OME suspension lift

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

Re: OME suspension lift

Thanks Guys, I have to actually climb into the drivers seat now but the Dear Wife hasn't complained once as yet. Looking forward to loading up and Four wheel Driving soon to compare the difference from standard suspension.
Yes I must withdraw my digit and learn how to Post pictures onto the forum.
Cheers Troy

[hoppy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hoppy]

Re: OME suspension lift

[attachment=1:18dziein]RIMG0007.jpg[/attachment:18dziein]This was the result of a piece of metal on the road. Unfortunately it just clipped the inside front wheel and punched a hole in the rear left OME. Damaged the handbrake cable as well. We had only done about 1000kms on the new OME's :cry:
[attachment=0:18dziein]P8130426_2_2.jpg[/attachment:18dziein]Had a replacement brought in from Tamworth, on the road again two days later. Spent a month Sydney-Birdsville-Flinders Ranges-Sydney. OME performed very well, extremely happy.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: OME suspension lift

What a bugger. Pity the stone-guard wasn't a little higher or the strike was a little lower . Did you get pics of the chunk of steel you hit? Did you misjudge the clearance or not see it?

Glad to hear the trip continued went well thereafter.

Cheers,
LFaR.

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

Re: OME suspension lift

Caution to those contemplating suspension install.
I had just left ARB Regency Park on Tuesday, Excited with the Old Man Emu Lift.
Noticed that the Dreaded ABS light had not gone out as normal after start up, So turned around and straight back to ARB.
Was meet in the driveway by tech who proceeded to inspect each plug and cable relating to the ABS.
They called the wheel aligner to check if he had pulled any plugs or wires but no joy.
The sales guy I dealt with said that they had once had a Bitsimishi Triton in for a strut upgrade with the same symptoms.
Turned out the ABS sense wire had been stretched, I said that I would sort it and that they would hear from me regarding the solution.
The Wifee took the Prado into Toyota dealer close to her work on Wednesday, They plugged it into the DISCOMBOBULATER and it came back with an error code relating to the left front ABS sense cable. Still safe to drive although ABS would not function if traction was lose.
New cable ordered,fitted and back charged to ARB on Friday. A shame they had to fork out for this but better them than Me.
I asked the service manager for the old cable and tested it with My multi meter when I got home. No visual sign of damage to the cable or plugs, but no continuity between either wire when tested through each plug pole.
I can only assume that cable or plugs got a stretch during component droop allowing for strut install.
Cheers Troy

[hoppy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hoppy]

Re: OME suspension lift

What a bugger. Pity the stone-guard wasn't a little higher or the strike was a little lower . Did you get pics of the chunk of steel you hit? Did you misjudge the clearance or not see it?

Glad to hear the trip continued went well thereafter.

Cheers,
LFaR.

No photo of the metal. It was about 30cms long, 2 cms wide and curved like a half circle. It just clipped the inside of the front tyre and flicked up... I thought Id managed to miss it .

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: OME suspension lift

G'day all, especially those with first hand experience of OME upgrades. I've done my research & now read quite a bit on this forum about various OME spring grades & their relative merits depending on application (load, towing etc.).

I'm still mulling over my options & a recent quote I got from ARB Rockhampton. I have a 2003 GX with what appears to be standard front suspension but raised rear end (components unknown I'm afraid) to suit previous owner's needs (pulled a heavy caravan all round Australia).

Anyway, my needs will be (presumably like many here) to serve as the family vehicle for most of the time, then once or twice a year to be loaded up with the usual gear (luggage, Engel, spares etc. in the back) & towing a camper trailer (with ball weight of around 80-90 kg). Other relevant factors are I have a steel ARB bullbar up front & will likely fit dual battery set up. Can't see myself getting a winch though. Oh, my wife also has a dodgy back so general ride comfort is important.

So, ARB recommended 884 springs & 9000 sport struts up front & 895 with 60004 shocks in the rear. I see there's been a bit of debate here about 895s versus 896s in the rear with some consensus (seemingly) that the 896 option can be a bit rough on the ride & really only necessary with quite a bit of load in the back.

