Old man emu install time (1 Viewer)
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All day, no more or less
17.4
How rusty is your rig? Just shocks and springs, no rust, 5-8 hours give or take with floor jacks if you've never done a lift on these vehicles
REKCUT
SILVER Star
If you're just talking springs a couple of hours with a helper. Strut compressor tool from orielly makes it easy. I also have a lift.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Just your basic OME "entry level" setup with springs, shocks and caster bushings on a rig that is in nominal or better condition so far as dirt grime and rust... On the hoist, 3-4 hours including bushings. If you have a press. A tranny jack in conjunction with the floor hoist helps a lot. Hit all the nuts and bolts (especially with rear shock upper mount assembly bolts) with some Ed's red a day ahead of time. And again as you get started.
Add in extended adjustable upper links, and panhard bars brake lines, dropped bump stops, sway bar spacers and it takes a little longer. Seized bolts and complications like that are hard to predict and can really stretch the job out.
Still an easy Saturday job.
I did a Dobinsons 6 inch last week that had all the above mentioned goodies as well as adjustable lower links and the EmKeith weld in panhard bar and trailing arm mounts and the rig spent three days on the hoist by the time various complications were dealt with.
Mark...
REKCUT
SILVER Star
Yes, strut compressor allows you to install springs with only removing one end of each shock and nothing else. Will sometimes use a bottle jack to get a bit more room especially with dobinson but OME are shorter. Easiest on a lift but have done numerous times with floor jack. Just like to work standing better than laying on back.
It took me 8 hours in my driveway by myself for springs and shocks.
I only broke off one bolt.
Floor jack and jack stands.
I only broke off one bolt.
Floor jack and jack stands.
RiverCityDave
SILVER Star
Mine was about 6 hours.
I am lucky, the PO was a Vegas resident, so very little rust, broke one bolt on the left rear swaybar mount. The left bottom shock bolt was a MUTHA but ultimately came out without damage. I cleaned those mounting threads for real and used new bolts all around.
I did Dobinson’s 3” VT and Slinky springs, Delta 4” Control Arms, Delta Panhard Bracket and Swaybar drops, Icon Shocks, and OEM (not 80series) lengthened brake lines all at the same time.
This was on my back in the driveway, BIG jackstands. I used the bottle jack to push the rear axle low enough to RnR the springs.
I would say this thread is a great example of how much this job can vary based on the starting condition of the vehicle. All around I had very little rust, which made it go pretty quick for me. I read up on the pitfalls (panhard bolt being blocked on the the bracket once installed for example).
If you’ve worked on your 80 at all, by now you know, everything is heavy. This makes any job a bit of a chore compared to any modern vehicle, so add that time in. When you release something from the final bolt, it’s going to be a handful.
If you dont have rust, or you deal with it upfront, it’s a pretty easy job.
I am lucky, the PO was a Vegas resident, so very little rust, broke one bolt on the left rear swaybar mount. The left bottom shock bolt was a MUTHA but ultimately came out without damage. I cleaned those mounting threads for real and used new bolts all around.
I did Dobinson’s 3” VT and Slinky springs, Delta 4” Control Arms, Delta Panhard Bracket and Swaybar drops, Icon Shocks, and OEM (not 80series) lengthened brake lines all at the same time.
This was on my back in the driveway, BIG jackstands. I used the bottle jack to push the rear axle low enough to RnR the springs.
I would say this thread is a great example of how much this job can vary based on the starting condition of the vehicle. All around I had very little rust, which made it go pretty quick for me. I read up on the pitfalls (panhard bolt being blocked on the the bracket once installed for example).
If you’ve worked on your 80 at all, by now you know, everything is heavy. This makes any job a bit of a chore compared to any modern vehicle, so add that time in. When you release something from the final bolt, it’s going to be a handful.
If you dont have rust, or you deal with it upfront, it’s a pretty easy job.
davidp14
SILVER Star
The third time I did mine it took about 4hrs in a gravel driveway with jack stands, by myself. I did not change caster bushings that time though. That's a couple hours alone.
I wedged a long 2x4 between the frame and axle and sat on it to push it down as much as possible. Then with the help of some sketchy ratchet straps and a crow bar and convinced the springs to go home.
I wedged a long 2x4 between the frame and axle and sat on it to push it down as much as possible. Then with the help of some sketchy ratchet straps and a crow bar and convinced the springs to go home.
I have had no less then 4 different sets of springs in my rig and never used anything to compress the springs or move the axle down.
The trick is to disconnect the panhard bar this lets the axle drop down easer.
With springs with a tall free hight I just push down on the axle with one foot and push the spring in.
The trick is to disconnect the panhard bar this lets the axle drop down easer.
With springs with a tall free hight I just push down on the axle with one foot and push the spring in.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
In my experience, when installing OMEs I have never needed to do anything other than disconnect the shock to simply throw the spring in. Never seen any reason to put the spring in before the shock is out either. Trying to work around the shock to put the spring in is a little bit of a PITA. Maybe if you are swapping to heavier or lighter springs of the same basic height and keeping the shocks that you have?
Bigger springs, like the Dobinson 6 inchers don't slip in as easily. But if you are installing those without other mods that will call for the disconnecting of various links and lines anyway... ya be wrong.
Of course I too am spoiled by having a floor hoist and matching 6 foot tranny jack, air and all the usual "shop stuff". Guys doing their own rig at home are always gonna have it a little different. I DO remember what it was like working on my back in the driveway back in the day though. I don't have the motivation for that any more.
I use a strut compressor (for struts) in the shop that is a larger unit that stands in the corner. Some day I will bolt it to the floor properly. MUCH less sketchy than those threaded clamp style ones. I have watched (cheap) threaded clamps like those eat themselves up as they were tightened and have watched them deform and bend. Scary. Won't use them.
But some folks might just be better at it than me. Or more motivated. Or braver
Mark...
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