What Suspension? Ironman-OME

[FelipeA]

So I've bit the bullet and decided to change the suspension on my FZJ73-leaf springs front and rear (currently front gabriel, rear bilstein shocks and polyurethane bushings-rest is stock).

I would like to get some feedback on pros and cons of the Ironman and OME suspensions. Those are the only two brands available here in Colombia. Both sell here for around US$2,100.

My Land Cruiser is dedicated 95% to offroading on weekend trails and 3-4 1000+ mile expeditions on desert/bumpy 40MPH+ terrain per year.

Thanks very much for all the feedback!

 

[crushers]

high speed rough roads...
OME is a decent ride and a good kit but i am not sure how long the springs wuld last on a 1000 mile wash board road at 40 mph
SOA? the control will be less than desirable and the center of gravity will be higher and the possibility of a roll over increased but the ride will be great. (not recommended by me, personal dislike)
ironman...no comment never ran a kit...

one other option that i have done in the past with good results is making extended shackles 3" longer than stock and well cross webbed and a 2X3 steel block between the spring fixed end mount and the frame. 5" longer shocks and it REALLY worked well, good stability, flexes great, rides fantastic and when the stock springs wear out you just find a buddy that is installing a lift and use his old springs...

just a suggestion.

 

[roscoFJ73]

My Land Cruiser is dedicated 95% to offroading on weekend trails and 3-4 1000+ mile expeditions on desert/bumpy 40MPH+ terrain per year.

Thanks very much for all the feedback!

I think either will be ok but I would lean to the OME.
Australian suspension systems are usually tuned for the rough road expedition type work with the added weight of supplies on board that you will be doing.
You will need to run greasable shackles with the polyurethane bushings otherwise the heat will destroy them.

 

[wesintl]

I'd probably choose OME over ironman but the truth is I don't have any experience with ironman suspensions. I've been somewhat happy with my OME.

I think it depends on the kind of wheeling you do. More exp style OME is good but I think Ironman is made to the same style.

The only unhappy issues I have with OME is with an ARB bar and 8274 on the front my Front "heavy" springs have sagged quite a bit. The meduim rears i have have not been an issue but I don't keep them at a constant load but they do get loaded for wheeling trips in the summer which are fairly frequent. Plus for my wheeling I'd like a tad more than ~2" that OME gives..

If I had to do it over again I would drive mine out to alcan and had them make me springs and run bilstien shocks. In fact I may get them to fix my font springs. Alcan is probably not an option for you but you should be able to find a local spring maker to build you springs to suit.

my .02

 

[Tapage]

I would choose OME .. closed eyes .. IMOP the best suspension.

But .. ( and always but ) what size of tires you want to run . ?

 

[FelipeA]

Tapage, I'll be running 33*12.50*15's (BFG Mud Terrains)
Thanks for all opinions.

 

[widewestcruiser]

I have to agree with wesintl, I'm running the same springs and the front is sagging alot, however the rear can take a good load.I've had many springs rearched for full size north american trucks with limited sucess, the springs quickly start sagging again, we run our trucks mostly on debuilt logging roads on the west coast of Vancouver island. I would spend my money on shackles bushings and good shocks rather then on expensive springs, and like crusher says use some one elses old springs that are in good shape.

 

[widewestcruiser]

My expierence is that shocks, bushings, pins, shackles and then springs ware the most, and in that order, the least amount of ware is in the rear springs,replace everything else and you probably will not notice the difference. The front springs are loaded 100% of the time, where the rear maybe 2o %

 

[aussie75series]

I took ironman to court years ago for suspension failure after 2000kms and their
refusal to warrent their product.There is no comparison between the twME is designed for Aus which has 3''+ corrigations plus all the other fun stuff.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I took ironman to court years ago for suspension failure after 2000kms and their
refusal to warrent their product.There is no comparison between the twME is designed for Aus which has 3''+ corrigations plus all the other fun stuff.

I know they had problems some time back but its supposed in different family members hands or something like that.
I woulod get the OME too but there is plenty of happy Ironman customers in oz.

 

[Traveller]

I do'n't know if my support is of anny help, I have experience withe OME, Trail Master, TJM, and Dobbinson. and overall the Dobbinsons are the best there is!
These springs give a good stabil ride and are very good support for load (without a bumpy ride)
Dobbinsons has years of experience.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I do'n't know if my support is of anny help, I have experience withe OME, Trail Master, TJM, and Dobbinson. and overall the Dobbinsons are the best there is!
These springs give a good stabil ride and are very good support for load (without a bumpy ride)
Dobbinsons has years of experience.

I like the Dobbies too but the owner has only 2 choices in Columbia

 

[Stpehan_Botswana]

Interesting, But what happened to Old Man Emu? Preferred here a by the larger Cruiser community.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Interesting, But what happened to Old Man Emu? Preferred here a by the larger Cruiser community.

The competition grew up

 

[Ratpuke]

Agent Orange (BJ42) has 60series Ironmans. They were stiff at first but now they've been worked in and flex pretty well.

 

[albertom]

Interesting thread! I am also in COLOMBIA and would like to know a few other opinions on weather just buying the shocks is worth it. Importing the full suspension "kit" from either brand is pretty complicated given the size and weight of the leaf springs, this is where my question comes in. If my leaf springs are relatively new, is it worth the hastle or investment to just buy the shocks (front and back, maybe even the steering dampner)??

Thanks,
Albertom

 

[roscoFJ73]

If your shocks are worn they need to be replaced regardless of how new the springs are.
The shocks slow the spring action down and this takes the jolts out of a bad road.
This not only makes the ride better but is kinder to other components on the vehicle.

 

[albertom]

If your shocks are worn they need to be replaced regardless of how new the springs are.
The shocks slow the spring action down and this takes the jolts out of a bad road.
This not only makes the ride better but is kinder to other components on the vehicle.

Rosco, thanks for the imput... i guess i'll go ahead and buy the shocks and see what happens. If i still feel like goin crazy, ill buy the whole kit when i have the money. BTW, what web pages would you recomend for price, variety and vehicle specific things (70 series) in the USA?

Thanks again...

 

[roscoFJ73]

Rosco, thanks for the imput... i guess i'll go ahead and buy the shocks and see what happens. If i still feel like goin crazy, ill buy the whole kit when i have the money. BTW, what web pages would you recomend for price, variety and vehicle specific things (70 series) in the USA?

Thanks again...

Ask the Americans but I would gravitate to the ones that visit this site and particuarly the ones that visit the 70 and diesel forums as they have the knowledge.
There is also a vendors forum/list if you look in the index.

You dont necessarily have to put a complete kit on at once. You could do the springs and shackles and add shocks later if their still good

 

[wesintl]

BTW, what web pages would you recomend for price, variety and vehicle specific things (70 series) in the USA?

Thanks again...

Why the US? I would think shipping would kill the deal.. There has to be dealers closer to you. Also you will find that many of the dealers don't know 7x very well here and what items are needed. I had to get the right rear spring pins as what is listed by arb wasn't correct.