OME BP-51 Suspension System -- Anyone yet?

[Joelicious]

BP-51 Rebuild

Just a heads up, emailed ARB about rebuild program for the BP-51's, and they said they'll have one in the next 6 months or so

 

[CITYRNR]

Just a heads up, emailed ARB about rebuild program for the BP-51's, and they said they'll have one in the next 6 months or so

That's all I needed to hear. Definitely going this route. I can't find info on the compressed and extended length of the front and rears for these shocks though. If someone has it please post it, otherwise I'll email ARB and post it here.

 

[CITYRNR]

That's all I needed to hear. Definitely going this route. I can't find info on the compressed and extended length of the front and rears for these shocks though. If someone has it please post it, otherwise I'll email ARB and post it here.

Ok tbh debating between this and Icon purely for digressive vs progressive valving reasons. I found the numbers though. Keep in mind I was only really looking at rears since the fronts are all pretty similar from what I've seen.


BP-51: These shocks measure 15.07" Collapsed x 23.81" Extended

Bilstein 5100: Collapsed Length (IN) - 14.91 x Extended Length (IN) - 23.5

King 2.5: Collapsed - 15.58" x Extended - 24.29"

The Sonoran Steel custom Radflo's for KDSS extend 1.25" longer than the 5100's and 0.75" longer than the normal Radflo's (2.5 w/ external res)

I can't find the Icon (2.5 w/ external res) numbers but I think I remember someone saying they are an inch longer than the 5100's which make them only 0.25" shorter than the custom Radflo's. If anyone has the collapsed length lmk.


Keep in mind I did not test these I just sourced the numbers from different sites. Just posting this as a reference point because I haven't seen it consolidated. I'm trying to find where the limit of "medium travel" is because I don't want to go long travel.

 

[bring_it_on]

Would love if some of ya'll could share your 1, 2 or 3 year review for the suspension system. The 3 year warranty is impressive, and from what I understand, quite a bit more extensive than some of the other competitors in the price point (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Reliability is a major factor for me (Reliability>Performance>Price) and ARB as a brand seems to have a good reputation there, and a 3 year warranty does provide some peace of mind as well. My biggest fear is having to rebuild shocks and having a vehicle being out for up to a week or more because a leaks required shipping them out for rebuilds.

My current use is probably 90% on road with occasional moderate off-roading a couple of times a month, and 4-5 day camping trips, 3-4 times a year. I do hope to ratchet this up in the coming year or two so that we are taking longer trips and trying out progressively harder trails..

Would really appreciate some feedback on maintenance and long term performance, whether it was worth the investment and if UCA replacement was beneficial with them.

 

[MAST4R]

Would love if some of ya'll could share your 1, 2 or 3 year review for the suspension system. The 3 year warranty is impressive, ...

...trying out progressively harder trails..

Does their warranty have fine print saying it does not apply to offroad use (like Billstein)?

I am also choosing between standard and performance, Australian and American systems myself.

You can do difficult rated trails fully stock and very difficult ones with Eibach/Dobinsons or 5100-based lift. A performance suspension won't give you one extra trail over a lift gained in any other way. Performance in this context is all about the speed and in the case of bypasses, comfort.

But the OME is a 2.0 system, so some folks call it a gimmicky suspension for that reason because they say it won't last any longer at high speeds than a 1,000$ 2.0 system like Fox Performance. I don't personally care--I would rather have the comfort provided by the bypasses as the position-sensitive design will allow high flow over choppy terrain at lower speeds--but it is a factor if one is thinking about performance first. It also basically requires you to go over 2" of lift which some of us don't want.

It is a great option, just saying that as any other option, it has pros and cons. A 1,900 Radflo 2.5 IFP, which is an option I am considering, will be a much higher performing suspension (when it comes to sustained high speeds). And it won't saddle the customer with remote reservoirs that can be a pain to locate and keep from rattling according to guys on this forum who have those.

Personally, my concern with Australian rebuidable suspensions in general is the DIY servicing: support for that, parts, etc. If I cannot service a suspension myself I am out due to the exorbitant cost of dealing with that. Otoh, what I DO like about the Australian setups is that they are built for adventure as opposed to top peak performance where US companies rule. I cannot personally use the performance of the latter to potential, so I like the better longevity promise of the former.

Rambling, I know, just adding context to this thread.

 

[bring_it_on]

Personally, my concern with Australian rebuidable suspensions in general is the DIY servicing: support for that, parts, etc. If I cannot service a suspension myself I am out due to the exorbitant cost of dealing with that. Otoh, what I DO like about the Australian setups is that they are built for adventure as opposed to top peak performance where US companies rule. I cannot personally use the performance of the latter to potential, so I like the better longevity promise of the former.

Thank you for sharing your views and research. I too and trying to prioritize reliability, since this is something that I really care about (hence the 4runner), and comfort both on and off road given that most of my trips are and will be with family and I much prefer to be able to go faster on the trail than stock without sacrificing comfort.

Here's an Aussie review on the LC in case you hadn't come across it already

YouTube

The issues with the bushings mentioned in it are actually also observed at a few Tacoma forums as well. Scrolling through the comments, I see that the reviewer has now had 2 in-warranty replacements. While that speaks well of the warranty, unfortunately, it doesn't speak very highly of the product itself.

Do we just have to stop seeking Toyota level reliability from aftermarket suspension systems?

I'll reach out to them to get details on the Warranty. I haven't yet decided and am willing to wait it out to get more feedback and to see if there are any sales on this, or other systems, down the road later this summer or into fall..

 

[MAST4R]

Thanks, that was good.

