Upgrading suspension, is OME worth the extra money over Bilstein?

[OverlandBear]

Hello Toyota Overlanders! This is a picture of the 94 Hilux I just bought. It's an LN 107 with the 3L 2.8L diesel engine. This is my first serious build and I'm here to learn. Lots of work to do but great bones. So far I've completely replaced the rear drum brakes, complete with new backing plates and wheel cylinders, and we replaced the axel bearings and all the seals. Other than that it's just been little projects to fix small things. Super fun project so far.
My next order of business is to upgrade the suspension. My question for the community, is Old Man Emu suspension worth the extra money, or should I just get some Bilsteins? She desperately needs new front and rear shocks. I'm not very keen on lifting the truck, it's got great clearance already and it's my understanding that without a whole lot of work and parts, lifting a truck like this is going to poorly affect the geometry. That takes the Bilstein 5100's out of the running, I've only been able to find that model for a 3-4 inch lift. So my options are Bilstein 4600's or some OME nitrocharger sports for $200 more dollars.
An important part of this equation is to include that eventually I would like to take the bed off, put a 6 foot flat bed on, and then build a sweet gear hauling box so I can bring camp/overland supplies, boards, bikes and climbing gear on expeditions and eventually drive the Pan-American. So, when all's said and done, she'll be have some weight

Looking forward to hearing what folks have to say, hope everybody is staying cool and sending hard out there

 

[Dave in AZ]

Not sure if a hilux is same as tacoma, but on my 98 tacoma, the 5100s can be set to zero lift or 1" if desired. That's their whole deal, they are almost a 4600 but with an adjustment snapring.

I decided I liked the stock height of my 98 Tacoma OffRoad, same as you, and also didn't want to mess with jacking up my drive train angles with a lift. I went with Bilstein 4600s. I didn't feel OME was worth it... but I'm just driving in mud and river bottoms and desert. Well, also mountain forest roads in Flagstaff, rocks and ruts and some steep. I don't go purposefully looking for rocky trails harder than needed to get somewhere.

Tacomaworld.com is the place to go for threads on suspension.

 

[redthies]

This is my first serious build and I'm here to learn.

By uttering these words, you eliminate Bilstein. I have 5100s on my Tundra and Sequoia and have had them on my diesel trucks as well. They offer a nice ride, but I have yet to own a set that did not crap the bed within a year or two. They will warranty them, but their warranty is questionable at best. You have to buy a new set at your own expense, and only then, they will consider giving you a refund on the second set. If they decide it’s not a warranty issue, you are stuck having bought the same crap again. It is not a good way to run a warranty department.

I’ve never had a failure on my OME stuff. The OME are also far more tuneable for weight. Buy once, cry once.

 

[4runnerteq]

Just put new OEM shocks, not OME, you're not racing in the Baja 1000 nor do you need to look or act like it. Put the money in gas or something nice, like fuzzy dice.

I have to agree here. Unless your carrying a large load all the time. Yes my 4runner is lifted and big tires. If I had to do over again Im not sure I would. Some BFGs one size over at most and factory shocks. It has Bilsteins on the front and I;ve been happy with them. The wifes 4th gen needs shocks and will probably get Bilsteins on it as is has the high dollar Xreas suspension on it. Keep in mind one mod ALWAYS leads to another. Lift, big tires, regear, trim valances and metal, lower fuel mileage, harder on everything. That truck will go anywhere you'd want to I'm sure in stock form. The closer you can stay to stock the better if its going to stay a daily driver.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

I’ve always had great luck with bilstein that’s what I’d do.

 

[Tom n N]

That’s a nice looking truck! Obviously not a US model as we never got the four doors back then. I’m assuming that means it’s also solid front axel. I have a 93 4x4 that’s also not lifted (and never will be) but is IFS, so a little different. Recently I needed new shocks and was very interested in going with OME’s. Although several vendors listed an application for my truck, when I contacted OME directly their tech support said they had no product that would work on an unlifted truck. Was very impressed that would talk me OUT of buying their product because it was not right. Might want to check with them directly.

Briefly considered Bilsteins, but read too many reviews saying that while they are a very high quality on road shock, they just aren’t made for serious off road use. I have never read anything but great things about OME off road performance, so that was my first choice. I would like to emphasize that I do not have personal experience using either brand, only reporting what I’ve read.

FWIW, I wound up going with another set of KYB’s. My first set lasted for 20 years of very rough off road use with a very heavy camper installed. Only reason I had to replace them was one finally broke a weld. I definitely got my moneys worth out of the first set.

 

[OverlandBear]

Not sure if a hilux is same as tacoma, but on my 98 tacoma, the 5100s can be set to zero lift or 1" if desired. That's their whole deal, they are almost a 4600 but with an adjustment snapring.

I decided I liked the stock height of my 98 Tacoma OffRoad, same as you, and also didn't want to mess with jacking up my drive train angles with a lift. I went with Bilstein 4600s. I didn't feel OME was worth it... but I'm just driving in mud and river bottoms and desert. Well, also mountain forest roads in Flagstaff, rocks and ruts and some steep. I don't go purposefully looking for rocky trails harder than needed to get somewhere.

Tacomaworld.com is the place to go for threads on suspension.

Ok cool that's good to know you can take the 5100's down to stock/1in. How long have you had your bilsteins/ how often are you taking that Taco out there?
I'm on a similar level as you, not super keen on taking my rig on gnarly trails for ********** and gigs, I just want to be able to trust that my truck is going to get me where I want to go

 

[OverlandBear]

By uttering these words, you eliminate Bilstein. I have 5100s on my Tundra and Sequoia and have had them on my diesel trucks as well. They offer a nice ride, but I have yet to own a set that did not crap the bed within a year or two. They will warranty them, but their warranty is questionable at best. You have to buy a new set at your own expense, and only then, they will consider giving you a refund on the second set. If they decide it’s not a warranty issue, you are stuck having bought the same crap again. It is not a good way to run a warranty department.

