OME Heavy or Medium for me?

[skipdup]

I've searched and have been reading as fast as I can since I got my 60. But, can't really find a clear answer...

I might add bumpers (& maybe winch) at a later time.

I really dislike soft suspension. Given the option - Cadi or sportscar, I'd take sportscar. Responsiveness is king.

So, that all said, for an OME 2.5" on an otherwise (for now) stock FJ60 -- should I go with medium or heavy?

My gut says I should go heavy all the way around.


Thanks all,
Skip

 

[2mbb]

I vote for the heavies. If you get them on and they are way too stiff you can always remove a leaf.

 

[slcfj62]

If you like your suspension stiff, and if you are planning on adding a bull bar and winch down the road, then your gut is correct. You should get the heavy or the heavy plus.

Now, medium/heavy/heavy plus from different vendors are not all the same. The heavy and heavy plus I'm talking about is the stuff from Cruiser Outfitters.

That said, you can start out with mediums and add leafs as you add equipment as well. But since you like a harder suspension, you might as well go heavy.

 

[skipdup]

...
Now, medium/heavy/heavy plus from different vendors are not all the same. The heavy and heavy plus I'm talking about is the stuff from Cruiser Outfitters.
...

All for OME? You're saying OME spring differ in stiffness depending on where you buy them? Yikes.

 

[skipdup]

I realize now that I saw discussion about adding/removing leafs. It didn't occur to me that you could make a heavy a medium and vice versa. That actually makes this an easier decision...

 

[CBone]

I deliberated on this same decision for way too long. Read all the threads on Mud, talked to ARB, talked to Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters, etc. In the end, I opted for heavy-heavy for my 85 totally stock 60. People said it would be a stiff ride. For me personally, it's great. It's not a bad ride at all, in fact, took a fellow cruiser friend to lunch the other day and he commented on what a nice ride it was. My suggestion would be to find a cruiser friend in the neighborhood and ride in their rig. Heavy-heavy is not a bad setup at all, it's quite comfortable.

Install isnt bad either, especially if you've got a great group of friends to help out: CBone's 60 Grows Up - Rising Sun Member Forums

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

same advice here. the heavy-heavy combination is good. The medium is actually way soft and will sag when you load up the truck. Mine has 2 additional leafs in the rear on the heavy springs, and now finally does not sag anymore when fully loaded with roof then, 2 spares, fuel, water...
don't even mess with the medium.
j

 

[skipdup]

SOLD! Going with heavy/heavy.
Thanks guys.

Now I just have to see if I have the funds.

 

[caserique]

Start with the springs that best match your typical load (lets say heavy in your case), then get shocks that properly dampen that load.

A spring will only determine the sag of your truck with a given load--the way that load behaves in real time will have more to do with the compression and rebound dampening in your shocks. For example, the more rebound dampening, the less your shock will snap back out from a compressed state and hence a smoother ride. The trick with that is the more weight you're carrying, the less rebound dampening you can get away with in the shock before the ride gets spongy.

I'm guessing the OME shocks work fine for the price. Custom valved rebuildable shocks start at about $125 a piece for a reputable brand.

 

[michaelscrf]

i say we just start using OME part numbers in reference to which springs to run because this whole heavy or medium or extra heavy load, depending on who you are ordering from can get confusing for some. but then again...im a newb and was able to figure it out after reading about 4 threads on the matter.

 

[dixie_cragger]

not sure if it's too late, but if you dont plan to wheel or load the back of the truck down (with drawers, etc), i may suggest medium.

The mediums (i have heard) are pretty burly. I have a 1/4" thick rear bumper with tire swing out and i still have stinkbug with my heavy/heavy combo!

 

[splitbuseric]

I have heavy\heavy and it rides amazing. The ride is nicer than any of the stock 60's I have owned and much more controlled. I was worried about the ride too, but it is absolutely great! Now that I have been there, no question heavy all the way...

 

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Same here...heavy/heavy is schweet. My buddy has an FJ60 with the mediums, and it rides soft. Just make sure you get a set of two A springs or two B springs (Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters will know what you're talkin' about).

 

[CruisinFJ60]

mediums, heavies would be like driving a tank. the mediums will be plenty firm for you.

 

[DirtyLittleSecret]

mediums, heavies would be like driving a tank. the mediums will be plenty firm for you.

If anyone ever told me that my cruiser rode like a Cadillac I'd have to beat them to death with the high lift. Its a Cruiser and it should ride like one!

 

[lehiguy]

OME heavies ride better than stock. You can always make them softer. To make a soft spring firmer requires the procurement of more parts. I have had the same set of heavies since 1996. They have approximately 200,000 miles on them. The OME bushings lasted about that long too, not quite, but still amazing. Energy suspension bushings are much less money, but seem to be more prone to chunking.

 

[N in N]

Which springs should be removed? 2nd from bottom?