Going from Old Man Emu nitro shocks, back to OEM shocks. What to expect?

[jbyrd78]

I'm currently running the following on my 2004 LX470:
-OME-60000 Front Nitro Shocks
-OME 60002 Rear Nitro Shocks
-OME Torision bars
- OME 2865 Rear medium springs

My suspension setup has been good to me, but lately, I've been thinking about swapping out the front and rear OME nitro shocks, and replacing them with OEM Toyota shocks. I would like to run the Toyota shocks with the OME rear springs, and OME torsion bars I have installed. Will going this route, result in smoother stock like ride quality? Right now my ride is decent when driving on the highway, but if I start hitting bumps, then it feels like I'm driving a pickup truck. I'm just trying to gain some comfortably because when I'm driving my LX I'm usually on the highway commuting for about 2hrs one way.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Will going this route, result in smoother stock like ride quality?

Yes. The OME shocks ride like a stagecoach if you don’t have 800 lbs of extra $hit bolted on to your 100 all the time. A lot of us here run OEM shocks with OME coils and t-bars. Plus you’ll also gain like 1/4” more suspension travel with the OEM shocks.

 

[mkntrds]

You'll also obtain better traction in the snow, fewer instances of ABS kicking in.

 

[Biga27110]

Expect a cloud like ride.

 

[jbyrd78]

Yes. The OME shocks ride like a stagecoach if you don’t have 800 lbs of extra $hit bolted on to your 100 all the time. A lot of us here run OEM shocks with OME coils and t-bars. Plus you’ll also gain like 1/4” more suspension travel with the OEM shocks.

Nice! I'll definitely be purchasing a set of OEM's and install them sooner than later!

 

[jbyrd78]

Expect a cloud like ride.

Awesome! That's one I miss about the AHC, but I don't miss the headaches it caused when it went out.

 

[jbyrd78]

So I was looking on Toyotapartsdeal.com and I noticed, that all the retainer washers, rubber bushing, and shock absorbers are sold separately from the shocks. Can I use all my washers, shock absorbers that came with my OME setup? Or am I just better off purchasing new rubber bushings and absorbers? The OME shocks that I currently have on there, only have maybe 20,000 miles on them.

 

[Biga27110]

So I was looking on Toyotapartsdeal.com and I noticed, that all the retainer washers, rubber bushing, and shock absorbers are sold separately from the shocks. Can I use all my washers, shock absorbers that came with my OME setup? Or am I just better off purchasing new rubber bushings and absorbers? The OME shocks that I currently have on there, only have maybe 20,000 miles on them.

I would get the OEM to make sure you get the OEM ride. I replaced everything.

 

[MycoManiac]

If I remember right, the bushings and such are a different size on the OME vs OEM

 

[JunkCrzr89]

If I remember right, the bushings and such are a different size on the OME vs OEM

That’s correct.

 

[David*BJ70]

What about OEM shocks with OME t-bars and coils on a equipped and loaded 100 ?

 

[JunkCrzr89]

What about OEM shocks with OME t-bars and coils on a equipped and loaded 100 ?

Thats the setup I’ve been running for 3 years.

 

[jbyrd78]

Finally got around this Friday to swapping out the OME shocks for the OEM Tockio shocks. I love how she rides now! You guy's we're not kidding about gaining back alot of the quality & comfortablilty in the ride. I wish I would have done my homework a little more in depth 2yrs ago when I installed the OME set, but hey you live and learn.

Something I do want to point out. The OME washers will work with the OEM shocks. The hole diameter on the OME washers is slightly wider, but the OEM rubber bushings sit on them just fine. The OEM washers actually slide over the OME shocks as well. One set of the OEM washers that go on the rear shocks, doesn't have a lip to sit in the upper shock hole. So I just ended up just using the OME washers and everything is gucci.

Few questions:
If I swap out all of my sway bushing and links, will that also improve my ride quality & comfortablilty?

Other than price. What are the differences between the OEM Land Cruiser shocks, and the OME 2865's I'm running? Will I gain anything from installing new OEM shocks?

