Need OME 863 Heavies or air bags.

[landcruising]

Doing an extended death valley trip again this year and looking for some load help for the rear axle. If anyone has some heavy OME 863 or has used airbags in the rear let me know or give advise.
Last year it was painful running a load, bottomed out constantly at speed. Like the current 850 860 lift with 315 tires, but not much when loaded. Can't justify the higher lift I want and looking for an option for the few trips I do take with a large load. Leaning toward air bags as an option since they can be adjusted for load, but would consider used 863 spings If someone has some around.
Someday I'll just put on the lift I want, but untill then.

 

[Brentbba]

Airbags will be a cheaper short term solution pending any decision on lift, heavier springs, etc. Not hard to put in either, you do need to remove the bump stop though. Unweight the cruiser as much as possible to give yourself enough room to stuff the airbag between the springs. I used a hi-lift for that. Much easier if you have access to a lift. Run separate air lines for each side to avoid air shifting side to side. More info in Airlift air bag installation is in the Trailer section if you go this route.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[landcruising]

Airbags

I agree, that air bags are probably the easier and cheaper solution, was also fishing to see if anyone had some old springs sitting around that they have not advertised.

I guess time to order the correct size bags used on one of the old threads and get it done, otherwise I'll wait until the night before I leave on the trip.

From what I remember on the old threads I didn't want to cut down or remove the bump stops and ream out the hole on the spring perch to accept the valve on the airbag. I guess its time to reread the threads to see if the valves will work another way without manual labor. I haven't been able to do much work on the cruiser myself lately with a messed up shoulder and a potential impending surgery. So I am aiming for the easier manual labor solution, since I can't bring myself to pay someone to install simple things.

 

[bhicks]

I ran into a similar issue with my OME mediums out back and 315's. I went cheap and just picked up some 30mm spacers for the rear. It was just enough clearance to stop the rubbing out back when loaded down with all my trail gear and full size spare. I found a set for the rear on here used for like $25. I wanted the airbags but it wasn't in the budget.

 

[Brentbba]

I agree, that air bags are probably the easier and cheaper solution, was also fishing to see if anyone had some old springs sitting around that they have not advertised.

I guess time to order the correct size bags used on one of the old threads and get it done, otherwise I'll wait until the night before I leave on the trip.

From what I remember on the old threads I didn't want to cut down or remove the bump stops and ream out the hole on the spring perch to accept the valve on the airbag. I guess its time to reread the threads to see if the valves will work another way without manual labor. I haven't been able to do much work on the cruiser myself lately with a messed up shoulder and a potential impending surgery. So I am aiming for the easier manual labor solution, since I can't bring myself to pay someone to install simple things.

Yep - the way mine were originally installed, the hose ran up through the reamed out hole where the bump stop screwed in. NO more bump stop for me at that point. I know Airlift's instructions for the Landcruiser show the hose going out the bottom, but I just can't see that working well as there's no good 'route' for the airline up to the frame and out to the back or wherever you place the valves.

Understand the lack of work on the cruiser. Just wrapping up physical therapy in the next few weeks on my second total knee replacement, so I've not done much at all since mid-july! Kneeling will always be something of an issue w/o a pad or knee pads for the rest of my life unfortunately. Decent trade off tho!

 

[FJRanger]

I ran my lines through the bottom of the spring perch and it's working alright. I did have to work through the lines getting pinched in the beginning. I wrapped the lines in conduit following the brake lines to the center, the went up and over the aux. tank to the bumper.

 

[landcruising]

I ran into a similar issue with my OME mediums out back and 315's. I went cheap and just picked up some 30mm spacers for the rear. It was just enough clearance to stop the rubbing out back when loaded down with all my trail gear and full size spare. I found a set for the rear on here used for like $25. I wanted the airbags but it wasn't in the budget.

I never really considered this but may, my problem is I was rubbing a bit with only (285) 33" tires when wheeling, upgraded to 315 (34.5") and added 2" bump stops recommended from others. planned to upgrade the lift but life got in the way, so did the economy. Still leaning toward air bags for adjustability if not too expensive.

 

[landcruising]

Yep - the way mine were originally installed, the hose ran up through the reamed out hole where the bump stop screwed in. NO more bump stop for me at that point. I know Airlift's instructions for the Landcruiser show the hose going out the bottom, but I just can't see that working well as there's no good 'route' for the airline up to the frame and out to the back or wherever you place the valves.

Understand the lack of work on the cruiser. Just wrapping up physical therapy in the next few weeks on my second total knee replacement, so I've not done much at all since mid-july! Kneeling will always be something of an issue w/o a pad or knee pads for the rest of my life unfortunately. Decent trade off tho!

Been doing therapy as well but the doc is now leaning toward MRI and potential for surgery since I have been out of commission since last April.

 

[landcruising]

I ran my lines through the bottom of the spring perch and it's working alright. I did have to work through the lines getting pinched in the beginning. I wrapped the lines in conduit following the brake lines to the center, the went up and over the aux. tank to the bumper.

I will consider this as an option and plan to climb under soon to look at it again. I think I remember reading this in one of the past posts. Airbags still seems to be the best short term option for my need to accommodate loads on a few occasions a year.

Wish I would have just bucked up and got the lift I wanted in the first place rather than piecing things together. Darn money, priorities and time always getting in the way.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Brentbba]

Been doing therapy as well but the doc is now leaning toward MRI and potential for surgery since I have been out of commission since last April.

off topic - good luck. Shoulders can be much more fickle and difficult than knees!

