OME Spring mix

[Schattenjager]

I have Medium duty OME shocks and springs on my D II, but I'm planning a long road trip with a lot of gear. Would it be a good / bad idea to put the Heavy Duty springs in the back and leave the fronts Medium for the nicer ride? Also, do the HD sit any taller than the mediums?
Thanks for your trusted advice!
:26_16_2:
​

 

[navara-au]

From what I understand. You set up the front spring to suit the front end requirements and the rear to suit that requirement. Generally they recommend heavy springs on the front if you have steel bull bar and winch. If you are happy with the front I would leave them the way they are.
If you put heavy springs on the back you will compromise your ride when unloaded. Loaded up with heavy spring the car will sit level, but once you unload it the rear will sit up higher and be more bouncy.

How much weight will you be carrying?

Will you be towing anything?

How often will you be driving it unloaded?

 

[Schattenjager]

This is for my 3600 mile trip home to Colorado - after much delay. I will be pulling a 6X12 dual axle U-Haul trailer. The rear seats will go in the trailer as Max, the German Shepherd will occupy the back in grand comfort. I'll put some stuff on the SD rack - nothing much though. The trailer will have a king size bed room suite and some pretty heavy boxes. U-haul says the trailer is 1800 lbs. empty.

The DII only has a Genuine LR brush bar - no winch. I left her years ago! Once I get home - there wont be much of a need for the load carry ability, so if I did it, I'd keep the Medium springs to put back on.

By the way - WELCOME! This is one of the most knowledgeable and gentlemanly boards on the net.

 

[navara-au]

Thanks for the welcome mate Im slowly finding my way around and I even noticed the Toyota drivers are nice blokes :Wow1: .

Im not an expert on Discos but I would say if you are doing a road trip with a well balanced duel axle trailor you should be right with med duty springs. If you were doing an expedition with a single axle trailor carring a lot of weight then maybe it would be a different story.

 

[Rockcrawler]

Thanks for the welcome mate Im slowly finding my way around and I even noticed the Toyota drivers are nice blokes :Wow1: .

Im not an expert on Discos but I would say if you are doing a road trip with a well balanced duel axle trailor you should be right with med duty springs. If you were doing an expedition with a single axle trailor carring a lot of weight then maybe it would be a different story.

I would agree... You should be just fine w/ the medium duty springs based on what you're discussing.

 

[stevenmd]

If you feel the need for a level ride, just throw in some 1" spacers on the rear and then take them out when you get home. Saves you from spending $150 on springs and the spacers are easier to put on and remove than springs. I have 1" spacers on my disco to even out the load b/c I have a large family.

 

[Schattenjager]

where did you get the spacers?

 

[stevenmd]

where did you get the spacers?

I made mine from aluminum stock. I'm not sure who sells DII spacers, sorry. I don't have a DII near me to see how much work it would involve... how many bolts do you have keeping the spring seat to the axle? If you go to Dweb and look in the tech section under "spring spacers", it will show you how to make spacers for a DI. I imagine it wouldn't be too different for a DII.

You can get aluminum stock from: http://www.onlinemetals.com/ Just order the width you need and they will cut it into the height you need - 1".

 

[gage092879]

i wouldn't buy springs just for the trip. if you want the level ride to the spacers, but do like steven said and make your own.

 

[c johno]

I have a 95 disco with heavys on the back and mediums on the front with a land rover winch bumper no winch and mine sits level. it rides better with people or weight in the back. I've had about 400 lbs. in the back and it didn't sag.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I have a Landcruiser, and did exactly what you are talking about.

I had Meds all around, added a fuel tank and such, and swapped the rears to heavy. The setup is almost perfect and i love it.

Thats my .02

 

[Tucson T4R]

One other option would be to install some inner coil Airlift air susupension bags in your rear springs. I have a similar challenge on my 4Runner with OME susupension. I need a stiffer rear when towing heavy loads but don't want the stiffness of stronger springs for my daily unloaded use.

I purcahsed and am installing an airlift kit from Airlift:

http://www.airliftcompany.com/al1000.html

I had to call them directly and talk with them to decide on the correct kit since my OME springs are about 3" taller than the stock Toyota. For me, I expect this will give me the best both worlds. Increase the air pressure for heavy loads and drop them down to about 5lbs when running empty.

 

[Schattenjager]

Brad - man - that is the ticket! Thanks for the input. Calling now...
:wings:

 

[craig]

Brad - man - that is the ticket! Thanks for the input. Calling now...
:wings:

If you are going to do it, consider putting in LR Air Bags and activating the SLS. You can relocate the bag sensor to give you some lift, and if you need more RTE sells an air bag spacer.

The other option is to go with OME or RTE graduated (progressive) rate springs. I had the OME ones before my RTE 3" HD lift, and they were really smooth around town, but firmed right up once they started getting compressed. The RTEs ride better under load than the OME graduated springs do (not as stiff), but unloaded the OMEs were much nicer. I'd reccomend the OMEs to anyone.

Craig

 

[stevenmd]

Wouldn't the price of the air bags be more expensive that buying new OME springs? And more time consuming with install?

If you are satisfied with your current spring setup, just throw in some cheap spacers for your trip and be done with it. IMHO, of course!:friday: