OME std height vs stock-issues? (1 Viewer)

[FenixRipley]

Well met everyone!
This is my first post here so bear with me if i mess it up!
I am looking at upgrading my 93' stock 80's series suspension to a OME setup with 861 and 862 springs with nitrocharger sport shocks.
I am wondering if a caster adjustment is needed for this setup?
Apparently the result will be a 10mm lift up front, and a 20mm lift in the rear.
Is there anyone out there who has any knowledge or experience with this?
(Silly question really...ofcourse there is!)

 

[luandacruiser]

I just put exactly the same set up on my. LX450, replacing another stock height set (not OEM but non-branded) No caster issues at all. It lifted the front by just over an inch and the back by about half an inch. The difference in driveability is huge and has transformed the vehicle (in a good way). It also removed the stinkbug I previously had. I have no added armour and I think it still has very minor stinkbug but only a few millimetres. I am waiting to see how the coils settle. Only done 2500 miles on them. I plan to put two African Outback drawers, some tools and a second spare on top of the drawers so I hope that will completely level the truck. But the stinkbug is only noticeable to my pernickerty eyes.

I love my stock OMEs and they are great for my needs but many will tell you to get a lift!

 

[greentruck]

Unless it's a very unusual case, no need for caster adjustment with the stock height coils. They don't change the geometry enough to require adjustment because they end up within or very close to the normal range of ride height. About half of what is "gained" actually settles out after a few weeks, then everything is pretty much where it was before, plus maybe 3/4' to 1". The new coils preform much better than the tired ones you take off.

Unless you have a lot of extra weight, you might consider using the OEM Tokico shocks that are available from Toyota. They're made for the truck and ride well. I did this, but had too much weight up front (see my sig line) for them to handle, so swapped in a pair of Ntrocharger Sports on the front axle. They can be a bit harsh, but dampen it well now when it was just a bit much for the Tokicos. The mix of shocks front to back works really well, surprisingly enough.

 

[FenixRipley]

I just put exactly the same set up on my. LX450, replacing another stock height set (not OEM but non-branded) No caster issues at all. It lifted the front by just over an inch and the back by about half an inch. The difference in driveability is huge and has transformed the vehicle (in a good way). It also removed the stinkbug I previously had. I have no added armour and I think it still has very minor stinkbug but only a few millimetres. I am waiting to see how the coils settle. Only done 2500 miles on them. I plan to put two African Outback drawers, some tools and a second spare on top of the drawers so I hope that will completely level the truck. But the stinkbug is only noticeable to my pernickerty eyes.

I love my stock OMEs and they are great for my needs but many will tell you to get a lift!

Then it is as I suspected. No caster adjustments needed. Thanks for clearing that up!
As far as a lift is concerned, I had planned on doing a 2" lift, but im worried about adding unnecessary cost. I would likely end up having to change brakelines, panhard rod etc etc.
A lift would look great ofcourse, but i dont really need one.
I think i'll have to put vanity aside on that account (just havent really convinced myself yet).

 

[Dragos80]

There is no need for any caster correction with 861/862 setup. Hell, you can even add 30mm spacers all around and still be OK.

 

[IanB]

Nice thing about the 861/862 is it requires nothing else be changed, and is a really nice upgrade over stock springs. Rides much nicer, less squat/dive, less lean around corners, smooth, all pluses.

 

[FenixRipley]

Unless it's a very unusual case, no need for caster adjustment with the stock height coils. They don't change the geometry enough to require adjustment because they end up within or very close to the normal range of ride height. About half of what is "gained" actually settles out after a few weeks, then everything is pretty much where it was before, plus maybe 3/4' to 1". The new coils preform much better than the tired ones you take off.

Unless you have a lot of extra weight, you might consider using the OEM Tokico shocks that are available from Toyota. They're made for the truck and ride well. I did this, but had too much weight up front (see my sig line) for them to handle, so swapped in a pair of Ntrocharger Sports on the front axle. They can be a bit harsh, but dampen it well now when it was just a bit much for the Tokicos. The mix of shocks front to back works really well, surprisingly enough.

Im hoping they will do a little better than the impotent springs that are on my rigg. It is riding quite low, especially up front.
Im reckoning they are the original springs, and the sag over nearly 30 years should be (hopefully) much greater then over the first weeks with brand new ones!
I have a bit extra weight upfront, and looking at adding a warn winch and roofrack as a compliment to the bullbar , so the hopefully the setup should do good.
Thanks for the tip on the OEM shocks, ill look into those aswell!

 

[Bill F]

Just to add to the discussion, I am in process on having the Dobinson's stock height kit installed on my 94 Cruiser. Writeup and photos coming in a few weeks, BTW.

I went with stock height because at this time, my truck doesn't have any mods (e.g., winch, big front bumper, swing-out, roof rack) that would necessitate more spring rate, and I don't necessarily think it a good idea to make the vehicle taller for its own sake (and raise the CG) when a majority of my driving will be on-road or fire roads. In speaking with Mike ( @crikeymike ) at Dobinson's USA , I can change springs later and still retain the same shocks, assuming I don't get crazy with the lift (which is to say over 2-2.5"). Other experts on this board are better versed in the OME stuff than me, but I would imagine that is also the case with OME. Did notice that you mentioned a winch and a bumper, I would certainly take that extra weight into account when selecting your springs, and see also threads talking about their rigs riding "stinkbug" with lift springs and no load.

