OME 890s too stiff to flex

[raKnizek]

Hey guys just looking for some input on my flex, or lack there of.

Icon coilovers/shocks front and rear. Have them paired with OME 890 in the rear. I purchased these springs with the intent of adding extra weight but that has not happened yet. Has anyone had these springs limit flex at stock weight?

Here are some pics from earlier today. Front sway disconnected, rear connected but with longer links. This was max flex before the rear tire would lift. You can see im still about ½ inch or so away from my extended bump stops. Not the first time I've noticed the issue but I didn't really think about the spring stiffness being the cause.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dezert4Runner]

890’s have plenty of flex! My rear sway bar is still connected and I wasn’t loaded down on these pics either. Not sure what the problem is :noidea:

 

[raKnizek]

hmm that is interesting. I am running 2nd gen end links in the rear so a little longer than stock. What are you running here?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Stock end links still but with an extra bushing on the underside to help space it down a bit. I wonder if the longer 2nd gen links are too long for this spring and you’re fighting the sway bar more because of it.

 

[Lindenwood]

This is interesting, because I just swapped my Superflex springs for some 890s because I wanted a softer ride!

Good luck figuring out what is limiiting your flex! Dezert4Runner certainly brought a great example though, haha.

 

[raKnizek]

This is interesting, because I just swapped my Superflex springs for some 890s because I wanted a softer ride!

Good luck figuring out what is limiiting your flex! Dezert4Runner certainly brought a great example though, haha.

Ha! without much reading into I was thinking maybe super flex springs would be a good fix. Now I am more confused. Is it possible its actually the sway bar bushings themselves? I have some poly bushings on there that are technically universal

 

[MStudt]

Ha! without much reading into I was thinking maybe super flex springs would be a good fix. Now I am more confused. Is it possible its actually the sway bar bushings themselves? I have some poly bushings on there that are technically universal

If you plan on adding weight like you said. Stay away from the SuperFlex springs. They'll handle a little extra, but not much.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Are you running extended bumpstops? Do you know what your compressed length is in your rear Icons? You could be bottoming out on the shocks if they’re one of the extended travel lengths that are meant to be ran with a bump stop spacer.

My pics above are from a couple years ago when i was running the Toytec 4Runner specific 5100’s (looks like they no longer offer them, but Wheelers Offroad does here) and no bump stop spacer so the coil spring was not limited by anything other than the sway bar at best. Any shock that is longer than about 14” compressed needs a bump stop extension or your shocks become the bump stop. Similar to why top plate spacers on the front end are a bad idea. Just covering all the bases in case any of this applies to you.

 

[raKnizek]

Are you running extended bumpstops? Do you know what your compressed length is in your rear Icons? You could be bottoming out on the shocks if they’re one of the extended travel lengths that are meant to be ran with a bump stop spacer.

My pics above are from a couple years ago when i was running the Toytec 4Runner specific 5100’s (looks like they no longer offer them, but Wheelers Offroad does here) and no bump stop spacer so the coil spring was not limited by anything other than the sway bar at best. Any shock that is longer than about 14” compressed needs a bump stop extension or your shocks become the bump stop. Similar to why top plate spacers on the front end are a bad idea. Just covering all the bases in case any of this applies to you.

I do have extended bump stops and even still I am not able to make contact with them before the rear tire lifts. I don't have a compressed shock length number at the moment. Can measure but here is the shock. It mentions 0-2.5" lift

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I do have extended bump stops and even still I am not able to make contact with them before the rear tire lifts. I don't have a compressed shock length number at the moment. Can measure but here is the shock. It mentions 0-2.5" lift

I only found the compressed lengths for Icon shock p/n 56514 on some random website here, but it seems since it’s 13.1” compressed that you don’t even need the bump stop extensions. If you can’t even manage to hit the bump stops where they’re at, my guess is it must be sway bar/ link related. If there’s no airbags or something else physically impeding the spring travel, it almost has to be!

 

[Plastics guy]

I only found the compressed lengths for Icon shock p/n 56514 on some random website here, but it seems since it’s 13.1” compressed that you don’t even need the bump stop extensions. If you can’t even manage to hit the bump stops where they’re at, my guess is it must be sway bar/ link related. If there’s no airbags or something else physically impeding the spring travel, it almost has to be!

