OME shock length just doesn't make sense! (1 Viewer)

[AutoCraft Aus]

We always allow 30mm crush for the Toyota live axle bump stops, when working on shock lengths. Our Aug 92 on models did get chassis bump stops in the front though, as well as the inner coil set. Seems here they used to bend the coil towers up, so the bump stop mount is tied into the coil towers as well.

Dont know what caused that though

The 0-50mm Icon suspension we have been using at 670mm long extended, and fit inside the std bump stop length compressed keeps our coils captive, and is at the moment, the longest 50mm shock you could fit to your 80, front or rear.

A front sway bar spacer set will be required to stop the tailshaft touching it, when you install them.

We have also been getting Icon to make our custom shocks to suit the 80 slinky long travel kits, so with a 12" stroke 700mm long shock, and our 3" lift slinky long travel coils, they stay captive, and fit inside the std bump stop length, also.

Yes, thats a 3" lift coil in there. The tapered wire section at the top is closed at ride height, and opens up on a secondary rate as the travel droops. Maxinimising shock length, and travel.

In the rear , our 745mm unrestricted rear Icon suspension needs a 40mm bump spacer, with the factory rubber, for the 12" stroke, with a similar coil set up, 3" lift, and sway bar link brackets extended, as well as longer brake lines.

 

[shfd739]

And where can we get those 3" slinky coils?

 

[bsmart82]

Bumping this. So will the OME medium rear springs stay in place with the longer shocks? I'm buying my lift soon and wanting to run j springs up front and mediums in the rear with the longer shocks.

 

[LFD2037]

In the rear the extension isn't the problem, its the compression. You'll need bump stops.

 

[Trapper50cal]

looks like Rose Garden Hill...

Hijack over, Carry on.

 

[oysterhead43]

Drool!

 

[largeone]

Bumping this. So will the OME medium rear springs stay in place with the longer shocks? I'm buying my lift soon and wanting to run j springs up front and mediums in the rear with the longer shocks.

With medium springs, I would run the normal length shocks. I purchased the L shocks and I am re-thinking this. When I went to the heavy springs recently (heavy springs were EXACTLY the same height as the mediums I pulled out), the spring came out pretty easy which tells me they could come loose under full articulation with the L shocks...especially if you're running smaller tires that can really stuff on the other side. In addition, as mentioned, you would need bump stop spacers to limit up-travel as well. I'm just thinking it is not worth what you are gaining, unless you think you will be going to more lift really soon. Just my 0.02.

I'm running a similar set-up except heavies in the rear.

 

[wasnt me]

I used some radius arm bushings for castor correction that are "voided" meaning they are more compliant. I picked up a couple of inches additional articulation (with sway bar on) using these

http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=W81730


Great info.
I was going to do the hitch pin mod but this looks like a much better way to free up the arms.

 

[LFD2037]

I used some radius arm bushings for castor correction that are "voided" meaning they are more compliant. I picked up a couple of inches additional articulation (with sway bar on) using these

http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=W81730


Great info.
I was going to do the hitch pin mod but this looks like a much better way to free up the arms.

TJM has pretty much the same bushings, in rubber, for half the price. They'll gave me exactly 4* correction on my ome lift.

 

[wasnt me]

Close but Tjm's are not voided.

NOTES: IMPORTANT
2.5º caster adjustment -heavily voided provides greater articulation

 

[Booger weldz]

'void' the bushings with a series of evenly spaced 5/16" holes drilled around the radius.

The stock radius arm binds before an L shock is fully extended(in articulation). A 4" slee coil is, however, about to go loose at that point as well.

I linked the front and found a substantial change in articulation available from the L shock, however the coils were then loose.

I wish i had more info on the rear. Im using fox coilovers up front now, and a slee 4" coil in back(if they ever arrive ) I Need to find some good measurements to order compatible rear shocks.

Thanks for that 17.5" measurement posted earlier(front on bumps). That kinda info really helps! In the end, smashing the shock is the only real concern. They all have plenty of extended length for the 'ability' of an 80, IMO.

 

[LFD2037]

Close but Tjm's are not voided.

NOTES: IMPORTANT
2.5º caster adjustment -heavily voided provides greater articulation

I just installed them 3 weeks ago. They are voided. For some reason most the websites don't show what they really look like. I assure you mine had voids.

 

[AutoCraft Aus]

Yep, was Rose Garden Hill, we went on a 2 day detour heading to Cruise Moab 2013 rather than go the black top.