Additionally, ARB recommended Firestone CR5034 air bags in the rear to really only come into their own if load requires it (i.e. if once loaded up with gear & trailer a bit of assistance is needed).

I guess my question is would this seemingly satisfactory all-round compromise really fit the bill in practice? Do any of you have experience with a similar set up? (couldn't find obvious posts to this effect). On the face of it it seems it should work well, given that the "softer" 895s should do very well for work required of them most of the time, with the air bags supplementing load / height adjustments when really needed. I'm particularly interested in comment about the air bags. I have no experience with them & wonder if they're really up it and also (given they require a minimum of 5 psi all the time) would I be better off just simply getting the 896s.....and maybe carrying around a bag or 2 of pre-mix for 10 months of the year?

In closing, I HAVE done the forum search & research, have obviously filled in some parts of the "puzzle" myself but would very much appreciate an experienced opinion.

Cheers,
Sunday

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: OME suspension lift

G'day all, especially those with first hand experience of OME upgrades. I've done my research & now read quite a bit on this forum about various OME spring grades & their relative merits depending on application (load, towing etc.).

I'm still mulling over my options & a recent quote I got from ARB Rockhampton. I have a 2003 GX with what appears to be standard front suspension but raised rear end (components unknown I'm afraid) to suit previous owner's needs (pulled a heavy caravan all round Australia).

Anyway, my needs will be (presumably like many here) to serve as the family vehicle for most of the time, then once or twice a year to be loaded up with the usual gear (luggage, Engel, spares etc. in the back) & towing a camper trailer (with ball weight of around 80-90 kg). Other relevant factors are I have a steel ARB bullbar up front & will likely fit dual battery set up. Can't see myself getting a winch though. Oh, my wife also has a dodgy back so general ride comfort is important.

So, ARB recommended 884 springs & 9000 sport struts up front & 895 with 60004 shocks in the rear. I see there's been a bit of debate here about 895s versus 896s in the rear with some consensus (seemingly) that the 896 option can be a bit rough on the ride & really only necessary with quite a bit of load in the back.

Additionally, ARB recommended Firestone CR5034 air bags in the rear to really only come into their own if load requires it (i.e. if once loaded up with gear & trailer a bit of assistance is needed).

I guess my question is would this seemingly satisfactory all-round compromise really fit the bill in practice? Do any of you have experience with a similar set up? (couldn't find obvious posts to this effect). On the face of it it seems it should work well, given that the "softer" 895s should do very well for work required of them most of the time, with the air bags supplementing load / height adjustments when really needed. I'm particularly interested in comment about the air bags. I have no experience with them & wonder if they're really up it and also (given they require a minimum of 5 psi all the time) would I be better off just simply getting the 896s.....and maybe carrying around a bag or 2 of pre-mix for 10 months of the year?

In closing, I HAVE done the forum search & research, have obviously filled in some parts of the "puzzle" myself but would very much appreciate an experienced opinion.

Cheers,
Sunday

I would go the 895 which is lighter and upgrade to the airbags if you need them to too carry any extra weight, once you have the 896 you can't go back, i had medium's in my jeep and fully loaded it still only dropped 10mm, so never ever worried about the airbags, had the same train of thought.

[travelman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelman]

Re: OME suspension lift

G'Day Sunday.
I had an OME suspension fitted earlier in the year with 896's on the rear and was really disappointed. Most of my driving is around town / on highways and generally unladen, except when towing the boat. (A few times a year - i.e.not often enough - the D4D gets really loaded up for a trip off the beaten track.) I found the 896's about as soft and comfortable as a piece of 4x2. I complained and at the 500km check up the agent swapped them for 895's. They are appreciably softer, though still considerably firmer than the original Toyota shocks. I've got N142 shocks on the rear. If I knew then what I do now, I'd have opted for a softer shock as well and put in the airbags for the times when I'm carrying heavy loads. (Mind you the OME set up worked superbly earlier in the month for the trip to Fraser Island, lugging up a heavy load of all the camping and fishing supplies for a week for five blokes.)
Your tyres will also contribute to how firmly your Prado rides. I have Bridgestone 694's on at present - a great tyre but I find them much firmer riding than the original Dunlops. The manager at Jax has suggested I go for Pirelli next time for good roadholding but a more compliant ride.
If I was in your shoes, I'd be ordering the 895's.
Travelman

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: OME suspension lift

Thanks Hutch & Travelman for your replies & advice. Think I'll go with the 895s on the rear, still not sure the air bags will be needed.

