper hanger use 3/4" ID bushings, and the new style 4+Plus U-bolt flip kit I installed when I did the suspension uses 5/8" ID bushings.

 

[Skniper]

factory spring plates and the rear upper hanger use 3/4" ID bushings, and the new style 4+Plus U-bolt flip kit I installed when I did the suspension uses 5/8" ID bushings.

Correct me if I’m wrong but the difference in shock mount pin sizing is the difference between the fj60 and the fj62. 62s got the larger mount pins.
Those u bolt flip kits were designed around the fj60 and don’t match the 62 larger diameter bushings. Easy enough to swap the correct ID bushings.

 

[Spook50]

Correct me if I’m wrong but the difference in shock mount pin sizing is the difference between the fj60 and the fj62. 62s got the larger mount pins.
Those u bolt flip kits were designed around the fj60 and don’t match the 62 larger diameter bushings. Easy enough to swap the correct ID bushings.

That makes sense to me. I've never looked at a 60's shock mounts so I only have my 62's to go off of. My Bilsteins came with the 5/8" ID bushings, so in a pinch I had to find the two best condition bushings from my old shocks to use on the rear upper mounts. Fortunately they were liberally coated with anti sieze which protected them surprisingly well. The size difference is just something I'll have to remember when it comes time to replace my shock bushings

 

[matmattmatthew]

Thought I would bump this thread rather than starting a new thread.

After doing several hours of research this morning, I've decided to go with Bilstein 5125s for my upcoming suspension overhaul. However, one of the previous owners installed front shock hoops so until the adaptors most people needed, I can use regular Eye to eye shocks. My question is, can I just remove the old blown shocks to get their measurements or should I install all of my new suspension components and physically measure for new shocks?

The leafs I'm going with are CS004F (heavy) and the rear are CS004R (medium). I currently have an ARB front bumper and plan to add a winch, and in the rear I have a custom swing away bumper holding the spare and a 38 gallon tank. So given the added weight, should I go with the heavier valving?

 

[Taylorious]

Thought I would bump this thread rather than starting a new thread.

After doing several hours of research this morning, I've decided to go with Bilstein 5125s for my upcoming suspension overhaul. However, one of the previous owners installed front shock hoops so until the adaptors most people needed, I can use regular Eye to eye shocks. My question is, can I just remove the old blown shocks to get their measurements or should I install all of my new suspension components and physically measure for new shocks?

The leafs I'm going with are CS004F (heavy) and the rear are CS004R (medium). I currently have an ARB front bumper and plan to add a winch, and in the rear I have a custom swing away bumper holding the spare and a 38 gallon tank. So given the added weight, should I go with the heavier valving?

Pretty sure your first method should get you in the ballpark... but your static sag will be different with new leafs.

I'd *definitely* go with heavier valving. Made my 'chonk handle so much better. Not Coil-Over better, but much better.

If they're blown, you can eye-to-eye the stroke too. I'd want that ballpark # as well.