OME lift question, Super stiff ride

[msand1977]

So I just got an OME 3" lift, Camburg UCA's, and BFG 285/70/17 tires. The lift is the light load version (can't remember the spring and shock #s)
The 4runner now rides terrible, it's so stiff I feel every bump in the road. My 4runner now rides worse than my Jeep. Is there a break in period for the springs, or is that just how it is? I even have my tire pressure set lower, and it's still harsh. I understand lifted vehicles are going to ride a little rougher, but this is terrible. Any thoughts?

 

[Donkey]

What model springs were installed?

 

[Gabex35]

Specs on springs and shocks might help. OME makes quite a few variations

 

[Ducmonsta]

:fish2: something smells funny

 

[3wbdriver]

What's the air pressure in your tires? When I changed tires the dealer aired them up to the 45psi indicated on the sidewalls. After jarring my teeth on a long trip I aired them back down to the Toyota recommended 32 and the ride settled back to normal. Having added some more weight (sliders, roof rack, work gear) I now run them at 35. Still good on the ride. You may just need to tinker a little to find the sweet spot.

Disregard. Re-read your post and saw you are running lower pressure.

 

[crackiswack]

yea something sounds wrong. The OME 2884 is only 590lb/in whereas stock is ~550

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Did you install load range E tires? If so they will ride stiff, better off with load range c for a better ride.

 

[shaneotool]

I have read somewhere where the ome shocks were pretty firm. I have the 884 springs on bilstein 5100 and the ride is great, not harsh at all.

 

[msand1977]

2884 front springs 2889 rear 90010, and 60080 shocks. 285/70/17 BFG all terrains load range E. The tires only come in load range E and D

 

[crackiswack]

2884 front springs 2889 rear 90010, and 60080 shocks. 285/70/17 BFG all terrains load range E. The tires only come in load range E and D

There's your problem right there

 

[ATL4R]

2884 front springs 2889 rear 90010, and 60080 shocks. 285/70/17 BFG all terrains load range E. The tires only come in load range E and D

Let us know how many psi are in the tires. Drop them to around 38 and see how it rides. Any LT tire is going to ride much stiffer than a P tire. The OME setup is a little more firm than stock, but I doubt it is responsible for your awful ride.

 

[msand1977]

Running 35psi

 

[Jeremy556]

Ha, you should have tried Icon first, you would think your current setup is like an 80s cadillac with blown shocks.

Any functional lift is going to have higher rate springs to support more than stock weight, and much higher compression damping to reduce bottoming.

What is your basis of comparison?

 

[wfo9]

The springs do need time to settle...but I'm not sure if it makes a big difference in ride.

How rough are the roads you are driving? If they are close to unpaved quality ..... it will be really harsh until you drop the tire pressure way down. Those tires have much less compliance than a stock type tire, but do fantastic in rough conditions when you air them down.

I had those tires in E for a while and they are pretty harsh. Still a great overall AT tire.

I hated the way a stock 4 runner drove. The lift made if feel much better to me. If you really liked the stock 4 runner feel with the brake dive and all, you probably feel the lift is harsh. Also, everything is relative. So live with it for a while and see how it feels. I bet it grows on you.

 

[ATL4R]

Running 35psi

At 35psi, your ride should be pretty decent. Are you feeling the firmness in the steering wheel jerking on bumps? Or the whole vehicle just stiff? More in front or rear?

I actually changed my OME rear coils to the superflex coils. The OME rear springs are 260 lb/in, while the superflex are 186 lb/in. The OME springs add a full 3 inches. The superflex add around 2 inches. The OME coils provided a good ride, but with the superflex coils (I kept the 60080 shocks) the rear actually rides a bit smoother now. I'm sure if I went with the 60020 shocks it would be even smoother, but I actually love the way it currently handles on and off road.

 

[msand1977]

So far I have only driven on paved city streets, and I can feel every pebble and crack in the road. I expected it to ride some what stiffer, but not this bad. My FJ80 had and OME lift and BFG All Terrains, and rode tons better. Although it was alot heavier and I dont think I had E rated tires. I'm not sure why discount gave me E rated, but I think I'm going to try and return them. Hopefully D rated will work better. What other All terrain tires are you guys using?

 

[msand1977]

I feel it More in the front, and it feels like im driving over pebbles with a skate board

At 35psi, your ride should be pretty decent. Are you feeling the firmness in the steering wheel jerking on bumps? Or the whole vehicle just stiff? More in front or rear?

I actually changed my OME rear coils to the superflex coils. The OME rear springs are 260 lb/in, while the superflex are 186 lb/in. The OME springs add a full 3 inches. The superflex add around 2 inches. The OME coils provided a good ride, but with the superflex coils (I kept the 60080 shocks) the rear actually rides a bit smoother now. I'm sure if I went with the 60020 shocks it would be even smoother, but I actually love the way it currently handles on and off road.

 

[BigredTEX]

I've got the same setup and will concur that the ride is much stiffer than stock. The OME setup is made of overland expedition style travel. Even with the lightest springs it is still quite stiff. I've had mine for 30K miles and have noticed things softening over time, plus I've added significant weight to the vehicle with a winch and sliders. The up side is that with the added weight there's been absolutely no settling. Also, the on road handling is much better than stock.

I have BFG KM2's and typically run them at 40 psi on the street. Lowering the pressure definitely improves ride, but mpg starts dropping fast. I had it into the dealer a couple of weeks ago for service and they set the pressures at 30 psi. Ride was great, but I saw a 4 mpg drop for the first tank full and immediately pumped them back up.

Having said all that, I think the OME system is great for what it is intended for, but I plan to change it out for the Toytec Ultimate Boss with superflex heavy load rear coils. It gives an additional inch of rear travel and the adjustability up front takes care of the additional weight. My son has this set up on his 4th gen and it has more articulation for the type of off-roading I do. Not saying the OME system is bad, just that there's better set-ups for my needs.

 

[crackiswack]

So far I have only driven on paved city streets, and I can feel every pebble and crack in the road. I expected it to ride some what stiffer, but not this bad. My FJ80 had and OME lift and BFG All Terrains, and rode tons better. Although it was alot heavier and I dont think I had E rated tires. I'm not sure why discount gave me E rated, but I think I'm going to try and return them. Hopefully D rated will work better. What other All terrain tires are you guys using?

Duratracs come in a C-Rating as well as Yoko Geolanders and Nitto TG

 

[kpd1999]

So far I have only driven on paved city streets, and I can feel every pebble and crack in the road. I expected it to ride some what stiffer, but not this bad. My FJ80 had and OME lift and BFG All Terrains, and rode tons better. Although it was alot heavier and I dont think I had E rated tires. I'm not sure why discount gave me E rated, but I think I'm going to try and return them. Hopefully D rated will work better. What other All terrain tires are you guys using?

I have A/T3's and I love them so far. They are great for what I do which is probably 80% on road driving. This thread may help you:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html

Good luck