OME 861/862 install and impressions

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Hey kernel, good question. Should have expounded from the start. First off, I've been battling recurrent loose wheel bearings for the last couple of years and constant vibrations and growling noises at speed. I finally got around to ordering new spindle nuts and lock washers a couple of weeks ago (bearings were already pretty new) and got it all snug again. A day later I took a 300 mi trip down to nc and found the vibes were mostly gone but the "grrr" was still there, so I figured it was either ujoints, drive shafts, or my very worn stock michelins (stock sized, ltx). Did a fair amount of highway driving today after the tire install and noticed less vibes (still not completely gone), less road noise, no more growling on deceleration and that the tires were much smoother overall. Not surprising since the old ones were so worn and the more worn pair were on the front axle. I'm driving from dc to Alabama next week so I'll get an even better impression, but so far so good.
 
Also, I should mention when I dug into the axle a couple of weeks ago I finally saw how the shop who had replaced the bearings and repeatedly retightened them preferred to work. Everything had been mangled with a hammer and chisel. Not the best method to set preload. I know this has nothing to do with the original thread but at least it's "tech". You can also get a feel for how badly I tell stories. Most end in the desperation "and then I found $20"
 
Good thing you looked at your bearings. I had a bad experience at the local stealership when I first bought the 80. If they can't even get that right...? They wanted to charge me for more work, rather than treat it as warranty work for whoever F-ed it up. I know the difference. More in a moment on that.

Needless to say, I do this myself now. And they don't get any business I can't take care of with Toyota with good folks behind the desk, like some of our sponsors and fellow list members.

Am I overreacting? I do not think so. Here's why.

I used to work helping manage a heavy truck fleet garage, mainly parts and day-to-day gopher, but also processed all work orders and kept the files.

When you lose a tire along the road, the first thing that happens is boss wants to see the file -- and who worked on it last...

You see, the state doesn't care who worked on it really, just that it came off and ended up -- hopefully -- only out in a cornfield.:doh:

Never lost a steer tire, though, thank goodness. But half the tires on an 80 are steer tires. Just saying. If someone could get killed, it pays to pay attention -- and not let folks work on your stuff who are grossly incompetent.

Now for those stock Michelin LTXs, there was a well-worn set on ours when purchased. I was a skeptic, saving the bucks to get some good tires [see sig line] on the truck ASAP. In between, we had a short trip to Canada and spent a LOT of time on the LTX in the snow. All on highway, but I was pretty impressed with how they handled the precip.

Not that I have anything against Michelins. They were the go to tire at our shop, well proven. Just nothing much on their plate in the States off-road wise. Now if they would just release some XMLs in a nice little 33"...
 
Greentruck, I'm a firm believer now of DIY at any cost. Totally agree with you. I already did all of my own maintenance. Unfortunately a couple years ago i had to succumb to the fact that it was a Sunday early afternoon and I didn't have the needed tools to tackle toasted wheel bearings (54mm socket) and needed the truck to get to work within 18 hours. Enter Midas (spit). Turns out they didn't have the necessary tools either. A lot of people preach preventative maintenance, I would take it a step further and advocate preventative tool buying. Could save a lot of money down the line.
 
djsolution said:
Greentruck,
SNIP
...preventative tool buying. Could save a lot of money down the line.
Click to expand...

Darn tooting!

Xmas is coming!:)
[need to leave list where Santa will find it]
 
Your 80 looks great! I run the OME stock height kit too and love it. I never had the caster checked, but probably will when I get new tires (285's) in the spring. My 80 was also the victim of a hammer and chisel on the front axle nuts. It wasn't pretty. Good luck with your 80!
 
Thanks man! Its such a shame so many shops would just hack a customer's vehicle like that. Hope you like the 285s. I went back and forth for months between 265s and 285s. I think I'll be happy but you never know.
 
djsolution said:
Greentruck, I'm a firm believer now of DIY at any cost. Totally agree with you. I already did all of my own maintenance. Unfortunately a couple years ago i had to succumb to the fact that it was a Sunday early afternoon and I didn't have the needed tools to tackle toasted wheel bearings (54mm socket) and needed the truck to get to work within 18 hours. Enter Midas (spit). Turns out they didn't have the necessary tools either. A lot of people preach preventative maintenance, I would take it a step further and advocate preventative tool buying. Could save a lot of money down the line.
Click to expand...

The way I figure it, you do the job yourself and you KNOW it's done right - if you need to buy a tool to do the job, it's cheaper than a garage's bill and now you have that tool in your own garage. Win win!
 
Crashdix said:
The way I figure it, you do the job yourself and you KNOW it's done right - if you need to buy a tool to do the job, it's cheaper than a garage's bill and now you have that tool in your own garage. Win win!
Click to expand...

That's how I've always justified it to the wife! Damn sound logic as far as I'm concerned.
 
