OME Install Q's

[4runnersurf]

I purchased a full OME Suspension lift kit the other day. I need to know before I install, is there any other expenses I will need to put out for, other than the install itself. (Diff Drop, Panhard bar, etc...)

Thanks

[cplvc]

Depending on the lift height, rear you'll benefit from a longer panhard bar otherwise the rear will sway driving over a bump like one wheel going over it slightly ahead of the other wheel. I think the axle sits at an small angle if you leave the stock panhard length.

Front, if its a 4WD you'll benefit from a Diff Drop to avoid tearing CV boots or breaking CV axles. If its not a 4WD this does not apply.

I'd say do those things for 2 to 3" lifts. Alignment may be slightly off after lifting. Other things like Rear extended brake line, e-brake cable bracket. Check out sonoran steel llc for these items or read the lift faq on this site.

[Lee]

yes youll need the panhard drop bracket.

for the record, i wheeled my 3rd gen 4r hard and never put a diff drop in. i only killed one cv and it had nothing to do with the angle, it had to do with me getting frustrated and slamming the gas to get over an obstacle and coming down HARD on it.

[ecchamberlin]

I agree that the diff drop is arguable though it is a cheap thing to do. The theory behind it is sound. I would look at your CV boot angles after the lift and see if the fins of the boots touch at all. If they do then may want to put the diff drop on.

Having done both a pan hard drop bracket on a vehicle and a longer pan hard bar on another, I would do the longer bar before the drop bracket. Totally a personal opinion though. These do help keep your drive shaft out of the gas tank skid plate although mine has still hit it with a longer pan hard bar. I don't think this should be considered an optional mod, either way you choose to do it, with the lift.

I think you will really like the OME lift though. Simple.

[Lee]

yeah you need the panhard drop or elongated bar so your axle aligns straight as well

[ecchamberlin]

Lee, you said elongated! LOL

Sorry.

[BruceTS]

Drop bracket or longer panhard bar can wait, not really needed... With the lift your only a 1/4" out of alignment....

[Lee]

Lee, you said elongated! LOL

Sorry.
http://www.geocities.com/stimpysvideotrading/bandb.jpg

[4runnersurf]

So the panhard can wait??? How will the ride be without the Panhard?

[4runnersurf]

Also:
http://www.sonoransteel.com/store_adjustable_bar.html

Would this need to be welded at all or just remove stock and add this?

[Seanz0rz]

that bar comes as one unit, and you can sell your old one, or use it as a general purpose pry bar like i have, as its useless for anything else.

it is fully adjustable, and steve will provide you with the correct length to set it at for your lift height.

[ecchamberlin]

So the panhard can wait??? How will the ride be without the Panhard?


I hope you mean how would the ride be with the stock panhard and a lift. Don't drive without a panhard bar.

It is not a ride quality thing. It is a axle location thing from side to side. If you left your stock one on, the on street ride would be hard to tell any difference. The corrected length bar simply relocates the rear axle to center taking into account the changes to geometry the lift causes.

[cplvc]

Just remove and add, no welding.


Would this need to be welded at all or just remove stock and add this?

[MTL_4runner]

I purchased a full OME Suspension lift kit the other day. I need to know before I install, is there any other expenses I will need to put out for, other than the install itself. (Diff Drop, Panhard bar, etc...)

Thanks


It would be good to know what OME components you got because if you go with a setup like in my signature, you don't need anything but the springs and shocks. If you go something more extreme on the lift, then the higher you go the more items you'll need to compensate for (ie diff drop, panhard bar, brake line extender, etc).

[4runnersurf]

The kit i am ordering comes with trim packers and a spacer but I wouldn't use them. I mainly want the lift for the ride quality, which I've heard is the best there is.

[MTL_4runner]

The kit i am ordering comes with trim packers and a spacer but I wouldn't use them. I mainly want the lift for the ride quality, which I've heard is the best there is.


What kit? Sonoran Steel? Other?
If other than what is included in it?

[4runnersurf]

I'm ordering the kit from Scott Gerone on trdparts4u.com. Great guy, he's selling me an entire kit for 597 + shipping. Kit includes:

front springs and struts
rear springs and shocks
trim packers for the front and rear(undecided if I'm going to use them or not)

I have to call him and give him a final decision on what part numbers I want to use.

