OME Time!

[alaskacruiser]

OME Time / Limiting Lift

Hi Guys,

So I finally got the $ to upgrade my POS-stock-LX suspension to OME. I've read up on the OME options quite a bit on here in the past, did a search, etc. and I still have some questions:

Unlike many of you, my 80 is my only vehicle, so it is very important that I keep the overall height of the vehicle such that it can still fit in parking garages, which I must park in every day (no, this is not a poser rig- I do wheel it). Right now I have 285s along with the stock LX suspension, and I will be adding an ARB non-winch bar along with the lift. I'd like to keep the overall vehicle height within an inch or so of what it is now, and I want an even front/rear stance so I will use trim-packers, if required.

1. Here's my idea: I'm thinking maybe if I removed the factory roof rack, then went with the medium load (851/860) OME 2.5" lift and ARB non-winch bar, I would end up very close to the overall height I am at now. Is this feasible? Anyone done measurements like this (various suspension combos with / without factory roofrack)?

2. I know the actual amount of lift you get from the OMEs depends on what else you have on your vehicle. How much of a height increase can I expect with my setup (ARB non-winch in front, otherwise stock) and these spring combos:
- 861/862 (1" stock height replacement)
- 851/860 (medium load)
- 850/863 (heavy load)

I ask because jlc's rig:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=77925
with the OME 861/862 stock-height replacement seems to have quite a bit more than 1" of lift.

 

[T Y L E R]

I'd just like to say congrats .. you sound like you know what you're after. That is half the battle with these build ups in my opinion. While you wait for answers to come rolling in, might I suggest you review the ROTW's as well as the Garage sections. You may find a good role model 80 in our midst.






TY

 

[fzj80kidpen]

Alaska,
I am also stock height now preparing to lift.
What you have described sounds like you will be going OME 2.5" medium. You will expect to about 1" of stink bug that the ARB will only add to. I know some go ahead and get the heavy front and medium rear if they do not plan to add a sliders and rear bumper to level it out. I will end up with more than 1" of lift. More like 2-3" from what I have seen. Check out Romers setup.

 

[emr88]

I'd recommend the 850/860 setup if you plan on putting an ARB up front. Even without a winch, the added weight of the bumper might lower the front a little bit and give you that "stink bug" stance.
I'm running 850/860 but without the bumper. When I get the front bumper, I plan on running spacers up front to level it out. Right now it's almost level.

I didn't measure it before the lift, but I've parked in a few different parking garages and I've got plenty of clearance.
FWIW, I estimate the actual lift (with 295's) to be more like 3-4".

Here is a link to a pic of my truck with this setup

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=62791

 

[Cruiserdrew]

850/863. I installed the medium suspension the first time and always regretted it. It rides well but is too soft when you load it up. The 2.5 inch lift requires minimal mods to drive and work well. Definitely the best bang for buck for 80 series suspension. I'm now on my 3rd suspension (Slee 4inch)!

 

[Eric T]

I had similar questions a while ago while designing a new garage....I wanted to make sure
my future modded 80 series would fit in.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=63676&highlight=roof+height

The replies I got might be helpful.
The garage isn't built yet, but I like the 850/863 combo...

Good luck.

 

[alaskacruiser]

Thanks for the great replies so far! Eric T- your thread has some great info! Which brings up more questions:

3. I am eventually planning to also get sliders, and a Kaymar tire carrier with *factory* rear bumper along with the aforementioned ARB nonwinch bumper. Would you recommend:
- medium (851/860)
- medium-heavy (850/860), or
- heavy (850/863) with this setup?

4. Does the 850/860 (heavy front / medium rear) setup eliminate the need for trim packers up front with an ARB bumper? emr88- it might be the angle, but in your pic it looks like with this setup your front sits slightly higher than your rear. Is this the case?

5. Will I get different lift heights from medium vs. heavy rear springs (860 vs. 863)?

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Thanks for the great replies so far! Which brings up some other questions:

3. I am eventually planning to also get sliders, and a Kaymar tire carrier with *factory* rear bumper along with the aforementioned ARB nonwinch bumper. Would you recommend medium or heavy load suspension with this setup?

4. Does the 850/860 (heavy front / medium rear) setup eliminate the need for trim packers up front with an ARB bumper?

5. Will I get different lift heights from medium vs. heavy rear springs (860 vs. 863)?

FWIW, I am running heavies front and rear, ARB up front with no sliders or rear bumper, but will have those in the near future. With no extra weight in the rear I do have some stink-bug, which I plan to fix by adding packers to the front. The ride is great unloaded, but where it really shines is when you have 5 guys and many 100's of pounds of gear in it like I did recently. The truck sat level (Mediums would sag) and handled the weight nicely going down the road. If you plan on adding weight in the future, I think I would go straight to the heavy lift now. I am also running Bilstiens with the heavies which may ride different then the OME shocks.

