OME without lift?

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bkgee

bkgee

10 Year 15 Year
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Nov 20, 2008
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Reno, NV
I've never come across the subject, I doubt there are many folks interested in doing so, and I can't even think of the best search words for this info on the forum, but...

Any reason why OME torsion bars can't be installed without lifting the LC? It seems from everything that I've read, that they should be able to be installed without lifting the truck from stock ride height. My purpose would be to reduce body roll, and to support more gear like a bull bar, winch, and dual battery setup. However, I don't have any need for lift at this time and would prefer to keep the CG low.

Flame me if you must :o

If you have knowledge or opinion, I'd like to hear it. Would the springs be too stiff for an unladen truck? Most of the heavy gear is a ways off for me, but I would welcome the reduction in body roll right now as long as the ride wasn't too stiff.
 
bkgee said:
Any reason why OME torsion bars can't be installed without lifting the LC?
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Absolutely no reason at all. The height of the front suspension is completely exclusive of which torsion bars you have installed.

bkgee said:
Would the springs be too stiff for an unladen truck? Most of the heavy gear is a ways off for me, but I would welcome the reduction in body roll right now as long as the ride wasn't too stiff.
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Short answer, possibly. The OME bars are a big difference from the stock bars. For this reason I've yet to install mine, they are still in the box in the garage. Why, because I don't have enough weight on the front of the LC to warrant the OME bars yet.

Without the additional load on the bars they are designed for you will experience less articulation which impacts off road performance. They will also result in a harsh ride in all conditions.

Trunk Monkey said:
You'll get more out of good shocks, but better springs will help too.
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I agree with Trunk, first upgrade the front shocks. Then evaluate if you need upgraded torsion bars. I also found that new shocks front/rear made a huge improvement in all areas.
 
Thanks guys. I'm running the Billy HDs, they did reduce the roll and improve the ride. I'm just looking to reduce the roll even more - but not at the cost of reduced articulation. I'll probably wait until I get some more weight up front.

So new question, how much weight do you think the OME springs need up front before they articulate as designed? Would a sahara bar do it? I'm guessing a dual batt set up alone would not be enough (especially since it would be behind the axle) ...
 
bkgee said:
I'm just looking to reduce the roll even more - but not at the cost of reduced articulation.
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You do know this is not a sports car right, but instead a 6000 pound SUV? ;p

bkgee said:
So new question, how much weight do you think the OME springs need up front before they articulate as designed? Would a sahara bar do it? I'm guessing a dual batt set up alone would not be enough (especially since it would be behind the axle) ...
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ARB bumper and/or dual batteries, no. I just added a ARB combo bar bumper which I would assume weighs more than the Sahara due to the extra tubbing. I have Bilstein HD's up front with the stock torsion bars cranked. I noticed zero difference in the ride after installing the bumper. In other words the stock torsion bars are holding up nicely.

When will I finally install my OME torsion bars? I have planned to add in the near future a TW 12000 winch, dual Hella lights, Hi-Lift mounted on the ARB, and dual batteries under the hood. Once that's all complete the OME bars will go on. So let's say adding at least another 200-300lbs on the front bars would be sufficient? Probably be more like 400lbs once done. I might try and keep track of the added weight for reference.
 
You might spend some time under there and look at other less expensive things that probably need replacing my now. Things like Sway bar bushings, rear upper and lower control arms (although not less expensive), etc. With a 2001, I am sure most need to be replaced if you havnt done so yet. It will definitely help improve the ride.
 
Anthony.L said:
You do know this is not a sports car right, but instead a 6000 pound SUV? ;p
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uh, :flipoff2: well i'm not planning most of that payload at this point, so i might just have to live with the roll. luckily the cruiser makes it overall very easy to live with ;)

Mxndrnks said:
Things like Sway bar bushings, rear upper and lower control arms (although not less expensive), etc.
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good ideas! i was planning on holding out for the 180k mile major service interval for those refurbs, but i might consider bumping those plans up...
 
