Here is
my experience with the Old Man Emu front struts advertised as "Stock/Light Duty Kit 1.5"- 2" Lift," and replaced with Bilstein 5100s at the 0.85 height setting (second slot from bottom for the C-clip).
My 2005 4Runner was completely stock, and too low. I did not, and do not care about appearance, e.g., "leveling" or "rake." I am not into cosmetic buildups. I am not a poser. Rather, being in the wildland-travel business, function and reliability are what I care about, as my three 4Runners have work to do.
Stock, it had about 8 inches from the front crossmember to ground. That is inadequate for a vehicle that is actually used to travel wildland roads, IMO. It is the location that often impacts roadbed rocks and ledges. So that measurement -- not wheel hub to lower fender lip -- is the distance that matters.
After installation, I found that the OME kit's advertised specs (1.5-2 inches of lift) substantially understated the actual lift all-round. The OME kit (884 springs and OME shocks, with a trim spacer on the driver front to address the known Toyota driver-side lean) put the
actual front clearance at ~14.5 inches from the front crossmember to ground.
I liked the OME kit's handling and ride. The off-road performance was greatly enhanced. I even liked the bold look.
However, the truck immediately began emitting a low, harmonic, rotational groan when cold. The sound disappeared when I switched into 4WD, and after the drivetrain had warmed up. I don't know why.
Also, the OME kit's excessive lift put the CV axles at a substantial angle, upward from the wheel inward. So the boots tore VERY prematurely. As I drive a great deal on unpaved roads, and ford streams from time to time, the axles had to be replaced many thousands of miles before they should have been. (Please don't suggest that I could have just replaced the boots or installed boots for steep axle angles, changed the upper control arms, or added a differential case drop kit ... I had no interest in seeing matters metastasize.)
Also, I've been told that the excessive lift damaged the upper ball joints on both sides, causing an annoying suspension squeak ... meaning they now have to be replaced ($400+).
The lift also caused a loss of about 3-4 mpg in fuel consumption (down to 16-ish), which I anticipated.
Clearly, the OME kit's excessive and inaccurately described lift -- well beyond what ARB and the retailer
still advertise for a stock/light-duty 4th gen 4Runner -- was causing problems that probably would only get worse
I have contacted ARBUSA in regard to the OME 884 springs and this was their reply. Although I used Bilstein 5100's Byways did use the OME shocks (struts).
"We do not recommend pairing our springs with any other strut, only OME struts. Our advertised lift of 1-2" is only guaranteed with OME struts.
Also, it is also possible that the vehicle looks taller because the old stock springs sagged. Our advertised lift is based on a brand new vehicle."
Thanks,
ARB 4X4 Accessories
Website:
ARB 4x4 Accessories | North America | Your Partner In Adventure
(425) 264-1391
(888) 427-2872
