Old Man Emu: Late model Frontier and Pathfinder [Archive]

articulate

10-31-2006, 08:20 PM

Pete posted the link to the latest ARB newsletter and I saw that there is an Old Man Emu suspension system available for the new Pathfinders and Frontiers: 2005+. For those familiar with Old Man Emu, you probably understand that it's not a mere lift. No, no! These suckers are beautiful systems, baby.
http://www.arb.com.au/News/International/arb_newsletter_october_2006.pdf

http://www.markdstephens.com/frontier/nissan_frontier_d40_2.jpg
As a Frontier owner (late model, D40 as they call it), it's nice to know that these vehicles are available to ARB and that this truck's config is suitable for "outback" travel. Here are some high points:

Fully boxed frame
Front coil over suspension (good-bye torsion bars!)
Strong and reliable V6 engine, with a drivetrain to match

I'll toot my own horn: everyone who has seen our truck has told me, "Hey, this thing's sweeter than I thought." Not that I'm anything of a brand lemming ( ;) ), but Nissan's are getting good use and attention Down Under - and for good reason.

So with that, I'd love it if the first OME suspension to land on U.S. shores for the D40 was mine. :)

:smiley_drive: Keep on!

calamaridog

10-31-2006, 11:09 PM

Very cool indeed:victory:

kcowyo

11-01-2006, 02:53 AM

http://www.markdstephens.com/frontier/nissan_frontier_d40_2.jpg

.....I'd love it if the first OME suspension to land on U.S. shores for the D40 was mine......

I'd like to see that too. I know some people with some power and connections, I'll put in a word for you. :box:

From the Aussie mag I read, ARB should be supporting the Frontier. (Frontier... What a great name for an expedition rig too. The name T100 blows) Nissan and Toyota are neck and neck in sales and popularity down there. And some of the set ups on those pages are unreal! With some of ARB's support plus some American ingenuity, there could be some really unique Nissan's here too.

Nope, no lemming you. The black sheep of ExPo maybe, but you sure ain't no nearsighted little rodent.

Nice pic too - :beer:

cruiseroutfit

11-01-2006, 02:57 AM

If your serious about ordering a suspension setup.... LMK, I'll give it to you for dang near cost just to get it stateside for you :D

david despain

11-01-2006, 04:11 AM

right on! am i correct that this is the first "major big time company" to offer a lift to the us market? i know there are the internet companies offering them, I am trying to save my coke cans to pay for a PRG lift as we speak, but i think this is the first for the big players. my only question is why such a small lift. 30mm is just a tad over 1 inch for the front. and why lift the rear more than the front? its already raked enough as it is. i guess once you put a load in it it will look and handle just fine but for around town its gonna make the butt even taller. i cant wait to see it installed mark. i guess that will make yet another installment to the 2006 expo project truck.

i too have had my share of people commenting on my truck in the last few weeks. and mines bone stock! i got mine just so i could be like mark.

Bergger

11-01-2006, 02:30 PM

http://www.markdstephens.com/frontier/nissan_frontier_d40_2.jpg
As a Frontier owner (late model, D40 as they call it), it's nice to know that these vehicles are available to ARB and that this truck's config is suitable for "outback" travel. Here are some high points:

Fully boxed frame
Front coil over suspension (good-bye torsion bars!)
Strong and reliable V6 engine, with a drivetrain to match

I agree. During the time I spent at the Nissan dealership when buying my wifes 06' Xterra I was seriously considering trading in my 03' Tacoma Dbl cab for one. I was really impressed by the truck. In the end I just decided that I still like my Toyota too much and I've got too much $ invested in mods over the past few years. I could not afford to start over at this point. I guess I'll just have to start modding her Xterra.

Allahades

11-02-2006, 01:28 AM

Hmm. I wonder if it'll be compatible with the Xterra-- a mild lift with less suspension sag in the rear under load is exactly what I'm looking for.

bigreen505

11-02-2006, 01:47 AM

Bergger,

I looked seriously at the Nismo Frontier, but had a hard time getting my head around a pickup and losing the ability to carry long cargo. But it is a sweet truck and much lower priced than the yotas.

Bergger

11-02-2006, 02:38 PM

Hmm. I wonder if it'll be compatible with the Xterra-- a mild lift with less suspension sag in the rear under load is exactly what I'm looking for.

