Which OME springs?

[nickw]

I want to start out by saying I have searched an been unable to find the answer.


I am going to order a OME kit, and I am wondering what rear spring I need.

Since I am a HDJ81, I have a 1HD-T diesel and a second battery.
I also have ARB bumper, winch, and rear tire carrier, ladder and roof rack.
I carry about 250-300lbs of weight in the back (at all times).
Sometimes I carry up 650lbs.
But usually around 250-300 lbs.

I already know I want 850 (heavies) front
But I am unsure about the rear.
Should I get 860's (mediums) or 863's (heavies)?

My front end is fairly heavy so it will be down a bit.
I would like to get the heavy rear, but what do people think.
Would it be to rough? with only 250lbs?
Or should I just get them?

Eventually I will add a drawer and sliders etc....
But that could be a year or more away.
I could get a 860 now and get a 863 (or block an 860 later).

Anyways, I am unsure
860 or 863 rear?
Where do people draw the line?

Many thanks,
Nick

 

[Grench]

I have a similar setup only with a gas engine. (ARB/M12K/sliders/dual batteries/rear with tire carier/33"MTR hanging on the back)

I'm running 850/863. With the back end empty I have a fair amount of rake. When I load it up with enough gear & beer for 3 guys for 5 days it levels out. (3 large coolers, 6 cases of beer, 120lbs of ice... tents, chairs, etc...)

I'm putting a secondary gas tank in as well. That should level me out a bit more.

If you have no interest in trailering and don't cary a lot of equipment do the mediums. I curse the 863s since I can't put it in the garage empty. It is 3/4" too tall. I like them when the truck is fully loaded and still rides right.

IMHO only. YMMV.

 

[firetruck41]

I would get the 863, according to Slees chart they are recommended for 200-400lb additional load. I put 850/863 springs on about a week and a half ago, the wife didn't say a word about the ride so it isn't too bad, I don't notice an uncomfortable difference between my new springs and the old LX450 springs. I generally have ~100-150lbs in the back of the cruiser. There is a slight rake, about 3/4" by my not very accurate measurements.

Pics: pre-lift followed by post-lift (only about 60lbs in back, in the lifted pic)

 

[nickw]

I do trailer once and awhile.
But not to often.

Sounds like a medium 860 might be better for now.
If I need more later, could I add a spacer (how much is a spacer?).
Or would it be best just to add 863?

I am also thinking.
Is a 850 enough for my front with 2 batteries, warn, arb, and diesel?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[firetruck41]

I do trailer once and awhile.
But not to often.

Sounds like a medium 860 might be better for now.
If I need more later, could I add a spacer (how much is a spacer?).
Or would it be best just to add 863?

I am also thinking.
Is a 850 enough for my front with 2 batteries, warn, arb, and diesel?

Thanks,
Nick

I thought I remember hearing the J spring was for diesel rigs 'cuz they were so heavy, that is from a fuzzy memory, so...
I reiterate I think you should get 863s as you are regularly carrying substantial extra weight.

 

[BPMOU]

Hey Ben,

Do you have any pics of your truck post lift on level ground? If you do could you post a pic.

Thanks!

 

[firetruck41]

Hey Ben,

Do you have any pics of your truck post lift on level ground? If you do could you post a pic.

Thanks!

Been meaning to do that, will try to do it this afternoon.

 

[firetruck41]

With a quick measure with measuring tape, I got 22.5" both front and rear, from hub center (eyeballed it) to the bottom of the flare.

 

[nickw]

Ben,

Thanks for the info.
For some reason I thought the 863 where for 440lbs of wieght or more.

As for the front I am a little unsure now?
I am thinking it will, because in Oz they run the same engine.
Not sure the 1HD-T is much heavier than the gas (anyone know?)
I don't want a 850/863 to have a big rake (a little is okay)

I guess I could always add spacers if needed (how much are they anyways?).

Sounds like 850/863 might be the way to go.

I am still somewhat thinking about the 850/860.
I also have a line some some brand new 850/860 from a fellow canadian mud member. He bought them new and never installed them. They are a good price.

Any other commments/ideas ?

Cheers,
Nick

 

[firetruck41]

Oh yeah, only about 60-70lbs in the cargo area. The rear springs were used 863s with about 13k miles before I put them on last week, front springs are new 850s.

 

[Hltoppr]

Just go with the 863s...even unloaded mine worked great....with a rooftop tent/awning/fridge and full exped. gear it still worked great!

-H-

 

[BPMOU]

Thanks Ben, those look great. I have a LX450 with the same tires, and wanted to see what type of lift I would be getting with that setup.