Hope that is helpful, from one LC noob to another!

 

[Dragos80]

Im hoping they will do a little better than the impotent springs that are on my rigg. It is riding quite low, especially up front.
Im reckoning they are the original springs, and the sag over nearly 30 years should be (hopefully) much greater then over the first weeks with brand new ones!
I have a bit extra weight upfront, and looking at adding a warn winch and roofrack as a compliment to the bullbar , so the hopefully the setup should do good.
Thanks for the tip on the OEM shocks, ill look into those aswell!

861/862 are really nice springs. The road manner is very nice considering the weight and volume of this car.
However, if you plan on adding more weight, why not consider a 2" lift. All of them will sag with added weight, but a 2" lift will still give you some lift over stock height.
861/862 is a dual rate spring, but you will never have the benefit of the softer rate since the added weight will compress them and all you will feel is the second, heavier rate of those springs.

With the 2" lift you still won't need any caster adjustment, especially with the added weight.
Initially the car will sit up a little more than you hoped for, but it will break in and settle a lower (normal/advertised) height in a few weeks.

 

[FenixRipley]

Just to add to the discussion, I am in process on having the Dobinson's stock height kit installed on my 94 Cruiser. Writeup and photos coming in a few weeks, BTW.

I went with stock height because at this time, my truck doesn't have any mods (e.g., winch, big front bumper, swing-out, roof rack) that would necessitate more spring rate, and I don't necessarily think it a good idea to make the vehicle taller for its own sake (and raise the CG) when a majority of my driving will be on-road or fire roads. In speaking with Mike ( @crikeymike ) at Dobinson's USA , I can change springs later and still retain the same shocks, assuming I don't get crazy with the lift (which is to say over 2-2.5"). Other experts on this board are better versed in the OME stuff than me, but I would imagine that is also the case with OME. Did notice that you mentioned a winch and a bumper, I would certainly take that extra weight into account when selecting your springs, and see also threads talking about their rigs riding "stinkbug" with lift springs and no load.

Hope that is helpful, from one LC noob to another!

Hi Bill, and thx for your input!
I spoke to ARB australia about recommended setup for my rigg, with the upcoming mods considered.
The 861 and 862 are supposed to be able to carry the extra weight!

I have now heard the term "stinkbug" twice. Being swedish and new to the forum i havent come across this term before. Could you please clarify what it means?

 

[IanB]

I have now heard the term "stinkbug" twice. Being swedish and new to the forum i havent come across this term before. Could you please clarify what it means?

Ass up, face down.

 

[Bill F]

Hi Bill, and thx for your input!
I spoke to ARB australia about recommended setup for my rigg, with the upcoming mods considered.
The 861 and 862 are supposed to be able to carry the extra weight!

I have now heard the term "stinkbug" twice. Being swedish and new to the forum i havent come across this term before. Could you please clarify what it means?

In usage on this forum, it means the rear is visibly higher than the front. Also described as 'rake' by hot rodders...

 

[DirtScaresMe]

Bro, lift your truck. Even 3" will give you more clearance for bigger tires later in the future. It even just makes it easier to work underneath it.

 

[FenixRipley]

In usage on this forum, it means the rear is visibly higher than the front. Also described as 'rake' by hot rodders...

Then I can safetly say i have a mild case of stinkbug on my rigg! Much appreciated!

 

[FenixRipley]

Bro, lift your truck. Even 3" will give you more clearance for bigger tires later in the future. It even just makes it easier to work underneath it.

Not having a garage that is a good argument...

 

[Cass007]

I just did the 861/862 with 60018/60025 shocks on my stockish 97 LX450 and the difference was amazing. The ride is so much improved over the beat stock springs that I always thought were too spongy to begin with. Ride height increased slightly (I can tell because I have to hop in now instead of just slide in), but it's hard to say how much is related to the old springs just sagging.

 

[greentruck]

The 861/862 is designed to deal with the weight of winch and armor up front and some extra weight in the rear. It's pretty bouncy if you don't have the extra weight on from what I've heard, but already had things added when I installed the OME coils. If your weight is distributed anything like ours (the sleeper/drawer combo is heavy, but probably not much heavier than the second and third row seats that come out), then the 861/862 will do you right. Unless you have plans for bigger than 33" tires, you've got all the clearance you need.

 

[luandacruiser]

The threads on this forum seem to conclude that the 861/862 combo works best with a bit of added weight.

I have no added weight. I have removed my 3rd row seats too.

The end result in a unweighted truck is still an immense improvement. If, when I add a little more weight it improves the ride further this is an added bonus.

I don't find the ride harsh at all on a unweighted truck and I have the same Nitrocharger shocks you propose.

I mainly drive on washboard tracks and potholed asphalt.

 

[Dragos80]

I got the 861/862 with Bilstein HD combo.
The ride is a bit harsh when empty. I do have the ARB bumper up front and a heavy custom made one in the rear plus a spare tire there too. No third row seats.
I really like the dynamics of the ride, minimized body roll. My setup is not soft at all, you will feel every bump in the road, but that is because of the heavy duty shocks.
I also added 30mm spacers because I needed more lift. I really wish OME had made longer springs (more coils) for this dual rate set. Maybe a 2" total lift.

When I load up the car with some people, the ride is really nice.

 

[sdouglassjr]

I just finished putting on the OME Stock Heigh kit with their springs and shocks as well as 30MM spacer in the front. Love it and happy I did it versus the 2.5" lift which I had no need for