Old Man Emu for Cherokee XJ... Thoughts?

[Purple People Eater]

I'm currently running a 3 inch add-a-leaf lift for my Jeep, made by Rough Country. I'm a little disappointed by it. The ride is stiff and uncomfortable, but I should've expected that from a $300 lift kit. I guess that's how you gain experience, right?

Anyway, I'm looking into Old Man Emu. I see a lot of guys putting it on their Jeeps, Toyotas and Rovers, and singing its praises. I want to keep the lift around 3-3.5 inches, but so far all I've found for the XJ by OME is 2" systems. Should I get a small body lift, or buy a different brand of lift and just use OME shocks? However, I want to stay away from the add-a-leaf kits.

Any suggestions/opinions as to how to keep my Jeep 3" higher than stock with a good ride on the street, I'm all ears.

 

[over2land]

You can't easily body lift an XJ. In fact, it would require swapping a frame under it, or cutting your unibody up and welding in all new parts.

As for the OME lift, I too have heard nothing but good about them, and when the time comes for me to lift my XJ, it'll be getting that lift... I'm just saving up for it. I've heard that the add a leaf kits result in rough rides. AFAIK, there is nothing under 4 inches that replaces the whole rear leaf pack. IF you want 4 inches, its easy.

Why not go with the OME lift and some fender trimming to fit the tires you are looking for?

That said, if you are dead set on 3-inches, get the OME lift, lift shackles, and poly spacers. You might have to worry about the shocks or brake lines being the limit at that point though. On the front, it is easy to get a JB Conversions bar pin eliminator to make up for it... I'm sure there is a similar product for the back, but don't know what it is.

OH... if you are welding capable, you could go with the TnT Customs u-bolt eliminator kit in the 1-inch lift flavor, which will give you the added lift, and allow relocation of the shocks. However, I think they move the shocks more than an inch, so you'd be in danger of having the OME shocks being too short in that case.

Maybe M.O.R.E for rear shock relocators?

But really, if you are lifting to 3 inches for a specific tire, I would personally go with OME and fender trimming to fit it.

 

[Fergie]

If you arent set on OME, then I would suggest Rubicon Express, with OME shocks.

I ran the OME HD kit on my XJ for 2 years, and while the on road ride was great, it was too soft for towing, and for hauling the extra gear I always kept in my Jeep. I had the 2" coils up front, with the 3/8" OME spacer, and a 1.75" spacer. In the back, I had their HD 2" leaves, with the JCXL AAL and an RE extended shackle. This was a pretty even lift, front to rear. I had the normal length shocks front and rear, with JKS BPEs in the front, and rear, as well as raised rear shock mounts on the axle side. I dont know if the "L" version of the shocks would have worked better, but mine were fine. You will have issues with the bushings on the shocks on the axle side if you dont account for your pinion angle.

When I sold the XJ, I had all RE springs, with OME shocks and LOVED that set-up. I had the 3.5" coils in the front, and 3.5" leaves in the rear with the RE extended shackle.

The difference in ride quality was not noticeable engouh to make me wish I still had my OME springs.

 

[cnskate]

I have the OME HD lift and I'm very happy with it. The HD springs by themselves might get you to 3", with an extra OEM coil spring isolator or two on front. Comanche or aftermarket shackles will get you up higher too. I haven't measured my lift. I just wanted to run 30's and improve the suspension for long bumpy roads.

 

[over2land]

I have the OME HD lift and I'm very happy with it. The HD springs by themselves might get you to 3", with an extra OEM coil spring isolator or two on front. Comanche or aftermarket shackles will get you up higher too. I haven't measured my lift. I just wanted to run 30's and improve the suspension for long bumpy roads.

heck i have 30s on my 98 just by putting tj flares and stock MJ shackles on it. And thats with over 200K mile on the stock (really sagged out) springs. But then on even short bumpy roads it sucks... lol

 

[ExpoMike]

I ended up using OME rear springs which netted a 3" lift and ride GREAT. My front setup is a pieced together setup using springs I bought with some Bilstein shocks.

As for OME, they are a great setup and ride better then factory. There are a number of options depending on how you will use it. My recommendation is to talk to the guys at DPG Offroad. Based on my 2 years being a member of NAXJA, Dirk and the crew are top notch when it comes to OME lifts.

Here's the site, http://www.dpgoffroad.com/XJ_OME_Kits.htm

If you want to learn more about XJ's then you ever wanted to know, visit http://www.naxja.org/

Good luck!

 

[Fergie]

I ended up using OME rear springs which netted a 3" lift and ride GREAT. My front setup is a pieced together setup using springs I bought with some Bilstein shocks.

