OME Suspension Question 5th

KeithMaine

KeithMaine

Member
Hi All,
I have a new 2013 4R SR5 4x4 that I want to lift about 2.5". I already have the Bilstein 5100's, however, I decided to drop the extra money to buy new coils. My plan is to put will Old Man Emu 2895e on the rear and 884 on the front. Ultimate plan for this truck is winch plate and a winch inside the front bumper cover.

My questions:
1) Will I still get acceptable performance from the stock UCA's?
2) Should I install a differential shim kit with this level lift?
3) Will CV angles still be acceptable with this lift?
4) Any guesses what will the effective lift be when all has settled out?

My goal for this truck is to enhance off road performance while maintaining drive-ability. I have had the truck for 2000 miles and really like it, with the exception of the suspension, which I find to be under-sprung and under-damped.

Any thoughts or comments will be much appreciated. I am overdue to post my build thread... I have some onboard electronic gear that will surely spark a conversation here once I get it posted.
Stay tuned!
 
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I'm not real familiar with the OME spring rates, but I would recommend installing the winch and matching rate springs at the same time. If you put on springs in anticipation of a winch later, you are going to have a harsh ride and probably too much lift until you do install.

As far as upper control arms, it depends on what you consider acceptable. You will get better performance from aftermarket UCAs. Well worth the $400-$600 cost.
 
I've got the OME system with the same springs. They will be fine with a winch, and are really made to carry the additional weight, though I would recommend a synthetic winch line rather than wire. That will save about 30#. You will still be at 3" with the winch and your ride will be firmer than stock.

There is no need for the shim kit and CV angles will be OK. However, you will want the UCA's to get the castor angle you need without affecting camber.
 
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^this +1

Upgrade to synthetic, skip the diff drop, and most definitely get a decent set of uca's (I love my TC's, but plenty of guys run the light racing uca's).

The work itself is easy and there are lots of how-to's and videos around if you get stuck with something. Plan on about 3 hours for the suspension work alone.
 
1) I kept my OEM UCA's and I agree with the others about their benefits but I don't see them as a necessity.
2) Negative
3) This lift was designed by ARB to keep the CV angle at a minimum so you wouldn't blow through boots or cause excessive damage.
4) depends on which springs you use, I have the mediums in the rear so it sits higher but I also have a custom security/cargo management system and carry extra weight due to the gear I carry on a daily basis. When I do a front bumper and winch I will get the stiffer springs. I never measured before/after but I would say at least 2.75". Pics are on here if you search

just my $.02 and I hope this helps
 
The OP is running bilstein 5100's, not ome struts. At anything other than the lowest setting, that guide is going to be useless. I have struggled with enough alignment issues and the resulting tire wear/rubbing to know the value of aftermarket uca's. The consensus of the hoard is that uca's are required to maintain correct alignment angles after even a moderate lift. Chose to disregard that advice at your own peril.
 
Jono.ful said:
The OP is running bilstein 5100's, not ome struts. At anything other than the lowest setting, that guide is going to be useless. I have struggled with enough alignment issues and the resulting tire wear/rubbing to know the value of aftermarket uca's. The consensus of the hoard is that uca's are required to maintain correct alignment angles after even a moderate lift. Chose to disregard that advice at your own peril.
Click to expand...

I agree on the UCA's......ARB themselves wouldn't comment much on the caster settings and aftermarket UCA's. Here is from their 4Runner build and notice how they ignore the alignment post questions other then to post a out of speck one that the dealer did. Start at #184 ..... ARB 4Runner Build - Page 19 - Expedition Portal
 
It's weird how many guys speak of "alignment issues". I've been running the same OME 3 inch, with med springs in the rear (due to the amount of gear I tote around) and stock UCA and haven't had a problem. My alignment was perfect. I'm sure the handful of guys that bring up alignment issues are the ones who have a complete understanding of what they're looking for. The guys at EQUIPT are doing a 5th gen build and they have pretty good essay on what they've installed. Considering they do this for a living and have traveled the planet...not just the backyard and used OME for almost all of their vehicles. Below is a quote from expedition overland...

"The Lift

So what to do about it. My goals were to add clearance, add driving performance, add load management, and most of all add dependability to the truck suspension. I decided to go with Ole Man Emu. I have used OME of several of my vehicles, including my 100 Series, with tremendous success. OME builds their componentry to be used on exactly the kind of vehicle I am building here. A vehicle that will carry a significant load on harsh terrain for long periods of time and not breakdown, period. There are a myriad of options out there, mild to wild, and some excellent companies to choose from. But I go with what I know. I have beat the hell out of OME and it has never failed me. I am also trying to not over-modify the suspension or drivetrain on the truck. Toyota is well built on its own, and the more aftermarket components that get involved the further you end up from the engineered intent of the original components and their capabilities. And hence more opportunities for issues far from home. I am going to try to keep it simple clean and tight on this one.

