OME Suspension Question

[scottcb]

I am thinking about getting an OME kit for my 85 FJ60. The original stock set up is still on it and it is horrible, totally shot. My offroad use includes occasional desert trips, rocky trail runs, some climbing, nothing too crazy, probably no hardcore rock crawling. I plan to keep the springs under the axle. A couple of questions:

1. I believe OME offers light, medium and heavy duty. Right now I don't have a winch or after market bumber (ARB), but I may add one in the future and I don't have a lot of extra weight on the back end - what "duty" would you recommend? Any recommendations of where to buy the OME's would be great as well.

2. Once I add the new suspension, what size of tires would you recommend?

Thanks for any help and recommendations.

 

[Bomar]

I would go heavy/heavy so if you ever add anything you have it already.

If you think that it is too much you can always remove a spring and make a medium until you add any bumpers or winches.

The heavy/heavy will ride better than the worn out springs that you have on the truck now.

 

[Cruisified]

X2 on the heavy heavy and run 33x10.5 bfg at's on the stock rims.

Damn caps lock.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I third the heavy heavy and 33x10.5

my rig is heavy when I go into the desert or baja, and I have an additional leaf in the heavy springs, and it is perfect.

 

[mwalls54]

I will 4th the heavy heavy and 33x10.50s

 

[Rigger]

What they all said: Heavy/Heavy. You will LOVE the ride. Trust me. I run 33x1250's. Debate the tires if you want, but don't debate the OME Heavy/Heavy.

 

[karlsz]

You can always add a leaf or remove a leaf so go with any one that suits you and your pocket. I went with the heavy b/c I don't have bumpers or a winch but I tend to cary all my tools and camping gear, and if I do decide to get bumpers, roof rack and so on... I can always add a leaf. Either way it is going to be better that stock.

 

[scottcb]

Great to hear so many are of the same opinion.

What about a place to buy? Where can I get the best deal? Recomendations would be great.

I plan on installing them myself with a friend.

 

[ntsqd]

Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters is where I'd start. There may or may not be a better price out there (kinda doubt it), but his customer service is fantastic, and I'd rather spend my money with folks like that than go looking for the absolute, rock bottom price. Their time is worth something to them and to me.

 

[C2Motorsports]

So does this hold true if I have an OME Medium Deluxe, and want to stiffen it to the Heavy/Heavy rate? I would just add an additional leaf spring.

 

[karlsz]

I went with Kurt @ CO as well b/c so many people recomended him and I have to say great service. Also with me being on the east coast shipping for the OME was a bitch so Kurt really gave me a good deal.

 

[karlsz]

So does this hold true if I have an OME Medium Deluxe, and want to stiffen it to the Heavy/Heavy rate? I would just add an additional leaf spring.

That is the impression I have.

 

[mwalls54]

So does this hold true if I have an OME Medium Deluxe, and want to stiffen it to the Heavy/Heavy rate? I would just add an additional leaf spring.

That is correct, Kurt has them instock.

I messed up and got mine from Maf and i should have bought from Kurt.

 

[ADVENTURE RIDER]

Seeing that there are not many choices out there, has anyone ever had experience with Pinnacle Engineering lift kits? They sell a 3" for the FJ60 for around $1000.

 

[cruiser88]

OME heavy s is the way to go.....and if want a bigger tire than a 33 you can get the anti inversion shackles(the big ones) and run 35's but no wider than 12 inch.

 

[ADVENTURE RIDER]

Ok. Looks like the OME 2.5" delux kit is about $1300.

 

[cruiser88]

money well spent

Ok. Looks like the OME 2.5" delux kit is about $1300.

 

[ntsqd]

As a counter point, so far I am unimpressed with the ride quality of my OME's. The Rancho fronts and GM 63 rear springs on my '84 Mini ride light-years better than do the med/hvy OME's on my 60.
The shocks on the 60 are superior to those found on the front of the Mini and equal to the Mini's rears. If anything the Fox dampers (on the 60) are noted for being less harsh than Bilsteins (on the Mini).

I fear that I'm headed to radius arms & coils on the front with another set of GM 63's on the rear. The 60 is supposed to be a explorer/baja tow rig, not a project....

 

[lcwizard]

I feel the same.I have mediums all around, I travel about 20 miles a day on dirt
and the Dakars hit too hard . I pulled a front leaf and compensated the height loss with a shackle reversal and the ride improved 100 percent.
After switching to stiffer springs both front shackle hangars cracked loose of the frame ( another reason I went shackle reversal ) .This has occured on all three 60's I've owned. The aussie OME's road much softer, I still have a set.
Then there is those stinking tubes they press in the eyes. Six monthes old and the eyes stretch enough that the tubes are sloppy.

As a counter point, so far I am unimpressed with the ride quality of my OME's. The Rancho fronts and GM 63 rear springs on my '84 Mini ride light-years better than do the med/hvy OME's on my 60.
The shocks on the 60 are superior to those found on the front of the Mini and equal to the Mini's rears. If anything the Fox dampers (on the 60) are noted for being less harsh than Bilsteins (on the Mini).

I fear that I'm headed to radius arms & coils on the front with another set of GM 63's on the rear. The 60 is supposed to be a explorer/baja tow rig, not a project....

 

[goodol84]

Got mine from Kurt. Highly recommend and you will probably have hundreds of mudders tell you this. I did.