As for OME, they are a great setup and ride better then factory. There are a number of options depending on how you will use it. My recommendation is to talk to the guys at DPG Offroad. Based on my 2 years being a member of NAXJA, Doug and the crew are top notch when it comes to OME lifts.

Here's the site, http://www.dpgoffroad.com/XJ_OME_Kits.htm

If you want to learn more about XJ's then you ever wanted to know, visit http://www.naxja.org/

Good luck!

I'll second the service from Dirk at DPG. Honest, knowledgeable, and just plain old good folk.

 

[OverlandZJ]

I'll second the service from Dirk at DPG. Honest, knowledgeable, and just plain old good folk.

x3...

I couldnt agree more with Fergie's statements earlier about Rubicon Express, my best riding XJ was with their 4.5" kit.

However i have never owned OME suspension components... take that in consideration. Do a search on Cshontz here for his build thread, he runs OME on his 01 XJ and seems very happy with it.

 

[cshontz]

I am. I've run OME on my TJ and XJ. The general spiel is, its not engineered solely to provide an increase in ride height, but to improve upon all attributes of the OE suspension with minimal compromise to the base platform. In other words, you're improving comfort, handling, maximum payload, and ground clearance, while retaining the everyday usability of the vehicle as it was designed by the factory.

That's the theory, though. While it looks great on paper, any amount of lift may generate driveline vibrations and require driveline angle compensation in the form of a transfer case conversion (preferred) or a crossmember drop. Also, while the suspension might boast "improved comfort", those aggressive light truck tires you plan to install might have the opposite effect. That's just food for thought. Keep in mind, the more you do to your Jeep, the more you have to do to your Jeep.

OME is a great option if you are satisfied with no more than 2-3" of increased ride height. However, many folks feel inclined to coax more lift from their vehicles (once they've been bitten by the bug) only a short time later. In which case it might be more cost effective to start with a budget boost until you've established your needs. The Rubicon Express kits are also popular, well-engineered solutions. OME shocks are also available for taller suspensions, which may offer the best of both worlds.

I've run Pro-Comp (not worth mentioning), Rubicon Express 4.5" on a Cherokee much like John B's which performed well, and OME. I favor the OME due to its aforementioned qualities and how it responds to the terrain. The vehicle feels balanced and rolls over obstacles with grace and aplomb. The low ground clearance does limit the trail selection somewhat, but I've also found it to be advantageous on steep terrain due to its low center of gravity. And of course I've retained the Cherokee's best qualities as a daily driver.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[stevenmd]

Just take the leap and throw on a set of OME HD's. I guarantee you will be happy. If you want to run a larger tire, cut away your fenders and add better bump stops. This way you will keep your COG low. If you still want to go another inch higher, add 1" aluminum spacers and you will be fine. I've done plenty of road driving and medium to difficult off-roading with that set up. Works like a charm, nothing fancy, gets the job done.

 

[Purple People Eater]

I am. I've run OME on my TJ and XJ. The general spiel is, its not engineered solely to provide an increase in ride height, but to improve upon all attributes of the OE suspension with minimal compromise to the base platform. In other words, you're improving comfort, handling, maximum payload, and ground clearance, while retaining the everyday usability of the vehicle as it was designed by the factory.

That's the theory, though. While it looks great on paper, any amount of lift may generate driveline vibrations and require driveline angle compensation in the form of a transfer case conversion (preferred) or a crossmember drop. Also, while the suspension might boast "improved comfort", those aggressive light truck tires you plan to install might have the opposite effect. That's just food for thought. Keep in mind, the more you do to your Jeep, the more you have to do to your Jeep.

OME is a great option if you are satisfied with no more than 2-3" of increased ride height. However, many folks feel inclined to coax more lift from their vehicles (once they've been bitten by the bug) only a short time later. In which case it might be more cost effective to start with a budget boost until you've established your needs. The Rubicon Express kits are also popular, well-engineered solutions. OME shocks are also available for taller suspensions, which may offer the best of both worlds.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Like I said, I do have that "budget boost" 3 inch kit on right now, and I feel for my needs, that is the best height. Most of my driving is to and from work and to Chandler and back, but I like to go out on the weekends and run technical trails. I'm running 31x10.50R15 BFG All Terrains, so I do know how they perform. I'm pretty much looking to 'restore' my current lift with something of better quality. I have no cosmetic interest in lifting my Jeep, just performance. I need a more resilient, comfortable version of the 3 inch lift I have now.

Thank you for all the replies, guys! It really helps!

