ome springs...

[Zimm]

just bought a rig with 2002 vintage ome 13's and 14's

i assume the 13 are front and the 14's are rears

it also has the ome 13xl and 14xl extra spring leafs..

the shocks are n41 (firm) in front and (n89) rears...


it rides like an ox cart.
im assuming this is a 2.5 inch lift


first....

id like to remove the extra leaf in each spring. is the add a leaf the third one down on the rear and second one down up front?

second, the shocks are purdy firm to, should i keep them or swap them out to softer ome's/other? im thinking they gotta go... any recommendations on a readily available shock as opposed to mail order?



suggestions on the plan are welcome.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

On a first guess what you have told us so far that yes, those extra leafs have to go!

OME leaf springs are designed to allow the load-carrying capacity to be adjusted by removing or adding leafs. The OME 13 (front) and 14 (rear) springs are "medium" load rated. By adding the extra leafs the truck is running OME 131 and 141 heavy-load springs! (IIRC the model numbers of the springs.)

Tell us more about this 40 Series? Which engine? Winch or no? Hard top or soft top? Etc.

On my FJ40 with a 2F and 9K electric winch but a soft top I used the OME13 in front and OME140 (light-load) springs in the rear, with the same shocks as you've got. these shocks worked fine for me.

The OME 40 Series springs give about 1.5 inches in the front and 2.0 inches in the rear of lift. Generally it is the third or fourth leaf down in the pack that is removed.

Regards,

Alan

 

[Zimm]

older bellview winch in the front, dual batteries, hard top.

33" tire on the rear.

the only real loads it would see is an m416 with an rtt. thats about 200 pounds on the hitch non typical. (if i had a hitch)

so im yanking the leaves, and taking a wait and see with the shocks.. yes?

there are extended shackles in the front/rear so im looking at 2-2.5 inches of lift with these gone ima guessin'.

the tires need replaced, and from the goofy outer wear pattern, and the way the truck goes from under steer to over steer, i think the caster is off. although im shocked it would be off that much with a mild lift. im not gonna bother getting an alignment till i yank the leaves though, as im sure that will cost me an inch.

 

[bsevans]

I run the OME 2.5" springs with the added leaf at all 4 corners. The added leaf is identical to the second leaf. So you can remove either the 2nd or 3rd leaf to restore it to the 13 and 14 configuration. I also run the heavy shocks. I have a 140lb winch in front and a 135lb custom rear bumper with a 22 gal aux tank and a roof rack. I guess I've grown accustom to the ride which when the vehicle is loaded is fine with me.

 

[FJ40_68_Nick]

does it have shims to compensate for the longer shakles?

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

"Zimm," what is the shackle angle like with these extended-length shackles?

Yes, I'd pull the extra leafs then drive it some before changing out the shocks. But bear in mind that a SWB rig on leaf springs will always ride rougher than a LWB truck on leaf springs.

An alignment is never a bad idea, especially on an "unknown" rig. I took my FJ40 in for one last spring after having it for ten years. Turns out that the "toe-in" was all out of wack. Adjusted correctly the rigs tracks much better on the highway.

Regards,

Alan

----------------------------------------------------

older bellview winch in the front, dual batteries, hard top.

33" tire on the rear.

the only real loads it would see is an m416 with an rtt. thats about 200 pounds on the hitch non typical. (if i had a hitch)

so im yanking the leaves, and taking a wait and see with the shocks.. yes?

there are extended shackles in the front/rear so im looking at 2-2.5 inches of lift with these gone ima guessin'.

the tires need replaced, and from the goofy outer wear pattern, and the way the truck goes from under steer to over steer, i think the caster is off. although im shocked it would be off that much with a mild lift. im not gonna bother getting an alignment till i yank the leaves though, as im sure that will cost me an inch.

 

[Zimm]

does it have shims to compensate for the longer shakles?

no shims. im just surprised at the apparent effect.

 

[Zimm]

Hi All:

"Zimm," what is the shackle angle like with these extended-length shackles?

Yes, I'd pull the extra leafs then drive it some before changing out the shocks. But bear in mind that a SWB rig on leaf springs will always ride rougher than a LWB truck on leaf springs.

An alignment is never a bad idea, especially on an "unknown" rig. I took my FJ40 in for one last spring after having it for ten years. Turns out that the "toe-in" was all out of wack. Adjusted correctly the rigs tracks much better on the highway.

Regards,

Alan

----------------------------------------------------

i've had a 40 for years. the current wheeler has a 350 in the nose, an 8274 and ad a leafs in the rear, with otherwise stock springs, and it rides much smoother than this. el crapo shocks too.

this one has a bellview on the nose and a stock 2f, and it rides like pooooooo.