Mix TJM shocks with OME lift?

[mcgaskins]

I just picked up a lift from another member of a local TLC club and am going to install it soon. It was only used for a couple of months before he went with a SAS. The lift I bought was the 2.5" OME medium duty kit with coils, torsion bars, rear shocks and a Slee diff drop. I need to get front shocks, and I was wondering if there would be any downside to not match the rear shocks to the front. I've heard good things about both the TJM and Ironman shocks, and they're both cheaper as well. I'm honestly not worried about the little bit of $ savings over one brand to another, but I definitely do not want to drop $400+ per side on super high end shocks. I'd prefer the front to be a little softer than the rear, and I've heard that the OME shocks can be a little on the stiff side. Years ago, I matched Bilsteins in the back and Rancho adjustables up front on my Tacoma and really liked the ride. Is there going to be an appreciable difference because of the weight with the 100?

 

[ENGINE er]

I would consider it a bad idea. You dont want the front to be reacting differently to the rear. This would create an uneasy feeling in the truck as the valving and design is different. Whatever you go with, get all 4.

 

[OregonLC]

You'll be fine. Worn vs new shocks would be more of a difference. What year? If 2000+ then VSC will cover you on any slight change in vehicle dynamics if your worried about that. In theory, stiffening the rear will increase oversteer but these trucks have significant factory understeer so I wouldn't worry.

 

[mcgaskins]

You'll be fine. Worn vs new shocks would be more of a difference. What year? If 2000+ then VSC will cover you on any slight change in vehicle dynamics if your worried about that. In theory, stiffening the rear will increase oversteer but these trucks have significant factory understeer so I wouldn't worry.

It's a 98 so no VSC here. I have driven several vehicles with different setups front to rear without any issues - I had an autocross VW with a Bilstein / H&R setup, a TT with a Neuspeed / H&R setup, the Tacoma and a Cherokee with all different front to rear shocks without any issue. I thought the case may be different because of the huge weight difference with the 100, but my experience tells me I should be fine. I also had a BMW X5 that was setup from the factory to be much stiffer in the rear (also with huge negative camber), and that rode and cornered pretty fantastic.

 

[no-pistons]

I pretty much have that setup (see sig) and it works good.

 

[mcgaskins]

I pretty much have that setup (see sig) and it works good.

Yep sounds basically the same - thanks for the reply!

 

[no-pistons]

The TJM shocks actually felt a little better than the OME Sport shocks that It replaced. I felt an improvement, both on and off road, just by changing out the front shocks. No change in comfort, however I noticed less roll on the turns, less nose dive, and less bottoming with large hits.

Comparing only the front shocks: Holding both in my hands, the TJM felt twice as heavy and looked 1.5 fatter than OME, which both seems like a good thing when it comes to shocks. The TJM was also slightly longer, which gave me a little more down travel.