Stiffer Ride off road?

[Bucket81]

Can some one explain to me why a stiffer ride is better off road? Im looking into lifts and I like the idea of the OME a nice price but don't like the idea of it being supper stiff. I can see better performance on road but not off road.

:frisky:

 

[1985taylor1925]

Can some one explain to me why a stiffer ride is better off road? Im looking into lifts and I like the idea of the OME a nice price but don't like the idea of it being supper stiff. I can see better performance on road but not off road.

:frisky:

I dont think stiffer is necessarily better. More suspension travel is better.

 

[Stick Figure]

OME isn't stiffer for better off road ability necessarily it is actually rated for more weight to compensate for bumpers, armor, gear etc.

 

[DirtDawg]

I agree with Stick Figure. Depending on what kind of lift you get, the spring rate and load will be different on the coils.

For example: Land Cruiser coils used for a rear lift have a high spring rate, so they are not stiff. The OME coils are designed majorly with expidtioning in mind. So they do add a little stiffness to their coils just to help manage the extra weight. And another factor to look at is the way the lift is designed. In order to work with our vehicles, sometimes the spring has to be close to the same size as the stock spring (I know that OME coils are like that). And that means, in order to achieve the lift, the spring has to be stiffer so it doesn't sag under weight. Also, once again take into consideration that when ARB designed the OME suspension, it was meant more for expeditions than rock crawling and high articulation.

Hope that I helped answer any questions,
DirtDawg

 

[t4r4life]

stiff is horrible for offroad, for both pre-running and crawling, for rock crawling you want soft, for pre-running you want firm, not stiff, firm.

 

[Bucket81]

So with the ARBs the ride gets better after adding weight.

I have had a set of spacers installed is the ride going to be like that? I pulled them out didn't like them. I understand that they preload the spring.

 

[MaverickTRD]

I have OME 882s with N91s up front
and OME 890 with N86 in the rear and i'd hardly call my suspension "stiff" I do have an ARB as well as a winch up front, otherwise i'm sure the 882s would be overboard. I can easily stuff my tire into the fender well in the rear and rub my driveshaft on my gas tank skid (with the sways still on) so i don't think the springs are hindering my wheeling.
Last weekend I was hitting desert roads at 35mph without any issue whatsoever. Doesn't sound like a lot I guess, but when you're going 20mph faster than jeepers and the like are going, it can be drastic
Plus the ability to carry an extra load is nice to have.

LC coils seem very plush, i've just never personally been a fan. Too much rake, and companies like OME designed their suspensions to work well together. they understand valving and spring rates. Maybe some bilsteins and LC coils/Tundras are built perfectly for eacthother...idk, but i've never felt let down with my current set up.

 

[IanB]

For example: Land Cruiser coils used for a rear lift have a high spring rate, so they are not stiff. The OME coils are designed majorly with expidtioning in mind. So they do add a little stiffness to their coils just to help manage the extra weight. And another factor to look at is the way the lift is designed. In order to work with our vehicles, sometimes the spring has to be close to the same size as the stock spring (I know that OME coils are like that). And that means, in order to achieve the lift, the spring has to be stiffer so it doesn't sag under weight. Also, once again take into consideration that when ARB designed the OME suspension, it was meant more for expeditions than rock crawling and high articulation.

Just to clarify, a higher springrate DOES mean a stiffer spring, I get what you're saying here but that statement is confusing to those looking to learn.

 

[Hepar]

I agree that it's the responsiveness that is key. Especially if you are going at a decent speed on bumpy roads. You want your suspension to be able to hit a bump, take it and then bounce right back as quick as it can. If you look at say a stadium truck running the Baja 1000, you'll see the wheels bouncing everywhere while the cab stays fairly still. That's a big sign of a ride with some insane responsiveness.