OME vs. Safari any thoughts

[tonyota]

OME 4" kit with shackle reversal vs. Safari Suspension 4" kit with shackle reversal. Both have basically the same parts except the springs are OME in their kit & the springs are Safari in their kit. $300.00 difference in price.

Anybody have any experience with Safari springs? Are OME springs worth the extra $300.00. Aside from the springs the kits read the same, same MAF & 4+ parts in each kit.

I dunno what to do here. Any help? Thanks.

 

[lovetoski]

I purchased the Safari kit w/OME shocks/shackles. If "do overs" were an option, I'd opt for the full OME kit. The Safari front springs require a shim to get the axle to the right castor (maybe they've fixed this). Also, the front spring has the centering pin more forward than I would like. I get rubbing on the inside front of the fender. With 33X10.50's I shouldn't have any rubbing. I ended up adding a long AAL to both front and back spring packs (used OME leaves) and while it is stiff this way, I think it rides better fully loaded. I've read very few (if any) complaints on the full OME kit.

 

[third coast cruisers]

I purchased the Safari kit w/OME shocks/shackles. If "do overs" were an option, I'd opt for the full OME kit. The Safari front springs require a shim to get the axle to the right castor (maybe they've fixed this). Also, the front spring has the centering pin more forward than I would like. I get rubbing on the inside front of the fender. With 33X10.50's I shouldn't have any rubbing. I ended up adding a long AAL to both front and back spring packs (used OME leaves) and while it is stiff this way, I think it rides better fully loaded. I've read very few (if any) complaints on the full OME kit.

my sentiments as well on the safari springs.

i had that kit on my last fj60 and i found them to wheel well good flex however the trade off was the longevity. especiallty with a full winch and brush guard combo w/winch and lights the front packs were def not built for the task. the rears started to suffer as well when i bolted on a custom rear with dual swingouts.

ome heavy's if you want to build a trail worthy 60.

spend the money.

 

[kbill45]

springs

Got my 3" Safari kit through Manafre. The Safaris are being redesigned or something. The kit came with a whimpy looking OME for the front and a log truck looking Safari pack for the rear. With a bull bar winch bumper and 9500ti Warn on the front I added one leaf from the old pack and that worked out fine. However the back went up around 5". I removed the anti r shackle and replaced it with the old short shackle from the front. It is better but still to high and too stiff.

In short I have Safari kits on my 40 and 60 and not pleaed with either. There has to be a better spring out there somewhere. TPI sold the best kit I have used but they lost their supplier.

 

[brokenparts]

I loved my safari springs...

 

[brokenparts]

back when I was SUA with the SR and safari springs.:

 

[DBS311]

I ran stock height Safari springs in a spring over configuration and they didn't last 6 months before inverting. Keep in mind that being sprung over is hard on springs, so I guess my comparison really isn't that fair. I'm running OME heavies now, but the arch helps as my springs don't invert when I'm articulating (like the flat Safari springs did).

 

[tonyota]

Hmmm. Interesting. I was contemplating SOA. trying to get the most bang for the buck.

 

[brokenparts]

Hmmm. Interesting. I was contemplating SOA. trying to get the most bang for the buck.

I would do it now then... keep your stock springs and maybe add some aals if they are saggin a bit.

 

[tonyota]

I would do it now then... keep your stock springs and maybe add some aals if they are saggin a bit.

Whats the best wat to go about this? Buy a kit.? Piece it together? Where to get steering componets? Should I start a new thread on this? Thanks for your help.

 

[brokenparts]

There is a lot of different ways to go about it. A lot depends on your budget and your wiliness/skills in the garage. There's a ton of info in this section and in the "build ups" sticky's. What do you plan to do with the rig?

 

[tonyota]

There is a lot of different ways to go about it. A lot depends on your budget and your wiliness/skills in the garage. There's a ton of info in this section and in the "build ups" sticky's. What do you plan to do with the rig?

I drive it on the roads & wheel it on the weekends. For hardcore stuff I wheel my mini. I hit things here in the midwest, (tight trails, lots of trees) Mu budget is around $1500.00 for suspension system. My skill level is up there. I'm no pro shop owner, but I know my way around a garage.

 

[brokenparts]

Honestly, I would keep it SUA then if you have a more "offroad" wheeler. Although a properly done SOA is fine on the road a sua will usually be superior for on road characteristics. You'll get the best of both worlds that way. If I could start over with my 60 and had the room for another "trail rig" I would have left my sua and built a hardcore buggy.

 

[DBS311]

Yeah, if the mini is your hard core rig, I wouldn't mess with the SOA. If you are firm with a $1500 suspension budget, I would definitely not go the SOA route.

Get the OME and enjoy it for a while. If you ever want to go SOA down the road you still can and the bonus is, you will then have OME springs to use. Leave them as it is, or dearch if you don't want as much height.

Besides, if you go SOA, you'll put at least 35" tires on, meaning it's time for re-gearing, lockers, etc. Once you have that much lift you'd be surprised at how much more you end up modding your ride.

 

[tonyota]

Honestly, I would keep it SUA then if you have a more "offroad" wheeler. Although a properly done SOA is fine on the road a sua will usually be superior for on road characteristics. You'll get the best of both worlds that way. If I could start over with my 60 and had the room for another "trail rig" I would have left my sua and built a hardcore buggy.

My mini is pretty unstopable. Lift, gears, dual cases, lockers, bobbed, etc...

I think I'll go with the lift & stay SUA. That's what I keep goin back to as I have been researchin this for a few months now. Thanks for all the info.