While there are a lot of similarities between the Xterra and Frontier, fully boxed frame, 4.0 engine, interior, they are really two separate platforms. Thats why I've got a truck and the Xterra! :hehe: So far we've had the Xterra for a month and we love it. There are several mild lifts available for the Xterra right now. If you are only concerned about the rear suspension sag under load/bottoming out, consider these replacement bump stops from Timbren.

http://www.truckspring.com/timbren-r...rings_899.html

I've heard great things about them. I intend to get a pair. They supposedly stiffen the rear a little but improve overall handling and rear sag tremendously. If the wife does not like the feel of them for daily driving then I'll just install them when we tow the camper then remove them when done.

navara-au

03-09-2007, 06:42 AM

Hi Mark
Your the first American that I have heard of knowing of OME let alone contemplating installing a kit.:Wow1:
I am no expert but here is my take on them. The set up for the Navara is very conservative. Since Hilux and Navara have become popular with the mums and dads as a family car and a weekend tourer (used to be mainly a work truck) they have become quite soft. OME have kept this in mind so they dont have much in the way of lift ( about 20 - 30mm) to maintain the "car like comfort"
If you were in Africa, Europe or Asia I would recommend OME because ARB is a world wide company now and OME are quite durable, and if you have problems you should be able to get help...relatively speaking.
In Australia we have lots of suspension manufactures and suppliers who specialize in Off road vehicles. Here some off the top of my head there is ARB, TJM, Tough Dog, EFS, Dobinsons, Iron Man, King Springs, Lovell.....there's more just cant think of them now.
I have EFS they have a similar set up as OME coil springs +shocks for the front, heavy duty rear spring pack with longer travel heavy duty shocks. The front was lifted 2" (I have a V6 and no bull bar) and the rear went up 3" unloaded (but most of the time Im carrying 600 kg's of weight for work and it sits about level)
Most of the better manufacturers will have 3 different load ratings on the front and rear, standard, med. duty and heavy duty.
As for ride mine is hard especially unladen, so I usually keep a bit of weight in the rear. I now of a bloke who has the med duty springs on the rear and bull bar/ winch on the front and he thinks the ride and handling is way better than standard. As for OME I only know of one bloke who has them on a Navara and he seemed happy enough if a little disappointed about the lack of lift.
There is a lot more info I could give you but my typing finger is tied.:rolleyes:

Tucson T4R

03-09-2007, 04:23 PM

If you don't mind a Toyota guy sticking his nose in here.....

The OME title caught my eye. Just my 2 cents on this. I highly recommend the OME suspension. I have had it installed on my 4Runner for about 30K miles now and love how it performs both on and off road. I got about 2.5" front and 3" rear lift with it.

My set was originaly designed for the Prado which is similar to the 4Runner but marketed overseas. They have a light, medium, and heavy shock/spring selection to choose from based on your needs. I'm running the heavy up front due to my winch bumper and medium in the rear...works great for me.

If a kit for your Nissans come out, go for it! :-)

navara-au

03-09-2007, 09:09 PM

Is ARB and TJM very big in the states? e.g. do they have many stores?

I would have thought the 4 runner was the same as the Hilux?

detailbarn

03-09-2007, 09:12 PM

Is ARB and TJM very big in the states? e.g. do they have many stores?

I would have thought the 4 runner was the same as the Hilux?

independent 4x4 dealers carry ARB - no full blown ARB dealers, though I wish there was. And ARB is much bigger then TJM in the usa.

navara-au

03-09-2007, 09:41 PM

independent 4x4 dealers carry ARB - no full blown ARB dealers, though I wish there was. And ARB is much bigger then TJM in the usa.

Thanks for that info
ARB are expanding all the time here and I wouldn't think it will be long before they have branches in the States.
The local ARB store to me is huge, having at lest 6 service bays in the workshop area + a large show room and would have around 30 staff.
TJM are about half the size but have the same amount of branches. There are some smaller more independent stores that sell other brands.

ChuckB

03-10-2007, 01:00 AM

Another Toyota guy here... just FYI most (if not all) Land Cruiser guys have heard of OME/ARB in the states. I have a full OME setup on my FJ60 and loved it. I will eventually proabably go to one on the UZJ as well.
All of their products seem to be really high quality. I can't wait to see a suspension kit on the Frontier, as I am a closet (used to have a 300ZX) nissan fan, and i really like the new Frontier.

david despain

11-08-2007, 11:39 PM

this thread is a zombie, I am bringing it back from the dead! mark any idea if ARB ever did develop a lift for the frontier?

articulate

11-09-2007, 12:52 AM

Yes, and widely available down under. I suspect you can bug an ARB dealer in the US to get it. I managed to get the part numbers for the shocks:

Front: N183S
Rear: N185

Dude with an xterra ordered in the front shocks and got a spring from elsewhere:
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2498 (http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2498)

Mark

4Rescue

11-09-2007, 10:03 PM

Hi Mark
Your the first American that I have heard of knowing of OME let alone ...
My truck runs an OME susoension... There are lots of us running this killer stuff here. I'l admit that I became a beliver in Australia, but there's alot of it running around in NA now.

It's great that they're letting Nissan in on the game.

