OME and my '77 (1 Viewer)

[Helipilot]

Background: 1977 California and Arizona FJ40, No rust or body damage ever. Total restoration including a frame off refinishing to factory colors. Installed the OME lift with springs and shocks. Totally restored with original parts and rebuilt engine, trans, transfer,pumpkins, new clutch and pressure plate, disc brakes and interior. Beautiful rig kept in a climate controlled shop.

Problem is it rides terrible. I'm a combat vet with several wounds and injuries that has made it difficult to ride in a rough truck. Sun was shining today, dry roads and I took it for a spin, grandkids to school and later picked them up but while at the local dealer a gentleman offered me $68,000. Having owned three other 40's that rode very well I thought I would ask you folks if I took off the OME and went back to original suspension would that smooth out the ride? I really don't want to sell it as I don't want to build another truck but I can't take the rough ride. Total mileage since rebuild is less than 200 miles in the past three years. What are your thoughts?

 

[GA Architect]

FWIW: I just installed the Bilstein 33-062518 & 33-185606 units on my '77. This was a recommendation from this thread < click here >. It is a much more supple drive now that I've done this....I should have done this sooner!

 

[JohnnyC]

The OME will be stiff for quite some time … it will wear in … the shocks that come with it are contributing to a stiffer ride as well

You could take a few leaves out to soften the ride until it starts to wear in

Search on mud about which leaves to remove

This link has some info:

OME Leaf Removal

I purchased a used OME system from one of my buddies in my fj62. The install went fine but the ride is not what I expected. It seems really stiff in the rear (really bouncy).....I was hoping for a nice smooth ride. I called man a fre and the tech guy suggested that I remove a couple of leafs...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[zerotreedelta]

I'm guessing a few more miles will help, but it does depend in what flavor of OME was installed. I did their 2" lift in the light load variant, and it rides pretty well after a thousand miles or so (at least for a short wheelbase... realistically it's not all that different than my 2015 JK).

Tires can make a marked difference too...stiff sidewalls will add a lot of harshness. What sort of shoes are you running?

 

[fireflyr]

4” OME on my truck too with OME gas shocks. Was unbelievably rough riding to the point of pulling a leaf from each stack. I hated the suspension.
I recently switched over to Bilsteins and the ride is 100% better.
Don’t sell your truck, change the shocks.

 

[JaxFJ]

I just bought mine OME springs but the guy at BTBProducts recommended those same Bilsteins in the above comments for a better ride. I would go that route. Yet a 68K sounds like a great offer as well as $$$ talks LOL. Try the first fix and see how it goes....

 

[cruisermatt]

to answer your original question, stock springs (if they are in good shape and not rusted) will generally be softer then a lift spring.
Bilstein 5125 shocks will go a long way.

Also, what tires do you have? A softer tire can make a nice difference as well.
I have a 1971 with stock springs, Bilstiens and 29” Super swamper TSL Bias plys and it’s such a good driver around town. The tires are so soft they’re like a 2nd suspension

 

[B y r o n]

Another thing to look at is tire pressure. If it is not loaded down then running at max pressure is not required. Running a lower tire pressure will smooth out the ride and it doesn't cost anything to try.

 

[igotta40]

My first thought- where’s the pictures?

 

[Ocho77]

Have this lift on my 78 and it rides amazing, in fact better than my wife's 62 on OME suspension. I daily drive it and have put about 1k miles per month on it over the past few months.

2.5 Ultimate Lift Kit with Bilstein Shocks FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser

Fits 1963 to 1984 FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser. The ultimate FJ40 Lift Kit is the Red Line Land Cruisers 2.5 Ultimate Lift Kit with Bilstein Shocks!

redlinelandcruisers.com

 

[FJ40TX]

I have a 78 40 that I’m building for my wife and looking at installing the ome 2.5 suspension kit with 33” tires. My fear how high the step will be, as she is 5’2”. Can anyone tell me with this setup what is the hight to the top of the step?

Thanks

 

[zerotreedelta]

I have a 78 40 that I’m building for my wife and looking at installing the ome 2.5 suspension kit with 33” tires. My fear how high the step will be, as she is 5’2”. Can anyone tell me with this setup what is the hight to the top of the step?

Thanks

32s (255s) on that setup gives me 22.5" to the top of the running board, running the hardtop...so I'd figure 23" on 33s.

 

[FJ40TX]

32s (255s) on that setup gives me 22.5" to the top of the running board, running the hardtop...so I'd figure 23" on 33s.

Thank you.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Milk crake with a paracord string. Toss in back after she is in. Open door lower crate to the ground, get out sep down - pick up crate and set it on the seat/floor - lock door.

 

[jim land]

X2 for pics of this 40
My OME are 20yrs old and give a smooth ride

 

[Fjtdi]

You could also look into the parabolic springs terrain tamer has. If I wasn't SOA, I would be all over those. I've heard from at least two people( through extensive research) that they're nearly as comfortable as a coil sprung suspension.

 

[jim land]

This ^^

 

[tls3601]

Background: 1977 California and Arizona FJ40, No rust or body damage ever. Total restoration including a frame off refinishing to factory colors. Installed the OME lift with springs and shocks. Totally restored with original parts and rebuilt engine, trans, transfer,pumpkins, new clutch and pressure plate, disc brakes and interior. Beautiful rig kept in a climate controlled shop.

Problem is it rides terrible. I'm a combat vet with several wounds and injuries that has made it difficult to ride in a rough truck. Sun was shining today, dry roads and I took it for a spin, grandkids to school and later picked them up but while at the local dealer a gentleman offered me $68,000. Having owned three other 40's that rode very well I thought I would ask you folks if I took off the OME and went back to original suspension would that smooth out the ride? I really don't want to sell it as I don't want to build another truck but I can't take the rough ride. Total mileage since rebuild is less than 200 miles in the past three years. What are your thoughts?

I am curious if you went with the light or heavy spring kit? What do folks think of the two options?

 

[77mustard40]

I am curious if you went with the light or heavy spring kit? What do folks think of the two options?

If you are buying for yourself go light unless you know the truck is built up and heavy. Same amount of work to add a leaf or remove one, so I’d start light. Personally I ditched OME’s for Skyjackers and have a more comfortable and flexible suspension.

 

[Helipilot]

I am curious if you went with the light or heavy spring kit? What do folks think of the two options?

Hello, I went with the heavy kit but should have got the light in retrospect. Not planning to change it out right away. This is my forever 40 because I just don't have the time to redo it. I have the Warn 8274 winch I picked up from a fellow 40 owner that I plan to rebuild following Flintnappers rebuild series and I added the swing out rear bumper with tire carrier and medium basket.. Hopefully the extra weight will calm down the ride.
Thanks for the message.
Roger