3. Heavy springs with that setup for sure
4. You MAY sit level unloaded, but you are going to be draggin' your rear when loaded, especially if you have the rear bumper and sliders on there
5. Again, this is weight dependent.

Lastly JLC's rig looks like more then a medium lift to me ..... maybe its just the angles. Also, a new suspension is always going to settle a bit as you put on the miles.

 

[jlc]

the lift was surprizing to me too. my cruiser doesnt have any extra weight on it. thats why i think it look s like a med lift..
again..i have med ome shocks and stock replacement ome springs..i also have bfg 285s this photo shows the it after a few thousand miles ...i think enough to be settled? or maybe not.

 

[NorCalDoug]

the lift was surprizing to me too. my cruiser doesnt have any extra weight on it. thats why i think it look s like a med lift..
again..i have med ome shocks and stock replacement ome springs..i also have bfg 285s this photo shows the it after a few thousand miles ...i think enough to be settled? or maybe not.

What's up with that pic and why's it look like your rig is on fire?

 

[Fochdog]

I would also recommend the 850/560 set up. See sig line for my set up. This got me 3" of lift front and rear (before sliders) and very level.

I figure an ARB Bullbar with winch is in my near future and this will let me forego the front spacers.

 

[alaskacruiser]

I think I'll go out and do some measurements of the roof rack height, etc. today. So, assuming the height requirement is met, my next question is:

6. What would be the advantage of going with an 850/860 (heavy front / medium rear) over an 850/863 (heavy front / heavy rear) setup? Which would you recommend considering I will be adding ARB non-winch, sliders, and Kaymar swing-out tire carrier (attaches to factory bumper) in the future?

(Montana- thanks for your replies and I'm definitely paying attention, just wanted to get a consensus...)

 

[Romer]

I have a 2.5" med lift, 1 " spacers on the front. ARB bumper with Winch, Sliders blah blah blah . . . . it's loaded. I also have a roof rack and unlike others here, I do not want to remove it.

I have no problems with garages or any height issues what so ever.

 

[Fochdog]

The 850/860 combo will give you a more level vehicle. Many people complain of the "stink bug" effect with the 850/863 combo in a lightly loaded truck.

Plus the 860 rear springs are roughly 20% softer rate than the 863 springs. So in theory you will get a softer or smoother ride with the Medium (860) rear springs.

A lot of the ride quality you get will also depend on the shocks you pick. But that is another story...

 

[alaskacruiser]

I have a 2.5" med lift, 1 " spacers on the front. ARB bumper with Winch, Sliders blah blah blah . . . . it's loaded. I also have a roof rack and unlike others here, I do not want to remove it.

I have no problems with garages or any height issues what so ever.

Romer- for clarification, you mean you have the 851/860 springs? Thanks for the info!

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I also forgot to add, even unloaded, I have not had a hard time with various parking garages in Boston, Minneapolis or Seattle. I dont have the factory racks, but sometimes have a Thule up there with the tall towers, and that makes things closer, but still able to get in just fine.

I was fearful of a harsh ride with the heavy/heavy setup, but I can honestly say now I cant imagine getting something softer as these ride so nice.

I agree with Fochdog, the shocks are going to change the "ride" of the truck as well, so it's something to consider once you decide on springs. I'll post back with my source for the Bilstien's.

 

[alaskacruiser]

As for shocks, I thought the N73/N74 were pretty standard with most 2.5" OME lifts and I was planning on going with those. I've seen the firm rear shocks referred to as N74 and N74E - are these the same part or is there a typo in the part #s? (I'm not confusing it with the N74L recommended for use with J springs).

Any other OME shock recommendations?

 

[Romer]

Romer- for clarification, you mean you have the 851/860 springs? Thanks for the info!

Yes

 

[FirstToy]

Hi Guys,

Unlike many of you, my 80 is my only vehicle, so it is very important that I keep the overall height of the vehicle such that it can still fit in parking garages, which I must park in every day

You better check the parking garages you plan on using. There are many in LA that are too low or *just* tall enough-which means you are praying the min. height sign is accurate and there are no low hanging pipes or structure!. It will be an issue if you dd around LA.

Without roof rack will help, that's how close it is sometimes. Also many structures get lower as you drive down lower levels...

I have OME Heavy w/ 285's

 

[fzj80kidpen]

Alaska,
Glad you being persistant here.
I am all over the 850/860 combo.
Part of me wants to go with CDans recommendation of J's up front and heavy in the back for the additional height but I am concerned about entering the vibration zone as I have to armour currently. Looking forward to the bilstien #'s aswell.