 

[JunkCrzr89]

If I swap out all of my sway bushing and links, will that also improve my ride quality & comfortablilty?

Depending on how degraded the existing bushings are, yes, possibly. No need to replace the links unless they’re rusted. If they’re not rusty, just buy new link bushings and swaybar bushings from @cruiseroutfit

Other than price. What are the differences between the OEM Land Cruiser shocks, and the OME 2865's I'm running? Will I gain anything from installing new OEM shocks?

I assume you meant to say coil springs, not shocks, since you just installed new shocks. The 865s coils have 50 lbs higher spring rate and therefore load carrying capacity than the OEM coils, BUT the 865s are also a full 1-inch shorter than the OEM coils. Consequently, the “lift” provided by the 865’s higher spring rate disappears quickly with as little as 100 lbs load in the rear of the truck.

 

[David*BJ70]

I read on several posts that Toyota shocks would be a good way to go and they are very affordable... Well, I called my dealer to find out the prices and I don't think it is “very” good deal. Maybe it's the fact that I'm in Canada...

Here is the price per unit for the rear suspension components (CDN$)

90948-02170 : 20.39$
90948-02173 : 20.39$
90948-02184 : 20.39$
90948-01064 : 17.52$

48531-69557 : 104$

I knew the hardware was expensive but the shock is much more expensive than what I read. Partsouq is more reasonable on hardware price but the shock is the same.

I'll stick with my good but stiff OME shocks or try a generic brand like Monroe or KYB if I'm tired of the stiffness of OME.

I'm not complaining, just saying...

 

[MycoManiac]

I read on several posts that Toyota shocks would be a good way to go and they are very affordable... Well, I called my dealer to find out the prices and I don't think it is “very” good deal. Maybe it's the fact that I'm in Canada...

Here is the price per unit for the rear suspension components (CDN$)

90948-02170 : 20.39$
90948-02173 : 20.39$
90948-02184 : 20.39$
90948-01064 : 17.52$

48531-69557 : 104$

I knew the hardware was expensive but the shock is much more expensive than what I read. Partsouq is more reasonable on hardware price but the shock is the same.

I'll stick with my good but stiff OME shocks or try a generic brand like Monroe or KYB if I'm tired of the stiffness of OME.

I'm not complaining, just saying...

I’m seeing 40-45 for oem shocks.

Partsouq is good but I’ve found a number of things that are twice as high as my local stealership. Always shop.

Can you check with local parts and see if they’ll match or get close? Either way, seems like you got it figured out.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

48531-69557 : 104$

Wrong part number (discontinued and superseded).

Rear shock: 48531-69835 = $47 USD ($59 CDN)
Front shock: 48531-69835 = $46 USD ($58 CDN)

 

[David*BJ70]

Wrong part number (discontinued and superseded).

Rear shock: 48531-69835 = $47 USD ($59 CDN)
Front shock: 48531-69835 = $46 USD ($58 CDN)

^^
I contacted again my Toyota dealer with this «new» number and... instead of 104$ it's 103$

It is definitely a market and geographic location issue.

Partsouq is 84$

Thank for the information.

 

[Peter S]

I removed the AHC on my LX and installed the Ironman Foam Cell Pro stage 3 lift, however I now plan to replace the shocks with oem 100 series (non AHC) shocks. While the foam cell pros ride great with my truck loaded down heavy, they are not great for an unloaded daily driver.
I found a full set of oem’s for $270 shipped online so I ordered them. I’m excited to have that “cloud like ride” people speak of.
I’ll update my experience as soon as they are on.

 

[Biga27110]

I removed the AHC on my LX and installed the Ironman Foam Cell Pro stage 3 lift, however I now plan to replace the shocks with oem 100 series (non AHC) shocks. While the foam cell pros ride great with my truck loaded down heavy, they are not great for an unloaded daily driver.
I found a full set of oem’s for $270 shipped online so I ordered them. I’m excited to have that “cloud like ride” people speak of.
I’ll update my experience as soon as they are on.

You're going to love it. If you add street tires whoa serious luxury.