OME Springs "Handedness"... True?

[R_Lefebvre]

I'm doing some research on suspensions, since I might need new springs for my upcoming winch bumper. Briefly, I'd like to put on a HD suspension to take the weight, but I don't want to lift the truck much.

I was reading on the EE website about how the OME springs are "handed", meaning that one side is taller than the other, which can cause the truck to lean to one side. I assume this is done in order to compensate for the fact that the driver always sits on one side. But, I've never heard of anything like this in the OEM world.

Is this true? EE claims to mix and match the springs for length and ship them out so that they're even.

I'm wondering which is the better way to go? Get them from EE so they're matched, or get them as OME intended?

 

[Desertoutpost]

I have heard of springs being more progessive on one side to compensate for the driver, and to allow for torque also, we use this alot when building hotrods, but that going down not up.

I went with the true and tested OME set up for my Disco, but I wanted to go up a few, not a bunch because I really do not see a need for a major lift, other than looks.

I'm happy. One thing I found out to be true is the calculated lift from OME springs to me right on the mark as they are advertised.

Good luck.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I think it's true. Can't say for sure about all OEM, but Toyota FJ40s develop a 'Cruiser Lean' where they list to the left side with stock springs. I'd always heard it was because the suspension was designed originally for RHD and being that we sit on the wrong side, our LHD driver's side sagged more being softer (IOW, intended as the non-driver side in Japan). I do know OME has side specific springs and the suspension I have on my truck, both front and rear springs were side specific and I'm still sitting basically flat after about 5 years.

 

[valerieO]

I know the 3gen 4runner has specific springs for the front due to the gas tank being on one side.

 

[Ryanmb21]

It's true! In the OME kit for my '06 4runner the springs for the drivers side were 'ever-so-slightly' taller, the reasoning i was given is that the gas tank, steering and driver's fat-*** was all that side. It worked as my truck sits level now. :safari-rig:

 

[NeilWilson]

I just replaced all the springs on my D1 300TDi, the front springs were handed with the drivers side slightly taller - not much but you could see the difference when side by side. Looking in the parts book there is a whole list of springs as to wether it is LHD/RHD passenger or driver side, diesel or petrol etc. I though heavy duty front springs were not handed because they are so much harder anyway that the driver weight makes no difference ?

Neil

 

[EricWS]

I'm doing some research on suspensions, since I might need new springs for my upcoming winch bumper. Briefly, I'd like to put on a HD suspension to take the weight, but I don't want to lift the truck much.

I was reading on the EE website about how the OME springs are "handed", meaning that one side is taller than the other, which can cause the truck to lean to one side. I assume this is done in order to compensate for the fact that the driver always sits on one side. But, I've never heard of anything like this in the OEM world.

Is this true? EE claims to mix and match the springs for length and ship them out so that they're even.

I'm wondering which is the better way to go? Get them from EE so they're matched, or get them as OME intended?

Yes. Even the HD Defender springs from Land Rover are handed. George at RDS had to send me the color codes for the positions.

I'd just get the whole package from EE. Springs, new shocks, extended brake lines, spring isolators, spring retainers. One of those situations where another job compliments the one your working on. The retainers especially are a must. Must beefier than stock.

 

[Go4Lo]

the front OME springs on my D2 are side specific. they are marked "A" and "B" - the "A" spring is slightly taller and is ment for the driver's side of the vehicle.

BUT, Expedition Exchange "matches" the springs into 2 "A" or 2 "B" coils so there is no lean:

Old Man Emu springs are normally "handed". That is, there is one driver-side spring and one passenger-side spring per pair. This usually results in a listing vehicle toward the passenger side on most Land Rovers. To prevent this, we "match" our springs into two DS or two PS springs per pair.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

So which is the best way to go? Match them, or keep the OME designed "handedness"? Seems most people are running them as OME intended?

I did just confirm with a Ford engineer that they don't do this at the factory. They have all manner of spring length to accommodate different factory option packages, but they do not use different length springs side to side.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Can't recall on the Land Rover stuff, I've done only a handful in the past few years, but the Toyota stuff is very often side specific, both from OME and the oem stuff.

80's F&R
60's Rear Only
Tacomas F&R
Coil 4Runners F&R
others...

Its is somewhat a "witch science" knowing when to use which ones where. In coil applications you must purchase an A & B as OME doesn't have them available separately. A shop could order two pairs at a time and re-pair them, but in most cases you need an A & B. In leaf applications it is possible to order two A's or two B', and very often it is done to deal with different accessories, tire carriers, etc.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

EE seems to be "matching" them. I'm sort of inclined to go that way, because it would allow me to go with 2 PS springs which are shorter. That way I can get the extra load capacity I want, but won't be lifting the truck as much, which I don't want.

 

[Alaska Mike]

RHD Series Rovers have handed springs, to account for the driver and gas tank being on the same side. On LHD models, they're balanced out so there's no need.

Handed springs are matched. They're matched to the application that they're designed for. If OME (or whoever) decided they needed different springs, I'd go with them. They've invested more money and research into this than you have.

 

[Go4Lo]

EE seems to be "matching" them. I'm sort of inclined to go that way, because it would allow me to go with 2 PS springs which are shorter. That way I can get the extra load capacity I want, but won't be lifting the truck as much, which I don't want.

if you are adding a bumper/winch or just a bumper i would just the matched pair from EE.

on my wife's D2 i'm running the OME 751's up front but her's has the SLS in the back so the SLS tends to keep the vehicle level, it's hard to tell if it has any lean. however on my D2 with No SLS and the OME HD kit with a ARB and winch there is a slight lean to the passenger side.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Mike gas tank, good point, I was wondering if there's something like that. I agree OME probably did their homework, but I just wonder if they overdid it a bit since most people say that it leans too far to the passenger side.

For example, from EE's numbers, it would appear OME designed the HD springs for 220lbs more load on the DS front, and 140lbs more on the DS rear. Seems a little excessive.

Anyway, that's why I'm just wondering about people's experiences.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

OME surely did their homework, they have some fantastic engineers!

However, many of their A/B applications were designed around Aussie spec trucks, which can lead to a bit of lean on particular applications. I would recommend you go with a company that has setup alot of similar builds, EE seemingly has worked out some packages that eliminate lean, I've never worked with them but I can imagine they know the builds.