OME springs with stock shocks?

[ashooter]

Any reason NOT to use OME 861 Front and 862 Rear springs with stock OEM shocks?

I'm not looking for lift, just tighten up the ride. The max cargo load in/on the truck would be about 1000 lbs, which would INCLUDE driver, all passengers, cargo, spare tire, etc... Only thing in excess of that I can possibly forsee in the next couple of years would be a non-winch ARB front bumper.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

At a 115k mile, you probably need new shocks anyway...

 

[ashooter]

At a 115k mile, you probably need new shocks anyway...

Definitely need shocks, but was wondering if I buy the shocks and steering damper now, would there be a problem adding the OME springs a month or two down the road?

Slee's "stock height" suspension kit looks okay, but from what I've heard, a lot of people aren't happy with OME shocks... and OEM shocks are cheaper anyway, right?

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I don't think that they would be long enough to be ideal. If you were planning on replacing them, I would replace them with after market. As for the steering dampener, for me it was the hardest part of putting on my lift kit and when I bent my radius arm, it destroyed it anyway. Now I'm not running any dampener and the amount of steering wheel vibration that I have now tells me the mod was not worth it. I don't think a new one is going to find it's way on my truck.

 

[ashooter]

So you're saying that you don't feel like the steering damper does anything helpful at all?

That's strange. From what I've read here, I would've thought that was what my problem was that got me thinking about doing something with the suspension in the first place. Nothing too freaky, but when driving down the highway, it seems to want to track in the direction the road is sloping. For example, if there's a low spot in the pavement that the PS tire drops into, the truck tries to track to the right. Even at low speeds, when I apply the brakes, it will track toward the low spot on the road. Makes it feel kind of wobbly. Not dangerously so, just a little annoying.

Think maybe it's the shocks that need replacing, more than the damper?

Doesn't feel "bouncy" like some rigs I've driven in that had obviously bad shocks, though.

edited to add: Consensus here seems to be Bilsteins. Anybody think otherwise?

 

[syrinxstar]

I have the low lift OME that I installed with new OEM shocks from CDan and I've been happy, no complaints. There's never consensus on MUD but I'm sure Bilsteins would be good too - they just cost more.

 

[IBCRUSN]

Think maybe it's the shocks that need replacing, more than the damper?

At 115k it would be a good idea to replace the all five. How a vehicle handles is a funny thing. You drive it for a period of time and you are "accustomed to" how it feels. As you drive the handling degrades in such small increments that it's essentially unnoticable. Either way you go with OEM, Emu or Bilstien's you will be glad you did and the truck will feel much better.

Doesn't feel "bouncy" like some rigs I've driven in that had obviously bad shocks, though.

The only time my shocks of 180k felt bouncy was after a good wheeling weekend of blue trails. They had such a workout that both rears blew shock oil all over the tires. Only then was there any noticable bounce.

As I mentioned above whatever your choice is just run new shocks and you will be much happier than now.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

So you're saying that you don't feel like the steering damper does anything helpful at all?

I'm saying that having a new steering dampener to no steering dampener didn't make much of a change. I would say that your issue is more along the lines of worn tie-rod ends or that your alignment is toed out too far.

As it was stated, vehicle handling is a funning thing. As far as my truck pulling to the downhill side of the crown in the road or bump, mine only started doing that when I bent my tie-rod. (Yes, I bent them both... and now also a rear control arm. The sad thing is it still handles better than my other wheelers on the street!) Therefore, I would assume that your problem is more alignment. All a steering dampener does is limit vibration or slight left-right-left movement in the steering wheel when you are going straight. Even with my Super Swampers, the vibration (to me) is not worth the two hours I spent trying to get the stock steering dampener off and the OME one on!

 

[semlin]

bilsteins are cheaper than ome and rated for up to 2 inches of lift. I'd go that route to keep my options open.

 

[ashooter]

Hmm... I don't think it's alignment. It tracks perfectly straight when on a nice flat road, and when you apply the brakes with no hands on the wheel, it tracks perfectly straight. Also, wear pattern on the old tires looked nice and even, and I've not been off the pavement with it since I got it.

I think maybe I'll start with shocks and see how that does. Then go with the OME "stock height" springs in a month or so (when I can afford it), and only mess with the steering damper if those two things don't solve the problem.

Wish I could do it all RIGHT NOW, but $1000 for tires and $800 to fix the AC has got me tapped out bigtime!

 

[ashooter]

Also - anybody have any idea if my 1000 lb max expected cargo, plus (maybe someday) an ARB no-winch bar, is too much weight for stock OEM shocks and OME 861/862 springs?

 

[sjcruiser]

I've run OME861/862 with both OME N73/N74E and stock OEM shocks. these combinations feel very nice at speed. With 8 adults + cargos (including a roof top box), the truck feels more like my 560SEL on long trips - comfortable with much stable/predictable handling.

I would have to say go for it!

cheers,
Frank.

P.S.: Inspired by Semlin's research on the Bilsteins along with others' feedback, I'm moving up to OME851/860 springs and Bilstein B46-1477/B46-1478 shock absorbers (still waiting in the garage to be installed - if I could find some help)