On Road Performance of OME Suspension Lift

[marked]

OK, I know most people here buy these for driving off road just like I plan to.

I’ve just about decided to get the OME on my 4Runner and have read a lot about the off road attributes of this system. But while I do want to improve the already great off road abilities of my 4Runner, it spends about 95% of its time on the road, so I’m also concerned about how it impacts on road performance (handling, cornering, stability). The on road comfort is one of the reasons I selected a 4Runner for my vehicle for on and off road driving rather than something like a Jeep. Could those of you who have this system share your thoughts about its on road performance?

And while I don’t want to start another thread about Toytec versus OW versus Icon versus whatever, I’d appreciate others thoughts about how their lift systems impact the on road performance of their 4Runners.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[chaz]

4Runner OME suspension feedback thread - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum For anyone with OME setup (NEED HELP) - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum maybe this will help.

 

[marked]

4Runner OME suspension feedback thread - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum For anyone with OME setup (NEED HELP) - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum maybe this will help.

Thanks, I've already read these and am hoping to get a more complete description other than it rides firmer.

 

[chaz]

i had the ome setup on different vec. & had much less nose dive when braking, less plowing under when cornering, handling was better but i felt every road rut & bump, ( had med. duty,) it difinitly wont ride like a caddie, loved it on that ride tho. while not the best, but for the money, i like the toytec on my 4r, serves me well for my needs & how i drive. just my 2c.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

marked,

I have been doing a LOT of reading both here and on Toyota120. A reoccuring theme was that the OME lift does not ride soft on the street which will be a problem for me. My wife and 14 month old need to be in the truck and I don't want to hear the "music" if you know what I mean. :wink2: I have an OME lift on my 62 and while pliable, it's not caddie smooth. Of course, two solid axles don't help anything but it's all I have to pull from. I'm going OW both because it rides VERY smooth, but I'd like to take the fam out to the desert (live in Vegas) and it seems to cover the bases. Of course, it's $1340. I have the daystar spacer lift now and it rides like stock, of course. Always want more lift right? :guitar2:

 

[shuly]

I used to have Downey all around but hated the rear kit they had. It was too soft. I put OME 896 Heavy's in the rear about a month ago. I had a hard time deciding between Med vs. Heavy. Wheelers said I should put in Med based on the normal unloaded street driving. I decided to go with Heavy since I already lifted it once and wanted to eliminated most of the compression when loaded. I also wanted something that would work with a rear bumper in the future. I figured if they were "too" firm I could always drop them out and switch them for Med.

After the install of course I had to try them out. There is a very big dip near my house that is all scarred up from all of the cars bottoming out. I used to have to slow down quite a bit. I figured what the heck I'll see what the truck can do at the speed limit of 25. It didn't bottom out and was rather fun. Thought heck I'll try 35....still no bottoming out! Of course much faster and I figured I would break something so I won't be intentionally attempting to jump the 4Runner.

I used them off-road for the first time and they performed GREAT! I love that I can load both dogs and all the gear and the truck rides very comfortably and handles really well.

Unloaded the truck rides more like an unloaded pickup truck in the rear. With the dogs and gear back there the truck is fine on the LA freeways. When I am out of the LA area the road bumps aren't too bad. It even eats up speed bumps like they are no more than a crack in the sidewalk. It is when I am on the 405 and other LA freeways unloaded, you really notice how torn up they are. Though with all of that said it I don't think it is any worse than driving a pickup truck. Personally I don't mind...I bought the 4R as a truck. It likes to see dirt!!! If my only goal was comfort I wouldn't have bought an SUV to begin with.

If you are worried about comfort go with the Medium coils. You will be somewhere harder than stock but not as rough as an unloaded pickup IMO. Remember though it is only 150 for the Heavys if you want to switch them out. The Nitro Sport shocks work with both sets of coils so it's a relatively easy and cheap swap if you want to change them later. Hope that provides some insight.

 

[marked]

Thanks for sharing your experiences - it's about what I expected to hear, and nothing that would put me off from going ahead. My plan is to go medium on the coils (I have a V6 and mainly will be driving without a load) and I think that will be fine.

I'm not too concerned about driving around town - I know I'll feel bumps more. I'm a little more concerned about on the highway driving at speed (around 70 mph). How does the OME impact cornering and ride at these speeds - is it even noticeable? Does being loaded or unloaded make much difference? Thanks for clarifying.

 

[shuly]

Thanks for sharing your experiences - it's about what I expected to hear, and nothing that would put me off from going ahead. My plan is to go medium on the coils (I have a V6 and mainly will be driving without a load) and I think that will be fine.

I'm not too concerned about driving around town - I know I'll feel bumps more. I'm a little more concerned about on the highway driving at speed (around 70 mph). How does the OME impact cornering and ride at these speeds - is it even noticeable? Does being loaded or unloaded make much difference? Thanks for clarifying.

The OME is great at handling loaded or unloaded and nimble at all speeds IMHO. The only difference I notice is comfort improves when loaded.

Good Luck!

