Opinions on OME "Low Height" suspension kit from CruiserOutfitters?

[Timpanogos Slim]

The heavy patina of rust on my '94's shocks and the sloppy ride tell me that a suspension upgrade is on the list.

I don't intend on any extreme wheeling or rock crawling. I bought my 80 because it has a completely different set of uses from my daily driver (VW GTI 1.8T).

What i would like to do with it is go camping in places that are inaccessible to the majority of street vehicles. So we're talking about unmaintained dirt roads.

Since my daily driver has low profile tires and koni suspension, a somewhat stiff ride is what I'm used to. I don't like when i can't feel the road. But i get that there's a ton more steel and rubber and distance when I'm in the LC.

I just put a set of Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor 265/75 r16 on the cruiser and I like them pretty well for the 100 or so miles I've got on them. I'm struggling to get it to pass emissions and my temporary tags have expired so I'm not driving it much.

Since Cruiser Outfitters is local to me and they seem to come highly regarded, and because I don't believe I'll need more height, I'm thinking about the "Low Height" OME kit. Which comes as follows:

OME 2861 Front Coil Spring
60018 Front Nitrocharger Sport Shock
OME 2862 Rear Coil Spring
60020 Rear Nitrocharger Sport Shock
OME SD24 Steering Damper

Given my intended uses of the cruiser - camping (potentially towing 1 ton of popup travel trailer), extreme weather, and days when my tiny german car is in the shop (such a pain in the ass to wrench on) - does this sound like a good choice to mudders?

 

[bhmmapping]

I have had the low height springs and loved them. Perfect for your intended purpose. I would buy oem shocks from cdan and the springs from cruiser outfitters. The ome shocks are harsh imo.

 

[greentruck]

Agree. The OEM Tokicos that CDan can get you cheap will work well with the 861/862 coils.

If you hang a bunch of junk on the front like I did, then you'll need the Nitro Sports up there. I'm still running the Tokicos in back and it rides well.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I have had the low height springs and loved them. Perfect for your intended purpose. I would buy oem shocks from cdan and the springs from cruiser outfitters. The ome shocks are harsh imo.

Can you expand a bit on your definition of harsh?

 

[erodstrom]

Subscribed. Just bought a 1993 80 series myself with a similar planned use and similarly worn out suspension.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I mean, I paid a lot of money so that when i drive my VW to work and back it stays glued to the road, I feel the gap between slabs of concrete, and when i take a 35mph ramp at 70mph the thing doesn't tilt much at all.

One thing I've despised about the domestic trucks I've driven is the marshmallow suspension.

So, you know, define "Harsh". A friend of mine has an OME kit with the nitro charger shocks on a 60 series and it feels fine to me, granted that I've only ridden in it on paved roads a few times.

 

[pnwcruiser]

I mean, I paid a lot of money so that when i drive my VW to work and back it stays glued to the road, I feel the gap between slabs of concrete, and when i take a 35mph ramp at 70mph the thing doesn't tilt much at all.

One thing I've despised about the domestic trucks I've driven is the marshmallow suspension.

So, you know, define "Harsh". A friend of mine has an OME kit with the nitro charger shocks on a 60 series and it feels fine to me, granted that I've only ridden in it on paved roads a few times.

I have OME heavy front and medium rear using OME nitro shocks. I have owned 4 water cooled VW and an Audi. My '83 GTi had bilstien sport with H&R sport springs. It was a go kart on steroids. I love my OME suspension on my '96 FZJ80. My next suspension fix is replacing bushings under the rig. I have some slop that needs to be resolved. Be sure you get the caster correction kit if you need it depending on the setup.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I have OME heavy front and medium rear using OME nitro shocks. I have owned 4 water cooled VW and an Audi. My '83 GTi had bilstien sport with H&R sport springs. It was a go kart on steroids. I love my OME suspension on my '96 FZJ80. My next suspension fix is replacing bushings under the rig. I have some slop that needs to be resolved. Be sure you get the caster correction kit if you need it depending on the setup.

