Which OME numbers for an even 4in lift?

[MikePL]

So I am ashamed that after owning some 80 series for 20 years I got lost at the simplest thing like e lift kit. I had a Dobinsons set which I liked a lot but I forgot what it was. Also had OME but forgot as well.

Now we (me&son) have a stock LX450 sitting on 35in wheels (not too driveable) and we need to go up 4in but keeping the body level (no stinkbug or carolina squat). We are planning equal additional weight front an rear: a bumper in the front, a drawer kit in the back. Probably 100lbs front and 150-200 lbs rear.

Do I understand correctly that 850J front and 863J rear will do the trick? The catalogue 3.5in lift is measured with the rated additional weight (250-300lbs) so with our lower weight it should sit at around 4in?

Or maybe I should go with the 'heavies' 864 in the back? Rated at 2.5in but at a load of up to 600lbs, so maybe at 150lbs should give 4in?

I got really lost even more after reading the lift threads in the FAQ and the symbols on my existing kits from 20 years ago are already gone. I don't know what I have

 

[MikePL]

I got a reply from ARB that the best set would be this:

front coils - 2850
front shock - 63018 x2
caster correction kit - OMECA77B
steering stabilizer - OMESD24
rear coils - 2860
rear shock - 63020 x2

I am a 33in tire guy so I am clueless when it comes to 35s. I just don't want them to rub. I was thinking that the sales rep would suggest 'J' springs so this answer surprised me.

 

[JohnnyUtah2]

The 80/LX450 trucks will work with 2 inches of lift running 35s. The OME 850/860 combo will do the job (I ran this setup for a couple years) and give you the 2-2.5 inches of lift you need.
My best friend runs the OME J springs on his 97 80 (running 315/75/16 on oem wheels) and it sits a little too high in our opinion. He has been wanting to drop down to a 2-2.5 inch spring.
That said, I recently switched from OME to Dobinsons springs and shocks, and the ride comfort is significantly better.

Installed Dobinson's 1.75 Inch Variable Rate Suspension Kit: C59 - 222V, C59 223V

While doing research for my suspension upgrade recently I couldn't find any reviews or photos of this particular set up, so I wanted to post in case someone else is looking. It's no 4 inch lift with miles of travel, but some of us like our cruisers on the refined side. I've only had it on 3...

forum.ih8mud.com

This thread has lots of good info about the dobinsons kit. There are plenty of people running 35s here and the 222/223 combo gives about 2-2.5 inches of lift.

 

[CharlieS]

I'm running 3" of lift with 35s and it works fine. 4" may be unnecessary. Even 3" involves a bunch more than just shocks and springs - extended brake lines, sway bar spacers/extensions, e-brake cable spacer, bump stop extensions.

Oh, and I've never had the OME estimated lift amount from their fitment guide to be correct. You best bet is to call someone who sells them and puts them on a lot of cruisers and get real world guidance from their experience. Slee or Cruiser Outfitters would be top of my list for an OME setup.

 

[JoeCova]

I have J springs and net about 3” of lift. The rear will sit higher without significant weight.

 

[baldilocks]

The first lift and tire combo I ever ran on an 80 was OME 850j/863 and 35’s. This nets a nearly level stance with a very light front and 275 pounds of rear bumper and spare tire with enough room around the tires to let them articulate off road.

 

[SpenserAK]

Mine is unloaded, came with J springs, and sits at about 4.5" depending what you consider stock center-of-wheel to fender flare measurement.

The front has a 2" spacer for the truck to be dead level.. which suggests the 850J upfront nets 2.5, not the advertised 3.5. As noted above, OME listed lift amounts are not exactly known to be accurate, but it depends how your truck is set up.

First thing I was going to say, though, is you don't need 4" for 35s, just 2-2.5 as mentioned. 80s fit them easily. Once you start going past there, it requires more parts. Mine has caster plates, rear panhard bracket, sway/etc drop brackets, extended brake lines, front double cardan driveshaft, etc. I had been planning to drop it to 2.5 by getting a different rear spring and removing the front spacer.

 

[GW Nugget]

850J/863J will stink bug, go with a 850J/863 to net a level 3.5" to 4" lift.
With 35"s you dont need that much lift.
A 3" or lower lift will give better handling.
Next OME lower is 850/860 but the 860 cant take much load before is squats.
851/861 +30mm 1.5" lift dual rate coils.
Or Dobinson 146VT/147Vt is a 2.5" dual rate coils. It nets 3" of lift.

 

[MikePL]

Thanks a lot for the replies. There's a lot of interesting information, especially that we don't want to overdo it with the lift. We just want it high enough and not much more.

 

[Tennessee80]

Keep it low. I was surprised that my stock truck could fit a 315 tire with no rub in the road and very little rub on mild-medium trails. Depending on your wheeling, the OME stock height may be a killer stance with 35s (1-1.5” lift??)

 

[MikePL]

Currently we put those 35s on but don't drive it. The distance from tire to the fender flares (we like the flares and want to keep them) is around 3in. It's the stock suspension so pretty old and low and I forgot what my LC looked like some 15 years ago so I don't know how much lift will the lift give. The rims are 9in wide so it's 1/2in outwards and the rims have -12mm offset so another 1/2in outwards. When flexing, the wheels tend to angle inwards which is OK but over flat/horizontal obstacles like speed bumps it might be an issue and that's what worries me. I've just measured and I have a bit under 20in from hub to fender flare.

I am thinking 850J and 863.

I am not considering Dobinsons. My truck had Dobinsons because 15 years ago they were 30% cheaper than OME. Now they seem more expensive and it's my son's truck and his budget is what it is.

 

[NelsonCruiser]

I’ve got an extra pair of 2850j’s I’d give you for a good price if you are interested.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Oh, and I've never had the OME estimated lift amount from their fitment guide to be correct. You best bet is to call someone who sells them and puts them on a lot of cruisers and get real world guidance from their experience. Slee or Cruiser Outfitters would be top of my list for an OME setup.

We would love to help at @ Cruiser Outfitters We stock the full range of Old Man Emu and Dobinsons suspension systems for the 80 Series as well as any/all 'while you're in there' parts you should consider including parts from Slee, SuperPro, DVS and many more.

Our suspension specialists will talk through your past, current and future needs and dial in a suspension. All sold, packed and shipped by Cruiserheads as soon as Monday Lots of newer faces in the OME & Dobinsons game as of late but we've been at it for over 30 years and will be around with parts when you need them in the future too!

Reach out to our team: 801-563-1277 | info@cruiseroutfitters.com