Users of OME Suspension - Adviced Needed
Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 15:32
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15260
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10
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Shawn
Hi All,
The tax man is about to pay for my OME
suspension upgrade, 50mm lift and Kaymar twin wheel carrier.
I had decided on OME
suspension a while ago and thought I knew what I wanted till I spoke to ARB on the phone.
I knew I would need Medium - Heavy rate springs, but don't know if constant or progressive are the way to go.
The ARB rep suggested medium rate springs on the front and constant 200s on the rear. (the 200 kg rating might be to low, me thinks, but I don't know).
Then he gave me a choice of the OME shocks, comfort or firm.
How the hell do I know what I want, I would like to hear from others with similar vehicle and setup as
mine.
How do the OME medium / heavy rate springs compare to each other and are constant or progressive springs the way to go. Should the shocks be comfort or firm.
What scares me is
the springs and shocks set for touring and then the vehicle is bouncing all over the road when I go to the pub. I will be considering poly airbags once the
suspension set up is complete as ARB don't do Poly!
My 4.2 ltr GU Patrol has/will have:
Up front:
Alloy Bar
Dual batteries
Wife and I only
At the rear:
Rear _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx
60L fridge
Camping gear
Recovery gear
All up probably 300-350 kgs in the back at a guestimate.
Plus it will have the Kaymar rear bar and twin wheel carrier and will be towing an A'van with max down weight of 110 kgs.
(I know, I know, I will be putting on the weigh
bridge soon).
Any advice is greatly appreciated
Cheers
Shawn
Reply By: Wheelerdog - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:01
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:01
the arb place dealt with basically recommended what i needed based on the information i provided them. ie what i was carrying and what equipment was bolted on.
I had a
suspension kit fitted last thursday and it is terrific, I took it up the bridabellas on sunday and gave it a fair flogging and they are great.
I have heavy springs in the front with firm shocks they advised to always use firm shocks in the front to reduce body roll.
In the rear i went for medium springs with comfort shocks. i don't have a rear bar or wheel carrier and i was glad they recommended the rear set up as i was looking ad getting heavy duty to carry the occasional heavy load. i think there kg rating are basically for attached fixtures rather than what is being carried. i could be wrong on that. ie rear bar, wheel carrier and _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx may way a certain amount so a 150kg plus spring would be needed.
my advice would be to tell them here is what i have this is what i want to do and let them come up with a recommendation. It puts it back on them if the set up is incorrect.
It worked for me i couldn't be happier.
AnswerID:
71082
Follow Up By: Wheelerdog - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:06
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:06
from what i have i reckon you would need heavy springs in the rear with firm shocks, as you have _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx and wheel carrier. if they don't give you the advice your after find another arb outlet and deal with them.
FollowupID:
331305
Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:06
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:06
G'day Shawn,
Your rig sounds about the same as
mine at the rear end.....
I'd be getting the heaviest springs and the firm shockers if I were you. I would also think that if you bought the Polyairs and asked them to fit them inside the coils as they do the job, they should have too much of a complaint about that. Otherwise you'll have to have
the springs pulled out to fit the Polyairs later anyway and more labour. You could do the other bit (plumbing up the air lines etc) yourself, so long as they put the bags in with the air lines firmly attached. It's funny, cos I got my airbags fitted by Nash Off Road in
Canberra a few years ago and they are a ARB dealer. Go figure!!
Just to sow a seed of doubt in your mind.....are you sure you want to go with the OME in the 1st place? I've seen a few reports on here that they're not all they're cracked up to be; but I guess every product has it's detractors.
Good luck.
AnswerID:
71083
Reply By: flappan - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:25
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:25
Here's my opinion .
What does your vehicle do when its not out 4wding ? Is it used everyday , or does it just sit and wait for the weekends to arrive.
For my use , ie , Mums taxi duties , I'm looking at Medium Progressive front and back with firm Shocks. That would allow reasonable Taxi duties without shaking your teeth out , but retain a decent offroad stance. I would also be fitting Polyairs to tow our CT. Pump these up to suit.
Bearing in mind , I doubt Polyairs would be real good for Heavy offroad work , but for most purposes would work
well.
AnswerID:
71086
Follow Up By: Member - Robb (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 14:53
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 14:53
IMO polyairs are fine for heavy offroad work (corrugations,
rock crawling, hard
sand dune driving etc) as long as you dont over inflate them. I have seen many hard core touring 4by's with these fitted with no probs mentioned when sticking to the inflations recommended.... Cheers
FollowupID:
331473
Reply By: Member - Brett H (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:45
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:45
I have nothing hi tech but know from experience that in order for
the springs to work they need to be loaded up. If you can't or don't carry enough liad be prepared for a rough ride.
The photo to the lower left shows me crossing the
Pentecost River on the GRR. The std Troopy with 300000km on the clock with original
suspension and evenly loaded to the hilt made it across towing the camper and boat. I had to pull an empty 100 series our of the river. He had heavy duty
suspension with not enough weight to articulate the axles. He couldn't work out why he got stuck.
