Suspension for My 88 Hilux PU

[My88HiluxPU]

The time has come to replace my worn out suspension. I have a 1988 Toyota Hilux PU with front & rear leafsprings & solid front axle. The leafs are mounted on top of the axle tubes. I am planning on installing crossover steering and had in mind to get OLD Man EMU springs and perhaps Bilstein shocks. I have heard the OME springs are good quality, well made springs, but provide only a conservative 2" lift. I plan to get 33" tires for occasional off road use at this time (Not currently a serious rock crawler or mudder). I have lots of questions and would appreciate your feedback.

Are the Bilstein 5150 shocks a better option than the OME shocks? Is it worthwhile installing crossover steering? and welding in new front shock hoops? A U-Bolt flip kit for improved clearance? Others have mentioned the option of getting longer rear springs which involve welding new spring mounts. Is this beneficial? Are there leafs out there of comparable quality to the OME springs that can give me a higher lift? 3" or 4" max. is likely fine for 33" tires and clearance or are the OME springs a good option?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Take a look at my 85 4Runner thread under the sticky at the top (ROTM WarDamnEagle's 85 4Runner). I installed the OME springs and shocks and got 3+ inches all around. It's definitely enough for 33" tires and/or crossover steering. It rides pretty well and I couldn't recommend it more. If you do go OME spring and shocks then get the entire kit (shackles, greasable pins, etc.).

Don't know about matching OME springs and Bilstein shocks. The OME shocks ride very well but Biltstein also makes a good product.

 

[My88HiluxPU]

Thank you for your reply. I did hear from someone this afternoon that the OME shocks are obviously designed to work with the OME springs and the shocks are apparently comparable quality to the Bilstein's. Glad to hear that you got 3+" of lift, in that case the OME will likely be OK for me. Other options so far I have found are Trail Gear's springs or an All Pro kit. Any comments on Trail Gear or All Pro?

 

[fortysixandtwo]

OME has great springs. I would probably run their shocks but the 5150s are nice shocks for sure. I would stay away from Trail Gear's chinese crap springs, but All Pro and Marlin both sell great springs but they are geared towards more lift than the OME. If you arent planning on running 35+ tires in the near future stick with the OME.

 

[Hilux]

Correct me if I'm wrong...

IIRC the OME shocks are a monotube design and reputed to be very good quality.


The Billstein's are Twin tube design and very good quality. And from what I understand is the difference in the two is a very minuscule amount of....flex.


The plungers or whatever they are called, take up more room in the shock body of the Billi's and the OME's not so much.

Hope that helps, and no, I don't know the exact extent of the model of Billstein you listed but suspect not much of a difference between that, and the regular ones.



EDIT: I prolly have some terms backwards but my point is, both are fine. Both will give you a great ride, but one will have slightly less flex than the other.
(my nose is in Biology books, not Yoter books)

 

[WristPin]

marlin is the place to buy high steer from.
you need a ifs steering gear and a p/s pump too. and a bracket for the gear. (marlin sells that too)

that set up is by FAR the BEST mod that can be done to a truck.

 

[My88HiluxPU]

All right. Thank you for the feedback.