ome lift install

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P

pressure point

Joined
May 10, 2006
Threads
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Location
Colorado
My OME kit should be at my door any day now. I have done lots of lifts on solid axle trucks with coils, but never done an IFS. Anything I should know or any tips to make it easier?
Thanks I'll post some pics of yet another ome with 285's.
 
Try this from the FAQ- I'm sure you can find more tips also if you have specific questions, post up.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=89560

One thing- don't forget to loosen the abs wire from the uca if you pop the ball joint to install.

You're in a for a treat... :D Having done several of these IFS lifts, I did the 80 SFA and was like, "Holy SH!%, that's it? I'm done?"
 
Disconnect the steering arms and the sway bar, and take off both ball joint retaining nuts but don't separate the ball joints. You will have plenty of room to get everything out and in on the front.

The stock coils will come off with two wimpy Horrible Freight spring compressors, but the OME's won't go on safely without a real spring compressor or four of the cheapo Horrible Freight type.

Remember to "clock" the open end of each coil into the bottom carrier. The flat end of the coil goes up.
 
I did not disconnect the Steering arms. I just used a long pry bar to pry down the LCA and fed it between the LCA and steering arm. No biggie especially if you have another guy helping. Either way will work.
Watch the rear brake lines, might need to unbolt the brackets, before you go to prying down on the axel to get the springs in and out.
Took me 2.5 hours on the front (by myself) and 1 hr on the rear with another guy helping. Just pay attention to how the struts go together, so you don't have to redo s***. You'll do fine.

Oh and Howdy from Montana.
 
I have a suggestion, don' remove the front balljoints just un bolt the lower ball joints it is alot easier, unbolt the sway bar also. I tis pretty easy just use good spring compressors and the rear is simple only took about 45min by myself. Have fun.
 
Thnks for all the input. I was hoping the kit would be here yesterday, as I was told it would be shipped Tuesday a.m.
In reality it didn't leave till Thursday:confused: Maybe next weekend.
Either way the tires go on Monday.

THanks again,

Tim
 
tires

Hey "Pressure Point", what size tire are you planning to run. I just put 285/70/17 BFG AT/KO on my new FJ. Had it 2 weeks and the stock tires had to go. I plan on putting the OME lift on also (wife won't let me now)LOL. In time. What I wanted to tell you is that I have "0" rub problems. In inches that tire is 32.7 more like 32 when measured. Good Luck with your FJ build up, maybe we will meet on a trail some day here in Colorado. Michael:D
 
I just installed 285/70 bfg ko's on my truck. The lift is still not on( but it looks really good sitting on my work bench).
With the stock suspension I do have some rubbing but only on hard turns.
This morning I parked next to another FJ (totally stock) and I have to say my looks better:) . I am planning on doing the lift this weekend.
I will look for you on the Colorado trails.

Tim
 
I put 285/70/17 Toyo Open Country AT's on mine before I installed the front lift, and had zero rubbing but I did trim the body mounts before the new tires went on. There is tons of room in there now.

Good luck with your install P.P.
 
good spring compressors are the key to this little exercise...remember that and shop wisely.
 
Well, I just finished installing my OME lift on Saturday. Was really easy. The only thing I had to take off was the swaybar, and the wheels. Well, the strut too, but that's it. I didn't have to take the ball joint off, or tie rod off, or unclip any sensor wires... All these suggestions had me worried for nothing.:D
Oh, and the 886/896 is pretty stiff without the weight of aftermarket bumpers, winch, etc.:D Should be fine in a few weeks when I mount them.:idea:
 
Runner Ryan said:
Oh, and the 886/896 is pretty stiff without the weight of aftermarket bumpers, winch, etc.:D Should be fine in a few weeks when I mount them.:idea:
Click to expand...

You will love the 886's with a winch and bumper installed. The 896's will be a little firm, just keep the gas tank full. :)

Which rear shocks did you go with? I originally installed the N142 firm valved shocks, but ended up swapping them out for a set of N71E shocks. Much better ride and 2" of additional travel.
 
I actually just used the OME springs. I re-used the stock shocks (they are the same length) I also measured the rear stock shocks...if you put a shock that is 2.5" longer in the rear, the springs get loose, and could fall out. I will be installing spring clips (to hold them in case that happens) and will be sourcing my own shocks to my specs.
Right now, without the weight, it tops out the shocks a bit on the more difficult trails. It is fine on the street.
 
Runner Ryan said:
I actually just used the OME springs. I re-used the stock shocks (they are the same length) I also measured the rear stock shocks...if you put a shock that is 2.5" longer in the rear, the springs get loose, and could fall out. I will be installing spring clips (to hold them in case that happens) and will be sourcing my own shocks to my specs.
Right now, without the weight, it tops out the shocks a bit on the more difficult trails. It is fine on the street.
Click to expand...

Yep, I was aware of the length concern. I've wheeled my FJ pretty hard and under full articulation the springs make a little noise, but I doubt they are going to fall out. I've look for some retaining clips, but haven't had any luck, so please post up if you find something.
 
I'll just make some. Or I had another idea...the funky cone shaped bump stop. If I could attach that to the underside of the truck, it would just guide the coil back into place, if it got loose.:idea:
Right now, it will fall out with the spring.
Oh, and I can't remember if I posted this...I took both sway bars out. And left them out. With the stiffer springs, I barely notice they aren't there. And compared to my 5Runner (which practiacally scrapes the mirrors off around corners) it drives like it's on rails.
 
I crawled under my FJ this afternoon and I think making a retainer clip will be easy. I also thought about attaching the rubber cone bump stop top the top plate so that it would prevent the spring from falling out. I will probably working making something next week. My biggest concern would be the springs becoming mis-aligned in the bottom spring seat. Nice to hear that it handles OK with the sway bars off.
 
Ya, will still need a clip or something on the bottom, too.
 
Runner Ryan said:
Ya, will still need a clip or something on the bottom, too.
Click to expand...

The 92-98 ZJ Grand Cherokee Jeeps used a nice little bolt on spring keeper at the bottom to hold the springs in the lower perch. I might have to run the heep dealer tomorrow and pick up a couple. ;)
 
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