Shocks for a lifted 100
- Thread starter dnp
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I'm currently researching what route to go on lifts, a lot of mixed info out there. This thread has some good stuff in it though: Shock Length Thread
Dobinsons, Slee, Radflo and Icon (Just differentials kit, for example) all sell longer than OEM shocks for lifted applications. Overall performance and off-road ride quality is improved after lifting the vehicle, especially on the front (with proper UCA's). This is a notable difference. Most of these shock lengths are published on this forum and on the vendor's sites. From my research the extended length Dobinson's and Icon's have the most extension, which we want with our front ends, provided we've extended the sway bar end links, have proper UCA's for clearing the shocks on full droop, and have a diff drop installed.
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Ok this thread inspired me to swap out my OME nitrochargers for some OEM Toyota shocks. I have one question though. Can I re-use the washers from the OME shocks? Or do I need to spend stupid money at the dealer for the stock washers? Thanks for the help guys. I promised I searched for at least three hours and couldn't find the answer to this.
As long as they completely trap the bushings the OME washers will work fine as the shaft widths are the same.
I haven't talked to them. It's on their web site. I will call them.
I just replaced my OME with Toyota OEM shocks. Washers from OME shocks worked perfectly but I had to reuse the bushings from old man emu because the Toyota stuff is wider and made it difficult for the front shocks to get threaded in. All in all old man emu shocks are the exact same length shocks as Toyota and the ride is incredibly better! Even with my load range E 10-ply tires it’s almost like riding in a factory fresh brand new 100 series! But that’s also thanks to my TT front upper control arms/TT diff drop/TT rear upper and lower control arms/TT extended sway bar links front and rear... Thnaks JASON!!! OME front torsion bars and 860 rear coils. This is the best lift kit combo for cruisers without front and rear bumpers with additional cargo weight.
Not sure about the front but I can guarantee you my lift kit provides WAY more travel on the rear shocks over stock AHC shocks. I have the Slee extended brake lines and even with those installed it’s cutting it close on full extension. slinky stage 4 kit.
Are we talking stock OEM 100 series Landcruiser shocks or LX470 AHC shocks? I'm confused
Me too! Review please?
I called them, their new web page says aftermarket UCAs are recommended on our 100s with all of their shocks, stage 1 through stage 3.
Curious for those who are using the bilstein shocks what torsion bars and springs are you running. I understand that the springs will vary as it’ll depend on the weight in the rear but was curious what I might be looking for if I was to go this route.
Does this mean i can replace my OME setup with OEM Toyota without paying for the hardware? I can just buy the shocks for 40 dollars and swap the existing hardware?
I’d be interested in hearing what other cars you enjoy the ride in?
I would think going back to stock is what you’re after. Lifts are primarily beneficial for off road use, and the shocks are built accordingly. Finding an extended shock for a lift while hoping to maintain an unlifted ride quality is wishful thinking at best.
I’ve run the OME for years and it’s amazing on washboards and dirt trails.I’ve left the factory comfort for sure but I’ve gained off-road performance.
Having a lifted cruiser but wanting a luxury ride is like having a Prius with a tow hitch... there is better options for the task.
Juat
I would think going back to stock is what you’re after. Lifts are primarily beneficial for off road use, and the shocks are built accordingly. Finding an extended shock for a lift while hoping to maintain an unlifted ride quality is wishful thinking at best.
I’ve run the OME for years and it’s amazing on washboards and dirt trails.I’ve left the factory comfort for sure but I’ve gained off-road performance.
Having a lifted cruiser but wanting a luxury ride is like having a Prius with a tow hitch... there is better options for the task.
Juat
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
There are some guys that will contest that the OME shocks are stiffer than any other on the market. There are reports in different threads of guys moving to Ironman, Icon, ToughDog, etc. for shocks only and having the ride vastly improve and still keep the same functionality offroad. While I take that with a grain of salt, it is interesting because I feel like the OME light setup I have in my 100 is as stiff, if not stiff, than the 1.5" lift that I cobbled together on my 60 series with AALs, re-arched springs and Skyjacker shocks.
While I agree that chasing the feel of a stock suspension with an aftermarket, lifted one is on in futility, I do believe that there are better options than OME. OME just happens to be the oldest and most well known.
JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
- Thread starter
- #58
Yeah, I agree with this. I had a 100 with an OME lift when they still made their Nitro (or were they Hydro?) shocks. Either way, they were the iteration before the current Nitrocharger Sport variety. That suspension seemed to work very well without the harshness. Now, on my current 100, when I had the Nitrocharger Sport shocks (or were they just solid steel bars internally?), they were unnecessarily harsh. I've got front and rear bumpers, and even changing to OEM shocks, it's still well-controlled without being bone-jarring. Granted, I haven't run Baja with this setup, but for everything I've done with it so far, it's performed just fine. Many friends swear by Ironman Foam Cell Pros, but not wanting to spend $200/corner on a 325,000 milie truck, I opted for the OEM shocks. They work fine.
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Impressive, but be careful out there.
Prius Busted. Black Bear switchbacks. High centered, three shredded tires, driver behind boulder on phone to tow company. Have to wonder about driver IQ.
To stay on thread topic,
photo taken from my 100 with extended travel Icon stage 3, SPC UCA, extended swaybar links.Pricey but a great setup.
While I’d generally agree that a lifted 100 series is not going to ride and handle like a stock 100 series, I don’t agree that it has to ride like crap to be a "real" off road vehicle.
I’ve got three 100 series in the driveway. At this point in time, I’ve been able to compare stock vs lifted, and lifted brand X vs brand Y, side by side in multiple variations.
The ~2014 vintage OME medium kit on my son’s 2000 LC reminds me of an overly harsh C4 Corvette that I used to have. It felt great and sporty on a perfectly smooth surface and acceptable on rougher surfaces, up until the point where I drove my roommate’s Porsche 928, which was more compliant/controlled/balanced in almost every circumstance. Neither was a luxury car ride, and admittedly the 928 was more of a GT than a sports car, but the engineers at Porsche obviously spent a whole lot more time on their suspension decisions than “let’s just make it stiff, because it will turn better”.
With the limited front suspension travel of the 100 series, I have no illusion of it being a rock crawler, nor a Baja racer.
I would like mine to be compliant/balanced enough to drive on the street, and firm/controlled enough to take off road. The stock Toyota shocks seem too light/soft to me. The OME Nitro Sport Shocks seem too harsh/firm. (Just call me Goldilocks.) The Tough Dog foam cell shocks have seemed to be a move in the right direction for me.
I’ve been somewhat reluctant to get into the rebuildable, racing style shocks, due to cost and maintenance, but since I’ve added an extra 100 series, maybe it’s time to get my feet wet. I’ve got a set of Dobinsons IMS/MRA shocks on the way, and I’ll see how those do. Maybe it would’ve been cheaper and easier to just throw one of the full blown Icon/Just Differentials/Slinky kits on all three of them at the start, and just be done with it.