Gunga Galunga said:
Look into the Timbren bump stops to replace your OEMs to provide increased stability, reduce swag, and eliminate sway. I put them on my LC after a 2.5" lift and it does corner like a sports car! Dramatic decrease in body roll. But, you can put them on stock suspension rigs and still improve the ride. Check out the link below for a little more info.

Timbren Kit for Toyota LandCruiser & Lexus LX470 (1998-07) - 4WD - FRONT - TOFTUN4 | $199.63
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Beware, it's been widely reported Timbren offers many durometers of rubber in their bumpstops. The best way to know you are getting the right combo, buy them through Carl at Just Differentials. He has tested and found the perfect combo just for us 100 owners.
 
Anthony.L said:
Beware, it's been widely reported Timbren offers many durometers of rubber in their bumpstops. The best way to know you are getting the right combo, buy them through Carl at Just Differentials. He has tested and found the perfect combo just for us 100 owners.
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Absolutely! I paid a little more, but I got mine from Carl @Just Differentials. Actually, you can call and talk to Carl about almost anything LandCruiser and he will probably be able to help you out.
 
huh, price (front and rear) comes to about the same as a full OME spring setup, but if i get the results i'm looking for without compromising the stock plush/articulation/height, this would def be the route for me to take. thanks again guys, i'll be talking to carl. and posting back when i've got results :cheers:
 
Anthony.L said:
...So let's say adding at least another 200-300lbs on the front bars would be sufficient? ...
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just to close this loop, I saw that Slee has referenced the OME t-bars as "OME303001 | 1.5" | 200-300 lbs" - you nailed it Anthony :clap:

so it sounds like bull bar, winch and battery might be necessary to get into that design weight window

seems like i've seen forum member signatures with OME lifts and no other weighty mods... i wonder what their ride impressions are?...
 
bkgee said:
seems like i've seen forum member signatures with OME lifts and no other weighty mods... i wonder what their ride impressions are?...
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Yup, I've seen many people over the past two years with OME on a otherwise bone stock LC. In fact the OME lift I have I bought used here on MUD. The owner installed it with no extra weight, and after a couple thousand miles hated the ride. He then removed it and sold to me. Because of this, and others I read here, I only installed the rear OME springs and kept the OME bars in the box to date.

I wasn't complaining, I got lightly used OME bars and springs for $250 shipped! :D
 
bkgee said:
just to close this loop, I saw that Slee has referenced the OME t-bars as "OME303001 | 1.5" | 200-300 lbs" - you nailed it Anthony :clap:

so it sounds like bull bar, winch and battery might be necessary to get into that design weight window

seems like i've seen forum member signatures with OME lifts and no other weighty mods... i wonder what their ride impressions are?...
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Mine has an OME lift - 866 springs, torsion bars and OME shocks - with just a home made bumper on the front (if I was to guess, it would probably weigh less than the ARB options). I like the ride a lot, and there is almost no body roll at all.

A few weeks ago I drove my father's LX470, and even with the ride set to the stiffest setting it felt much too soft to me.
 
I'm running an OME kit with 865 rear springs, the torsion bars, and NitroCharger Firm shocks. Otherwise,the rig is stock. Rides fine to me. Keep in mind, there are several shock combinations available from OME. If you had more weight, you might use different shocks.
 
bkgee said:
seems like i've seen forum member signatures with OME lifts and no other weighty mods... i wonder what their ride impressions are?...
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The first lift I did, I ran the Slee medium 2.5" lift.

2 x OME860 Rear Coil Springs
2 x Old Man Emu 60000 Shocks
2 x Old Man Emu 60002 Shocks
2 x Old Man Emu Torsion Bars
1 x Slee Diff Drop Kit

Other than the lift the only thing heavy I installed was the Slee Slider steps. I loved the improved ride over the Stock suspension. Yes it was stiffer and more truck like. But, I didnt mind it. In fact I was really happy with it. The stock system was SO soft! Too Soft!

I have just finished replacing most of those components to Radflo's, TC UCA's, OME 863's, Timbren's, etc. But I havnt had much time to compare ride yet. I am expecting an even better ride.
 
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