Suspension enhancement opinion needed

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

RKTINC

RKTINC

Joined
Oct 6, 2016
Threads
105
Messages
839
Location
Kansas
I would like to upgrade my 60k mile 2002 100 with a set of BFG AT 285/75/16 tires. The truck will see no off road use. I plan to let my kids drive it to high school in a couple years. I would like to level the truck out a bit and give the 285's a bit more space but do not seek to raise the truck significantly. Money is really not an option as I want it to be "right." Should I save money just buy new OEM Toyota shocks, turn the stock bars a bit and call it a day? I am thinking sixteen year-old shocks have got to be ready for a refresh.

Would aftermarket Old Man Emu torsion bars, 4 new Old Man Emu shocks be a waste of money or a valuable safety item for this low mileage crusier? I just don't think I need new springs as I don't seek to raise the vehicle. I wish I could find a 1" lift kit.

Thanks opinions appreciated.

RKTINC
 
Just keep that plush LC ride by getting new OEM shocks and cranking your stock TBs. An OME setup would be more than you want and ride a lot harsher too.

If you need a little more rear height that can be achieved by a spacer.
 
So I have OME 865s the 1.5 inch medium springs with a 1" Coil spacer. Fox 2.0 shocks in the rear and New OEM Toyota front Shocks,
I have home brew sliders that's it.

I love the ride. It is smooth but limited body roll. but also the Fox shocks removed a lot of body roll. Definitely get new tires you will love them.

I would recommend New coils in the rear and OEM Shocks. Will definitely limit the body roll but remain a smooth comfortable ride.
 
Last edited:
OEM or OME (Old Man Emu) shocks?
 
So those of you with experience with the OME shocks would classify them as slightly stiffer in ride quality?
 
RKTINC said:
So those of you with experience with the OME shocks would classify them as slightly stiffer in ride quality?
Click to expand...
That seems to be the consensus on this forum. IMO they aren't properly valved. If you want HD shocks go with iron man foam cell pros. Haven't heard one bad thing about those on 100s.
 
How does the RadFlo compare to Iron Man or OME?

One more question - any recommendations for installers in Southern or Northern CA? I know most folks on this forum would self install but I neither have the tools or space for it.
 
Last edited:
RKTINC said:
OEM or OME (Old Man Emu) shocks?
Click to expand...
My humble opinion, for the money the oem shocks (tokico I believe) are the best bet. I was ready to put Bilsteins all around, but was convinced otherwise at the last minute, as they would not only stiffen the ride (which I really didn't want) but were roughly twice the cost of tokicos.

Relatively cheap and, from what I've observed and reaserched on here, arguaby the smoothest riding shocks for the 100..but by all means, if anyone disagrees I'd love to hear your feedback.
 
stonekutters said:
How does the RadFlo compare to Iron Man or OME?

One more question - any recommendations for installers in Southern or Northern CA? I know most folks on this forum would self install but I neither have the tools or space for it.
Click to expand...
Well Radflo are Monotube shocks while Ironman and OME nitrochargers are twin tube, that would be the biggest difference. Monotubes have advantages over twintubes but if you want minimal lift with oem ride i would recommend the same as DirtDawg
 
Iron Man Pro Foam Review

Read this before going with Old Man Emu. Everyone LOVES the Iron Man Pro Foam shocks. You can add a Slee 30mm spacer to your stock rear springs and crank the stock torsion bars, add the IM Pro Foam shocks, get it aligned and you'll be good-to-go.
 
From the use that you have described, I'd suggest a fresh set of OEM (Toyota) shocks, either some OME865s or a pair of spacers at the rear, and a slight adjustment of the torsion bars.

I wouldn't describe the OME shocks as being "slightly stiffer" than the OEM (Toyota) shocks, just plain "stiffer"
 
I am pondering the same question as the OP. I don't need to go to the 285 tires as I do a LOT of highway driving and often haul an extra 500 or so pounds of cargo inside. I noticed that no one mentioned rear air-bag coil helpers. The service manager at the dealership actually recommended them with the on-board compressor for adjustments based on load. I never bothered to price OEM shocks at the dealership. Mine are completely worn out to the point of almost dangerous nose-dive and body roll. I do love the plush ride so I will check out the OEM shocks. Does anyone have experience with air bags for the rear coils on a 100 series? It's a 2001 with 175K on the odometer.
 