I’ve never had a failure on my OME stuff. The OME are also far more tuneable for weight. Buy once, cry once.

That's great beta about the difference in warranty department, thank you. So if you're running 5100's on the sequoia and tundra, what are you running OME's on?

 

[OverlandBear]

Just put new OEM shocks, not OME, you're not racing in the Baja 1000 nor do you need to look or act like it. Put the money in gas or something nice, like fuzzy dice.

Haha I've got the ace of spades hanging up right now, fuzzy dice may be in my future though.
And yeah man, thank you got the perspective. I want a strong dependable truck I can confidentially build into an unstoppable gear hauler to take on adventures. I'm willing to spend the $$ to get there but want to be smart about putting the duckets into the right basket, not just buying fad items to look cool.
Out of curiosity, what rig/suspension setup are you rocking?

 

[OverlandBear]

I have to agree here. Unless your carrying a large load all the time. Yes my 4runner is lifted and big tires. If I had to do over again Im not sure I would. Some BFGs one size over at most and factory shocks. It has Bilsteins on the front and I;ve been happy with them. The wifes 4th gen needs shocks and will probably get Bilsteins on it as is has the high dollar Xreas suspension on it. Keep in mind one mod ALWAYS leads to another. Lift, big tires, regear, trim valances and metal, lower fuel mileage, harder on everything. That truck will go anywhere you'd want to I'm sure in stock form. The closer you can stay to stock the better if its going to stay a

I have to agree here. Unless your carrying a large load all the time. Yes my 4runner is lifted and big tires. If I had to do over again Im not sure I would. Some BFGs one size over at most and factory shocks. It has Bilsteins on the front and I;ve been happy with them. The wifes 4th gen needs shocks and will probably get Bilsteins on it as is has the high dollar Xreas suspension on it. Keep in mind one mod ALWAYS leads to another. Lift, big tires, regear, trim valances and metal, lower fuel mileage, harder on everything. That truck will go anywhere you'd want to I'm sure in stock form. The closer you can stay to stock the better if its going to stay a daily driver.

Yeah man I'm definitely trying to optimize the balance between mpg and dependable ruggedness. Right now she's not taking much weight, but not too far down the road I'm trying to build out the bed, make a box to haul all my toys for when I end up on the pan American. So she'll have some permanent weight for sure.

 

[OverlandBear]

Not sure if a hilux is same as tacoma, but on my 98 tacoma, the 5100s can be set to zero lift or 1" if desired. That's their whole deal, they are almost a 4600 but with an adjustment snapring.

I decided I liked the stock height of my 98 Tacoma OffRoad, same as you, and also didn't want to mess with jacking up my drive train angles with a lift. I went with Bilstein 4600s. I didn't feel OME was worth it... but I'm just driving in mud and river bottoms and desert. Well, also mountain forest roads in Flagstaff, rocks and ruts and some steep. I don't go purposefully looking for rocky trails harder than needed to get somewhere.

Tacomaworld.com is the place to go for threads on suspension.

Also, do you have an idea how much weight you keep in your taco bed on a regular basis?

 

[OverlandBear]

That’s a nice looking truck! Obviously not a US model as we never got the four doors back then. I’m assuming that means it’s also solid front axel. I have a 93 4x4 that’s also not lifted (and never will be) but is IFS, so a little different. Recently I needed new shocks and was very interested in going with OME’s. Although several vendors listed an application for my truck, when I contacted OME directly their tech support said they had no product that would work on an unlifted truck. Was very impressed that would talk me OUT of buying their product because it was not right. Might want to check with them directly.

Briefly considered Bilsteins, but read too many reviews saying that while they are a very high quality on road shock, they just aren’t made for serious off road use. I have never read anything but great things about OME off road performance, so that was my first choice. I would like to emphasize that I do not have personal experience using either brand, only reporting what I’ve read.

FWIW, I wound up going with another set of KYB’s. My first set lasted for 20 years of very rough off road use with a very heavy camper installed. Only reason I had to replace them was one finally broke a weld. I definitely got my moneys worth out of the first set.

What model kyb's didja go with? 20 years on a set is an impressive endorsement haha

 

[Dave in AZ]

Also, do you have an idea how much weight you keep in your taco bed on a regular basis?

That 98 I pretty much drive around empty, it was my work truck for hauling water heaters and dishwashers etc. I use it off road for hunting. My 21 Tacoma, though, is set up with 500 lbs in back, a Tune M1 camper. Stock suspension so far.

 

[beef tits]

Bilstein is cheap for a reason. Ive had them on many rigs. Totally fine for a pavement pounder, but pretty low quality for offroading. They fade fast.

OME also makes several shocks. Their cheap ones are a little better/more durable than bilsteins.

For a nice plush off-roading experience I’d recommend Dobinsons MRA and some C load tires. Dobinsons also has the best spring selection.

 

[redthies]

That's great beta about the difference in warranty department, thank you. So if you're running 5100's on the sequoia and tundra, what are you running OME's on?

I had OME on my UZJ100 and my N60 Surf/4Runner. The Bilsteins do ride nice, and my Sequoia sees more dirt miles than pavement (higher speed forestry roads, not crawling), but they won’t last long and again, you’re stuck buying again before they even discuss replacement under warranty.