Suspension for ARB bumper (2 Viewers)

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Mar 1, 2025
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New England
Hello,
I need to replace the suspension in my LC. I’m planning on getting an ARB rear bumper because mine is falling off. I don’t want any sag on the rear end but want suspension that is comfortable. I’m already looking at new bump stops for my LC. I was planning on getting OEM suspension and new control arm bushings (going to stick with OEM for arms and bushing). If there are any suggestions for suspension without a lift that last a long time that would be great.
 
Factory torsion bars, factory shocks if you need more load carrying in the rear, Kings standard height springs with a higher rate (will sit higher until loaded).
I was looking at the old man emu set on cruiser teq. Is that not something I should consider? I know that it is made by arb. It comes with the emu shocks and OEM torsion bar and springs. I also have bags in my springs which I forgot to mention. They have a leak I need to find but it lifts the LC about 1.5-2 in.
 
Yes OME aka Old Man Emu is a brand by ARB, they are good quality suspension components.
 
The best all round shocks/springs I had were Outback Armour which is an Aussie company also although not fitted to a 100 series as my LX has AHC. I had fitted Ironman FCP to my 200 series and they were truly horrible that's why I swapped to adjustable Outback Armour. If you are looking purely for load carrying and doing lots of rough offroad work I would think carefully.....I learnt my lesson and the fact is that Toyota spend millions of dollars on development but all of these 4WD shops think they know better so if you like a stock ride feel then standard cant be beaten in my opinion (and 80, 100, 3 x 200 series and now a 500k km LX470 that is still running like a swiss watch)
 
The best all round shocks/springs I had were Outback Armour which is an Aussie company also although not fitted to a 100 series as my LX has AHC. I had fitted Ironman FCP to my 200 series and they were truly horrible that's why I swapped to adjustable Outback Armour. If you are looking purely for load carrying and doing lots of rough offroad work I would think carefully.....I learnt my lesson and the fact is that Toyota spend millions of dollars on development but all of these 4WD shops think they know better so if you like a stock ride feel then standard cant be beaten in my opinion (and 80, 100, 3 x 200 series and now a 500k km LX470 that is still running like a swiss watch)
So would you suggest OEM over everything including old man emu and outback amour? I don’t do a ton of off-roading. It’s my only truck and I use it for school right now. So it’s driven a lot on the highway.
 
So would you suggest OEM over everything including old man emu and outback amour? I don’t do a ton of off-roading. It’s my only truck and I use it for school right now. So it’s driven a lot on the highway.
Sorry mate I probably should have clarified a bit better. The Outback Armour were a great all round option (previously Bilstein on the 200) as I live in the country with a lot of rough road driving and the adjustability made it easy to dial in. FYI an old mate (we are both in our 60's) swapped out his HD suspension on his 105 series (OME if I recall correctly) to a more stock like setup and couldn't believe how much more comfortable it was. Being in the US I imagine that there are a ton of options for not a lot of money as we over pay for everything in Australia for both parts and labour. Factor in the additional weight for bumpers, bullbars etc with your spring selection as that weight is constant as Hulsty has also said with rear springs. I am about to fit Kings springs to the rear of my LX470 and will also tweak the torsion bars. Aussies have an obsession with "utes" and usually dual cabs which I have also owned from new which I consider to have a very ordinary ride as they are usually setup for 750-1000kg loads in the tub (I only kept my new ute for 3 months as I hated it) and just about everything is made for even heavier duty setups and many of these vehicles never even see dirt and spend most of their life on sealed roads. I think its just what guys do....and after spending many thousands of dollars won't admit to the wife that its even crappier than before :)
I bounce around my paddocks in tractor with no suspension so getting into a 4WD with heavy suspension and smashing down washed out tracks just isn't my thing anymore. This just my opinion as grumpy old man who has just got tired of 4WD stores thinking everyone needs to have back surgery for a few days of off roading a year.
 
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I was looking at the old man emu set on cruiser teq. Is that not something I should consider? I know that it is made by arb. It comes with the emu shocks and OEM torsion bar and springs. I also have bags in my springs which I forgot to mention. They have a leak I need to find but it lifts the LC about 1.5-2 in.
I believe you can get Old Man Emu no lift, stock height springs for the rear. They are progressive rated, so should be good for the extra weight of your bumper.
 
