I need to swap out myARB EMU Lift

[Tony Tacoma]

I have a 2007 4x4 4runner v8 and I installed an EMU Lift with medium load capacity about 5 months ago. In particular, with the Nitro charger struts (90000 and 60004). I've reached my tolerance level.

I live in Northern Ontario with cold winters and roads pitted with pot holes and cracks. In the winter, the ride is extremely bouncy with no give, now in the summer, I feel every single crack and bump in the road.

Ideally, I was thinking of swapping out the rear struts to try and settle the ride down. Not sure what works with the OME springs. I'm trying to salvage what I can from the set up. I do like the height, but clearly not the ride. I was thinking of the Bilsteins 5100 until I read a recent post.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Greydog]

Yup, I've heard the nitro chargers are pretty firm, probably more so in the winter.

Isn't there also a Nitro shock that is a step below the "Charger" version?

The 5100s have a fairly low compression valving setting, so they absorb a lot of road input, the rebound is high enough to contain the 620 springs I use, so its a good compromise.

Other than those options, I'm not sure what else is out there for a free-standing shock option.

 

[CAN-03runner]

That's my setup except with a 2003 V8. I'm not pleased with the everyday drive of it either, and most of it's use is for winter.

Why do you think it's the shocks? That's what I was thinking, but conflicting "theories" exist, and many claim the coils are the culprit.

I'm rethinking the OME suspensions. They are mostly weight bearing suspensions. And they work well with dips in the road or offroad, hard packed dirt and sand with dips going at some speed. This has enough weight transfer to compress the coils and the shocks work well controlling the rebound.

But empty weighted trucks on the street in pot holes and speed bumps not so much. This is slow, or a one time deal not a constand up and down that there is not enough weight transfer to compress the coils, the shocks control the rebound, but there isn't another dip so the it just stops there and it is rigid instead of rolling smooth like riding a wave.

Whatever the case, it does suck for me too on the road.

If I were to do it again, and was just looking to get a lift for mostly the looks or to go 1-2 tire sizes bigger, I'd go spacer lift.

If I was trying to build something flexy offroad and comfy onroad, I'd probably go with a package from toytech.

I recently towed my 1st Gen 4Runner 1800 miles. It appears to me now that all that weight over a few days might have settled the coils as it rides a little better now on the street. I'm thinking if these OME coils are never loaded for extended periods "a la" expedition style the never settle in. just too firm.

 

[Range]

FWIW, I have the EMU lift, Heavy load capacity and just had Procomp struts installed. I had the XREAS on my 2003 V8 Limited but just had it removed. The ride quality is very nice to be honest. I have a shrockworks bumper, sliders and 285x70x17 on my truck so he extra weight just killed the XREAS system in all aspects. If you are not aware ProComp is made by 4 Wheel Parts which you have one in your neck of the woods and the pricing on the system is very good plus they're having a promotion right now.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I like my 5100s. They ride great in my opinion. The rears are almost too soft but still plenty acceptable (I'm used to riding in trucks that ride much rougher). If I had the money, I'd step up to King coilovers. I hear they ride pretty good and are adjustable.

 

[Troymclure]

If you have no extra weight the springs will make the ride harsh. The shocks don't help, but it has more to do with springs. I'd probably change out the rear springs to some toytec super flexes and the fronts with a coilover from icon or fox or king if you can afford it. Just go with the 600lb coils on the coilovers if you do go that route.

 

[Tony Tacoma]

I was thinking of starting with the struts as opposed to the springs - reason being, in the winter during the colder temperatures, there was absolutely no give to the suspension. When the weather warmed up, the ride somewhat improved - bouncy ride to just rough. My thoughts were that the Nitro gas filled shocks freezed up. It was so bad, the kids were saying the 4runner is broken.

The strut's need to work well in the winter along with the EMU springs. If I have to, I'll swap everything out. I didn't really want to invest a lot to correct the problem. I'll look into the price of the ProComp's and the King's.

Any others out that tackled this issue?

 

[Red]

I think to get complete satisfaction out of your ride quality, you are going to have to swap out your set up.

OME is meant for overweight offroad applications, heavy bumpers, gear, etc.

Maybe sell your suspension locally and then pick up a Toytec kit, or FJ and 5100's with a spacer?

If I were you I'd do some research then just get the suspension that makes the most sense for you, if you spend time and money trying to make an OME suspension comfortable, it's going to cost you and you wont be happy with it.

toytec Boss kit looks pretty nice for a fair price.

also you could try your luck with local 4wd clubs and see if anyone will trade you set ups, it's a long shot but you never know.