Yeah, I've considered the 2" medium but i'm not sure i need it for the amount of gear i may be hauling.

Agreed wrt go-kart. The Mk1 GTi's are still legendary. It's only the MkV and MkVI that match it in power/weight ratio, and only because they made it twice as powerful, because it's twice as heavy. And all because some sissies don't want to die horribly in an accident.

A car (or truck) is not a steel box that insulates me from the world. It's a machine that i have a working relationship with.

The stupidest vehicle I ever drove was a brand new, bone stock Ford F250. What a dainty pig.

 

[bugsnbikes]

you will easily gain a few inches of clearance over your OEM saggy springs.

The ride will firm up- without being harsh and cornering will feel much better (less roll in corners).

If you end up changing tires down the road you will easily fit 33s. Tokikos from Cdan are a real bang for the buck and give a much better ride than whatever junk comes with OME sets.........just buy the springs from Kurt and get the shocks from Cdan.

 

[greentruck]

I have OME heavy front and medium rear using OME nitro shocks. I have owned 4 water cooled VW and an Audi. My '83 GTi had bilstien sport with H&R sport springs. It was a go kart on steroids. I love my OME suspension on my '96 FZJ80.
SNIP
Be sure you get the caster correction kit if you need it depending on the setup.

Yeah, if you've been riding in set-up econoboxes, the OME shocks are not gonna bother you too much on an 80. I wouldn't call the front end ride on our truck "harsh" -- more like aggressive, but it needs to be with all the weight needing dampening up there.

For the 861/862, I wouldn't order the caster correction. It's remotely possible it might be needed, but we "low riders" usually get away with none at all. Whatever gain in ride height found with the new coils is within the nominal factory suspension range. They'll also settle a little over the first month or two after installation.

New stock height coils are well worth the investment for any 80 that has 150,000 on it. You'll probably wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

 

[nmesce]

The 861/862 coils will work wonders for. Consider putting in 30mm spring spacers if u want a little more clearance but not a 2.5" lift

 

[bhmmapping]

Can you expand a bit on your definition of harsh?

stiff but not in a good way? Jarring on highway construction. I have switched the fronts to bilsteins and noticed a big difference. I have the rears and just haven't had time to install them. The Bilsteins actually might be as firm or firmer ride but they aren't as, what's the word, harsh?

 

[Coolstream]

I put on the 861/2 springs with 10mm spacers and Tokico shocks. I gained almost exactly 1.5" all around. No caster correction needed. I think the ride is great, not harsh and not floaty.

 

[Godwin]

It's a good choice to replace worn stock springs if you don't need or want an increase in lift. I went with the springs and OME shocks but later added MAF spacers in the rear because the rear tended to sag when the 80 was fully loaded. With the spacers it sits level.

 

[jeffro109]

I have the OME stock height kit and the OME shocks. With more weight in the front than factor with an ARB, winch, big batt I need some spring spacers to bring the front up a bit...10 mm will probably be the ones to get.

With teh back empty, a speed bump can be a bit of a reminder of driving a pickup, but with a full load it rides great and does not sag too much

 

[jso5000]

Coolstream, really like your rig and suspension set up. What size tires you runnin and which bumber is that?
Thanks

 

[Coolstream]

Coolstream, really like your rig and suspension set up. What size tires you runnin and which bumber is that?
Thanks

Thanks!
Tires are 285/75-16 Nitto Terrra Grapplers, the bumper is a custom one from Tommy Gun Fabrication in Phoenix. Build thread here.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Any specific thoughts on the OME steering damper?

 

[Czar]

Here is my LX450 with OME stock height springs and new replacement Toyota shocks. The highway ride is firm and smooth, around town she gets a bit harsh.

 

[spencertron]

i totally love mine. granted, it came on the cruiser when i bought it so i dont have much to compare to, but i also bought this one because it drove so much better than the other ones i test drove. I'm in provo if you'd like to come test drive mine to get a feel for how it rides. pm me if you're interested.