Travelman: other than slightly stiffer ride: what do you think of the Bridgie 694s as an all-round travelling tyre? I know this isn't the tyre & rim forum but I was also looking at upgrading from the GX skinny 6" rims to the later steel GX 7.5" rims with Bridgestone 694s.

Cheers,
Sunday

[hoppy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hoppy]

Re: OME suspension lift

I have 896's on the rear and 883's on the front. My ARB dealer told me that the Prado shouldnt have anything more on the front due to the design of the vehicle. I was told the 883's are an almost direct replacement of the Toyota springs when it comes to firmness in the front. Maybe to go for 884's if carrying a steel bullbar AND dual battery up front.

I went for the 896's in the rear to help with a heavy load for touring. Just completed a trip to Birdsville and Flinders Ranges and I was extremely impressed with the ride compared to the original setup. Having said that it is a little firm in the rear when unladen and in the city. Nothing that bothers me but it is noticable.

One other point, my wife just bought a new Mazda 3. Now after riding in the Prado her car has a REALLY firm ride. Sticks to the road really well but you feel all the bumps.... I like the road handling in the little Mazda and am prepared to suffer with the odd bump. Just thought I would compare, sometimes we can over analyze these things....

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: OME suspension lift

I got 896 in the rear and around town is very firm. Took it across the Simpson a few weeks back fully loaded and it felt smooth and comfortable. I'm going to have two sets of springs. 896 for trips and 895s for town. I don't want air bags as they limit articulation but if you are just towing then this would probably not be so much an issue unless you are towing off road and it's reasonably rough and rugged.

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: OME suspension lift

Thanks Hoppy, appreciate your input. I think I'll stick with the decision on 884s on the front as I do have the steel bull bar & intend to install the dual battery. Seems the 895s are the right choice for me on the rear.

I had a new Maxda 3 (2005 Maxx Sport) & know what you mean by the firm ride. I too loved the handling but sold it primarily because of the road noise: incredibly loud! I've since had a Honda Accord Euro (2006) & Honda CRV Sport (2007), the latter being a terrific little all round vehicle....though not a Prado I've come to the conclusion that most front wheel drive cars suffer from way too much road noise & often wonder why motoring journos, owners etc. don't make more of this point.

Conversely, the diesel Prado is incredibly quiet on the road! very impressed with this unexpected quality.

Sunday

[travelman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelman]

Re: OME suspension lift

Sunday, re your question about the 694's.
I put them on last year to go to the Cape. The performed superbly, and we took the Development Road with its 164000000+ corrogations. (Dropped the pressure to around 26-28 lb if I remember correctly.) They have been great on bitumen in wet and dry conditions and handle the sand on Fraser and Noosa North Shore wonderfully. They are wearing very well (Well, not showing much sign of wear at all after 26000km!) and the ones I have are made in Australia. The firmer ride is acceptable, I found the same thing when I put them on my old Jackaroo. You just have to fiddle with your tyre pressure to find what gives the best ride whilst maintaining a safe pressure.
Good luck with your new purchases.
Travelman

[Sunday Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunday]

Re: OME suspension lift

Thanks again Travelman & thanks Schaffer for your input also.

Cheers,
Sunday

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Re: OME suspension lift

I have the 884/895 OME spring combination. Huge improvement in both ride and especially handling -the roll and sway has gone. I have only done about 1000km on them so far and it has not been loaded up but as it is the "medium" set up all round I don't expect any problems.[51-100kg extra front load-I am close to this] I only have the Sovereign bar and IPF driving lights [and the front recovery hooks recently made when I get to put them on!] and the front is way up and the wheel alignment appears to have a bit of positive camber though. It tracks perfectly with no wander. Highly recommend this combo so far. Neil