To me it suggests that OME got the right balance for people who use their rigs a lot but do not race. The minor gripes sound like teething problems.
Adjustability on compression and rebound is huge.

Surely a good and unique option with a serious price tag and rebuild details to figure out.

 

[Mudballz]

I picked up rayofsi unused kit I’m looking for any opinions on this kit before I change over
Mike

 

[STRAP22]

out of curiousity, who not try heavier duty coils before adding a spacer?[/QUOTE
After taking this offroad, the limited travel in the front is not what I would call good. I believe the spacer was the cause limiting the travel. This setup is better suited for 5th Gen 4Runners.
As for changing the spring, there were no options at the time for that and I do not believe there are now.
I have since removed the BP's and probably will be going back with ICON's after we get moved into the new house.

 

[jhguth]

I picked up rayofsi unused kit I’m looking for any opinions on this kit before I change over
Mike

Its terrible, I'll save you the headache and give you $200

 

[Mudballz]

Dealsend me your bank info I will post a request from wang Chung from Nairobi national women’s bank :wacko:
Mike

 

[busse]

Some questions

Previously on Toytec's website, the BP-51 front coilovers were listed individually, separate from the whole kit, and in the description it said that they were adjustable from 1-3" of lift. The reason I was interested in this part of the description is because I would like to install the BP-51 suspension at the "lowest" front setting and retain the factory rear coils with a 10mm spacer in the back. I am currently running the TOYTEC 1/2" front top plate spacer on stock suspension and like the way it sits. I was hoping to go ~0.25-0.5" up all the way around with the BP-51's and rear spacer.

I was concerned when I saw that the BP-51 rear shocks said that they were intended for use with 2.5-3" rear coils. I contacted ARB asking about running the BP-51 setup at the "lowest" setting and no rear coils, the person I spoke to told me that the fronts were not height adjustable, only preload adjustable and that the rear shocks should not be run without the appropriate coils. The person was helpful but it didn't seem like they were answering my questions using a tech-spec. sheet and did not have an in-depth understanding of the parts. I then called Toytec with the same questions and they told me that adjusting the preload affects the ride height but they advised against running the rear shocks without coils as the shocks might be at risk of bottoming out and being damaged.

Post #323 by CITYRNR said:

BP-51: These shocks measure 15.07" Collapsed x 23.81" Extended​

Bilstein 5100: Collapsed Length (IN) - 14.91 x Extended Length (IN) - 23.5​

So now I have a few questions:

If the 5100s are intended for use from 0-2" of lift, will the 0.16" longer while compressed actually be an issue? If so, would a small bumpstop extension solve this?

With the BP-51s being bypass shocks, will the "at rest" position being ~2.5" more compressed affect the performance of the shock?

Does adjusting the preload also adjust the ride height?

Does anyone know how much lift the front BP-51s provide at the "lowest" setting?

Are there other reasons why I shouldn't try to run at the "lowest" setting with the 10mm rear spacer on stock coils?

Sorry for the long post, any input would be appreciated!

 

[STRAP22]

The BP51 is preset and does not have height adjustment. You can adjust the compression and rebound, but that is all. I ran them on my 4th Gen with a V8 and winch bumper. They were too low in the front. I tried a 1 inch spacer but it limited the down travel off road. On the highway pulling my RV they were great after I got them dialed in. The rear does sit at almost 3 inches and it worked well. Took the entire set off and put it on a 5th Gen and it sits perfect. They never really officially had a 4th Gen set. I am going with the new Toytec Aluma series now. Hope to get it installed in the next week or so.

 

[busse]

Thanks for the input, I'm a bit confused tho.
I thought the upper spring seat collar on the threaded portion of the body was how you adjusted the preload. It seems to me that adjusting this preload affects the ride height. This thread on TacomaWorld shows the fronts at 20mm of preload and then at 5mm of preload. The guy says that 20mm of preload netted 3" of lift and that at 5mm it netted 2".

OME BP-51 Preload setting | Tacoma World

 

[STRAP22]

These are adjustable like Icon or Toytec. Yes you can increase the preload but you have to use a spring compressor. ARB does not recommend adjusting. I dont,t think BP51's are your best choice for what you are trying to do.

 

[busse]

Sorry to keep prying, but why would ARB recommend against adjusting something that they made adjustable?

I understand a spring compressor is required, and I don’t have a problem with that. The reason that I’m So interested in the BP-51s is that the best modification I did to my old Jeep was the OME suspension, the top notch quality and the ability to fine tune the compression and rebound is very appealing too.

 

[STRAP22]

For the money, I would go with a full Toytec Aluma 2.0 or Icon Stage 1 setup. The BP51 set up is expensive and for the money you can get a better straight out of the box front and rear system. I have run OME, Icon and Toytec, and they all have their good and bad points. Icon and Toytec are easy to adjust the height and are rebuildable.

 

[gainman]

For the price can get a set of kings or ads

 

[Mudballz]

Strsp22 I think you are wrong I had my techs adjust my ride height on my BP51 to give me less rake from the pre load collars do go up and down about 25 mm was able to add a 3mm difference for the drivers side for the natural lean my truck sits 10mm lower in front then rear
this system is stout and highly adjustable the smoothness and the step away from following the herd mentality made my decision easy :AK47:
Mike

 

[keller]

These are adjustable like Icon or Toytec. Yes you can increase the preload but you have to use a spring compressor. ARB does not recommend adjusting. I dont,t think BP51's are your best choice for what you are trying to do.

Its been a while but i think i remember ARB not recomending adjusting while under load from the truck. They literally provide you with a tool to adjust the pretension.