 

[AdventureBuddies]

Landcruising - my truck has been pretty much in storage and neglected for the past year (house remodel project took all my time), but I happened to log in and see your post. If you haven't already made a decision, maybe this will help: I have 315s and have the goal of just enough lift to work with the tire size (no rubbing) because I want the truck to look and feel proportioned. Fully loaded for a week I found the 863 springs to be too light. When I added the 44gal aux tank, I added airbags to supplement the 863. Generally that worked but even airbags with 863 felt soft and would bottom out into the airbags. My conclusion is that the 863 springs are not heavy enough for a fully loaded rig to feel natural with that load. The airbags help as a temporary solution, but seem better suited to helping with heavy loads when on the highway (ie towing) but they are not well suited for the dynamic and constantly changing demands of trail use. I also felt like the airbags reduced suspension articulation for slow trail use. I ended up with 868 springs in the rear and am very happy with them. No airbags needed, no bottoming out issues. Truck sits level with 419 springs in the front. Ride is comfortable on the highway, even when not fully loaded. I realize my needs may be different from yours, but hopefully this experience helps you.

 

[mattafact]

I had the OME stock heights in the rear of my wife's cruiser and with the RTT on the back and Sean's bumper it would bottom out constantly.

On my last cruiser I had the mediums on the back with a stock bumper and it never bottomed out with the RTT. I know it's not apples to apples but it felt much stiffer than the stock height OMEs.

 

[084runnerltd]

I have the airlift 1000 kit that I used less than 6months.

I took the bags out when I added lift a few weeks back.

$35.00 plus shipping.

I will give you the hoses and connectors that I have, but would rather not remove the valve stem as I don't want an empty hole next to my gas tank.

You may have to buy extra hose, connections, etc...depending on how you want to run it.

Let me know.

Sent from DynaTAC bag phone

 

[landcruising]

I had the OME stock heights in the rear of my wife's cruiser and with the RTT on the back and Sean's bumper it would bottom out constantly.

On my last cruiser I had the mediums on the back with a stock bumper and it never bottomed out with the RTT. I know it's not apples to apples but it felt much stiffer than the stock height OMEs.

Mine was actually rubbing the inner fenders with 285's and the rear medium 860 springs, just a bit but was rubbing during heavy wheeling articulation. I went to 315's and added longer bump stops to keep it out of the fenders, while I was planning a slightly larger lift, but this limits my travel and when loaded is probably like stock height cruiser. Like everyone says, you should just put in the lift you need in the first place rather than piece milling it. But back then I was wheeling locally and not intending to go on longer loaded trips. And of course the $ always gets in the way.

 

[landcruising]

I have the airlift 1000 kit that I used less than 6months.

I took the bags out when I added lift a few weeks back.

$35.00 plus shipping.

I will give you the hoses and connectors that I have, but would rather not remove the valve stem as I don't want an empty hole next to my gas tank.

You may have to buy extra hose, connections, etc...depending on how you want to run it.

Let me know.

Sent from DynaTAC bag phone

May be interested, which part number did you have, with my limited research it seems that the taller 2.5" lift springs I have use a taller bag. Was yours on a lifted rig? Not sure were I would source the valve stems and line but sure someone has it, Also shipping to San Diego may a few buck.

 

[084runnerltd]

May be interested, which part number did you have, with my limited research it seems that the taller 2.5" lift springs I have use a taller bag. Was yours on a lifted rig? Not sure were I would source the valve stems and line but sure someone has it, Also shipping to San Diego may a few buck.

Not sure if we are talking about the same thing...??

The valve stem and hose you can get at any hardware store for a few bucks.

The bags I can compress down and would think shipping would be 10.00 or so...??

My truck was not lifted at the time, but I am not sure that would make a huge difference.

Here is the kit.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CFS028?tag=ihco-20

Sent from DynaTAC bag phone

 

[FJRanger]

May be interested, which part number did you have, with my limited research it seems that the taller 2.5" lift springs I have use a taller bag. Was yours on a lifted rig? Not sure were I would source the valve stems and line but sure someone has it, Also shipping to San Diego may a few buck.

I've have the "J" springs and just went with the standard bags. They've been holding up well.

 

[landcruising]

Not sure if we are talking about the same thing...??

The valve stem and hose you can get at any hardware store for a few bucks.

The bags I can compress down and would think shipping would be 10.00 or so...??

My truck was not lifted at the time, but I am not sure that would make a huge difference.

Here is the kit.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CFS028?tag=ihco-20

Sent from DynaTAC bag phone

I've have the "J" springs and just went with the standard bags. They've been holding up well.

I thought the bags needed to sit within the springs so that the top and bottom hit the axle and top bucket when under normal load. Assuming this a longer spring (lift spring) would need a longer bag to get the full effect. Otherwise they would only function when starting to be compressed effectively just giving a bag advantage near the limit of the compressed spring.

 

[084runnerltd]

I thought the bags needed to sit within the springs so that the top and bottom hit the axle and top bucket when under normal load. Assuming this a longer spring (lift spring) would need a longer bag to get the full effect. Otherwise they would only function when starting to be compressed effectively just giving a bag advantage near the limit of the compressed spring.

Ahhh yes you would be right...I am picturing the spring and the bag sitting in my garage...of course the bag isn't filling up the entire length of the spring, since the spring isn't compressed.
Doh!! Sorry, my mistake.

Sent from DynaTAC bag phone

 

[FJRanger]

You're right about how the air bags should fit within the spring. I don't remember if there was any space in mine as my aux. tank is always full and already compressing the springs. I'll have to check tomorrow.