Old Man Emu Lift

[wandersee]

Me and my buddy just put the 2 1/2 Old Man Emu Springs, Shocks and Shackles on my 66 FJ40, but the rear is way higher than the front. Like 3 inches. The long spring is facing the rear on the rear and the long end is facing forward on the front. We don't know why the rear is higher and the tires seem too far forward. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[SD_rdcruzer]

Got a picture?

 

[wandersee]

Sure. Here are a few shots of the lift and shackles.

 

[Rocky_LC]

Looks Good. Put your hardtop on and let the rear's break in. Put more weight in the back.

Got any fat girlfriends? (or boyfriends, NTTIAWWT)

Nice truck, by the way.

Rocky

 

[Gusb]

Me and my buddy just put the 2 1/2 Old Man Emu Springs, Shocks and Shackles on my 66 FJ40, but the rear is way higher than the front. Like 3 inches. The long spring is facing the rear on the rear and the long end is facing forward on the front. We don't know why the rear is higher and the tires seem too far forward. Any ideas or suggestions?

I'm just curious about what kind of instructional info came with the OME kit? Do you just get a skid full of stuff and no directions for how things should go together and measure out. I've been looking at a bunch of these posts on OME and it's surprising to me there's not more definitive info on installing these big $ suspension set-ups on FJ40s.

And then I read on Mark's Off Road web site that he thinks all lifts are more or less good and OME is just marketing. I plan on buying OME (probably from Kurt/Cruiser Outfitters) but lately it seems like there are a lot of problems, solutions like "throw some weight on it" and no data on what should be what

Does your back tire/axle look like it's too far forward or is that just the photo?

 

[John McVicker]

Looks Good. Put your hardtop on and let the rear's break in. Put more weight in the back.

Got any fat girlfriends? (or boyfriends, NTTIAWWT)

Nice truck, by the way.

Rocky

Agreed. Except for the winch you don't have any weight...doors, top, seats, spare, etc. And smallish tires.

John

 

[wandersee]

Yes, very frustrating that it came with no instructional material at all. Even though this is my first lift but my pal has lifted two of his FJ's we feel everything is correct. Hard to mess it up. But I am worried about the rear wheel position.

The other odd thing is my drive shaft is about 1/4 inch too long? That make no sense.

Anyway, this seems like a great site for FJ40 enthusiasts. Hopefully it's ok and I'll be as happy as I hope! Truck is for my 15 year old so I want it safe.

 

[psreno]

I've noticed several shackles mounted the way yours are.

I always thought that was backward.

The middle pin is to restrict the springs from flattening out. It stops the rear movement by hitting the frame.

Am I mistaken?

Also, are you going to be able to drive out of your garage with the top on? I cannot in mine

 

[Slickdog]

I am no real expert but it looks to me as though the springs are the wrong way round as the wheels look too close to the front of the arch, and if your Prop is now too long that, as sherlock would say, are two good clues!

It's not too hard a task to try them on the other way round is it?

 

[Bad Mojo]

Did you also get heavy springs or normal? The heavy will push it up some and make the ride stiffer until you drop some weight on it. For example, the winch you have is more weight is pushing down on the front set. When I ordered they said if I planned on a winch I would want heavies to keep my lift and ride quality. A hardtop will help some for sure to level it out.

Good luck with it.

For reference here is my FJ40 with OME 2.5 Heavies.

Day it was put on.

With 33"

 

[camcruiser13]

throw a few hundred pounds (like 500 or more) and flex the crap outta that thing, the shackles are on right, just break them in

 

[jonah]

if you have aany questions you can call arb in renton wa at
425 264 1391 and ask em wtf.
and i want to paint my fj40 the same as yours i love it
if you dont mind what is the paint?

 

[1911]

I've noticed several shackles mounted the way yours are.

I always thought that was backward.

The middle pin is to restrict the springs from flattening out. It stops the rear movement by hitting the frame.

Am I mistaken?

The shackles in the photos are installed correctly; the middle pin is on the inside to keep the springs from inverting and getting stuck against the frame.

 

[bsevans]

I've noticed several shackles mounted the way yours are.

I always thought that was backward.

The middle pin is to restrict the springs from flattening out. It stops the rear movement by hitting the frame.

Am I mistaken?

Yes you are mistaken

The middle pin is to keep the spring eye from wrapping towards the axle. When that happens, it can lead to leaf fracture which is not a good thing. The middle pin always faces the axle and the shackles in the photo have the right orientation. The short side of the middle pin should always be on the top side of the shackle.

This what happens when a spring leaf becomes inverted

 

[fj4play]

Looks Good. Put your hardtop on and let the rear's break in. Put more weight in the back.

Got any fat girlfriends? (or boyfriends, NTTIAWWT)

Nice truck, by the way.

Rocky

when i did my add,s i put every ice chest we owned in the back and filled them with water and let it set for a couple off weeks so they would settle

 

[bsevans]

I've got the OME lift with the extra leaf at all 4 corners and the heavy shocks. My 40 did not have the elevated rear compared to the front with the ARB shackles. However, the ARB shackles that came with my kit were the old style. The ARB rear shackles are longer than the front which contributes to the rear axle being taller. When I replaced the ARB shackles with 4+Plus GSK Super Heavy Duty Greasable Anti-Inversion Shackles, I used the same 3/4" over at all 4 corners. It is not uncommon for new springs to sit taller than they do when you get mileage on them. I would put 4 to 6 bags of cement in the rear and run it like that for while. After you put in the additional weight, measure the rear fender or bumper height and measure 1 or 2 times a month to confirm that the springs are settling down.

 

[77mustard40]

I've been a couple of weeks with this lift and I have loaded the back with 4 bags of quickrete at 80lbs ea. I've parked it with one rear wheel up on blocks or the curb at a time to articulate the rear end and I'm making progress. It's starting to settle down and the ride is improving.

 

[Wayneraintree]

I put the medium OME 2.5" lift on my 74' about a year ago, settled nicely and is generally good at all the tasks I have for it. You will like the ride, predictable and stable.

 

[rockcrawler]

I've got the OME lift with the extra leaf at all 4 corners and the heavy shocks. My 40 did not have the elevated rear compared to the front with the ARB shackles. However, the ARB shackles that came with my kit were the old style. The ARB rear shackles are longer than the front which contributes to the rear axle being taller. When I replaced the ARB shackles with 4+Plus GSK Super Heavy Duty Greasable Anti-Inversion Shackles, I used the same 3/4" over at all 4 corners. It is not uncommon for new springs to sit taller than they do when you get mileage on them. I would put 4 to 6 bags of cement in the rear and run it like that for while. After you put in the additional weight, measure the rear fender or bumper height and measure 1 or 2 times a month to confirm that the springs are settling down.

What's the ride like with the OME heavies?
Nice truck by the way

 

[bsevans]

What's the ride like with the OME heavies?
Nice truck by the way

Given all the extra weight I carry front and rear it is superior to the factory springs. I would like to see what the impact of removing the extra leafs has on ride height and how much it changes the handling characteristics.