 

[madizell]

I know from reading this thread and many others that just about everyone praises the OME suspensions. For what it is worth, I will say that I had a different experience. ARB outsources many of their spring offerings. Because Jeeps are not popular in Oz, where ARB is based, and because most of their sales of Jeep springs have been in the US, the OME leaf springs for Jeeps are outsourced. The guys in OZ all say the coils from OME are great stuff. The leaf springs I bought from them, right at the factory door, were junk.

In 2002 I shipped my Jeep to Australia for the Outback Challenge, and thinking that I might be better off with new springs, and, having heard from everyone that OME was the best, I ordered a set of springs all around for the CJ. They looked beautiful, installed easily, and rode nicely. They also lasted less than two minutes under power. After one sprint around a closed course, the rear springs were permanently bent into an "S". I was able to reshape the springs with a hammer, and that should be a clue. I have had lots of other brands of springs that could not be reshaped without hydraulic power, but the OME's I could bend by whacking them on a tree.

I took the springs back to ARB, and they would not take them back or refund my money. My co-driver and I had a really fun hour at ARB that day. I pointed out that I didn't care if I got my money back, nice as that would be, but I was not going to ship cheese-whiz springs back to the US. The floor manager didn't want to take them back without a corporate return slip because he was afraid someone would appropriate them if I just left them lying around. As if I cared. Perhaps they didn't deal face to face with Americans all that often. Anyway, they took back the springs and I got my money back. I have photos somewhere of those springs, but really, anyone should get more than 2 minutes out of a set of springs.

Hopefully, my experience was a one-time deal, and that ARB either fixed the problem or found a new supplier.

 

[4Rescue]

I know from reading this thread and many others that just about everyone praises the OME suspensions. For what it is worth, I will say that I had a different experience. ARB outsources many of their spring offerings. Because Jeeps are not popular in Oz, where ARB is based, and because most of their sales of Jeep springs have been in the US, the OME leaf springs for Jeeps are outsourced. The guys in OZ all say the coils from OME are great stuff. The leaf springs I bought from them, right at the factory door, were junk.

In 2002 I shipped my Jeep to Australia for the Outback Challenge, and thinking that I might be better off with new springs, and, having heard from everyone that OME was the best, I ordered a set of springs all around for the CJ. They looked beautiful, installed easily, and rode nicely. They also lasted less than two minutes under power. After one sprint around a closed course, the rear springs were permanently bent into an "S". I was able to reshape the springs with a hammer, and that should be a clue. I have had lots of other brands of springs that could not be reshaped without hydraulic power, but the OME's I could bend by whacking them on a tree.

I took the springs back to ARB, and they would not take them back or refund my money. My co-driver and I had a really fun hour at ARB that day. I pointed out that I didn't care if I got my money back, nice as that would be, but I was not going to ship cheese-whiz springs back to the US. The floor manager didn't want to take them back without a corporate return slip because he was afraid someone would appropriate them if I just left them lying around. As if I cared. Perhaps they didn't deal face to face with Americans all that often. Anyway, they took back the springs and I got my money back. I have photos somewhere of those springs, but really, anyone should get more than 2 minutes out of a set of springs.

Hopefully, my experience was a one-time deal, and that ARB either fixed the problem or found a new supplier.

That sucks man, and completely the oposite expereince I had with ARB, but that really sucks. That's one of the worst feeling ever when some thing new that you are excited to try out just flat out fails...

I run the Dakar leafs on my Toyota and when I had a question/issue with the front spring pins and the pieces they had sent me, I called ARB in Seattle and got an answer in like 5 min. Like you said though, I drive a Toyota which is their bread and butter so maybe they use a different supplier cause I abused the hell out fo these springs in the somewhat short ammount of time I've had them and they ride great, haul weight great, and have had zero issue with excessive sagging/Sing (although I don't thnk the 22RE has the juice to really make this a concern anyway). Just goes to show, they are a company just like all the others, run by people and sometimes bad things happen. But I would say that as a whole they are one fo the best companies in the industry from all points, manufacturing to service to final product quality.

What springs are you running now?

 

[madizell]

What springs are you running now?

National Springs custom 10-leaf in the rear, 2.5x12 inch Sway-A-Way coilover w/remote res. and R.E. Longarm kit adapted from the TJ in the front.

 

[Scott Brady]

Hopefully, my experience was a one-time deal, and that ARB either fixed the problem or found a new supplier.

It could have been that incorrect steel was used, or the steel was not (heat) treated properly.

If I remember, you are also running in a spring over configuration with a V8 at the time.

I do believe that the issue was resolved, as I had J1R's at all four corners of my YJ, and they were exceptional, both in ride quality and trail performance. Several on this forum have driven my Jeep, and comment similarly.