Opinions on OME suspensions

Submitted: Monday, May 26, 2003 at 17:01
ThreadID: 5125 Views:3503 Replies:11 FollowUps:12
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Hi,
I am interested in an ARB OME suspension system and would be interested to hear some comments regarding others experiences with them.
Mainly if it is a good system for on and offroad, and wether it is good value for money?
Cheers
Mark :)
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Reply By: Member - Paul - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 17:45

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 17:45
Mark
I just had OME put on a 2002 Prado and are presently on the way to Cape York and around Oz. We are towing a heavy Offroad Trailer plusthe kids and all the normal crap and havs so far found the system exceptional. We have already done plenty of dirt and beach and can honestly say I am impressed. We are dropping into an OME service centre tomorrow for the follow up measurement which is also included.
I recommend the gear
AnswerID: 21115

Reply By: Member - Roger - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 17:50

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 17:50
Hi Mark,
My GU Patrol has ahd the OME sus on it for two years and has so far been to the Cape , towed an off road van of 1800kg across the Gib River rd as well as criss/crossing the central areas of W.A. it has performed as it should, I am very pleased with the ride and the robust nature of the set up.
CheersDodg
AnswerID: 21117

Follow Up By: Tony - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 07:26

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 07:26
Roger, i am about to go througt the same process, what springs did you use, ie part numbers etc.
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FollowupID: 13725

Follow Up By: johnsy - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 15:33

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 15:33
Tony I got the OME-970 front and OME-980 rear gives 50mm lift over standard and 50 kg per axle load increase.The ride is so differant for the better it is a bit of a shock as I believed the standard nissan wasn't to bad just it sagged.I didnt go for h/d as I tow a trailer so the weight is on the trailer and like my comfort these days.
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FollowupID: 13777

Follow Up By: Member - Roger - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 20:08

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 20:08
johnsy gave the correct nos. and the lift is as he says, however be aware that when you tow or load heavy this lift will go out the window and you are as normal. Which was the result desired for My Nissan.Dodg
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FollowupID: 13812

Follow Up By: Tony - Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:29

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:29
Thanks for your replies. Do you think Poly Air bags in the rear would help on those odd times a bit more of a load is carried?
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FollowupID: 13843

Reply By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 18:40

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 18:40
Mark my 60 has OME gear on it and to date its 4 years old and done 5 cape york trips 2 simpson trips 2 high country trips 1 flinders trip and many others I cant think of at the moment . to date I have not had a problem . For this years Canning I will be putting new shocks on it . So you could say Im very happy . And I paid for it I wasnt Free.
All the best
Eric
www.capeyorkconnections.com.au
Eric 02 4294 3496
Pete 07 4094 1745
Cape York Connections
AnswerID: 21121

Reply By: Mark J - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 20:40

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 20:40
What does the full OME system consist of?
Does it also give the vehicle a lift?
Cheers
Mark
AnswerID: 21132

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:01

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:01
In the case of my truck all new shocks and leaf springs to suit my load requiements.
All the best
EricCape York Connections
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FollowupID: 13697

Reply By: Dozer - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:45

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:45
Hi Mark
You dont stipulate what vehicle you have, but with the 80 series it is generally agreed that the best value for money mod is an OME suspension system. They are one step above the rest because they pay attention to the customer and deliver more wheel travel and more options to the purchaser. You can get soft, hard, loadbearing, passenger vehicle etc. They even have the ability to restamp GVM on the compliance plate with some of their springs fitted-now thats attention to detail.
I have compared many shocks and found the OME shock to be the longest of all the others available for a cruiser.
Andrew
AnswerID: 21160

Reply By: Mark J - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:53

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:53
Thanks for your post Andrew
I have a 1995 Toyota 3.0 TD Surf
Stock suspension leaves a lot to be desired so i am looking to upgrade.
OME appears the best option and most who have it seem to have similiar opinions to yourself
AnswerID: 21162

Reply By: Mark J - Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:54

Monday, May 26, 2003 at 22:54
Thanks for your post Andrew
I have a 1995 Toyota 3.0 TD Surf
Stock suspension leaves a lot to be desired so i am looking to upgrade.
OME appears the best option and most who have it seem to have similiar opinions to yourself.
Regards
Mark
AnswerID: 21163

Follow Up By: Brett - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 05:50

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 05:50
Mark,
Go with OME for sure!
I have a 4 runner and went through more shocks front and rear in 18 months than I care to remember! I tried Monrow, 3 sets of Ultimate, Gibson riders and Iron man before the 4x4 company I was dealing with gave me my money back and told me to try OME. Haven't had a problem since and it's been over 2 Years.
I believe it was a topping out problem on most of the shocks.

