OME Rear Springs - which side?

[Natty]

Just put an OME kit on my 87 BJ74, the rear springs are different side to side. I installed them correctly as listed, but the Pass. side ( left side of truck when sitting in it ) was low 1.25"... I realize you need to break them in, but after one week it was so noticeable it was driving me crazy.

I contacted ARB tech. dept. and they said obviously you need to break them in, but if it was out more than an inch to swap them side to side as all trucks differ slightly. I did that, now the other side ( drivers side ) of the truck is low, by an inch.

Now this is where you are going to laugh at me... with my drivers side now low an inch, it finally dawned on me that I have not re-mounted my spare tire yet, which sits on the drivers side at the rear. ggggrrrrrrrrr...

My question is, are these kits made to sit high on the DS to compensate for the spare and possibly also the weight of the driver? I find it hard to believe that when I get back home and throw on the spare it alone will be enogh to drop that side an inch and level the truck...

so after ARB's suggestion, my current part #s are
CS017RA - pass side ( RHD JDM )
CS017RB - driver side ( RHD JDM )

Can anyone offer some insight? Thanks!

 

[Natty]

my original install had them the other way, as per what Old Man Emu's catalouge lists:

CS017RA - DS ( RHD JDM )
CS017RB - PS ( RHD JDM )

needless to say, I'm confused!

 

[roscoFJ73]

My question is, are these kits made to sit high on the DS to compensate for the spare and possibly also the weight of the driver? I find it hard to believe that when I get back home and throw on the spare it alone will be enogh to drop that side an inch and level the truck...



Can anyone offer some insight? Thanks!

Its more to compensate for the driver. Most people weigh more than a spare tyre.

The sping that goes on the drivers side is usually 10-20mm higher when you turn them upside down on a level floor and compare them.

You are not the 1st to get springs that make your truck lean and I doubt adding the spare will help either.
If you had no lean before the spring swap ,tell ARB and stick to your guns until you get a replacement.
I dont believe that breaking them in will help.

 

[Natty]

So you are suggesting running the same spring on either side of the rear? Honestly I just want it level, and that only makes sense to me. It just doesn't feel good to go with a setup other than what they are suggesting...

Do alot of OME users out there have identical rear leaves?

PS - The old leaves I took off were the same from side to side... I found it very weird to install something different...

 

[lshobie]

I probably won't ever buy OME springs again, I'll just have to pay more for shipping from OZ from now on. I'll try snake racing springs next.

The front coils have sagged about an inch and the truck leans noticeably to the left. I have installed alot of OME suspensions and find the springs leaf packs to be too short or the shocks to be too short - just not a good combo.

Don't get me wrong though - they are the only thing available to us here in canada and they are better than stock flats - but not my choice any more. Louis

 

[Natty]

Do the other 70 series lift manufacturers have 2 different rear leafs???

 

[roscoFJ73]

So you are suggesting running the same spring on either side of the rear?

No Im suggesting the high spring to the drivers side.Thats how my 73 is and it has been level and stayed that way for 4 years
If thats not working there is something wrong with the springs.

PS - The old leaves I took off were the same from side to side... I found it very weird to install something different...

Probably the factory springs and I think they are higher on one side also but yours have probably evened out .

Do the other 70 series lift manufacturers have 2 different rear leafs???

All the springs that I have seen do. I guess thats why each side has its own part number.
Most vehicles have L and R springs ,jeep leaves are too last time I looked.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I probably won't ever buy OME springs again, I'll just have to pay more for shipping from OZ from now on. I'll try snake racing springs next.

The front coils have sagged about an inch and the truck leans noticeably to the left. I have installed alot of OME suspensions and find the springs leaf packs to be too short or the shocks to be too short - just not a good combo.

Don't get me wrong though - they are the only thing available to us here in canada and they are better than stock flats - but not my choice any more. Louis

Tough Dog seem to be winning friends . One vendor on the east coast who sells all the brands says he has less returns with them.
My Dobinsons took a while to loosen up but it rides nice now and it sits flat with only a few mm sag all round

 

[lshobie]

I like the look of the new tough dog shocks - pretty heavy duty construction.

 

[crushers]

i loved the dobbinson coils spring kit over hte OME on the 78...

i would like to try Dobby the leaf kits on my next lift...i like a supple suspension, articulation and comfort of ride.
if you want a lift that will NEVER sag then go with Rancho (but make sure you have a kidney belt and a back brace included in the purchase)

i have installed a number of Dakar kits over the last couple years and have no issues but i have heard horror stories...

cheers

 

[Natty]

Okay, so higher, longer spring back on the DS... I also cant stand the fact theat the rear shocks are way too short. Jusyt bought a full suspension "KIT" and now I need to go and get a new set of shocks!!

 

[prado t]

if it is sagging on the drivers side then reverse them it will level out, The Keep Slant kits have the same system. On the RHD models the spare tire is on the drivers side.

 

[Farmer_Fred]

hello!
on a similar note, had my OME springs/shocks on my kzj70 for 9 months now, and rides great, just that the nose is pitched forward a bit. Is this normal? think they were the 2.5" lift. Cheers,
Fred
-now that i look at my avatar, doesnt look so bad, lol. the wheels are turned though.

 

[roscoFJ73]

hello!
on a similar note, had my OME springs/shocks on my kzj70 for 9 months now, and rides great, just that the nose is pitched forward a bit. Is this normal? think they were the 2.5" lift. Cheers,
Fred
-now that i look at my avatar, doesnt look so bad, lol. the wheels are turned though.

Hi Fred. I dont know about the coil sprung vehicles but the leafs sprung ones are always a little bit lower at the front.
I think it so when you load them up it sits flat

 

[Farmer_Fred]

ah cheers Rosco,
That must be it, as they do sit nicely with a load on. Towing trailers has become a lot more comfortable since putting on the OME gear!
Fred