What springs should I get ?

[SINCITY100]

Well...

Due to the unavoidable and dreaded "Weight Gain", It looks like my trusty OME 866`s are no longer suitable for the back-end of my 100

Now (after adding the Slee bumper and all of my "must have" recovery gear) even mildly loaded with gear, I sit about 1 1/2 inches lower in the rear than the front

Although I kinda like the pre-runner look I need to get the back up to where it belongs...

SO...

I would seem like a no-brainer to switch to the OME 863`s..right ? I know a lot of you guys are running the 863s with good results, but I fear that by the time I reach my ultimate goal for my 100 ( which is a FULLY equipped Expedition-style rig).. the 863`s might not even be up to the task


I was hoping some of you would give me some insight into your experiences with the 863`s, and at what point you think you`d need more weight-carrying capability...I am cosidering the 864`s ( if they would fit, that is), but I need a little more input before I make my decision so I dont have to do this for a THIRD time.

Any other suggestions ? I will be adding 35`s in the near future, and a LOT more equipment.. so whadda ya think ? ;p

TIA

 

[Imola Red]

What do I think?

I think you should ship me your 866's so I can get this new 100 of mine a little head start. Especially since your 100 is my inspiration!! Same color, I'm about to get my wheels powder coated too!



So now back to YOUR problem .

FULL expedition style rig? So fridge? Some kind of shelf system? Safari rack? Tools? Tanks?

The 863's can't handle that?

 

[subspd]

What about bags?

 

[bull]

863s Fully laden the rear maybe dropped an 1/2 inch..maybe.

 

[Pskhaat]

I vote 864s. 863s on my 80 sagged like the fat lady sitting in her cube chomping fritos next to me in no time. I was embarrased to take road trips with my 863s as it looked like a bad domestic full size truck lift.

I'll say it again, but I am extraordinarily pleased with the 864s on my 80 even unladen, and especially thankful when loaded down; and the 80 weighs alot less. 863s will be fine, but why change 'em out twice. Don't have fear, uncertainty and doubt for the 864s, you know down deep you need them otherwise you wouldn't post the question.

864s do NOT lift the rear to the sky contrary to popular lore.

 

[Greg B]

Sin,
FYI, even loaded now, the 863's don't drop much at all. That's with the Slee rear bumper, loaded cargo drawers, spare tire underneath (no tire carrier on bumper). Interestingly on Sunday, my Dad and I both sat on my tailgate and it dropped about an inch. So, to put that in perspective for you, it took about 400 additional lbs. to get the 863's to drop another inch.

 

[SINCITY100]

FULL expedition style rig? So fridge? Some kind of shelf system? Safari rack? Tools? Tanks?

Yes.. FULL

No Fridge

Yes, a drawer system

Hell yeah..a LOADED rack

Yes..TONS of tools/ recovery gear AND a 9500 Lb portable winch

Yes, Power Tank system

and lots of Etc, Etc...

Oh..BTW...I will let ya know when I get the new springs, you can HAVE my set of 866`s ( plus S/H of course !)

What about bags?

I am trying to avoid bags, but I guess they could be considered a possibility

 

[Pskhaat]

Damn, I wanted those springs too

 

[SINCITY100]

QUOTE=Pskhaat]I vote 864s. 863s on my 80 sagged like the fat lady sitting in her cube chomping fritos next to me in no time. I was embarrased to take road trips with my 863s as it looked like a bad domestic full size truck lift.

I'll say it again, but I am extraordinarily pleased with the 864s on my 80 even unladen, and especially thankful when loaded down; and the 80 weighs alot less. 863s will be fine, but why change 'em out twice. Don't have fear, uncertainty and doubt for the 864s, you know down deep you need them otherwise you wouldn't post the question.

864s do NOT lift the rear to the sky contrary to popular lore.[/QUOTE]


Heh Heh...You know EXACTLY why I am asking this !

I AM leaning towards the 864`s .. I really plan to run this rig HEAVY. I am glad to hear that they dont lift the rear very much, as I was a bit worried of this

Sin,
FYI, even loaded now, the 863's don't drop much at all. That's with the Slee rear bumper, loaded cargo drawers, spare tire underneath (no tire carrier on bumper). Interestingly on Sunday, my Dad and I both sat on my tailgate and it dropped about an inch. So, to put that in perspective for you, it took about 400 additional lbs. to get the 863's to drop another inch.

