Is the ome 863 rear spring the same as slee's SOF2RH.? I am trying to build my own 2.5" kit by buying used stuff. Any help would be appreciated. I will have bumpers front and rear and tow an m116 trailer loaded.
Ome 863
- Thread starter Cowboy59
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They slee heavy springs are 1" shorter than the OME 863 springs but have the same spring rate. Depending on the tongue weight you may also want to add some air bags.
- Thread starter
- #3
So if they are 1" longer with same spring rate that will put me at 3.5" of lift in the rear instead of 2.5"? And the will compress at the same rate under load?
Yes, make your choice depending on the load you will be putting in the back as well as where you want to adjust the t-bars.
- Thread starter
- #5
So if I only pull the trailer on trips and use my LX as a DD I might want to go with a medium load since it will not be under constant heavy load as the 863's state as their purpose? Also on arb's website it state the 863 is for 2000 and up. I have a 98, does anyone know if they will work? Anyone have a photo of the ome lift using 863 rear springs?
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- #6
And thanks for all the advise so far shaggy
863s will work on everything even 80 series trucks I believe. I would still go with a heavy lift though or a medium lift with air bags. Definitely heavies with a rear bumper. I ran the slee heavies for 1.5 years without a bumper and was fine. Its all relative though. In order to get the proper amount of rake on the vehicle you will have to overload the 863s due to the limitations on the front end. That is why slee developed the 1" shorter version. If you always have a lot of crap in the back of your truck and a rear bumper go 863. if not, go slee. You can also give the guys at slee a call. They are very helpful and knowledgeable. Let them know what you want to do and they will point you in the right direction.
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
Good advice...863's unloaded with no bumper will not be pleasant for a DD...
I put together a OME spring comparison chart but dont have the tech info on the SLEE.
http://tlcfaq.com/main/2012/09/common-ome-rear-spring-replacement-specs/
http://tlcfaq.com/main/2012/09/common-ome-rear-spring-replacement-specs/
I would say it really depends on your build.
Ride quality is very subjective and you will get alot of differing opinions. I ran a 2.5" lift for years with one 860's in the rear and loved the ride until I loaded down the back. It would then sag about an inch. But ride quality was really nice. Air bags could have been an easy solution to that.
I have since rebuilt the entire underside. I now run 863's and have a rear bumper and fridge most of the time. I also have Radflo shocks now. I can tell a big difference between a full tank of gas and an empty tank. The 863's are really stiff to me.
I would suggest a stiff spring like the 863 or slee only if you have a rear bumper and will tow a lot. If no rear bumper for a while, and only towing every now and then... then look at a a softer spring and air bags....
Ride quality is very subjective and you will get alot of differing opinions. I ran a 2.5" lift for years with one 860's in the rear and loved the ride until I loaded down the back. It would then sag about an inch. But ride quality was really nice. Air bags could have been an easy solution to that.
I have since rebuilt the entire underside. I now run 863's and have a rear bumper and fridge most of the time. I also have Radflo shocks now. I can tell a big difference between a full tank of gas and an empty tank. The 863's are really stiff to me.
I would suggest a stiff spring like the 863 or slee only if you have a rear bumper and will tow a lot. If no rear bumper for a while, and only towing every now and then... then look at a a softer spring and air bags....
i'll post my photos later today when i get my tires on my truck. i have the OME 863's and have had them on for over a year. i found it stiff before i put my rear bumper on, and run with drawers full of tools/camping gear (perhaps 100 pounds of gear), plus sub. The rear tire carrier has a larger than stock tire as well, but we aren't talking major weight. roof rack typically with awning, so probably constant load with everything above stock is about 300 or so pounds. i tow a fishing boat usually every weekend in the summer and it settles more. with or without the boat it is a bit stiffer than i would prefer, but i am putting 2 dogs, wife, kid, more camping gear, eventually a rooftop tent, 10 gallons of extra fuel when camping, coolbox etc. so i guess its a matter of weighing what negatives you want to live with to make the positives you're intending to get. i think if i were to do it again, i'd get the slee heavy's for comfort, but its nice having a touch more lift for clearing rock ledges and not dragging the back end.
- Thread starter
- #14
Thanks For the pics Jordan. I like the stance but my go with the slee heavies since you are running about the same setup I would be minus the trailer. What size tires are those?
cboyd
GOLD Star
This thread is timely as I am in this decision process now.
Jordan - with those set of pictures, do you have the torsion bars cranked at all?
I am planning to tow an expo trailer, which bumper do you use for towing?
Jordan - with those set of pictures, do you have the torsion bars cranked at all?
I am planning to tow an expo trailer, which bumper do you use for towing?
I have he bump it offroad rear bumper. I really think its a great bumper, however has to concerns. The first is related to the actual pin which seizes easily, especially in the winter with salt. The second is that I did not get the powder coating by BIOR - I had some local business do it. Never working with them they did too poor of coverage and nooks and crannies rusting after 3 months.
Sorry to be off topic- I think the stance of the shorter rear springs from slee looks better, but I do like the slight added advantage of the height for coming off ledges. I don't find the ride too stiff and will be increasing weight with on board water and it should settle it down slightly more.
I have the ome kit on, so I had to put new torsion bars in which had to be cranked. I kept my ratio between front and rear close to standard. I have been moving the height slightly up and down figuring out where I want it. Just waiting for wheel spacers this week before settling on a height. I am talking a matter of an inch from ideal (ideal being what everyone seems to settle on for proper droop). The tires on the cruiser are 285 75 16 toyo open country m/t. I really struggled with going to 315's but I have 4-5000 left to spend on changes before I change tires to larger.
Sorry to be off topic- I think the stance of the shorter rear springs from slee looks better, but I do like the slight added advantage of the height for coming off ledges. I don't find the ride too stiff and will be increasing weight with on board water and it should settle it down slightly more.
I have the ome kit on, so I had to put new torsion bars in which had to be cranked. I kept my ratio between front and rear close to standard. I have been moving the height slightly up and down figuring out where I want it. Just waiting for wheel spacers this week before settling on a height. I am talking a matter of an inch from ideal (ideal being what everyone seems to settle on for proper droop). The tires on the cruiser are 285 75 16 toyo open country m/t. I really struggled with going to 315's but I have 4-5000 left to spend on changes before I change tires to larger.
I had Slee Off-road do the OME 2" lift with Slee diff drop. I have Slee step rock sliders. I run light, no after market bumpers, no third row seats installed, no junk in the back. I love the way it feels and rides, not to stiff. Driven cross country very comfortable. My LX470 sits level, no butt in the air look. Very happy.
If you want to soften the ride on these lifted trucks look at running longer sway bar links. This has proven to be a great suspension mod.
Rob, how does increasing the length of the sway bar links soften the ride on these lifted trucks? I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the change in the angle of the link relative the the plane of the sway bar vs. spring rate and shock compression/rebound valving. Thanks.
