I am a OME type of guy but also like the HELL FOR STOUT by CCOT....
Suspension upgrade time - help me decide...
- Thread starter alpinecowboy
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kling-on
Kool Arrow
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How much additional lift does a shackle reversal provide?
1 1/2
In the front only
Which is why I am considering it. Tofu is about 1 1/2 to 2" stinkbug, as was Sehila on these same springs. Do you suggest a simple add-a-leaf instead?
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
OME.
But not heavies.
If you have the extra weight up front, then do it-- but by "extra weight" I mean a bumper AND winch AND/OR extra battery. Otherwise, go for Medium. You can easily add a leaf later if you need more support up front.
In the rear, I'd go medium, then add airbags. Look around, there are some threads about it.
Advantages: DD you aren't getting a kidney punch from the rear every bump you hit, but when you do go offroad, you can add some weight tolerance. Also, with bags you can correct any lean without issue. My experience has been that most/all lean is from the rear springs. YMMV.
I've been daily driving a 60 w/ OME since about 2000. I've done every type of surface you care to name except for deeeeep snow and ice-racing. OME is an excellent compromise on all of them. SOA wallows as a daily driver. The coil idea.... I think it would be cheaper to just transplant a 60 body onto an 80 frame/motor/suspension (seriously!).
By the by, I'm similarly short and have spent enough time around SOA wagons to know that I would never want to daily drive one.
But not heavies.
If you have the extra weight up front, then do it-- but by "extra weight" I mean a bumper AND winch AND/OR extra battery. Otherwise, go for Medium. You can easily add a leaf later if you need more support up front.
In the rear, I'd go medium, then add airbags. Look around, there are some threads about it.
Advantages: DD you aren't getting a kidney punch from the rear every bump you hit, but when you do go offroad, you can add some weight tolerance. Also, with bags you can correct any lean without issue. My experience has been that most/all lean is from the rear springs. YMMV.
I've been daily driving a 60 w/ OME since about 2000. I've done every type of surface you care to name except for deeeeep snow and ice-racing. OME is an excellent compromise on all of them. SOA wallows as a daily driver. The coil idea.... I think it would be cheaper to just transplant a 60 body onto an 80 frame/motor/suspension (seriously!).
By the by, I'm similarly short and have spent enough time around SOA wagons to know that I would never want to daily drive one.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
another thought: you can save some $ by installing your own OME. It isn't difficult and there are plenty of writeups on it. You will be under a 6K lb vehicle, so attention to safety precautions is important. But the money you save on labor can go towards a lot of nice tools (quality jack stands, quality floor jack, some air tools.....). I've half-assed installed one OME suspension and don't recommend it. Proper tools will save you frustration and time and dramatically increase safety.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
Careful w/ the add a leaf. I recently pulled one OME leaf out of my xtra heavy rear. It made a big difference to ride harshness, but not much difference in height. It probably came down about 1/2 inch due to spring rate, but went up 1/4 inch due to pulling out a leaf.
Just sharing my experience. YMMV.
ps: for the OP--- if you experience rubbing with the OME and 33" tires, the cheapest/easiest cure is to do a 1/2 to 1" body lift. The airbag idea is unlikely to work well (long term) for gaining lift over the OME springs.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
finally:
of the options presented, the only one that will retain more than 1/2 its value if/when you resell the truck, is the OME. In case that matters.
of the options presented, the only one that will retain more than 1/2 its value if/when you resell the truck, is the OME. In case that matters.
- Thread starter
- #50
Sandcruiser - thanks for the massive download. Definitely appreciate it. I have a winch, dual batteries and an ARB Bullbar up front so heavies is my only option on the front leafs... in the rear I am currently stock with the exception of tools and fluids in my Wagongear side panels. That said, I do plan to add a custom rear bumper with a swing out and possibly a larger fuel tank at some point - but those are indefinite plans.
I guess I could always swap the rear packs out for heavies in the future... I wonder how much just a set of heavies for the rear would cost if I came back down the line for a set....
I guess I could always swap the rear packs out for heavies in the future... I wonder how much just a set of heavies for the rear would cost if I came back down the line for a set....
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
The long leafs are available separately and the only difference between the medium and the heavy is 1 long leaf just under the military wrap leaf. So you can make a medium spring into a heavy spring for minimal cost later. With that said, if you want mediums now, buy the heavies and take that leaf out. You can put it back in later if your load changes.
One last thing. I had Alcans on my FJ40 and really liked them. Probably more expensive and less standard, but they worked well for me.
Downey
SILVER Star
The consensus seems to be OME's. After you get them, PM me for the longer front sway bar links, longer rear brake line, and economical rear anti-cam rear shackles you will need. These are the "safe and sane" features not included in the OME box!!!
OME has a different part numbers for diesel rigs.
http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaLandCruiser60.pdf
Since you have a 4 banger, I think the diesel light loads are the way to go up
front.........even with the winch, dual batteries, and bumper the heavies will be
too much spring. Yes I know what a 3b weighs.
I'd run the medium load springs in the rear. (no jacked up rear)
If you do decide to get the heavies, definitely pull a leaf before you install them.
http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaLandCruiser60.pdf
Since you have a 4 banger, I think the diesel light loads are the way to go up
front.........even with the winch, dual batteries, and bumper the heavies will be
too much spring. Yes I know what a 3b weighs.
I'd run the medium load springs in the rear. (no jacked up rear)
If you do decide to get the heavies, definitely pull a leaf before you install them.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #54
I knew you'd come through for me.....
Don't pay some one to install the ome lift.
YOU CAN DO IT!
YOU CAN DO IT!
