OME 861/862 Before & After Photos!

[2 E L O]

When doing my research before buying the OME 861/862 springs there were a lot of people inquiring about before/after photos but there was not very many of them out there.

Well, here's a before/after photo!

Top: Original springs and shocks with 160k miles
Bottom: OME 861/862 springs and Bilstein 4600 shocks (24-014779 front, 24-014786 rear)

The install went pretty smoothly...it took about six hours total working at a slow pace by myself with the handing me tools and helping put weight on the axles when necessary. I didn't have to disconnect the sway bars, but I did have to disconnect the breather tubes front and rear, and I also had to disconnect the e-brake cable support ring that mounts to the frame crossmember in the rear.

The front shocks were kind of a pain, especially the driver's side. I would definitely recommend getting ratcheting wrenches before this job. I don't have any, but I will definitely be buying some.

The ride difference is significant. With the original shocks/springs the truck felt like a boat. Cornering was treacherous, especially if the road was bumpy. The rear bounced and skipped around and body roll was significant. With the new setup the ride is MUCH stiffer--but much more enjoyable. I'm used to driving a truck that feels like a truck, not driving a truck that feels like a boat. The new setup definitely met my wants/needs/expectations.

 

[angerhater]

I am not seeing the pic

 

[ShaneD]

Thanks for posting the pics. I have the same color LX and I am planning to do the same setup when funds allow. Did you take any before and after measurements? Is it sitting pretty level with these springs?

 

[bamachem]

I see them fine.

What is that in the background? late 60's Camaro maybe?

 

[adventr]

What is that in the background? late 60's Camaro maybe?

Judging by the banner on the wall, I doubt it's a camaro.


I'm going to vote fastback...

 

[2 E L O]

The pic should show up fine...it's on my Photobucket account...

It does sit level very level now but I don't have any heavy equipment or anything. I have about 30-40 lbs of tools/fluids in a plastic trunk just behind the second row seats but that's about it--stock bumpers front and rear. The third row seats are removed. It had a little rake with the original setup but it's almost perfectly level now. I think the rear is about 1/2" higher. I forgot to take before measurements....

[Hijacking my own thread....]
The other ride is my '69 Mustang that I restored a few years back. She fills my 'need for speed' since the LX is so damn slow...

351 Windsor, TFTW aluminum heads, 1.6:1 roller rockers, custom-built Holley 750 cfm carb, big cam, MSD ignition, C4 auto, 3000 rpm stall, Currie 9" rear-end, etc.

[End hijack....]

 

[bamachem]

Judging by the banner on the wall, I doubt it's a camaro.


I'm going to vote fastback...

LOL... I guess I left off the smiley face again.

 

[bamachem]

FYI, I have the same springs on my LX. The PO installed them a few years ago. Here's the only pic I have of it right now - and I had to use photoshop to give a little fill flash - but you can see what the 861/862s look like with stock street tires after settling.

 

[2 E L O]

Yeah, I'm curious as to how much this setup will settle. The "after" picture was taken 3 days after installation... I'll have to do another comparison in a month or so...

 

[therealg]

Looks good, Can you tell me about how much lift that gave you? I am still going back and forth on which springs to order come the beginning of the year. Love the Ninja in the first pic, i have an '06, gotta save gas somehow

 

[kbahus]

My front springs settled too much for my taste and I ended up with 2" front springs to level it back out.

 

[2 E L O]

Looks good, Can you tell me about how much lift that gave you? I am still going back and forth on which springs to order come the beginning of the year. Love the Ninja in the first pic, i have an '06, gotta save gas somehow

The front was about a 2" lift...the rear was about 1.5" or so. I don't have exact 'before' measurements, though.

My front springs settled too much for my taste and I ended up with 2" front springs to level it back out.

Do you have any armor? Skid plates, sliders, bumper(s), etc.?

 

[cary]

The ride difference is significant. With the original shocks/springs the truck felt like a boat. Cornering was treacherous, especially if the road was bumpy. The rear bounced and skipped around and body roll was significant. With the new setup the ride is MUCH stiffer--but much more enjoyable. I'm used to driving a truck that feels like a truck, not driving a truck that feels like a boat. The new setup definitely met my wants/needs/expectations.

The ride will improve some. Bilsteins tend to need a 1000 or so miles to break in, during which time the harshness goes away.

 

[The Bumble]

Looks great! I put the OME stock height kit (w/OME shocks and steering stabilizer) on my 80 back in June. I didn't take any before and after measurements, but probably gained about an inch at each corner (maybe more in the back). I'm really happy with how the truck rides now. Like you said, it's not like driving a boat anymore. Here's a pic post lift.

 

[tpham32]

Judging by the banner on the wall, I doubt it's a camaro.


I'm going to vote fastback...

Agreed! The man has a ford poster hanging above it. Chevy was the first thing I ruled out.