One thing I always do with my own trucks is tighten all the control arm bolts at 3/4 of the suspension droop.

Its easier to twist the bush in upward travel with vehicle weight, than as they droop with no weight.

 

[HAAANK]

I know OME shocks have been talked about many, many times. I've read @ least 25 pages pertaining to their length BUT:
What I can't wrap my mind around is the fact that the shocks OME uses for their 2.5" lift(in my case will be 850/860's) is the same shocks they call for on stock rigs. Doesn't this mean I'm losing 2.5" of droop using their recommended shock length? Therefore, it would seem that I could use shocks 2.5" longer than they recommend(60018/60020's) & not have any problem w/compression but also get about 1.5" more extension. Is this not true? If not, what the heck am I missing?????? OME L's are a little less than 2" longer so technically I should have absolutely no problem NOT over-compressing them. But others say they will be ruined. PLEASE explain to me wth is the truth!

++EDIT w/measurements!**

Ok, here's detailed spec's that, on paper, should confirm my thoughts:

What OME sells as stock replacement AND for their 2.5" kit- 60018 front, 60020 rear
What I think would work better- 60070L front, 60071L rear

OME shock lengths. Part #, compressed, extended & travel length

60018--14.1--24.3--10.2"

60020--14.9--24.6--9.7"

60070L--15--26.3--11.3"

60071L--15.2--26.9--11.3"

Factory front--13.9--23.7--9.8"

Factory rear--14.2--23.8--9.6"

Sooooooooo, OME 2.5" lift recommended front shocks are .4"(front) & .1"(rear) longer than stock. OME L shocks are 1.5"(front) and 1.7" longer than stock.

Since everybody says ask Slee, here's Slee's reservoir shock measurement:

FRONT--15.8--26.2--10.4"

REAR--15.2--25.2--10"

Conclusion: OME L shocks compressed length are 1.1"(front) & 1"(rear) longer than FACTORY shocks.
OME L compressed length are .8"(front) 0"(rear) SHORTER than Slee's shocks for 2.5" lift.
Other than needing spring retainers or limiting straps there should be absolutely NO problem, & better droop, using OME L's w/a 2.5" lift.

Does everybody agree or am I missing something, even though the #'s are clear now????????

I know this is extremely long winded but the OCD in me just had to figure this out!!!

Hey man, ever get to the bottom of this?
I have the L shocks and am looking to do a 2.5" lift. I'm hoping not to purchase another set of shocks.

 

[GW Nugget]

Hey man, ever get to the bottom of this?
I have the L shocks and am looking to do a 2.5" lift. I'm hoping not to purchase another set of shocks.

If you are referring to a 850 coil, under full drop the 850 coil will not release. Or at least mine did not until I added my 2" drop brackets. The 860 & 863 rears will be just a wiggle bit loose. My jurney is well documented in my build thread.

 

[GW Nugget]

EDIT: I just looked back & with the control arm bolted in without the MAF drop brackets the 850s were not dropping out like they do in the vid with the MAF brackets. Here is a paste from my thread.

I just wanted to add that a 26.5" L shock won't drop out a 850 or equivalent (851+25mm)
Mine did fit snug without the drop brackets.

 

[AutoCraft Aus]

Some new bushes coming to market soon as well, which have pretty much double the flex of the standard style caster bushes, and for the rear arms in the new material as well.

Might help stop the diff housing bracket cracks, and should work even better than the other bushes we have used with the slinky long travel shocks and coils for ever.

We needed something for the new 17" stroke rear shock, bolt in a frame upper, double slinky rear set up, for the rear arms, was how we worked into the new bush material to suit the extra flex, without tearing the bushes, or effect the on road handling.

 

[HAAANK]

EDIT: I just looked back & with the control arm bolted in without the MAF drop brackets the 850s were not dropping out like they do in the vid with the MAF brackets. Here is a paste from my thread.

I just wanted to add that a 26.5" L shock won't drop out my 850 or 851+25mm like in my video. Mine did fit snug that way.
I wanted more drop so I added the 2" MAF drop brackets that add 2" more drop, also diconnected sway plus added a .5" of washers to the shock to make it longer to ext. 27" this drops the coil out by 1".

Awesome. Thanks man!

 

[LFD2037]

Hey man, ever get to the bottom of this?
I have the L shocks and am looking to do a 2.5" lift. I'm hoping not to purchase another set of shocks.

Yes, you can use L's w/a 'standard' 2.5" lift.

 

[HAAANK]