OME has several options for the 5th Gen 4Runner. Most of the options have to do with intended weight capacity. You can go with stock to +400 lbs, +400 to 800 lbs. or +800 & up. I chose to go with the heaviest capacity I could to start with. On the 100 Series, I went through 4 suspension systems before settling on the heavy set up it has."
 
J-BlickPhoto said:
It's weird how many guys speak of "alignment issues". I've been running the same OME 3 inch, with med springs in the rear (due to the amount of gear I tote around) and stock UCA and haven't had a problem. My alignment was perfect.
Click to expand...
Can you post your alignment results? ARB posted their's, which are very much out of spec.
9-27-2013%2010-22-35%20AM.png
 
Jono.ful said:
The OP is running bilstein 5100's, not ome struts. At anything other than the lowest setting, that guide is going to be useless. I have struggled with enough alignment issues and the resulting tire wear/rubbing to know the value of aftermarket uca's. The consensus of the hoard is that uca's are required to maintain correct alignment angles after even a moderate lift. Chose to disregard that advice at your own peril.
Click to expand...

I have OME springs/struts. Medium. No UCA's. It feels squirrelly on the highway which is why I'm putting it back in the air, and putting new UCA's on.

My alignment is perfect, and I track perfectly fine at 70 mph. But lord have mercy if I have to dodge road debris quickly. Squirrelly IMO means those instances where dodging is more dangerous than ramming. Can't describe it other than tremendous roll and plunge. My thinking is the angles of the stock UCA's. Never had this problem stock at all.

I should have done this at the same time, that's my experience brother. :fro:
 
I have the OME medium setup, really does the job off road, the Trail crawls over everything fully loaded. I have stock UCAs and have no problems at freeway speeds, I think the stock OME setup improves freeway ride as-is.
 
Bringing it back to life.

Hi Guys,

So i ran OME Heavies 3inch lift in my 06 4runner, overall was happy with performance offroad, not so much on road. I want to run OME Medium in my 2016 4runner but i was wondering about dampeners or bump stops for the back springs? anyone ever add anything to help soften the hit? Second to that has anyone added anything to level out the front on the lift so the driver side doesnt look stupidly lopsided? Ive searched around the forum before asking:lookout: .

Weight i plan on adding full time: SSO slimline bumper and hidden winch, arb roof rack.

Weight on trail: rooftop tent, cargo, mans best friend.
 
took my OME springs off ages ago because they sagged horribly within about 16 months. Metaltech progressive rate LTs (medium) in the rear, and Eibach 650lb (medium) in the front. get the best parts you can reasonably afford the first time, or you run the risk of having to replace the cheaper ones later anyway.
 
Jono.ful said:
took my OME springs off ages ago because they sagged horribly within about 16 months. Metaltech progressive rate LTs (medium) in the rear, and Eibach 650lb (medium) in the front. get the best parts you can reasonably afford the first time, or you run the risk of having to replace the cheaper ones later anyway.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the input and info. I guess i look in metaltech and ICON now
 
Jono.ful said:
took my OME springs off ages ago because they sagged horribly within about 16 months. Metaltech progressive rate LTs (medium) in the rear, and Eibach 650lb (medium) in the front. get the best parts you can reasonably afford the first time, or you run the risk of having to replace the cheaper ones later anyway.
Click to expand...

Is that a kit on their site or did you individually piece it together out of curiosity?
 
I have 5100s and 884/895E on my setup. I have zero problems with alignment, tracks straight on the freeway and doesn't snap right or left during sudden stops. I'm on stock UCA's. Off-roading wise it has handled everything just fine.

I plan to go with heavier duty coils front/rear when I upgrade to a steel bumper/winch.
 
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Seattle206 said:
I have 5100s and 884/895E on my setup. I have zero problems with alignment, tracks straight on the freeway and doesn't snap right or left during sudden stops. I'm on stock UCA's. Off-roading wise it has handled everything just fine.

I plan to go with heavier duty coils front/rear when I upgrade to a steel bumper/winch.
Click to expand...

Hey Seattle,

So do you have an issue with your driver side being lower then your right? if so have you found a fix for it. I noticed that on my 06 the driver side had quite the lean.
 
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