Suspension Lift Advice

[suzuguru]

I've got a '96 HDJ80, and I'm planning on running 33 or 34 inch tires, 12k winch, front and rear aftermarket or custom bumpers, skid plates, sliders, and a moderate amount of tools/spare parts. I want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible without cutting out the fender wells, so I'm wanting to lift it as little as possible, without fear of rubbing during moderate off-roading. So, I'm curious about the least amount of lift I can get away with, and what lift might be recommended. Left to my own judgement, I have been thinking about the 2" OME Lift in the link below. Also not sure if I would need the 'Heavy Load' or 'Heavy Duty Load'.

Old Man Emu 2 inch LandCruiser 80 & 105 Series (90-07) Suspension Lift Kit OME Nitrocharger Plus – Mudify

Experience the unmatched capabilities of the full Old Man Emu suspension system. This tailored suspension solution will help you achieve increased ground clearance and enhanced suspension articulation, transforming both your on and off-road experience. With the Nitrocharger shocks, renowned for...

mudify.com

 

[BILT4ME]

I've got a '96 HDJ80, and I'm planning on running 33 or 34 inch tires, 12k winch, front and rear aftermarket or custom bumpers, skid plates, sliders, and a moderate amount of tools/spare parts. I want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible without cutting out the fender wells, so I'm wanting to lift it as little as possible, without fear of rubbing during moderate off-roading. So, I'm curious about the least amount of lift I can get away with, and what lift might be recommended. Left to my own judgement, I have been thinking about the 2" OME Lift in the link below. Also not sure if I would need the 'Heavy Load' or 'Heavy Duty Load'.

Old Man Emu 2 inch LandCruiser 80 & 105 Series (90-07) Suspension Lift Kit OME Nitrocharger Plus – Mudify

Experience the unmatched capabilities of the full Old Man Emu suspension system. This tailored suspension solution will help you achieve increased ground clearance and enhanced suspension articulation, transforming both your on and off-road experience. With the Nitrocharger shocks, renowned for...

mudify.com

You can run 33" and 34" with no lift.

Install the tires you want, the decide if you need a lift or just new stock height springs.

Heavy vs medium? How do you like it to ride? Stiff or soft?
How much weight will you have in the rear on a daily basis?
How will you use the truck?
DD, camping only, high speed off road, rick crawling, snow, sand?

 

[suzuguru]

Like you said, I'll try the desired tire size, and then see what needs to be done at that point. I plan to use it mostly for a weekend adventure type rig, driving a few hours on the interstate here and there, while engaging moderate slow-speed off road trails in the Tennessee Mountains. I prefer a ride that is kind of in the middle. Not crazy stiff, but not too soft either. Mostly carrying just basic camping equipment for 1 to 2 nights for 2 people, and spare vehicle parts. (driveshafts, axles, other small assorted parts and tools)

 

[BILT4ME]

Like you said, I'll try the desired tire size, and then see what needs to be done at that point. I plan to use it mostly for a weekend adventure type rig, driving a few hours on the interstate here and there, while engaging moderate slow-speed off road trails in the Tennessee Mountains. I prefer a ride that is kind of in the middle. Not crazy stiff, but not too soft either. Mostly carrying just basic camping equipment for 1 to 2 nights for 2 people, and spare vehicle parts. (driveshafts, axles, other small assorted parts and tools)

I would lean towards heavy in the front and medium in the rear, then add a set of Airlift airbags to the rear for when you need to cover extra load.

 

[suzuguru]

I would lean towards heavy in the front and medium in the rear, then add a set of Airlift airbags to the rear for when you need to cover extra load.

I certainly appreciate the advice, but I'm not interested in adding airbags.

 

[80t0ylc]

I would lean towards heavy in the front and medium in the rear, then add a set of Airlift airbags to the rear for when you need to cover extra load.

I certainly appreciate the advice, but I'm not interested in adding airbags.

My '94 has the OME 2.5" lift and I run 315/75/16 (considered 35") with most of the mods you're talking about. (mods are listed in the link in my sig) I tow an off road trailer and since I added an aux fuel tank, I needed air bags to keep the rear end at the correct height, while towing. Unless you're going to be doing serious off road terrain (rock crawling), air bags are the answer if the loads you carry and the use of your rig varies, IMHO. Reason I mention rock crawling is that air bags can hinder extreme suspension up travel.

 

[SNLC]

OME 861/862 coils. That is low lift and a progressive coil.

Pair it with BP51’s or better shocks. You will be happy with 33-34” rubber, ie 285’s or 255’s. If you get extra heavy in front you may have to space the front coils up a little.

Any of the lowest lift caster correction radius arms will be best. You could do nothing but it will drive best with more than stock caster, 4-5* is what you want.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Like you said, I'll try the desired tire size, and then see what needs to be done at that point. I plan to use it mostly for a weekend adventure type rig, driving a few hours on the interstate here and there, while engaging moderate slow-speed off road trails in the Tennessee Mountains. I prefer a ride that is kind of in the middle. Not crazy stiff, but not too soft either. Mostly carrying just basic camping equipment for 1 to 2 nights for 2 people, and spare vehicle parts. (driveshafts, axles, other small assorted parts and tools)

Also buy the suspension last. Build it all out first, even tires, weigh it and buy suspension.

Cheers

 

[suzuguru]

My '94 has the OME 2.5" lift and I run 315/75/16 (considered 35") with most of the mods you're talking about. (mods are listed in the link in my sig) I tow an off road trailer and since I added an aux fuel tank, I needed air bags to keep the rear end at the correct height, while towing. Unless you're going to be doing serious off road terrain (rock crawling), air bags are the answer if the loads you carry and the use of your rig varies, IMHO. Reason I mention rock crawling is that air bags can hinder extreme suspension up travel.

I definitely hear you, but I won't be towing anything, and I'm not going to add an aux fuel tank.

OME 861/862 coils. That is low lift and a progressive coil.

Pair it with BP51’s or better shocks. You will be happy with 33-34” rubber, ie 285’s or 255’s. If you get extra heavy in front you may have to space the front coils up a little.

Any of the lowest lift caster correction radius arms will be best. You could do nothing but it will drive best with more than stock caster, 4-5* is what you want.

Cheers

I do plan on running either 285's or 255's. Not sure which ones yet. I'll keep that in mind about the castor correction radius arms. I definitely want it to drive good on the highway.

 

[JoeCova]

I have a 2.5” lift 35s, front and rear bumpers, sliders, skids, RTT, rack, winch, etc etc and my coils have no issues but I’m running J coils.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Just call cruiser outfitters and talk to them done and done.

 

[mudgudgeon]

You can run 33" and 34" with no lift.

Install the tires you want, the decide if you need a lift or just new stock height springs.

Heavy vs medium? How do you like it to ride? Stiff or soft?
How much weight will you have in the rear on a daily basis?
How will you use the truck?
DD, camping only, high speed off road, rick crawling, snow, sand?

Stock lift will work with 33"s.

I ran 305/70r16 with no lift for years, similar use to what you want.
Now have 2" lift, but will go bigger tires and re-gear next time I need new rubber.

I also ran 35"s on a previous cruiser with 2" lift. With a few mods, 35s &2" lift will go a loooong way offroad.