Lift Kits

[WanderingFZJ]

Ok, I found a guy locally who can and is willing to work on my LC for anything i need done. As luck would have it he has worked on LC's before and one of his mechanics owns one
(I wanted to speak to him, unfortunately for me he took the weekend off to go wheeling at the Badlands).

He's checking my LC out on Tues, is there anything I should specifically tell him to look at?

4rnr I hope you respond to this. I am looking for an OME 2.5-3" lift (i could use the clearance for work on our land), however I dont know which would be better, Heavy or Medium?

Also I'm checking out the Classifieds for stuff, esp an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar w/ winch. I was planning on just getting a stock bumper to replace the one, my mother hit the basketball hoop with. (gah!!!!!!! ) But if I can find an ARB decently priced, i'd much rather get that.

Any suggestions would be great! And I have realized I am addicted to this site, there is so much info!

 

[tonyota]

Lots of the guys like the heavy on the OME...I have the medium & like it just fine...rides nice & flexes well. If the guy knows Cruisers he should know what to look for...

My $.02 is you should learn to look it over yourself...see what you can see..if something looks out of the norm, get with someone & learn how to fix it yourself. Save $$, gain satisfaction from a job well done & learn your rig. They like it when we put our hands on them

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Lots of the guys like the heavy on the OME...I have the medium & like it just fine...rides nice & flexes well. If the guy knows Cruisers he should know what to look for...

My $.02 is you should learn to look it over yourself...see what you can see..if something looks out of the norm, get with someone & learn how to fix it yourself. Save $$, gain satisfaction from a job well done & learn your rig. They like it when we put our hands on them

, Yes they do like it when we do! Thats the great thing about this guy, he doesn't mind showing me. But, yes I would like to get together with someone to learn.

My only problem is I dont have anyone around that has an OBD1 reader, I am going to try and use the "paper clip method" to get the codes. But no real place to find out what they mean. I just ordered a factory service manual from toyota; it'll take a month and a half to get to me.

Is there a really big difference in the ride between the heavy and the medium lifts? I love the ride i have now, but the lift is starting to become a necessity with the work i'm doing at our land.

 

[toyman317]

I have the OME heavy on my 94 and like how it rides. The heavy is made for carrying some weight, such as aftermarket bumpers, sliders etc. The more weight you add the better it rides. If you are planning to add an ARB in the front and weight in the back, you won't be happy with the medium.

 

[WanderingFZJ]

So, say if I put a medium on, the vehicle wouldnt ride well with ARB bumper and cargo in the back?

I tend to carry a decent amount of stuff on a regular basis, yesterday it was scuba gear and 8 tanks. I loved the ride when its ladden down but it kills my clearance.
How does the heavy ride when its just the driver in there? A friend was telling me w/ a lift you tend to feel every little bump a lot more. Is this true?

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Ok, I have been doing some reading, regarding lifts (here on Ih8mud, sleeoffroad, and 4X4) I have decided on the heavy. Now another question arises (inevitably), in terms of getting a lift installed how badly does it effect driving?

In the FAQ there is a lot about drive shaft problems when a lift is installed. Is it something to worry about?

 

[4rnr]

with a 2.5" lift you dont need to worry about driveshafts. The OME is as easy as replaceing the coils and shocks. Also there are Caster correction bushings that go in the front control arms and you will need a press for that.

Oh and dont be repalcing that factory bumper! Get the ARB, other wise you will buy a nice factory bumper and after a season of wheeling it may look like "you drove into a basket ball hoop"

 

[WanderingFZJ]

lol and dont you worry about that Jon, I said i WAS planning on getting a factory bumper. I like the ARB a hell of a lot better: 1. because it is such good armor and 2.well.... Its a Beast!

I'm having trouble finding a good place to buy though, the closest dealer is in Chicago. The bumper I want to buy new. I contacted some of the vendors on here, but no replies from any of them yet.

LT, has OME stuff for sale but he hasnt replied to PM's. Any ideas about where to buy?

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Hey,
Wanted an opinion on whether this is pretty good pricing or not: Heavy kit for $575 w/ shocks, ARB Bull Bar w/ winch for $810.

 

[toyman317]

Sounds pretty good. I just priced the same bumper today at 4 wheel parts here in Indy. $830 out the door.

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Oh, I still have to pay shipping. Maybe i should look into getting it there... the only problem is that its 4 hrs there and back for me, i wont be able to make that trip for about a month. after school is out...

 

[4rnr]

do it!

 

[WanderingFZJ]

"Do it", meaning make the trip down, or "do it" meaning order them thru metal tech(thats the above pricing)?

 

[4rnr]

"Do it", meaning make the trip down, or "do it" meaning order them thru metal tech(thats the above pricing)?

You snuck in post #11 as I was typing #12.

"Do it" meaning the price for the bumper is a steal, what kind of winch does it come with?! Even if its the m8000 its still a deal!

 

[WanderingFZJ]

I'll ask, I figured that it meant that the bumper is winch capable. But i'll ask. And what about the lift?

 

[LukeZero]

"Do it", meaning make the trip down, or "do it" meaning order them thru metal tech(thats the above pricing)?

Arjun- I cannot recommend highly enough doing business with Metal Tech. Both Mark and LT are awesome to deal with. I have their tube fender kit and their nose guard and stinger. One of my employees bought an ARB bumper for his FJC, as well as an OME lift.


Absolutely buy from them.


Luke

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Arjun- I cannot recommend highly enough doing business with Metal Tech. Both Mark and LT are awesome to deal with. I have their tube fender kit and their nose guard and stinger. One of my employees bought an ARB bumper for his FJC, as well as an OME lift.


Absolutely buy from them.


Luke

Thanks for the re-assurance Luke, I tend to be a bit if-y buying things online. Especially for something this expensive.

Thanks again.

 

[WanderingFZJ]

Another stupid question.

The FAQ said that this is what is in the Lift kit:
2 x OME 850 Front Coil Springs
2 x OME 863 Rear Coil Springs
2 x N73 Nitrocharger Shocks
2 x N74E Nitrocharger Shocks
1 x SD24 Steering Damper
1 x CA77B Caster Kit
1 x Caster Bushing Press Piece

This is what LT said.
"It is $575 for the shocks and springs, $70 for the steering damper, and $95 for the caster correction bushings.

When you are ready to order give me a call and I will honor the price that I quoted you. For payment I can do everything. Credit Card, Paypal, Money Order, Check, etc."

The the last part of this is fantastic, but its the first part i have questions about. Are the damper and caster correction bushings necessary? because they are being sold separately.

 

[4rnr]

When Bryan did his lift he notice the difference and promptly ordered the bushings. Caster can be a spooky/scary thing. Its what makes your front tires want to track strait. As you lift you "level out" your caster. The closer you get to flat (0*) the "lighter" your steering will feel. Its not a pleasant feeling.

You could lift and see how you like it and do the bushings later. Its not one of those mods that you may as well do while you are in there, because you dont have to remove the control arms to install the lift. Its a seperate job.

 

[Gumby]

When I lifted my 2" with the OME kit I went from a great driving vehicle to one I couldn't lend out. At high speed slowdowns it would get very twitchy. If the road was bumpy while slowing from a high speed, it would try to change lanes. It would take a firm hand to keep it in its lane.