Sorry mate I probably should have clarified a bit better. The Outback Armour were a great all round option (previously Bilstein on the 200) as I live in the country with a lot of rough road driving and the adjustability made it easy to dial in. FYI an old mate (we are both in our 60's) swapped out his HD suspension on his 105 series (OME if I recall correctly) to a more stock like setup and couldn't believe how much more comfortable it was. Being in the US I imagine that there are a ton of options for not a lot of money as we over pay for everything in Australia for both parts and labour. Factor in the additional weight for bumpers, bullbars etc with your spring selection as that weight is constant as Hulsty has also said with rear springs. I am about to fit Kings springs to the rear of my LX470 and will also tweak the torsion bars. Aussies have an obsession with "utes" and usually dual cabs which I have also owned from new which I consider to have a very ordinary ride as they are usually setup for 750-1000kg loads in the tub (I only kept my new ute for 3 months as I hated it) and just about everything is made for even heavier duty setups and many of these vehicles never even see dirt and spend most of their life on sealed roads. I think its just what guys do....and after spending many thousands of dollars won't admit to the wife that its even crappier than before :)
I am bounce around my paddocks in tractor with no suspension so getting into a 4WD with heavy suspension and smashing down washed out tracks just isn't my thing anymore. This just my opinion as grumpy old man who has just got tired of 4WD stores thinking everyone needs to have back surgery for a few days of off roading a year.
Thank you for clarifying everything. That makes complete sense. I will look into what weight I’m adding and see specifications of suspension. Thank you
 
You won’t be happy with that suspension, it will be very rough given your setup. You mix up OME and OEM in your posts quite a bit, but I think your bottom line is you’re planning on that kit, plus Toyota (original equipment manufacturer - OEM) bushings. The ARB Old Man Emu (OME) kit is very heavy duty and will be very harsh for a mostly unmodified truck. The front Torsion bars are pretty thick, and your originals are likely just fine.

For what you describe, I would stick with all Toyota parts, except for the rear springs. I would look for the best ARB springs for the application - probably 865s.
 
You won’t be happy with that suspension, it will be very rough given your setup. You mix up OME and OEM in your posts quite a bit, but I think your bottom line is you’re planning on that kit, plus Toyota (original equipment manufacturer - OEM) bushings. The ARB Old Man Emu (OME) kit is very heavy duty and will be very harsh for a mostly unmodified truck. The front Torsion bars are pretty thick, and your originals are likely just fine.

For what you describe, I would stick with all Toyota parts, except for the rear springs. I would look for the best ARB springs for the application - probably 865s.
Thank you. Yea I get mixing up OEM and OME. I’ll check ARBs website for the springs and get the rest OEM.
 
You won’t be happy with that suspension, it will be very rough given your setup. You mix up OME and OEM in your posts quite a bit, but I think your bottom line is you’re planning on that kit, plus Toyota (original equipment manufacturer - OEM) bushings. The ARB Old Man Emu (OME) kit is very heavy duty and will be very harsh for a mostly unmodified truck. The front Torsion bars are pretty thick, and your originals are likely just fine.

For what you describe, I would stick with all Toyota parts, except for the rear springs. I would look for the best ARB springs for the application - probably 865s.
Do you have a suggestion of brand for the 865s
 
The additional weight of just the bumper isn't going to overload a stock Toyota shock and coil setup.....That ARB bumper isn't much different than two fat people sitting in the third row

Try to ride it with stock setup, see how it looks and feels. If you don't like it then you can beef up your springs just slightly to handle the additional load but don't go crazy unless you plan on holding a lot of weight... Toyota shocks for the win up front for sure..
 
Do you have a suggestion of brand for the 865s
ARB 2865s, although they may be called Old Man Emu. https://a.co/d/eUEJuBI
I do agree with @Mike NXP that it won’t hurt anything to keep your stock springs until you’ve done the bumper and see how she rides.

For my setup (see signature) the 2865s were undersprung when I was loaded with camping gear, even before I did the rear bumper. The 2863s I have now are just right, but I wanted a little more lift and stiffer on the trails.

If you haven’t bought a bumper yet, I encourage you to check out ValleyTech fabrication. Garrett does great work, and I think it’s the best bumper for the money.
 
The additional weight of just the bumper isn't going to overload a stock Toyota shock and coil setup.....That ARB bumper isn't much different than two fat people sitting in the third row

Try to ride it with stock setup, see how it looks and feels. If you don't like it then you can beef up your springs just slightly to handle the additional load but don't go crazy unless you plan on holding a lot of weight... Toyota shocks for the win up front for sure..
Will do that.
 
Will do that.
I sort of regret building up my truck for more weight...There are several trips throughout the year where I need the extra payload capacity but most of the time I wish the rear end was sitting lower and had a stock ride feel...... The Toyota coils / stock payload capacities can handle more weight than you think. Once you start pushing the 6,800lb GVWR then you will want heavier coils / heavy rated tires / consider your suspension more carefully
 
I sort of regret building up my truck for more weight...There are several trips throughout the year where I need the extra payload capacity but most of the time I wish the rear end was sitting lower and had a stock ride feel...... The Toyota coils / stock payload capacities can handle more weight than you think. Once you start pushing the 6,800lb GVWR then you will want heavier coils / heavy rated tires / consider your suspension more carefully
Thank you for the input I didn’t think of that. If I do get heavier weight I do also have bags in the coils to lift and provide extra support.
 

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