[DNAhilux]

Do you know the spring numbers? Are the rears 906, 890, 891's?
and are the fronts 880, 881, or 882's?

[4runnersurf]

that's what i have to decide on I was thinking of going for the 881/906 with N86C/N91SC. Medium duty springs with comfort shocks. Do mostly street driving so.

[DNAhilux]

That is the same setup that MTL_4Runner has , and is what I have except I put in 880's in the front. In my opinion you will NOT need a new panhard or diff drop with that setup.

[4runnersurf]

That's what I hope, because my dad is giving me crap about wanting to lift it. he just doesn't want me to install it then encounter problems that cost more money.

[DNAhilux]

No with that setup the lift isnt severe enough to encounter any real issues. The only thing you get out of it is an awesome ride. Though I do like the comfort shocks, I may one day try the firms, that is when I get to a city that doesnt have potholes instead of roads.

[4runnersurf]

Is there anything wrong with the comfort shocks? Are they too bouncy?

[Lee]

comfort = softer which = bouncy, at least offroad.

on road they will absorb softer which some people prefer.

i think these trucks are best when firm.

[4runnersurf]

Lee:

Did you have both the comfort and the firm? If so, can you compare the two without considering off road performance?

DNAHilux and Jamie:

How is your ride with the comfort shocks? Would you prefer a firmer ride?

[Lee]

nope i only had the firm ones

i had bilsteins before that though which were softer shocks and i hated those over time.

[MTL_4runner]

DNAHilux and Jamie:

How is your ride with the comfort shocks? Would you prefer a firmer ride?


It's really personal preference for comfort vs firm shocks but I love the feel of the OME comfort shocks I put on and I don't find them bouncy at all (the softer part is on the rebound, not the compression). You definately don't need any diff drops or anything if you go with the same setup I have.

[Lee]

yeah im sure on-road the comforts are fine :thumbup:

[4runnersurf]

Thanks for all the help guys. All that's left is to call Scott and order it. I will keep you updated.

[4runnersurf]

After all the attempts to convince my dad, he still isn't convinced, but I see signs of wear on the horizon. He wants write up's on the company and reviews from various people. He still doesn't think it's worth 600 bucks. Do any of you guys/gals have links to various review sites for Old Man Emu and writeups on their coils and shocks. Thanks in advance.

[MTL_4runner]

After all the attempts to convince my dad, he still isn't convinced, but I see signs of wear on the horizon. He wants write up's on the company and reviews from various people. He still doesn't think it's worth 600 bucks. Do any of you guys/gals have links to various review sites for Old Man Emu and writeups on their coils and shocks. Thanks in advance.


I hear you, but I think you need to explain to your father than this isn't something you'll find on epinions.com getting reviwed right below the treadmills. This swap has been done so many times it's not even funny. I get emails almost constantly on "how I like my setup?" or "how does it ride?" or "is it really that much better than stock?" or "how much lift will I get with it?" or "is there a writeup on how to install them?" and the list goes on and on. The bottom line is that I love my setup but it is personal preference and it may be hard or impossible to have someone believe (without trying it first) that the suspension will really be that much better than stock after the install (let alone $600 better). The fact that litterally HUNDREDS of people have installed this same setup and I have RARELY seen a complaint should speak volumes though. Call up Toyota of Dallas or Wheelers and ask them how many OME setups they have sold since they started selling them.....I'd bet you'll be shocked.

[Lee]

well put jamie :)

[4runnersurf]

Will do Jaime. Thanks for the quick input.

[DNAhilux]

I have always enjoyed OME suspension. On my ol'92 I put OME on after a short and horroble experience with pro-comps/rancho. Once I put the OME on, it was like heaven to me. When I got my 99, and when the time came that the stock suspension failed I knew it was going to be replaced only with OME. Took me a bit to decide on the firm or comfort shocks, but knew either way I would be happy. Personally I do enjoy my setup, especially with poor roads in my city for DD and when I go off the pavement it performs like a champ. The main thing to remember is that OME is truly more focused on the ride than the lift. You will see that the majority of the products they have only yield 1-3 inches of lift over stock. Also to note, my 92 now belongs to my friend, and after 4yrs of the suspension being put on it still is as responsive as it was to begin with.