Noob ? on Bilstein Shocks working with an OME lift kit on an FZJ80

[elum]

I was wondering if I could run an OME lift kit minus the OME shocks and use Bilstein HD shocks instead. I've read some good reviews on the Bilsteins which lead me to believe they might work better. I think the OME shock might be longer than the Bilstein and also that hte OME shock was used with the OME springs when the kit was designed so I would not want to use Bilstein shocks if that would degrade performance. No I would not be doing this mod soon, however, this has been nagging me for a while now and I wanted to see what you all have to say.

 

[woody]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=44008&highlight=bilstein

search engine come thru again!

 

[elmariachi]

I was wondering if I could run an OME lift kit minus the OME shocks and use Bilstein HD shocks instead. I've read some good reviews on the Bilsteins which lead me to believe they might work better. I think the OME shock might be longer than the Bilstein and also that hte OME shock was used with the OME springs when the kit was designed so I would not want to use Bilstein shocks if that would degrade performance. No I would not be doing this mod soon, however, this has been nagging me for a while now and I wanted to see what you all have to say.

I ran this setup on my first 1991 and found the Bilstein's to be very harsh compared to OME. But that was many moons ago and it may have just been me. I do remember thinking when I installed the OME firm-valved shocks how much better it rode. Just my .02c.

 

[Fochdog]

OME springs and Billy shocks!

I ended up running 850 & 860 OME springs with Bilstein shocks. They are shorter than the OME shocks, but the same length as the OEM shocks. As long as I didn't loose any ride travel I was okay with that for now.

My truck is relatively light weight and the ride is better than stock, albeit with 110k miles on OEM shocks. I have not done a direct comparison with OME shocks and springs.

 

[cary]

I run the low lift (861/862) springs with Bilstein HD shocks. It works very well with a moderately firm ride (no harshness though). If I did it all over again, I would buy the bilsteins in a heartbeat, unless I could get Koni's. To many people have complained about the OME shocks wearing out in 30,000-70,000 miles for me to consider them. You buy bilsteins for life.

 

[elum]

Thanks for the input gents. Everyone talks about the OME lift.. then there are some people who talk about Bilsteins being the best--I was trying to see if there was a happy medium or compromise using the two products...

 

[Fochdog]

What type of driving / wheelin' are you planning?

The answer to this goes a long way towards which shocks would best match your needs.