Ironman vs OME lift kits

[Butch1979]

It's time to refresh some of the suspension parts on my 1999 cruiser, so I think I am going to purchase one of the suspension kits in order to tighten it up a little.

Looks like the Ironman kit is going for $680 on metaltech site and the OME is going for $799.

Other than price should I lean towards one or the other?

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I was just looking at the same kits. I decided for the extra $ it is worth going with the 2.5'' Radflow shocks and OME torsion bars. I pulled the trigger on this today.

ARB has been around for a long time and is not going anywhere. OME is worth the extra cost.

 

[Source Hydrographics]

I considered the Ironman setup as well because of the savings, but chose the OME because of the long history here. Doesn't seem to be that many 100 series owners using the Ironman setup.

Better choices for springs with OME, plus you can get the package from Slee which includes the diff drop bracket at a discount. Glad I went this route.

 

[Mxndrnks]

I have had the OME set up and now run Radflo and Total Chaos upper control arms.

Ironman doesnt have the long history that OME does. But, I would hesitate to recommend either. I think they are equivalent. If Ironman had been around when I bought my first suspension I may have gone that route. But, OME was really the only option back then.

 

[BBQ BOY]

I have ridden in Brocks LX with Ironman and it rode pretty good if memory serves. I have OME and the ride is good too. i mean, it's relative. They all ride like crap compared to an OEM set up.

 

[Gottagetone]

I have the ironman springs and shocks and I am quite happy. I will be ordering the torsion bars to complete the setup asap.

 

[Nottajeep]

Somebody buy the new Slee $$ shocks $$ and give us some feedback

 

[bluecruiser]

Somebody buy the new Slee $$ shocks $$ and give us some feedback

Pretty sure Bighead has them.

 

[G-Cat]

they all ride like crap compared to an OEM set up.

Really? It is the exact opposite with OME vs OEM on the 80 Series trucks. Hadn't heard this about the 100s...

 

[Brock]

I had OME on my FJC and loved it...I have the Ironman on my LX470 and love it. Ironman has been around for 50 years...new to us in United States but has the same history in Australia as ARB. You are right not as much selection in springs but I find the spring rate good for unloaded driving as DD...and loaded down it is exceptional.

I think it rides great...rides to me like the AHC in SPORT mode...firm but not brash!

 

[aussie75series]

I had OME on my FJC and loved it...I have the Ironman on my LX470 and love it. Ironman has been around for 50 years...new to us in United States but has the same history in Australia as ARB. You are right not as much selection in springs but I find the spring rate good for unloaded driving as DD...and loaded down it is exceptional.

I think it rides great...rides to me like the AHC in SPORT mode...firm but not brash!

Ironman hasn't been around 50yrs.Maybe 20 but they only imported their stuff from overseas as a cheap alturnative to the big players,including OME.Without a dought I would have OME any day.To prove the point look up R&D for both companys.I had Ironman 20yrs ago it did not make it to cape york before failing,at the time I worked for a 4x4 shop and we fitted ironman as a test,we stopped stocking it.Ironman may be better today!

 

[Muddy.au]

ARB and Ironman it's all mass market well promoted average gear with a good paint job and stickers. You have the best shocks in the world on your doorstep, Fox and Kings I don't know why you would even consider them.(ARB or Ironman)

 

[Nottajeep]

Good Day Mates
Really cool to see the Oz comments on here... the local perspective on the ARB, Ironman, etc... products is a nice bonus to this site.

 

[Butch1979]

Any suggestions on where to get an OME lift locally so I don't drop $100 on shipping?

Looking for something in the NorCal/Sacramento area.

 

[shogun2fire]

If I were buying I'd just get a brand name like OME. A lot of people have tried them on and they seem to serve their purpose. They also have a decent spring selection.

 

[Brock]

Ironman hasn't been around 50yrs.Maybe 20 but they only imported their stuff from overseas as a cheap alturnative to the big players,including OME.Without a dought

dude, I am going by what is written on their website and their marketing literature. if you say they are lying...fine but without being in the family that is all I have to go by...

So far so good...and I think they have learned and improved greatly over the years as most companies that survive find the need to constantly improve. Hell Japanese used to mean inferior products...now they make the best vehicles in world. I have had nothing but good results with OME and Ironman...OME for 10 years...Ironman for past 2 years and still going strong and I drive the hell out of my rig. I dont think you can beat them (either one) for the price.... Might not be best for desert racing or rock crawling...but for all around offroading hard to beat without spending over $1000 with someone else.

