IronMan suspension VS. Old Man Emu?

[Gottagetone]

I am kinda seeing this from both sides, my problem is that Shotts presumption is that the bars are manufactured in the same way, this may or may not be the case. I have no idea on how torsion bars are made and/or if they can make them to have a different spring rate. I understand the thought that a smaller diameter bar will have a lower spring rate but not sure if this is true or not?

 

[Yukon LX]

you can crank the ome bar up much farther in the front. also, the iron man is a moot point if you want to run 35's. you cant do it.

 

[spressomon]

I'm not an SE but I think the diameter (length is static for our rigs) is what determines the spring rate (or torsional resistance) for a given torsion bar. Different alloys and/or heat treatment processes can certainly effect yield and maximum strength but the torsional resistance AFAIK is mainly determined by the diameter of the rod.

Any SEs/metallurgists/machinists here?

 

[bamabrock]

you can crank the ome bar up much farther in the front. also, the iron man is a moot point if you want to run 35's. you cant do it.

Why can't you? Who has tried and not been able to?

 

[Brock]

I think you could actually....I appear to have plenty of room.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

you can crank the ome bar up much farther in the front. also, the iron man is a moot point if you want to run 35's. you cant do it.

Huh? How's that?

 

[Yukon LX]

I was actually at my local shop on saturday talking with the guys about this exact topic, as i am starting to suspect my ahc is struggling and that is what i was told. They said the 35 would not fit with the Iron Man and the OME t-bars give more room to crank in the front if needed.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

They're whacked.

 

[Yukon LX]

I am no expert, never claimed to be, i just go by what the experts tell me, but they are one of the premier cruiser shops in the country. So i dont know???

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I am no expert, never claimed to be, i just go by what the experts tell me, but they are one of the premier cruiser shops in the country. So i dont know???

Oh I follow you though they make no sense. Ironman's are on 100's already. T-bars a T-bar...shock a shock. Do the other mods required to fit 315's and you're golden.

 

[Yukon LX]

I thought the iron man lift was 1.5 inches and the OME 2.5?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I thought the iron man lift was 1.5 inches and the OME 2.5?

All kinds of ways to go and shouldn't matter at all.

 

[Gottagetone]

So no complaints about the Ironman ride so take that for what it is. The best proof is going to have to come from personal experience.

Another question, to get 2.5" out of the Ironman lift do you have to have the rear trim spacers on top of the springs and index the TBs properly? With the OME go with an 860 or 866 spring and properly indexed TBs?

 

[Gottagetone]

Anyone have an answer to the above question?

 

[3D FJ]

Anyone have an answer to the above question?

i say call eli. i just spoke with him today and learned a whole bunch.

 

[Brock]

My Ironman sits higher than the 1.5" as the spring rate is higher than that of stock. They are set for an additional 600lbs of weight above and beyond the stock load ratings already. With rear springs installed I set front TBs to be 2 inches lower...but may take them one more turn to get slightly over that. I have plenty of room and to me looks as tall at the moment as a friends here larger lift from OME. He has ridden in both.....I have a little more weight as I have 12k winch and rear bumper...he just has front bumper and a Warn.
He says my vehicle rides great.....and I agree. Maybe we can get a pic side by side for comparison to see how it really looks out and take any perception out of the picture.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Spring rate really has nothing to do with lift height. It's the overall design of the spring that detemines that. If Ironman wanted they could make the same spring taller for more lift (while keeping the rate the same).

Look at OME and Slee for example. They have different springs that offer the SAME lift height AND with different rate options depending on load.

I'm sure your Ironman truck rides fine. What suffer however is the front-end travel. They do not articulate as well (as easy) and therefore more wheel lifting.

And OME fronts work better than my Sway-A-Way as well!

 

[Gottagetone]

The front articulation and ride quality issues have been sufficiently covered. The only complaint with ride quality comes from peeps that put heavys in a truck that is not heavy enough. Since I only carry heavy loads at times then I plan on going with the light/medium setup. If I need more support then I will add air bags.

What I am wanting to know is does the 860 spring height equal the Ironman spring plus spacer to get 2.5" and to get the extra lift in the front do you index the torsion bars at a different point?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

OME 860 is a 2.5" lift spring. You can use that and trim the t-bars to the same. Sure.

 

[Liam]

you can crank the ome bar up much farther in the front. also, the iron man is a moot point if you want to run 35's. you cant do it.

I'm running 35's and IM T-bars. Zero issues.