I have read a lot on here about what lifts to run and tires that most guys run. However the wife just gave me the GREEN LIGHT for a new suspension and tires. I will be building the 62 for expedition style camping in the desert and mountains. I am looking at a 2.5" lift and poss 33s. Wondering which lift kit and tires most of you are running and like the best for this type of wheeling. The 62 is also my daily driver so I don't want to take it to far from stock to avoid issues in the backwoods. All info is greatly appreciated.
Lift and Tires
- Thread starter jacksfj62
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First, congratulations on the Green Light.
Ah, well, I think the most common which you probably gathered from your reading is Old Man Emu (OME) Dakar springs. You should get medium or heavy depending on how much stuff you are going to carry - winch, rear bumper, etc. The OME lift gives you the right amount of lift and 33s will fit fine. There of course is the skinny vs. wide debate about tires. I personally like 33x12.5s. If you go with a wide tire than you need new wheels - 15x8 that you can get for $40 / piece. BFG seems to be the most common tire used with either mud-terrain or all-terrain depending on your use. You can look at Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters for prices and kits for the OME lift. Other places also sell them. He seems to have good prices.
Ah, well, I think the most common which you probably gathered from your reading is Old Man Emu (OME) Dakar springs. You should get medium or heavy depending on how much stuff you are going to carry - winch, rear bumper, etc. The OME lift gives you the right amount of lift and 33s will fit fine. There of course is the skinny vs. wide debate about tires. I personally like 33x12.5s. If you go with a wide tire than you need new wheels - 15x8 that you can get for $40 / piece. BFG seems to be the most common tire used with either mud-terrain or all-terrain depending on your use. You can look at Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters for prices and kits for the OME lift. Other places also sell them. He seems to have good prices.
- Thread starter
- #3
Yea I have noticed most guys run OME. I was looking at the Hellcreek suspension but heard that they do not have a heavy spring available and don't carry the anti-inversion shackles or greasable pins (not that big of a deal but think I need the heavy springs). Will probably go with a heavy kit since I will eventually put a winch on front and have some semi-permanent ammo style boxes mounted in the back for tools and fluids (tools are great weapons). And will be building my own rear bumper with air tank. For the tires and wheels I would prefer to stay with narrower tires due to weight but don't know how well that will be in the desert (I am use to mud in Alabama where skinny tires rule)
The tried and true route, with very few pitfalls is the OME suspension and 33" tires. That parts easy. Harder is tire width. Stock rims will take 33X9.50 and 33X10.50 with no problem. There is some debate as to how good an idea it is to run 33X12.50's - do a search, read up and form your own opinion. As you read, consider that the skinnier sizes are getting harder to find.
I currently am running BFG AT 33 x 10.5 on eagle wheels. Bought both online. I got the wheels on Ebay and the tires from tires online. I will be honest, I shopped the living s**t out of them and got what I thought was a fair deal. I will be taking the plunge for the OME in a couple of weeks. I am going to buy it from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. He has been really knowledgable and helpful on other products. I am going Hvy/Hvy. I will not ever carry that big of a load but Kurt recomends it.
I'll throw in my two cents. I have the OME heavy/heavy kit; bought it from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. I like the kit and Kurt is a good guy to do business with. The kit was straightforward and easy to install. The ride is now very nice. My recommendation is this kit from this vendor. I've not bought new wheels and tires yet, so I can't offer advice on that.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I have the OME heavy/heavy 2.5" lift and I don't see why anyone would choose the med/med. Mine rides great compared to stock and I only carry 100 pounds worth of stuff at all times. I am happy with my 31" BFGs too but I live in the city and I need to park in garages at times.
As far as tires & wheels go, look for used in the 'MUD classifieds section and also in the classifieds on Pirate. I got a great deal on wheels & tires off of Pirate. They are pretty much brand new for half the price. A lot of people move up to 35s, and you can find good deals on almost new tires if you look around a bit.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks for the inputs. Have the lift narrowed down to OME Hvy/Hvy and will probably get from Cruiser Outfitters since they seem to have the best prices I have seen. Just have to figure out what tires I want.
I love my med/med OME lift. I have a SROR rear bumper on it, and carry 2 adults and 2 kid w/ over 100 lbs of tools. Ride is GREAT! The Hvy/Hvy may have been a better idea, but I will not know for quite some time.
I also have 33x10.5x15's on stock wheels. Love them too!
You can ask Kurt but I think the only difference between Heavy & Medium is an extra spring. So if heavy is too stiff, you just take one of the leaf springs out to get the medium spring pack.
i have the ome heavy/heavy and i think it rides nice also get the greaseable pins and anti inversion. make sure the kit comes with the OME bushings for the right fit. i am running 33/12.50 on a 10 inch rim. i like them just fine but might go to a skinny 33bfg mt and use a narrower rime when these wear out. i kind of like the skinny/tall tire and since the meats i have came from the PO i will run them thill they are all used up.
- Thread starter
- #13
Dirty Toad,
What tires are you running? I am currently running BFG ATs and they seem to slip quite a bit on the rocks, not trying to climb large rocks or anything but were part of the trail I was on last weekend. The rocks were imbedded and solid in the trail and were not smooth. Just wondering if I should go with MTs
What tires are you running? I am currently running BFG ATs and they seem to slip quite a bit on the rocks, not trying to climb large rocks or anything but were part of the trail I was on last weekend. The rocks were imbedded and solid in the trail and were not smooth. Just wondering if I should go with MTs
- Thread starter
- #14
Update,
Ordered the OME Hvy/Hvy Full Kit from Kurt and some Pro Comp Series 97 wheels with 33x10.50 BFG ATs, just waiting for it all to come in so that I can get busy. Will try to post some pics of before and after. Thanks for all the inputs and support so far
Ordered the OME Hvy/Hvy Full Kit from Kurt and some Pro Comp Series 97 wheels with 33x10.50 BFG ATs, just waiting for it all to come in so that I can get busy. Will try to post some pics of before and after. Thanks for all the inputs and support so far
I think you'll love the upgrades. I run the same: OME CS004's front and rear with 33 x10.5 BF AT's.
Don't forget the front and rear (on the 62's) extended sway bar links.
Oh, and some flowers for the understanding wife.
Don't forget the front and rear (on the 62's) extended sway bar links.
Oh, and some flowers for the understanding wife.
- Thread starter
- #16
Yea I was pondering putting new bushings on the swaybars as well. Do you know if you can buy them as a kit? Guess I could call Kurt and ask. As far as flowers go I don't have to worry about that, she will kill me if I bring them in the house since she has really bad allergies.
If the springs don't come with bushings then that would be the best investment...Aussie Poly bushings from CCOT imho (and some greasable pins)
I believe Specter off road has the sway bar/stabilzer bar bushings available. Here is a link to their site: click here
That all comes with Kurt's OME kit. MAF has swaybar extensions but they are for 4".