Like everyone else has said, its not the 890's.

Sway bars is the most likely. disconnect one sway bar link and try to flex your truck out. I would assume that with the sway bar link disconnected you will flex like a boss.

Should you realize that your sway bar is the issue you can pick up some extended length swaybar links from [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] that are really nice and will fix you up.

Like [MENTION=68460]Dezert4Runner[/MENTION] said this is most likely a sway bar link issue. Judging by your pictures you attached there is plenty of room left for the shock to compress and your obviously not on your bump stops.

Here is a pic of my 3rd gen on 890's with the truck completely empty/ No added weight.

 

[raKnizek]

Really appreciate the feedback. Process of elimination does indeed point towards the sway bars. I will disconnect and report back what I find.

 

[Gasper Jaspers]

Just to echo the thoughts of others, i have 890s and 2nd gen sway bar links in back and I flex like crazy.

 

[absalom]

You can make your own extended rear links using stuff from Autozone for super cheap. Let me know if you want the guide.

 

[raKnizek]

sure enough!

Here are some pictures with the rear disconnected. The front was connected here and there was actually more articulation to be had before the wheel lifted. Just kissing that extended bump stop. Even if its hard to tell from the picture it is a definite improvement over the pictures at the start of the thread.

Went back to verify the links I have on there right now:

Front: 2nd gen rear links

Rear: 3rd gen front links

Took some measurements of those 3rd gen links that I have on the rear:
5⅛" from center of the bottom bolt hole to the start of the threads at the end of the link.

I don't really remember at this point where I got the idea to put the 3rd gen front links in the rear. I thought they were a touch longer than the stock rears but it would appear thats not the right move...

 

[raKnizek]

update

It turns out that at some point a larger rear sway bar was fitted to my truck. Going by the shape and size it appears to be an Addco bar. It is 25mm in diameter compared to the 19mm stock bar. Explains many things! Including why two different sets of rear sway bushings were too small.

So... anyone interested in an Addco rear sway bar?

I can appreciate the handling w the larger bar but since it sees dirt doing nothing is not an option. I could keep the larger bar and get rear disconnects (not even sure if these are available off-the-shelf). Could be sketchy off road on occasion. Or swap it back for stock assuming I can find a rust free part.

 

[Lindenwood]

I have been running without a rear bar since I got my rig. This is mostly because all the bolts holding the bar to the axle were rusted and broke off in the holes, but I have never felt unsafe. You could try with no bar at all, at least for a while until you figure something out!

 

[Brokinarrow]

890’s have plenty of flex! My rear sway bar is still connected and I wasn’t loaded down on these pics either. Not sure what the problem is :noidea:

I like the flex. Waiting on a few more parts to install mine

 

[phattyduck]

It turns out that at some point a larger rear sway bar was fitted to my truck. Going by the shape and size it appears to be an Addco bar. It is 25mm in diameter compared to the 19mm stock bar. Explains many things! Including why two different sets of rear sway bushings were too small.

So... anyone interested in an Addco rear sway bar?

I can appreciate the handling w the larger bar but since it sees dirt doing nothing is not an option. I could keep the larger bar and get rear disconnects (not even sure if these are available off-the-shelf). Could be sketchy off road on occasion. Or swap it back for stock assuming I can find a rust free part.

Check both the front and rear bars. You might have both stiffer bars. If anything, remove the front bar first. The rear should 'ideally' still have a swaybar in place.

Another option is go back to stock bars front and rear or stock rear only.

And don't just toss those Addco's - they are worth something (I run them since I spend most of my time on-road).

-Charlie

 

[raKnizek]

Check both the front and rear bars. You might have both stiffer bars. If anything, remove the front bar first. The rear should 'ideally' still have a swaybar in place.

Another option is go back to stock bars front and rear or stock rear only.

And don't just toss those Addco's - they are worth something (I run them since I spend most of my time on-road).

-Charlie

From what I can tell the front is stock. The stock sized bushings fit but I will double check. I dont plan on tossing them