OME/Emu Dakar springs and rear spring backets/isolators

[Spook50]

For those of you who've put OME on your 60s, did you still use your rear spring brackets and rubber spacers with them? I have neither, but I'm looking at possibly (not certain yet, but possibly) coming into some money come summertime and am considering ditching my stock springs with add-a-leafs and just going with the full OME kit from Cruiser Outfitters. If that does happen I'd like to know if it'd be wise for me to source a pair of brackets and rubber spacers.

 

[g-man]

trail tailor has the rubber spacers.

 

[Skniper]

I thought about this a lot way back when i did my OME install. Ultimately I ditched the stock fj62 brackets and rubber pads when i installed the OME's. The Emu springs are taller/thicker than original springs and stock brackets so the brackets just kinda float there anyway....and because of that the rubber pads just give an unnecessary "flex" point b/t the axle and spring. Sounds like you are already running w/o these anyway.

You might need the thick washer/spacer that keeps the OME spring eye centered on the spring pin. Cruiser outfitters has these.

I like that there is metal to metal to metal bt the axle, the spring, and the u bolt plate...all squeezed together with 90-100 ft lbs of torque x4.

 

[Elbert]

I have the OME, but I don't recall the details. Why not just give Kurt a call at cruiser outfitters?

 

[Spook50]

I thought about this a lot way back when i did my OME install. Ultimately I ditched the stock fj62 brackets and rubber pads when i installed the OME's. The Emu springs are taller/thicker than original springs and stock brackets so the brackets just kinda float there anyway....and because of that the rubber pads just give an unnecessary "flex" point b/t the axle and spring. Sounds like you are already running w/o these anyway.

You might need the thick washer/spacer that keeps the OME spring eye centered on the spring pin. Cruiser outfitters has these.

I like that there is metal to metal to metal bt the axle, the spring, and the u bolt plate...all squeezed together with 90-100 ft lbs of torque x4.

Yeah I took them out when I added my add-a-leafs. I like the lift the AALs gave me, but even with being full length they make the ride way too rough, to the point where anyone riding in the back seat complains about back pain after a 30+ minute ride. Honestly sitting in the front doesn't do much better for me. My plan (finances permitting) is to get the full OME kit through Kurt, retain the polygraphite bushings I have since they're much better than normal poly, and before installing the springs break down the packs and line them with delrin strips that will last much longer than the teflon pads.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

An excellent plan!
It’s also a great time to consider the u bolt flip kit, if you don’t have one already. (My rear lower u bolt plate/shock mounts were rusty toast.)
I have a 62, with OME heavy front and back. When empty, it’s rough. When loaded, it’s awesome! I did not re use the isolators or top brackets.

 

[Spike Strip]

Don't need 'em. Ditched them and used the U-bolt flip. No difference that I could tell. It's noisy anyway, with 33 BFGs.

 

[60Works]

It is not safe to retain the rubber isolators when changing the thickness of the spring pack. OME are designed to not use them.

As mentioned, a steel spacer is necessary to bush out the spring pin where it fits in the perch.

 

[Landpimp]

Left mine in(may have bought new ones), as at the time I did it(15+) years ago, I am fairly sure ARB said to keep them.

Regardless....No issues all these years latter

 

[Skniper]

Reminds me, I still need to install my 4plus u-bolt flip kits up front...and get my spring sleeves tack welded in place.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We can setup an Old Man Emu system to accommodate them or eliminate them. If accommodating them we have a spacers that are used on each side of the cushion retainer. If eliminating (by far the most common option) we have a center bolt spacer that eliminates that gap between the axle perch and the leaf spring center pin.

My finger is a model?

 

[gilamonster]

I also need to order a set of these.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I have to agree with Kurt up above. Its owner option and he accommodates both. I kept my bracket and
rubber spacers but they are in really good condition, and I've even removed the OME's, replaced the rears and added
an ad-a-leaf and reinstalled with absolutely no difference or ride problems. That's two trips of over 8,000 kms
after changes and no issues. IMO, if you don't have them don't go spending money on them. Your ride quality is
better served through springs capacity vs what you are actually carrying. When my 60 is empty, ugly and bouncy.
Loaded, with everything, I've had long days of amazing comfort and ride quality.

 

[OSS]

28 years ago installed thicker rear springs and kept the rubber insulators because they were there. Back then there was no advice or concensus what to do. Well after 220,000 miles on them which included thousands of miles of overloaded baja dirt road trips pounding the hell out of the springs, I can say with certainty that keeping the rubber insulators with thicker springs is perfectly safe. They are still installed now.

But as a reference, 70 series cruisers don't use rubber insulators on the rear springs at all.

 

[Njck22]

I took them off and just cut the bushing part out with a sawzall. Then use that as the bushing.

 

[Elbert]

u bolt flip kit ....good option in my view...too.

 

[sbelinge]

I'm installing an OME set up right now. I finished the front end today and started the back. I set up the rear without the insulator and the u-bolts seem quite long and I'm concerned that I don't have enough tread left to torque them to the FSM 90 foot pounds. Am I overlooking something?

 

[Njck22]

I'm installing an OME set up right now. I finished the front end today and started the back. I set up the rear without the insulator and the u-bolts seem quite long and I'm concerned that I don't have enough tread left to torque them to the FSM 90 foot pounds. Am I overlooking something?

You mean the threads are too long and you cant get a socket on the nuts? You should go ahead and trim the ubolts with a grinder cutoff wheel or sawzall metal blade. You could just use a super long socket. Either way you should trim the ubolts when done.

 

[gilamonster]

I think he means, he is running out of threads before he is done torquing them down.

 

[DevonBen60]

A thick washer behind each nut?