OME, Bilstein or stock??

[kixtand]

...they transform the ride of the 100 IFS cruiser/lexus for on and off road, loaded or unloaded, with the velocity controlled valving we use for our own shocks.

What about the stock Bilsteins on the 80?

 

[cary]

I am currently running stock.
Just added OME 2.5" springs.
Keeping the monroe stock shocks.
This is the way I understand it.
Better over all ride go to new springs.
Softer shock - OEM
firmer shock - OME
Firmest shock - Bilsteins.
Pick your poison.
If you bouncing then just replace the shocks OEM.
If you have a heavier load, springs and shocks.

Bilsteins are not firmer unless OME has gone to a modern digressive valved shock in the past few years. Last I checked it was a simple single port linear rate shock.

 

[cary]

by low lift springs, what do you mean, 2.5 in OME med? with bilsteins B46-1477/78? or a different model?

The 861/862 <1" lift. Remember cruiser is both underdampened and undersprung, so upgrading both shocks and springs is the best alternative.

 

[dclee]

The quality issue w/ OME seems to be a recurring theme. Bilsteins, however, are consistently regarded as very high quality and durable. That fact alone may make the decision to go w/ Bilsteins for me.

It's funny, I used to be heavy into an online Southern African LC group. Those guys pounded their trucks all over the Kalahari and throughout southern Africa, and had nothing but problems with OME. Instead they turned to... Rancho! Rancho? Yeah, scary, huh? But they seemed to have better luck with the RS9000s as compared to OME. Not sure if that's a dig at OME, or the thought processes of a Southern African...

Anyway, bottom line, pretty much as a group they did NOT like OME.

 

[kixtand]

The 861/862 <1" lift. Remember cruiser is both underdampened and undersprung, so upgrading both shocks and springs is the best alternative.

I agree w/ you on this, as I have eluded to above, but I am wanting to try it w/ just a shock upgrade first, which is really what drove me to start the thread.

Ultimately I have a sneaking suspicion that it will probably come down to replacing both, but I want to explore saving the money and hassle first--and I know I need shocks--but at the same time I don't want to shoot myself in the foot if/when I need to add the OME springs. I was already leaning towards the Bilsteins before I started this today and so far it seems like they should work well regardless of the spring replacement.

Thanks again all--

kix

 

[speyrod]

im putting on some bilsteins this weekend also, 10 inch travel with man-a-fre's stud to eye adapters. will report with my findings

So what is the application for the Billys? front and rear?

 

[PabloVTA]

I still have stock springs with 192K on 'em, but I put in Bistiens about 20 K ago and they are sweet. When I pulled out the stock shocks from the rear, they never even expanded on the floor while I was putting the new ones in. So for the first month or so I had lots of swaying, but now, not so much. I think the spring was just getting used to working again. The fronts keep my new revo's from wearing off the edges like the old Michelins and old shocks did so fast.

I got the shocks off the internet for 70 a piece.

 

[fzj80kidpen]

Cary,
Thank you clearing up a misconception on Bilsteins I seem to have picked up reading all these threads. It sounds like to are impressed with the Bilstein valve setup. What do you know about the difference between OME and Monroe shocks? They seem the same to me.

 

[Arsenal]

i believe the part number is be5-a464-h5 25.93 ext. 15.11 col. 10.82 in. travel . got 4 for like 280 shipped. i am installing them saturday with the man-a-fre 5/8" eye adapters.

 

[Darwood]

i believe the part number is be5-a464-h5 25.93 ext. 15.11 col. 10.82 in. travel . got 4 for like 280 shipped. i am installing them saturday with the man-a-fre 5/8" eye adapters.

I'm interested to know how this goes. According to the Bilstein sight these shocks have 170/60 valving. I would have thought to go for the BE5-6248-H5 which has a valving of 255/70. Of course I want a firmer ride than I currently have, especially with the compression dampening.

 

[cary]

Cary,
Thank you clearing up a misconception on Bilsteins I seem to have picked up reading all these threads. It sounds like to are impressed with the Bilstein valve setup. What do you know about the difference between OME and Monroe shocks? They seem the same to me.

I don't know what the differences are between the OME and Monroe, but my understanding is that OME is using the old linear dampining system which requires either a floaty ride for comfort or a stiff ride for handling.

As far as the PN numbers that people are posting, they are different than the OEM replacement Bilstein (PN B46-1477 & B46-1478), so you are on your own about how they work if you go for the non OEM replacement. The only change I would make to the valving of the OEM replacement bilsteins would be to add a bit more dampining to the rebound side of the rear shocks. That said, I tend to like a slightly overdampened rear shock.

 

[Darwood]

The only change I would make to the valving of the OEM replacement bilsteins would be to add a bit more dampining to the rebound side of the rear shocks. That said, I tend to like a slightly overdampened rear shock.

You wouldn't happen to know what Bilstein rates those shocks at as far as dampening goes in their rating system now do you? Also do you happen to know the lengths? I could probably search for the latter, but I'm feeling lazy.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I'm interested to know how this goes. According to the Bilstein sight these shocks have 170/60 valving. I would have thought to go for the BE5-6248-H5 which has a valving of 255/70. Of course I want a firmer ride than I currently have, especially with the compression dampening.

FWIW According to Bilstein shocks with 170/60 valving is for dual shock setups and too light for a Land Cruiser used alone.

 

[RavenTai]

Also do you happen to know the lengths? I could probably search for the latter, but I'm feeling lazy.

I'll seach for you

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=47711


short of it is that the standard OE replacement Bilsteins are slightly longer than stock but shorter than OME standads, and of course much shorter than OME L's.

I like my Bilsteins, not sure how well much they are going to hamper a lift. stock height replacemnt OME springs should be fine, possibly 2.5" with some work.


if you are not sure if you are ever going to lift or may go with a low lift and are looking for cushy shocks the OEM LC shocks from Dan are the best bang for the buck, about $100 for all 4,

 

[kixtand]

There is a lot of excellent insight so far. Thanks to all for the inputs.

kix

 

[spartan]

This is the other Bilstein option - no mods necessary - plug and play:

B46-1477 594mm / 365 mm front (extended/compressed)
B46-1478 591mm / 380mm rear

Front travel is 9 inches instead of ten. Bilstein does not rate them for lifts over 2 inches, but they will work fine.

As I mentioned OME's blow seals. I've been running Ranchos for 2 years now. They work fine. It's just embarrassing.

 

[Tools R Us]

...if you are not sure if you are ever going to lift or may go with a low lift and are looking for cushy shocks the OEM LC shocks from Dan are the best bang for the buck, about $100 for all 4,

They are also good quality gas shocks, designed, valved and optimized for the truck. Probably the best option for a stock truck if your looking for good ride.

 

[cruiserdan]

Closer to 118 bucks for a set currently. Still an excelent buy for a stock-height vehicle.

 

[cary]

I will agree for an inexpensive alternative, the stock shocks are good and far better than most OEM products. It is interesting how the japanese manufactures are able to keep the costs down on shocks while having ones that last 100k+ miles. On my Pathfinder, I had electronically controlled dampining shocks (they had a soft and firm setting that was controlled by a switch in the car). I replaced the rear shocks at 140k since they felt a bit worn. The shocks were $60 a piece and the change was really slight between the old shocks and the new OEM shocks.

 

[Arsenal]

FWIW According to Bilstein shocks with 170/60 valving is for dual shock setups and too light for a Land Cruiser used alone.

so these wont work? hmm, ill buy the other model todayi guess. thanks.