I think we have been brainwashed into buying this stuff , often unnecessarily, due to the persistent advertising by the 4wd accessory retailers who nearly ALWAYS tell us the OEM stuff won't cut it:p They , like most of us are capitalists and their ultimate business goal is to buy as low as they can and sell as high as they can.
Most purchasers of heavy duty
suspension , I suspect , are seeking greater clearance rather than far heavier spring rates.
Ask this question. To what rate are these springs rated? If and When you get the answer ask for the data to support the claim.
I haven't come across a dealer anywhare who can support their product with data. Without wanting to sound cynical(sp) I think it is probable that a lot of aftermarket springs are made heavy and to sell rather than for an specific application.
Just my thooughts. Don't flogg me.
AnswerID:
71123
Reply By: Member - Andrew(WA) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 19:38
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 19:38
Here's my view.
I've been having a similar dilema with the "what is best for me" question.
Currently in my GU, I have the factory standard
suspension but with PolyAirs in the back (Fitted and purchased from ARB)!!!
I have never liked the standard ride from the factory stuff finding on road to have a stiff feel while off road it was a bit under done. I think it is a bad marriage of shockie and spring
Anyway, I fitted the air bags just prior to a big trip last year towing a 1.5 ton van 20,000km's. My opinion of the poly's is they were the best money I spent toward preparation of the vehicle giving me a level ride at the 30PSi max rated inflation. They never let me down and the arse end never bottomed out (which you do get over cattle grids and alike) with normal set up.
Off road without the van I used around 20psi in the poly's and this helps to stop the body roll.
So, what ill be looking for in my new springs will be a more comfortable ride all round and just using the poly's when and if I need them.
I'm far from an expert, but I think just about everyone recons that whichever aftermarket set up 'they' go for, its is always a better ride than before.
I'll be going for the best ride quality 'on road' then leaving the rest up to the poly airs when required.
AnswerID:
71127
Reply By: Member - Paul- Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 21:51
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 21:51
why would the taxman have to pay for your
suspension upgrade? Do you not have enough money to pay for it yourself? I am sure I, and other readers (tax payers) would not like to pay for your
suspension upgrade while our own
suspension goes un-upgraded. Perhaps the taman should look more closely at where his money is going.
AnswerID:
71152
Follow Up By: Shawn - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 19:54
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 19:54
Its my tax return that is paying for it and I think I deserve it as I spent six months away from
home overseas urning it!!!!!!!!!!!!
FollowupID:
331513
Follow Up By: Shawn - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 20:04
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 20:04
Yeah I know Aandy Spelling
Earning not urning
FollowupID:
331514
Reply By: Michael_FNQ - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 22:26
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 22:26
If you do not carry two wheels all the time and do not have a rear long
ranger tank then the OME 200kg minimum load coils will work great.
If you have two wheels all the time, leave the fridge in the back and also leave all the gear in the roller _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx then ask for the GU ute 200kg coils they are heavier than the wagons and will ride great as long as you leave the weight in the vehicle. If you use these coil then you would not need polyair bags.
Definately use the heavy rear shocks.
Regardless, do not lose too much sleep over the selection, just take your vehicle in with is normal load and make sure it leaves with atleast a 25mm rake front to rear and with the height you want. Front should come up 50-60mm and the rear 60-100mm (with all your current weight it must be rear down currently) from where it is now. Once the guys at ARB see the vehicle they can select the correct coil.
AnswerID:
71155
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 09:52
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 09:52
If you are only travelling once or twice a yr, then set it up for what you do most of.
Few dudes in my club now run 2 sets of springs and shocks, yes its a perfect world.. 2 hours to change all 4 shocks and springs (on a GU). They do one major 6-12 week trip a yr, and then the rest of yr drive to work. If they had the touring setup (setup for trailer, and all the storage, dual tires, 200ltrs+ fuel etc) all yr round it would handle like a pig be as rough and firm as steel bars.
It could be worth checking out, both sets of
suspension also last longer.
AnswerID:
71217
Reply By: Shawn - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 15:30
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 15:30
Thanks for the info/opinions fellas
Paul - better you pay for it out of your tax than me - hehehe
Roachie - you mongrel, I've spoken to a Koni/Kings specialist here in
Sydney and waiting on a price. Will compare them with OME/ARB who are just down the road
Cheers
Shawn
AnswerID:
71281
Follow Up By: Member - Brett H (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 18:32
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 18:32
The tax man only pays for 30 % of the cost if a company incurrs te expense.
FollowupID:
331504
Follow Up By: Shawn - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 19:39
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 19:39
Ok, Ok, 'bout time I cleared this up. There is no company involved, it will be my tax return cheque that pays for the gear, plus a bit from my hip pocket as
well.
FollowupID:
331510
Reply By: Shawn - Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 19:48
Wednesday, Aug 04, 2004 at 19:48
Went for the ARB deal.
Ordered it this afternoon and booked wagon in next week for 2 days of fitment.
Let ARB rep tell me what I needed and was happy with that.
Got 50mm lift with:
Firm Nitro Chargers all round
Medium OME springs up front and constant 200s on rear
OME steering stabiliser
Caster kit
Kaymar twin wheel carrier and
145 ltr Long
Ranger fuel tank
should be good, fingers crossed.
Cheers
Shawn
AnswerID:
71310