I wouldn't touch anything else.
Cheers
Brett
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FollowupID: 13724

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:23

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:23
Brett.. none of them shocks Monroe, Ultimate, Gibson, or Ironman are known for being good offroad.. The shop you were dealing with... Id be thinkin before going back if thats what they 'recommend!'...

YMMV

You could also try TJM, or Koni shocks, well above the rest.
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FollowupID: 13765

Follow Up By: Brett - Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 02:42

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 02:42
Hi there Truckster,
Yeh I realised that at the time but I was stuck on a warranty issue and until the company I was dealing with at the time gave up on my car I was stuck with there selection of shocks. It was rather annoying as every trip for about 18 months I had shock problems of some type! I get away for a week every month so that was a lot of trips. The worst was driving 1500km home with 4 blown shocks! I got a little sea sick! haha
The shock on the Runner isn't to much of an issue anymore as I have recently upgraded to GQ Ute.

Needless to say I no longer have anything to do with that 4x4 company.

Brett
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FollowupID: 13838

Reply By: flappan - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 10:41

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 10:41
Not sure OME is the "BEST" option, but I think its certainly the best "VALUE" for money option.

I've got it on my Pajero, and very happy with it.

There's probably better Shocks out there. the Rancho series comes to mind, but it depends on your requirements. If you wont to be able to tune the suspension depending on where and what you're doing the Ranchos with "in cab" adjustment are hard to better.
AnswerID: 21187

Reply By: Member - Waynepd - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 11:44

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 11:44
Hi Mark,
I have OME nitro's and springs on my GU.
The original suspension had sagged very noticeably to the driver's side.

The suspension mod gave me a about a 60mm lift.
Be sure to tell the dealer/installer what you intend to do with the vehicle, like towing a camper or whatever and he should be able to recommend the right setup for you.

They also come with a product warranty of 24 mths or 40,000 km's and a fittng warranty to ensure that qualified installers do the right thing.

I am very happy so far with the gear though its only 11,000 km's old.

cheers
wayne

%
%:-)
%
AnswerID: 21193

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:26

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 14:26
Then there is this from the patrol list today about OME....

"Stevens,M "
Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 21:05:53 +0200
Subject: [Patrol4WD] OME Sagging

I recently fitted the full OME kit on my GQ Patrol.

It gave an amazing 70mm lift in the front and 80mm at the back. After 500km the left front side sagged 20mm and now the rear left has sagged 10mm. I
had a 10mm spacer installed in the front left but found that it now sagged an additional 10mm (thus total sag of 30mm). The right front now increased
in height and is possible sitting at a 80mm left.

My GQ now appears to be sagging to the left (non drivers side). Any idea what could be causing this and how to fix it?

Thanks
SM
AnswerID: 21205

Follow Up By: kezza - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 21:42

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 21:42
For some reason OME have the drivers side springs 35mm higher than the passinger side in anticipation of sag on the drivers side (due to the constant weight of the driver - according to OME) I have measured the springs both on and off the vehicle and my measurements agree.

As i carry heavy load most times mine mush have sagged evenly as I had to replace under warranty 2 rear coil springs due to excessive sag on the rear passinger coil spring (GQ wagon fitted with 21 mm (diam) gu trayback springs - cant remember exact part number but it gave me a 3-4" lift and very impressed with overall load carrying capacity as on last trip to simpson desert was VERY heavy with only about 22 mm sag from empty) Now perfect but it took 10mm spacers on front passinger spring and 15mm on rear passinger spring and sits level.

If you are not happy they will look after you.

Kes
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FollowupID: 13818

Reply By: Member - Martyn (WA) - Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 15:05

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 15:05
I've got OME all round, fitted about three years ago, lifted the fourby 50 mm and i had a few saggy corner problems initially, i spoke to ARB about the problem and they gave me the packers, I never got round to fitting them and everything seems to have levelled off quite nicely I don't have any more than 5 mm all round error. I'me quite happy and would use them again. I've fitted OME to my Rangie but that still drives like a blamange (not sure of the spelling). I think I need more than OME......... Keep the shiny side up
AnswerID: 21210

Follow Up By: Tony - Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:34

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 07:34
Try useing 80 series coils and Bilstien shocks.
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FollowupID: 13844

Follow Up By: Alex H - Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 10:56

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 10:56
I can't resist being a smart-alec - its spelt blancmange. I would have thought stiffer shockies on the Rangie would have sorted it out - they made a world of difference on my Defender.
Cheers.
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FollowupID: 13852

Follow Up By: nugget - Friday, May 30, 2003 at 00:02

Friday, May 30, 2003 at 00:02
I had OME shocks on my Rangie. Found they didn't control the axles very well at all. Later had Koni's on a Landy 110, and now on my 4.2 diesel GQ. Fantastic! Have friends who offroad race a Chevy powered Rangie and Chevy powered Landy 110, they use bilstiens as nothing else can survive the sort of abuse they dish out.
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FollowupID: 13969

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