A few OME suspension questions in one post

[Brian894x4]

I have some questions that I think some of you experts can answer here for me.

First: I've heard Bilstiens are better shocks than the OME. Right now my OME's are on back order. I have Bilstiens on my truck and like them. After wading through hundreds of posts in the search and FAQ over on mud, I can't figure out what part number fits an LC80 with 2.5 OME lift? Anyone know? And will it just bolt on?

Second: To jack up the rig and install springs, I assume I can safely put jackstands on the very far rear bumper/crossmember right? And then for the front, I don't know...I guess the very front crossmember area where the tow hooks are?

Third: Slee says on his site that to remove the control arms, you should leave the vehicle on the ground, tires and all, then rachet strap the front axle to the front tow hooks and this should keep the vehicle in place while you remove the control arms.

This doesn't sound right, so I'm think I misread something. How does the axle not slide forward when the control arms are removed? And I assume you need some pretty heavy duty rachet straps to hold all that weight in place, no?

Sorry, but I'm very confused. Thanks.

 

[adventureduo]

Yes, Bilstein IMHO is a way better shock than OME. As far as getting the right size.... ask the shock supplier.. (in this case Slee?) what the open/closed lengths are of the OME. Eye to eye. Then cross reference that with the Bilstein. Anyone that carries Bilsteins should be able to find you the right length shock.

To put the springs in put the jackstands as high as they could go on the frame. The frame behind the front tire and frame infront of the rear. I did front first and then the rear. I didn't do both at the same time. This was safer and i also didn't need twice as many jackstands. Un-bolt the shocks and swaybars. This will make all the difference in the world. If you jack the rig up as high as you can.... take the tires off and use a spring compressor to compress the spring a little... some of the coils will actually almost fall out dude. The new ones will take a wiggle to get in.

On the arms.. what route are you going? Are you putting in caster correction bushings? If so, i installed my bushings the following weekend after i put the coils in. I didnt need a ratchet strap at all. Just did one side at a time. While your doing the one side, obviously the other side holds the axle. Just take your time marking the arms and pressing the bushings in. They can be a PITA.

Hope this helps a little dude.

 

[Brian894x4]

Thanks much.

Coming from a leaf spring truck, I wasn't able to put the jackstands on the frame close the tires, so that obvious answer never occured to me. Of course that makes the most sense now.

For the castor correction, I have Slee's OME bushings and I'm getting a template from a guy on mud to make it super easy. Which is what it probably needs to be since I will have to have a local shop press them in for me. I was going to do them both at once. Pull off both arms, then drop them of at the shop, along with the bushings, template and Slee's adapater tool.

 

[navara-au]

Bilstiens are a high quality mono tube shock that will retain its performance even when it is quite hot (working hard). OME are of twin tube construction which doesn't work as well in extreme conditions. The advantage of OME is that in Oz they're less than half the price of bilstiens and are more resilient to being hit by rocks or tree branches and stuff.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Bilstiens are a high quality mono tube shock that will retain its performance even when it is quite hot (working hard). OME are of twin tube construction which doesn't work as well in extreme conditions. The advantage of OME is that in Oz they're less than half the price of bilstiens and are more resilient to being hit by rocks or tree branches and stuff.

Do you have any part numbers for the Bilsteins?

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

here you go..
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=146222&highlight=bilstein

 

[Desertdude]

Work on the control arms one at a time - the ratchet strap works well, while keeping the vehicle on the ground. (makes it safer to work under as well) if you need to you can work the ratchet strap (the tires will move a bit) when you need to line up the holes on the control arms.

I used 12 ton jack stands on the rear frame with no issues. The lighter stands make me nervous...

 

[Brian894x4]

Project finished a while ago. :elkgrin:

Love the suspension. Handles like a dream and castor correction truely is needed and works wonders. I love it!

I still need to do the shocks though. I have the OMEs that came with the Slee kit but haven't had time lately to install them.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Project finished a while ago. :elkgrin:

Love the suspension. Handles like a dream and castor correction truely is needed and works wonders. I love it!

I still need to do the shocks though. I have the OMEs that came with the Slee kit but haven't had time lately to install them.

Glad to hear that, i am working on my suspension set up as well OME all the way! Maybe it will arrive by next wednesday!:box:

 

[pnwadventurer]

Here is the write up on my installation.

http://www.pnwadventures.com/vehicles/installation-old-man-emu-suspension-toyota-fj80-landcruiser/

Steve

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

people love to dogout the OME shocks but for the price, they are solid. They are also well-protected w/ the steel sleeve and good for offroading. A good no-brainer solution.

Of course there are better shocks but IMO, you gotta go well up the cost ladder to make a real change. JMHO.