OME vs. Donahoe Lift Kit

[mtnracer]

Hi All,

This is directed at anyone who has experienced the OME AND the Donahoe Lift kits.

I know there are several threads discussing all different aspects of each kit but I want to know if it is worth getting the Donahoe considering it costs almost $1000 more than OME.

In direct comparison, what are the advantages to each kit. Not on paper, but in real life.

My goals are the following:

Daily driver
Good off road capability
Be able to tow 6000 LB trailer
Clear 285/75/16 AT tires

Anyone who has tried both kits or has direct knowledge of how they compare, please respond. I will place my order in the next few weeks.

Thank you.

 

[mtnracer]

Input from anyone....?

 

[boston_kevin]

I have looked into the Donahoe Lift quite a bit vs other spacer lifts, and there is one thing that sets the Donahoe option above the rest. Handling and ride comfort are not sacrificed with Donahoe where with a spacer or OME lift, you will lose some handling/comfort.

Donahoe is adjustable so you can raise or lower the lift (with some tools) to match your desired effect (to 3"). OME is a one shot deal (you get that height). OME is also much stiffer springs (hence my first paragraph).

Towing should not be affected providing you maintain a level trailer tongue (i,e, change the hitch) and possibly add some air bags to the rear to prevent long term spring sag.

 

[ProMed]

Handling and ride comfort are not sacrificed with Donahoe where with a spacer or OME lift, you will lose some handling/comfort.

Donahoe is adjustable so you can raise or lower the lift (with some tools) to match your desired effect (to 3"). OME is a one shot deal (you get that height). OME is also much stiffer springs.

Where did you get that you lose handling comfort with the OME lift? Everything I have read comments a much improved ride both on and off-road w/ OME. Some guys did have a stiffer feeling rear-end until the proper setup was figured out, but it seems the majority of Donhoe users went with the OME rear end as well.

Personally I have spent the last several months researches T4R lifts and ended up ordering the OME setup earlier this week from Slee Offroad (great guys). The reasons I chose OME are:

- Relatively inexpensive since my full system with the front system pre-assembled is less than just the front Donahoe system

- Proven reliability. (many users with many miles on the system)

- Ease of installation since the fronts from Slee come pre-built no spring compressors needed just plug and play

- OME will not need to be rebuilt like the Donahoes

- Lastly simply because Old Man Emu has long been considered one of the premium brands for lifts and has a great reputation.

I really like the fact that you can adjust the front Donahoe setup but the front lift that the "plug and play" OME provides looked good to me. From my research it seemed the coilover technology was more important for high-speed off-road applications which certainly doesn't apply to the tight single-track around NC. Hope this helps you make your decision!

Check out the pics below of an OME lifted Sport next to a stock Limited (these are w/ the one-size larger than stock 265/70R17:

 

[dwm2112]

I ran an OME lift on my Jeep Wrangler and found it to perform very well. It significantly improved the ride comfort over the stock configuration. OME is also known within the Jeep community as the Cadillac for comfort. If I were considering a lift for the 4Runner OME would be at the top of my list...

 

[boston_kevin]

OME stuff is based on what I have read here and on yotatech as compared to coilovers. Also, doesn't OME require a spacer in the front? Generally when you add a spacer, the spring tends to be more stiff resulting in a firmer ride.

Coilovers are like the BMW of the suspension world... Go and show, but there is a cost associated with it. I have not heard of anyone needing to rebuild Donahoe's before, especially the newer versions for the 4th gens.