Sounds like you have done what I am accumulating parts for. My '94 is stock with no additional weight front or back. I am going boat shopping when all this suspension PMing is done so will be doing some towing. Will be a light weight flats boat (poling skiff) ... nothing too heavy.

My current plan
  • 761/762 coils to replace original OEM (189k) should've been shipped from Slee today.
  • I am going with OEM shocks (not yet ordered)
  • I am looking at Cooper Discoverer AT/3 to replace my Mich LTXs that are good on tread but are dry rotting.
  • Also thinking about bags for the rear since they are relatively cheap and will be easy to do with the springs.

Questions:
  • Which shocks are you running?
  • Cooper Discoverer AT/3s: Did you get P or LT and if LT (C or E)? I'm thinking LT C due to towing but my tow weights won't be that high and I'm worried about harshness so wondering if the Ps will work (and are cheaper).
  • What is the function of the spacers? Level the front? ... or do you have them all around? Geez ... yet another thing for me to research ...
 
Ghbyram, sounds like you have a good plan. I have the P rated Coopers and already regret not getting the C ply tires. If you plan on towing at all I would go with the Cs. I can't imagine the harshness would be much worse. Great tires so far though! I have newish OEM Tokico shocks. So far so good. Once I put the arb front bumper on I'll probably upgrade to OME shocks though based on other recommendations here. As far as the spacers, I went with 10mm all around. I just wanted a little more lift and may bump up to larger ones in the front with the ARB. Sits perfectly level right now.
 
I have the same setup....heavies up front/med in back and N70/N71 with ARB stabilizer and no issues....love it! Just added 33" BFG's AT and incredible ride. Very smooth, tight. ARB engineer said the N series shocks would be felt on bumps and he is right but not uncomfortable.....imagine a BMW 5 series sedan as big as your 80...if that doesn't scare you then you will dig this setup.
 
Thanks for the confirmation. What ride characteristics have you regretting the P tires? I really can't wait to get all this done. It really rides like hammered dod crap now. I dont plan on adding weight to the 80 and offloading for me will be mostly beach driving. Not looking for showroom floor stock cushy obviously but don't want too harsh after all the $$$ and sweat. Some of these crap Houston roads are harsh enough. A 5 series ride sounds fantastic!
 
I have been running 861/862 with bilsteins for 8 years and love the combination. For the first time ever, I wore out a set of bilsteins after 105k and had to replace them. With the new ones, the truck feels great again.
 
I just installed the 861/862 springs, along with stock Tokico shocks last weekend. I have a custom ~80 lb front bumper and a custom rear bumper being installed this weekend. The springs ended up lifting it 1.5" all around. The ride is slightly firmer than stock, but by no means harsh, even with 285 Terra Grapplers. The progressive nature of the OME's probably helps in this regard. For me, this is a great combination.
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I too just installed the OME 861/862 springs, along with the OME Nitro Charger Sport shocks yesterday. I am planning on adding a TJM T17 front bumper this full when funds are a little more plentiful. The setup ended up lifting it 1-1.5" all around, but I was also working with OEM springs that had over 265K on them and Bilsteins that were upwards of 85K. The ride is noticeably firmer than stock, but in no way harsh and SO much nicer to drive. This is a great improvement and my wife and newborn are very appreciative of that as well.
 
Got mine installed over the weekend 861/862 + OEM shocks + Air Lift 1000 on the rear.

Really pretty easy but took me all day on Saturday. I did it 99% by myself with the bare minimum of lift/support tools in a cluttered unorganized garage. I had only one bottle jack and 2 21" 4 ton stands. I couldn't get the rig up anywhere near high enough to use all of the jack stand extension but it was enough. The rear seemed to need more height than the front -- my bottle jack had to be positioned adjacent to the pumpkin in order for me to get enough drop to unseat the springs -- even then, I needed my daughters boyfriend to push down on the axle on one side to get the new springs in (this was the only help I needed).

Jacking the damn thing up and down to reposition gets very old. My lottery house will have a garage/shop with a lift in it.

I took baseline measurements but have yet to take after measurements and pics. It is definitely a prouder stance relative to the slouch stance before. Driving behavior much improved:
  • No roll in corners
  • No diving when breaking
  • No squating on acceleration

By my eye, it is stink-bugging a bit more than I'd like but, even still, I like the new proud stance much better. The nice thing about the bags is I can put spacers up front to level and use the bags to keep it level under load.

I'll take measurements and pics tonight.

Still debating P vs. LT tires. Not sure I want any additional stiffness and I think the Ps are probably within ratings for any loads that I'll carry/tow.
 
If you plan on trying to level things out with spacers after you're already done installing new coils, let it settle for a few weeks before you decide. The new coils will settle, maybe enough to put it like you want it, maybe not, but it'll give you more certain results in terms of getting things where you want them.
 
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