 

[marked]

The OME is great at handling loaded or unloaded and nimble at all speeds IMHO. The only difference I notice is comfort improves when loaded.

Good Luck!

Guess I'll need to plan to carry more friends around with me:zoom:

 

[h-bone714]

OME for sales

Marked,

I have a set of brand new OME set up, includes four springs and four shocks. I live in Denver, if you want it. We can meet somewhere. I want solid $500.00

OK, I know most people here buy these for driving off road just like I plan to.

I’ve just about decided to get the OME on my 4Runner and have read a lot about the off road attributes of this system. But while I do want to improve the already great off road abilities of my 4Runner, it spends about 95% of its time on the road, so I’m also concerned about how it impacts on road performance (handling, cornering, stability). The on road comfort is one of the reasons I selected a 4Runner for my vehicle for on and off road driving rather than something like a Jeep. Could those of you who have this system share your thoughts about its on road performance?

And while I don’t want to start another thread about Toytec versus OW versus Icon versus whatever, I’d appreciate others thoughts about how their lift systems impact the on road performance of their 4Runners.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[h-bone714]

Marked, I have a set of brand new OME set up, includes 4 springs and 4 shocks. I live in Denver, CO. I want solid $500.00. If you are interested in it, let me know. Thank you!

 

[Ruffian]

x2. I had the XREAS before hand. I thought the steering and ride was tight and comfortable. After I did the med. duty OME lift, it got better. I'm very happy with my purchase. I've had it now for a year and a half.

The OME is great at handling loaded or unloaded and nimble at all speeds IMHO. The only difference I notice is comfort improves when loaded.

Good Luck!

 

[marked]

Thought I'd share some information I got from ARB. I asked them if there was any way to deal with the ride stiffness in my situation with a V6 and mainly lightly loaded. Here's what they suggested:

"Please keep in mind that it is the coil springs that support the weight of the vehicle while the shocks are what determine the dampening and ride characteristics...the Nitro Sport shocks/struts offer a firmer ride and are better suited to vehicles carrying more weight. Since your rig will not have any additional weight, you might be a better candidate for our standard Nitrocharger: N140S front strut and the N141 rear shock (instead of the 90000 front and 60004 rear)."

Hopefully that's helpful information for others - I think that's the route I'll be trying.

Marked

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

PM sent with discount code.

 

[marked]

OME Installed

I got my lift installed at Slee Off Road in Golden, CO. After talking to them, I decided to go with the newer Nitro Sport shocks/struts.

I've put several hundred miles on since the install on highways and off road. Off road they're fantastic. It's great to have the added clearance and improved shock absorption. My biggest concern was the impact on road, and I'm actually really pleased about how the OME's do. While it's a little stiffer, mainly at lower speeds in town, it's not that noticeable. And the stiffness actually helps at speed on the highway - I actually experience less body roll as I go around curves and less nose dive when I break hard.

So I have to say my concerns about any negative impact are gone, and I'm happy I went ahead and got the lift with the new shocks/struts.

Ed

 

[NAdams65]

Timely thread.....trying to figure out what lift kit to go with and was looking hard at the OME from Slee.

Question.....I'm thinking of going with a RTT (maggi, sm) in the near future, would that warrant going a bit stiffer in the back end? Will also be carrying normal camping gear....no dogs or other humans.

Thanks...

Nate

 

[hefe]

Marked, So where did you end up purchasing the OME kit? How much did the install set you back? Thanks!

 

[marked]

Hefe - See post 15 - Slee Off Road in Golden, CO.

 

[Smokedspoon]

4runner OME

I got my lift installed at Slee Off Road in Golden, CO. After talking to them, I decided to go with the newer Nitro Sport shocks/struts.

I've put several hundred miles on since the install on highways and off road. Off road they're fantastic. It's great to have the added clearance and improved shock absorption. My biggest concern was the impact on road, and I'm actually really pleased about how the OME's do. While it's a little stiffer, mainly at lower speeds in town, it's not that noticeable. And the stiffness actually helps at speed on the highway - I actually experience less body roll as I go around curves and less nose dive when I break hard.

So I have to say my concerns about any negative impact are gone, and I'm happy I went ahead and got the lift with the new shocks/struts.

Ed

You have a v6 correct? What springs did you do? 884 or 885? 895 or 895e?

I want to add a functional, comfortable lift to my 03 V8 limited. Want to keep stock UCA's so ideally looking for a 2" lift. I'm thinking OME w/ 884's and 895E

Comments? suggestions?

 

[marked]

You have a v6 correct? What springs did you do? 884 or 885? 895 or 895e?

I want to add a functional, comfortable lift to my 03 V8 limited. Want to keep stock UCA's so ideally looking for a 2" lift. I'm thinking OME w/ 884's and 895E

Comments? suggestions?

Yes I have the V6. I can't tell you for certain which ones I got - I'm away from home for some time and don't have any documentation with me. I'm pretty certain I got the slightly stiffer ones that are called the Nitro Sport shocks/struts.