SWUtah said:
Did the OME, love the quality, rides like a solid 4x4, love it. If anyone cares about luxury ride I question their purchase of a full size body on frame SUV.
Click to expand...
This replaced a 3/4 ton Yukon XL with the 8 Liter engine, so I don't consider a land cruiser a "full-size" SUV. With the technology in today's shocks, I just want to make the most informed decision possible. My wife's Mercedes GLS 550 proves that a good ride and an SUV don't have to be mutually exclusive, she just won't let me take it to the woods yet.
 
JPCruiser said:
This replaced a 3/4 ton Yukon XL with the 8 Liter engine, so I don't consider a land cruiser a "full-size" SUV. With the technology in today's shocks, I just want to make the most informed decision possible. My wife's Mercedes GLS 550 proves that a good ride and an SUV don't have to be mutually exclusive, she just won't let me take it to the woods yet.
Click to expand...

Your wife's SUV suspension will cost A fortune compared to the 100 series in half the miles. I've owned several and will never own another. The 100 series weighs close to your Yukon. If you look at the frame on the 100 series it is sad beefy as your Yukon.
 
thanks folks, all good information. Those Toyota shocks are really priced right vs aftermartket. I think they may be worth a try.
 
SWUtah said:
Your wife's SUV suspension will cost A fortune compared to the 100 series in half the miles. I've owned several and will never own another. The 100 series weighs close to your Yukon. If you look at the frame on the 100 series it is sad beefy as your Yukon.
Click to expand...
That Merc will not be here when warranty goes out. If I look at the frame on my Toy Cruiser and subtract the amount of frame remaining from the rust invasion, it is definitely not as heavy duty as a 3/4 ton Yukon XL/Suburban, in addition to the God only knows what the 8 liter cast iron pushrod V8 weighs. I often towed 10-12K pounds with the Yukon XL with electronic brake control. I would not attempt that with the TLC.

I'm sorry the thread has gotten off topic, but can anyone actually answer my original question which is keeping with the title of the thread? I can't even get one of the highly touted "Land Cruiser" specialty shops to return a message. I suppose my money is no good there and I shall not disturb them anymore.

I am pondering the same question as the OP. I don't need to go to the 285 tires as I do a LOT of highway driving and often haul an extra 500 or so pounds of cargo inside. I noticed that no one mentioned rear air-bag coil helpers. The service manager at the dealership actually recommended them with the on-board compressor for adjustments based on load. I never bothered to price OEM shocks at the dealership. Mine are completely worn out to the point of almost dangerous nose-dive and body roll. I do love the plush ride so I will check out the OEM shocks. Does anyone have experience with air bags for the rear coils on a 100 series? It's a 2001 with 175K on the odometer.
 
JPCruiser said:
I am pondering the same question as the OP. I don't need to go to the 285 tires as I do a LOT of highway driving and often haul an extra 500 or so pounds of cargo inside. I noticed that no one mentioned rear air-bag coil helpers. The service manager at the dealership actually recommended them with the on-board compressor for adjustments based on load. I never bothered to price OEM shocks at the dealership. Mine are completely worn out to the point of almost dangerous nose-dive and body roll. I do love the plush ride so I will check out the OEM shocks. Does anyone have experience with air bags for the rear coils on a 100 series? It's a 2001 with 175K on the odometer.
Click to expand...

I've got a set of air bags in our 04 LC. I put new oem shock on about a year ago and to fight sag I put new oem springs in a couple months back. New springs helped a bit but the air bags at 7 psi really helped out. Front t bars slightly cranked too and 32" bfgs. No onboard air but the valve is way to reach and a cheap bike tire hand pump can fill them easily in a pinch.

I really like the air bags. It's so convenient being able to adjust the rear height with the bags. I've actually been off road several times, numerous full articulation moments without issue.

Oh and oem socks are like $40 each, if that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom