OME Suspension - Question About Shocks

[Tejas_Runner]

I know OME, Bilstein, Icon etc. are the best route to go w/ these coils. But...


Could I use FJ 4x4 front and rear shocks with the OME coils (884,895)? As in, would they be a better fit than stock 4Runner shocks? I don't know a heck of a lot when it comes to the technical aspects of lifts, but i'm wanting to do this b/c everyone is back-ordered on the bilstein 5100's.

So in the mean time I was going to try and up pick some FJ shocks and use them until the Billies are available.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tejas_Runner]

I spent some time searching through the FJ Forums and found my answer, so maybe this will help other people in a bind like mine in the future.

FJ Shocks can be used with the OME 884 coils, however are not recommended with anything higher than that, such as the 886. A lot of users on the FJ Forum run their stock shocks with 884's and report no topping out or problems of any kind. Some even said Toytec said it would be fine.

Although, for the best performance, OME shocks or atleast an extended shock of some kind are recommended to accomodate the 2-2 1/2" lift.

 

[747ifly]

Good research! I came to the same conclusions as you on my search. And yes, the Bilstein 5100's are on backorder as many of us have found out. (probably after ordering). So, I picked up some used fj shocks real cheap just so I could put on the ome springs. 884/895. Not on yet though.

 

[chaz]

if you got more than the standard FJ setup, you"ll get bilsteins, just not 5100s.

 

[Tejas_Runner]

Good research! I came to the same conclusions as you on my search. And yes, the Bilstein 5100's are on backorder as many of us have found out. (probably after ordering). So, I picked up some used fj shocks real cheap just so I could put on the ome springs. 884/895. Not on yet though.

Nice, update on here when you get them on, i'm curious to see how you think they ride.

I just picked up some 4x4 FJ Shocks for $50 shipped off the FJ Forum, so i should be installing the lift by the end of the month...i'll post up when it all goes down :reddance:

 

[747ifly]

I got the lift put on. I don't have before and after shots. No perfect measurements either. But, my first impressions after going from xreas with 140,000 miles to the new setup are: fj shocks are ok and dont make any noise (they will work until the Bilsteins show up). The rear 895 springs are stiff. I am not loaded up with anything at this point. The 884 in front seem nice. I also got my front setup with I think toytec top mount spacers on them. The front will be better when I get the 5100s in there though.
I gained about three inches all the way around. No measurement though. Makes the 32 inch silent armors look little now. I have to step up to get in. Maybe shouldn't have taken off those steprails?? Lol. And don't forget those parking garages now!!
I have yet to offroad with it.

 

[Tejas_Runner]

I got the lift put on. I don't have before and after shots. No perfect measurements either. But, my first impressions after going from xreas with 140,000 miles to the new setup are: fj shocks are ok and dont make any noise (they will work until the Bilsteins show up). The rear 895 springs are stiff. I am not loaded up with anything at this point. The 884 in front seem nice. I also got my front setup with I think toytec top mount spacers on them. The front will be better when I get the 5100s in there though.
I gained about three inches all the way around. No measurement though. Makes the 32 inch silent armors look little now. I have to step up to get in. Maybe shouldn't have taken off those steprails?? Lol. And don't forget those parking garages now!!
I have yet to offroad with it.

Looks perfect, exactly what i'm looking to gain. Hopefully if all turns out okay, i'll be installing everything this weekend...we'll see though.

Thanks for the post though, did you run into any setbacks?

Again, it looks perfect...the tires really don't look bad at all.

 

[747ifly]

Yeah, my setbacks were that the back shocks were so rusty I unfortunately could not get them off. :nono: So, doing the work myself did not happen. I believe the mechanic either split the nut off or I believe he cut the shock tube with a cutoff saw or something. Other than that, just the cash was a setback.
The 255/75/17 look good still. I only went with that size due to wanting to keep the spare under the 4runner. Otherwise, I would have gone with 33's I think. 32.4 may be the limit on the spare tire size.
The spacer I am sure helped level the front. Looks pretty level. If I do need adjustment I suppose the front 5100's will give me that anyways.
So, good luck with your lift. I look forward to your pics.
Oh yeah, I also run spidertrax. I think it looks cool!
I am gonna try and get it dirty.
I wonder when the Bilsteins will come... LOL!

 

[747ifly]

I did get it dirty. Suspension works too!! :lmao: I went through a mud, ice, creek, swamp thing and of course; deeper than expected. With the old suspension I would have been a dead duck. I had enough clearance to bounce across with the ome setup. (of course I never would have tried to cross it either, before) The skid plate I made seemed to come in handy too!:naughty:
Have fun when you get your lift on!!

 

[Tejas_Runner]

I did get it dirty. Suspension works too!! :lmao: I went through a mud, ice, creek, swamp thing and of course; deeper than expected. With the old suspension I would have been a dead duck. I had enough clearance to bounce across with the ome setup. (of course I never would have tried to cross it either, before) The skid plate I made seemed to come in handy too!:naughty:
Have fun when you get your lift on!!

Haha nice skid
Gonna be running exactly what you've got, I ordered the Toytec topout spacer also and supposedly have All-Pro wheel adapters on order (went on backorder cause of the sale they ran on them).

Hopefully I won't have any major setbacks....where are you from that's causing all your rust issues??

thanks again for the pics.

 

[747ifly]

The 4runner is used out of New Hampshire and was apparently stuck on a beach before (didn't realize that when I bought it though). It made the price right for buying.
I did forget to mention the only possible issue I guess would be that the alignment did not come out totally to spec. It is within spec on most things and not too far off on the others. Totally expected when doing the lift anyways. So, I will just rotate tires well.
I put another 100 miles on it and yeah it handles good. You will be happy.
It will be harder to wash when lifted.:lol:

 

[Tejas_Runner]

The 4runner is used out of New Hampshire and was apparently stuck on a beach before (didn't realize that when I bought it though). It made the price right for buying.
I did forget to mention the only possible issue I guess would be that the alignment did not come out totally to spec. It is within spec on most things and not too far off on the others. Totally expected when doing the lift anyways. So, I will just rotate tires well.
I put another 100 miles on it and yeah it handles good. You will be happy.
It will be harder to wash when lifted.:lol:

Aahh, no wonder...makes sense now lol

Can you tell any negative side effects from the alignment not being back to factory spec's? I know getting it back to stock is impossible, read lots on that.

Good to know it handles well, i'm coming from a lifted Tacoma so the harsh ride isn't going to be much of an issue...plus my suspension has 110k miles on it, kind of due for replacement i'd say.

As for it being harder to wash...i'm perfectly fine with that

 

[Maz]

I don't see where your tires look small, in fact they look to be the perfect size. Personally I don't understand wanting to fill the wheel well up to the max.

 

[THEROK]

I don't see where your tires look small, in fact they look to be the perfect size. Personally I don't understand wanting to fill the wheel well up to the max.

agreed.

it adds a significant amount of unsprung weight

and you have to tear up a crapload of your fender liner, etc to get it to not rub so bad

 

[747ifly]

True. The tires have been good so far. I just got used to seeing them on it without the lift on. They were on for about two weeks with no lift. So, like you mentioned, The fenders are trimmed a hair already and a three pound hammer took care of some of the metal of the body. They actually didn't rub on-road after that.
But, good thing to me is spare is underneath. Also, rear end gear ratio is not so far off. Best thing was the price from tire rack so I couldn't resist. Something like 108 per tire.
So, I spent 600 on five tires mounted and balanced. I had to get 'em. 230 combined for springs, spacer, and shocks. Wow, only 830 for the changes. I did order the 5100's though so all in all for like 270 combined. Total of around 1200 not including labor for install or alignment. That was the best price/quality combo I could figure out my mods.
Tejas what tires are you gonna run?

 

[Tejas_Runner]

True. The tires have been good so far. I just got used to seeing them on it without the lift on. They were on for about two weeks with no lift. So, like you mentioned, The fenders are trimmed a hair already and a three pound hammer took care of some of the metal of the body. They actually didn't rub on-road after that.
But, good thing to me is spare is underneath. Also, rear end gear ratio is not so far off. Best thing was the price from tire rack so I couldn't resist. Something like 108 per tire.
So, I spent 600 on five tires mounted and balanced. I had to get 'em. 230 combined for springs, spacer, and shocks. Wow, only 830 for the changes. I did order the 5100's though so all in all for like 270 combined. Total of around 1200 not including labor for install or alignment. That was the best price/quality combo I could figure out my mods.
Tejas what tires are you gonna run?

Lift is on! I'll try to get some pictures up before the end of the weekend. The install went pretty smoothly, I will say that the spring compressors I rented from O'reilly's reaaalllyyy came in handy...especially for the rear Toytec coils. I have no idea how anyone can fit OME/Toytec coils back there w/o damaging the brake lines....

I love the ride so far, so much better than stock. It does feel more like a truck, which is what I was wanting. The FJ shocks are barely longer than stock 4Runner shocks...something like 30cm's? not exactly sure..

I picked up some 285/75 BFG MT's with about 60% tread left while I save up enough for 285 Revo 2's...a local firestone quoted me $760 installed w/ lifetime balance.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Look forward to seeing some pics! From what I've been told, the rear FJ shocks are 10mm longer than the OEM 4runner.

 

[Tejas_Runner]

Took a while, once I put the lift on I stopped getting on here to dream about what I want...now i've got it! haha

Took them this morning with the Texas style Blizzard blowing through...enjoy...

 

[747ifly]

So today all my planning has backfired. The Biltein 5100 for the front did show up last week. Today I had them installed. Mind you I have the 884 OME coils in the front with fj cruiser shocks. Also a 3/4 inch topmount spacer.
I had the 5100 installed with the snapring on the second from the bottom ring. ( like a 3/4 lift ). I also left in the topmount spacer. Well, now the 4runner is way too tall!!! The control arm hits the spring. The cv joint angle does not look good.
Tomorrow I will have the topmount spacer taken out and have the snapring put on the bottom for a zero lift install. Man, I hope that will lower it down enough.
I thought this was a good combination...:ybrick::dammit:

 

[Tejas_Runner]

So today all my planning has backfired. The Biltein 5100 for the front did show up last week. Today I had them installed. Mind you I have the 884 OME coils in the front with fj cruiser shocks. Also a 3/4 inch topmount spacer.
I had the 5100 installed with the snapring on the second from the bottom ring. ( like a 3/4 lift ). I also left in the topmount spacer. Well, now the 4runner is way too tall!!! The control arm hits the spring. The cv joint angle does not look good.
Tomorrow I will have the topmount spacer taken out and have the snapring put on the bottom for a zero lift install. Man, I hope that will lower it down enough.
I thought this was a good combination...:ybrick::dammit:

That's rough, does it have a pre-runner stance now? way higher in the front? Any pictures??

Hope you get it figured out and don't kill the joints. I remember doing a lot of research on that and everyone was fine with it, as long as the shock was set at 0" of lift, should be fine after you adjust it.

I'm sticking with my FJ shocks for a while...they're fine too me. Going to put the money towards tires here in a few weeks.