OME Heavy /Heavy Suspension Lift Install?

[Elbert]

Just installed the OME Heavy / Heavy suspension lift on my 86 FJ60. Question on the bushings for the springs, using OME bushings (1) are you suppose to coat the external part of the bushing that rides in the spring with grease prior to install ? (2) see attached pics (i'll post better tomorrow if not raining) rear drivers side bushing where it look like the bushing got hot or its getting shaved by the shackle bracket.

Any idea what I've done wrong... I realize the pics are crappy but I'll correct that soon. Other bushings look ok. It almosts looks like the spring is not riding in the center of the bushing.

comments welcome.

what you see below is from about 20 miles of travel from my freinds house to my place on pavement. All bolts are torqued. Just to make sure...what's the torque rating for the u bolts (100lbs?)

 

[Spike Strip]

When I installed mine, I greased everything -- the Bushing Package said NOT to grease the outside of the bushing where it slides into the hanger, but I asked Kurt at C.O. and he said he installs them greasing all sides. The idea from ARB is to "fix" the pivot point at the pin, instead of the bush, but Kurt said it stabilizes anyway and makes removal much easier...

Tech guy at ARB said either way is fine.

Maybe Kurt can verify this.

Did the insert in the eye move, by any chance ?

Don't know the U -bolt torque, I used a Flip Kit.

 

[Elbert]

when you say insert are you talking about the shaft that joints the two parts of the shackle together. I'm using the deluxe kit from Kurt. I'm using the greasable shackles from Kurt / OME. which have a "shaft" that threaded on both ends, that joins the shackles together ( at the spring and at the frame) I don't recall seeing anything that I would call an insert?

When you say "insert" are you talking about a section of what conventionally looks like a section of small diameter metal pipe that rides in the center of the bushing? If so I don't recall seeing anything like that?

 

[Spike Strip]

I have the same setup as you...

The insert is in the eyelet of the spring.... Lemme take a pic and I'll be back

Sometimes this "insert" can shift and cause problems... There's a thread on it somewhere...

The solution was to use a punch and put a dimple in it, according to Kurt.

 

[Elbert]

Oh.... Ok.

I don't think that moved but I'll look and see. I recall reading something about that here on the forum, but at that time I did not pay much attention to it. Something is acting up, thats for sure. It almost looks like it got hot. I made sure to grease the hell out all the grease points when I got it home. So far just noticed this on the drivers side at the rear, on the shackle mount. I'll try to take some better pics over the weekend.

I see what you are talking about now. Yeah if that moves around, I'm sure it will carve up the bushings. Why is this not staked or spot welded by ARB to start with?

 

[Rigger]

Elbert:

First, I'm no expert. I'm just a guy with an opinion. It doesn't make sense to me that articulating the spring with fresh grease on an on-pavement ride for 20 miles is going to generate heat. Is the place where you think it got hot right there by the exhaust tail pipe? On my FJ62, the tailpipe is pretty close to that rear DS shackle. Is it exhaust system heat?

- Rigger

 

[Elbert]

Rigger,

You...know .. I did not even look at that, but yes I did have to cut the tail pipe to install the lift. Yes I believe you are right... I did not even look at that the other afternoon late when I got home. Looks like I have one well done bushing and three that may be med-well.

See attached picture...hard to tell from the angle but the exhaust is certainly blowing right on this area. Shoot...I hate that I have to screw with those *&^% leaf springs again.

Thanks for help guys! Maybe in the daylight I would have noticed...

 

[lovetoski]

90 ft lbs is spec for u-bolts.

 

[Landpimp]

the exhaust on my 45LPB melted one of the poly bits between the packs......oh well that was 7+ years ago and they got no worse

 

[sandcruiser]

looks like you are cookin it.
maybe get a 45* bend for the exhaust, or cut it more and add a 90*

 

[Elbert]

I got a 3 inch turn down from autozone and re-directed the exhaust so I could drive it. (temp fix) I was planing on haveing the exhaust modifed in the future. Need to see how the rear sway bar will interfer with the exhaust setup. Bought a used rear sway bar setup from a 62, I plan to install shortly. I need to get all that setup before I go back to the exhaust shop, so he can see what's in the way now or what we can do.

Everything went fairly smooth on the install. Be good to have a ratched strap or other devise to persuade the rear springs to align. Front spring install went well about twice as fast as the rear. The heavy rear springs are a little tough to manage. I'll post a pic or two of what it looks like now, still have the stock wheels and tires on it.

 

[Elbert]

stock suspension

stock suspension, stock wheels, 31 * 10.5 * 15 tires

 

[Elbert]

heavy / heavy lift installed

same tires and wheels, new OME heavy / heavy suspension.

 

[mwalls54]

really looks good, hows does it ride/drive? i ordered my lift last week and cant wait.

 

[wengejor]

Elbert,

that looks great. What's the total height to the roof with this setup? I am thinking of doing the same but not sure if it's going to fit in the garage.

 

[Elbert]

I've not driven it that much so far..my initial impression is that the ride is better. No negatives to report. It's a "lifted" truck so there are known trade-offs.

 

[Elbert]

I'll have to measure the height....but I can tell you that I installed the front leaf springs in my friends garage (where we had A/C) and the truck cleared the garage door. My buddy has what appears to be regular garage doors. Just went outside and the rough measurement at the rear is about 75 inches. Notice i have no aftermarket bumpers on the rear or front...not yet anyway

Long story...the lift we were using broke with my truck about 4 feet off the ground...we used a forklift and a front end loader to get it off the lift....then had to move into the garage to finish. I wish I had my camera, because it was a classic picture opportunity.

 

[wengejor]

Elbert,

Thanks for the measurement. Yeah, I must not have a regular door. With the door up I have 71.5 inches to work with. With it down there is more room. I was thinking that I could do the lift in the garage and then deflate the tires to get it out, but I'm not sure that's going to be an option.

Sounds like you had an adventure with the lift failure.

 

[Elbert]

I have an (A) spring on both sides at the rear, and have the stock wheels and just a little bit larger tires than stock 31 *10.5*15. So I don't know if this makes any difference that what most people have. I'm 6ft tall and the truck is a little bit taller than I am, obvioulsy at approx 75 inches. I don't know what the "normal" garage door height is....but I did notice when we backed into the garage that it was close. Truck may settle too, and loose some height I'm guessing over time.

 

[wengejor]

Yeah, I have the same tires...so it's probably not going to fit.

Did you get the setup from Kurt? I mailed him last week asking for a quote with shipping, but no response yet. His online prices have gone up from a few months ago and they are now more than MAF.