Thats good info Greg !

That seems to be the general opinion from most of the 863 owners, but I really think I will be running more weight than most other (U.S.) 100`s by the time this thing is complete (plus I take everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink when I go out !)

Thanks guys, and keep the comments and opinions coming !

 

[SINCITY100]

863s Fully laden the rear maybe dropped an 1/2 inch..maybe.

Hey Bull..

I think you mentioned in an earlier thread that even with a reasonably heavy tongue weight yours didnt sag much, what kind of load were you running inside your 100 (I.E. how laden is "fully" ? ) I am also curious how much (est) weight many of you guys carry on extended/long trips..

Like I said..I just dont want to do this (spring change) again later, so I really need to be set-up right this time around

 

[Imola Red]

Wow you really are going heavy then. What are the guys down under running on their long expeditions?

I will sooooo take you up on the spring's. Shipping up to Lake Tahoe area wouldn't be much. I'll PM ya.

 

[Ax100]

I am running 864 spring currently but will be taking them off tomorrow! Too high and I have the slee sliders, slee rear bumper with the tire rack, 9000lbs warn and ARB front bumper and pull a 20" jet boat with a v8 and the rear dosent drop enough to level with the front end plus hunting gear (return home with 600lbs moose meat). I dont mind the height but with the torsion bars cranked up 2 3/4 inches the truck doesnt sit right. I tried the torsion higher but the front shocks top out and this is a hazard. If you want the 864's still I will sell them.

Doug
99 Lc
01 Lc

 

[Pskhaat]

My 864s (and two others that I know) sit at nearly the exact same height as the 863s, what 864s are people running where the height is greater than the 863s?

I'm not asking that sarcastically, I know many of the same vehicles sit differently. The FJ80 gets lifted much more given the same spring for some strange reason than an FZJ80, could the 02-03 change affect lift in the same regards?

 

[spressomon]

Sin,
I would wait if you can: Christo is working on a spring that will be between the 863 and the 864 for heavily laden 100's. The problem with the 863's is how much they squat with the load I run. I tried a custom 4" 80 spring Christo had...which was too tall...but I liked the spring rate much better than my 863's with my current set-up.

I'll sell you my 863's when Christo sends me his new ones

 

[SINCITY100]

I am running 864 spring currently but will be taking them off tomorrow! Too high and I have the slee sliders, slee rear bumper with the tire rack, 9000lbs warn and ARB front bumper and pull a 20" jet boat with a v8 and the rear dosent drop enough to level with the front end plus hunting gear (return home with 600lbs moose meat). I dont mind the height but with the torsion bars cranked up 2 3/4 inches the truck doesnt sit right. I tried the torsion higher but the front shocks top out and this is a hazard. If you want the 864's still I will sell them.

Doug
99 Lc
01 Lc

Hmmm..

Interesting. Ax is running 864`s on a 100 series and is saying it sits too high in the back, yet others have used em on 80`s without the same apparent issue..
Maybe the springs react differently to load on each model (80vs100)

Supres.. Recently I also heard about the new spring Christo was working on and it sounds like another possible option, but I need to address this squat problem soon and I think it will be a while before Slees spring is readily available..Unless of course I am wrong on that (?)

Thanks again guys, I will do a bit more research before I make my decision.

ANY other comments from those using 863`s - 864`s or something else for heavy loads on a 100, here or abroad would be appreciated !

 

[spressomon]

With Slee rear bumper w/tire carrier with 285R7516 with AO drawers, CO2, recovery shackles and other gear...but without fridge/freeze, dog crate, camping/hunting gear etc. the 863's sit just perfect IMO. When I add the HL jack, shovel, fridge/freeze, alu dog crate, hunting/camping gear, dog, water, etc. the rig sits lower than I ideally want. I guess it would help if I could give you empirical weight data...but that ain't gonna happen

So the choices to solve my dilemma will be:

Air bags (not real excited about this option)
New custo Slee springs (don't know if they will be a "win-win" either)
Swap 864's for the camping/hunting trips (only takes about 30-minutes on each side of the trip...but getting ready/unpacking for trips never seems to afford an extra minute let alone 60 )

Such is life...a series of compromises!