 

[firetruck41]

Thanks Ben, that would be great. I have a LX450 with the same tires, and want to see what type of lift I would be getting with that setup.

Look above.

 

[nickw]

Can anyone comment on the 850 lift and a 1HD-T diesel?
Also have dual batteries, arb bumber and winch.

I don't have an exact wieght.
People seem to guess 600-750 lbs.
What does the gas engine weigh?

 

[Martin White]

Hey Nick you've probably read my other post on this but I'm swapping from the 851's that came with my truck for 850's on the front and 15mm spacers. With your winch I'm not sure if even that's going to be enough. I'm also putting spacers on the rear, but the 20mm longer 850's should hopefully deal with the excessive rake (stink bug) I have now.

 

[nickw]

Hey Nick you've probably read my other post on this but I'm swapping from the 851's that came with my truck for 850's on the front and 15mm spacers. With your winch I'm not sure if even that's going to be enough. I'm also putting spacers on the rear, but the 20mm longer 850's should hopefully deal with the excessive rake (stink bug) I have now.

What is in your rear?
860 or 863?
Any spacers?

Since you have a diesel (and two batteries) your front end will similar (minus my arb+winch). So it will give me an idea how much rake there will be.

Also how much wieght do you carry in the back.
Maybe PM me your number.
I would not mind calling you one time to dicuss.

Also any pics of your truck?

Cheers,
Nick

 

[Martin White]

My current setup (the way it came from Japan) is 851 / 860; 4 Rancho 9000's, and the truck has a very heavy steel tube bumper on the front, easily the same if not more weight than an ARB. That resulted in 1.5" of rake (front end measures 21.5" from centre of hub to top of wheel well, rears are at 23"). This rake is VERY noticeable. I do not usually carry much weight in the rear, but I have on occasion, and didn't notice much droop. I'm going to Tough Dog shocks all round, tough dog dampener, 850's on the front and 15mm spacers on all 4 corners. This should reduce the rake to a difference of approx. 0.7" As for pics, I'm working on a web site, but I haven't finished it yet. I'll PM you a number at some point, but I'm going into a long stint at work and will be very short of time (night shifts).

 

[nickw]

Thanks martin.

I did the same measurements on my truck (center hub to flare).
Currently I have 21" front and 21.5" back.

I think I get a 863 for the back.

But now I am wondering about the front. I got lots of wieght up there.
1HD-T diesel, 2 batteries, ARB and winch (with roller fairlead) and hella lights.

Think I should get a 850 front end? Or a 850J?
Or just add a spacer to a 850 if needed?

Cheers,
Nick

 

[Martin White]

Those are interesting numbers. There has been some discussion about the early 90's (not sure where the cutoff is) HDJ81's being taller than later models. I haven't been able to verify this, and it seems like almost every truck that comes out of Japan has some kind of lift on it. But what "stock" truly is, I'm not sure. I know that my buddy Dave's truck and mine are quite similar (1990 HDJ81's with ~2.5" lift) but ours are both taller than yours at present (although mine is nearly the same on the front). You've likely thought of this, but it is probably a really good idea to give Sheldon, Greg B, Ciaran or Wayne a call about your situation. All these guys have about 1,000 times my knowledge about these vehicles. It would really suck to place your order and then find out it was wrong.... And from my experience with these gentlemen, either on the phone, in person or on this forum, they are all extremely helpful.

 

[nickw]

Those are interesting numbers. There has been some discussion about the early 90's (not sure where the cutoff is) HDJ81's being taller than later models. I haven't been able to verify this, and it seems like almost every truck that comes out of Japan has some kind of lift on it. But what "stock" truly is, I'm not sure. I know that my buddy Dave's truck and mine are quite similar (1990 HDJ81's with ~2.5" lift) but ours are both taller than yours at present (although mine is nearly the same on the front). You've likely thought of this, but it is probably a really good idea to give Sheldon, Greg B, Ciaran or Wayne a call about your situation. All these guys have about 1,000 times my knowledge about these vehicles. It would really suck to place your order and then find out it was wrong.... And from my experience with these gentlemen, either on the phone, in person or on this forum, they are all extremely helpful.

I think the reason my lift is smaller than yours is because it has sagged.
I am not even sure it was 2 inches. That is what was advertised.
In Japan alot of people want hieght (for looks) and a soft spring (helps with soft ride). Problem is a soft spring saggs faster. Thus part of my problem.

Cheers,
Nick

BTW: My truck was made in November 1990.