Ironman 4x4 About

Same company....couple different names but that is what they claim...as shown below:

"On road or off the beaten track, Australia’s first choice for 4x4 Suspension and Accessories is Ironman 4x4. Whether you use your 4x4 as a family vehicle or as an off road explorer, Ironman 4x4 has the products that will deliver the comfort and safety you demand. Ironman 4x4 products have been developed in the harshest proving ground in the world, Australia. Sold in more than 120 countries. For over 50 years customers have put their trust in Ironman 4x4 because Ironman 4x4 delivers quality and value for money. Ironman & JSW Ironman 4x4 products are designed in Australia and distributed throughout the world. Originally established in 1958, as a Melbourne based suspension parts manufacturer, named Jacob Spring Works. The company in 1982 took shape as JSW Parts, (short for Jacob Spring Works) to design and supply leaf and coil springs for cars, trucks, buses and 4x4 vehicles. JSW Parts soon became well known as a manufacturer and supplier of suspension parts all around the world. Guenter Jacob
JSW Founder In 1988 JSW Parts launched the Ironman 4x4 brand of springs and suspension parts in response to the increasing popularity of 4x4 vehicles, recognizing that standard suspension systems alone were not designed to cope with additional loads of bull bars, winches and extra fuel tanks,
Driven by explosive sales of 4x4’s, in 2004 the Ironman 4x4 range of products expanded quickly to meet the demand of off road users seeking solutions which would allow their vehicles to go off road loaded with accessories such as winches, recovery equipment, protective bars, canopies, lighting and electrical upgrades.
Today the vast continent of Australia serves as the perfect testing ground for Ironman 4x4 products, so whether crossing the outback in search of adventure or just driving the children to school in your local suburb, Ironman 4x4 can offer quality and value for money.
Many fleet and military organisations throughout the world have acknowledged the quality design and manufacture of Ironman 4x4 products. Together with these serious solutions, Ironman 4x4 products are also chosen the world over by offroad competition teams and drivers, and have successfully completed the Dakar Rally.
Ironman 4x4 products are stocked at our four warehouses in Melbourne, Newcastle, Brisbane and Perth. All warehouses are computer linked to our National Call Centre at the Melbourne head office.
Ironman 4x4 provide great value for money solutions for all sectors within the 4x4 industry, with a versatile and forward thinking approach, whether it be recreational, military or commercial use we at Ironman 4x4 can safely say."

 

[Muddy.au]

dude, I am going by what is written on their website and their marketing literature.

Yo dude, they may have been around for 50 years in some form, but as Iornman only since 1988 as stated in their literature, and then they have only become commonly known in the Australian market from the mid 2000s as a cheaper alternative to ARB.

 

[highonpottery]

Any suggestions on where to get an OME lift locally so I don't drop $100 on shipping?

Looking for something in the NorCal/Sacramento area.

Any ARB distributor should be able to help you order OME parts and get them at their shop. Perhaps somewhere like Central 4WD would be the larger distributor in the area. You might want to try calling 4x4labs and see if they can get a kit since they are close to you and specialize in Cruisers. Other than that - you gotta pay to play!

 

[Butch1979]

4x4 Labs

Any ARB distributor should be able to help you order OME parts and get them at their shop. Perhaps somewhere like Central 4WD would be the larger distributor in the area. You might want to try calling 4x4labs and see if they can get a kit since they are close to you and specialize in Cruisers. Other than that - you gotta pay to play!

I thought the same thing about 4x4 labs because they are about 10 minutes down the road, but I've called twice and they don't return my messages.... I'm hoping I can get off work in time to stop by their shop, if not I guess I'll just pay the shipping and buy online.

 

[jgray]

I have a mixture of OME and Ironman suspension components and have been happy with both. When I looked into buying shocks I decided to buy Ironman as the market was changing at the time with higher end options coming out and lots of people seemed unsatisfied with OME shocks. I figured a new set of Ironman shocks would work fine for me until I was ready to drop $$$ on something nicer. I've run the Ironman shocks with several different suspension setups and they have been excellent for the money. I called Eli with Camel 4x4 and he gave me an additional discount as well as free shipping at the time I ordered shocks; may be worth a call. I've also seen other mud vendors offering free shipping and deals that change almost weekly on here. Check the Vendor classifieds and places like Metal Tech that have monthly specials. Slee Offroad and Just Differentials have complete suspension packages that can be custom tailored to suit your build as well; lots of options. My truck has continued to get heavier over the years so I'm currently running OME 863's with Ironman shocks and i'm very happy with my current setup on and offroad.