Dave

vengeful

11-10-2007, 01:36 AM

OME has been making suspension components for Nissans for years. The Patrol, Pathfinder, Navara/Frontier, etc all have suspension systems available. It's nice that they're releasing products for the newer generation stuff, though, the vehicles have been on the market for 3 years now, so I'd say they're even a little late to the game...

edsd90

01-14-2008, 08:55 PM

I'm a new member of Expedition Portal, and see a thread I might be able to provide some input on.
ARB installed a complete suspension on my 2007 Frontier as a beta-test this past September. It went on without a hitch except for having to enlarge the holes for the beefier OME U-bolts at the axle. The OME suspension gave me a lift of about 2.5 inches in the back and just a little less than that in the front. I do have a Shrockworks bumper with Warn 9000, so am carrying extra weight in the front.
I have all the part numbers for springs, struts and shocks if there is any interest.
This week they're installing the ARB rear bumper as sold in the rest of the world. The sent the installation instructions, and it looks like it should go on very easily as well. The rear infill panel kit may not be an exact fit from what I can see in the instructions, but should be simple to adapt.
Ed Sanman

articulate

01-14-2008, 09:01 PM

xterraoffroad

01-14-2008, 09:37 PM

Very cool, sitting on the edge of my seat for the part #'s :wavey:

edsd90

01-14-2008, 10:14 PM

I've put OME on two Land Rovers, a Disco I and Defender 90, and this gave me exactly what I expected. Better control, more capacity, better road feel, but stiffer as you'd expect from a heavy duty suspension. The truck has since been used on primitive double track while loaded for expedition use, and also as sweep for performance rallies in the Northwest where we follow the last race car down the stage at speed. It has performed beautifully in both extremes.
I've scanned the ARB paperwork, which lists every part needed. ARB stocks all of this since they distribute to all of the Americas from the Seattle warehouse.
For interest, I'll also include am image of us sweeping the Wild West Rally last Fall.
Ed

xterraoffroad

01-14-2008, 10:20 PM

Ed,

This is great, thanks. One question - did you already have the cam bolts on the front for alignment or did you have to purchase them separately?

Jeff

edsd90

01-14-2008, 10:20 PM

Looks like that GIF doesn't show up too well.
Here's the list as shown on the invoice:
OME608 Pathfinder R51 Front HD
N183S Pathfinder/Navara Front Strut
CS050R Nissan D40 2005+ Medium
N185 Navara D40 Rear
OMEGS15 Greasable Shackle
OMESB96 Navara D40 Spring Bush
OMEU53A Tacoma 05+ UBolt

edsd90

01-14-2008, 10:25 PM

Hit something by mistake, so it was posted before completion:
OME608 Qty 2
N183S Qty 2
CS050R Qty 2
N185 Qty 2
OMEGS15 Qty 1 (must be a set)
OMESB96 Qty 2
OMEU53A Qty 4
Hope I've answered all the questions, but if not can probably help further.
Ed

edsd90

01-14-2008, 10:32 PM

Jeff - Please help me out here about these "Cam Bolts". I had it aligned, but with nothing more than was already on the truck. I come from a Land Rover background, and this Nissan is very new to me.
I bought it because I wanted a better long-range expedition vehicle than my Defender 90, and it's proving to be a great choice.
The alignment shop did suggest that I should consider a camber kit. Do these cam bolts answer that need?
Thanks, Ed

xterraoffroad

01-14-2008, 10:43 PM

A little more detail. 05-08 Xterra/Pathfinder/Frontier vehicles come with non-adjustable Cam Bolts which do not allow adjustment (beyond factory settings) of the camber on the front end. This has been an issue for folks who alter the height of these vehicles and many people purchased after market cam bolts and complained to Nissan Nissan has issued a Service Bulletin (NTB05-099a) on September 20th which states

An Applied Vehicle needs to have the front wheel alignment adjusted,
NOTE:
Applied Vehicles listed above come from the factory with non-adjustable bolts
(Not Cam Bolts) for the lower link (lower control arm) mounting.

ACTIONS
1. Remove the original lower link mounting bolts and washers (2 per side).
• Refer to section FSU in the Service Manual (ESM) for lower link mounting bolt
(cam bolt) locations.
2. Install new bolts (cam bolts) and cam washers listed in the Parts Information table.
• Reuse the nuts you removed from the old bolts.
3. Perform front wheel alignment adjustment per the ESM.

This is most likely what they were referring to concerning your vehicle.

Jeff

articulate

01-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Ed, you rule.

Greasable shackles? I love it.

Any idea what the CS050R are?

Thanks,
Mark

Edit: never mind.... leaf packs probably....

edsd90

01-14-2008, 11:16 PM

Yes Mark, the CS050R would have to be the rear leaf springs.
By the way, I didn't repond to your upper control arm question. I have the stock upper arms, and did not relize that there was on option. I have a lot to learn about Nissans.
Now that you mention the upper arms, I do remember seeing another post somewhere about getting better articulation by replacing these. Could you help me with a source and what I might expect out of them? Where I've gone with the Nissan so far has not required a lot of articulation, but I can certainly see a need in the future.
Thanks, Ed

Dave

01-15-2008, 01:40 PM

Very nice! Got any other pictures you can share, either of the suspension itself or the truck after the lift? Did you do any gas mileage comparisons before/after? I loved the OME suspension on my Tacoma.

I noticed the gas mileage on my truck took a huge hit this weekend when driving into a head wind at highway speeds, got me thinking that any sort of lift could really affect it.

madizell

01-15-2008, 04:30 PM

I would have thought the 4 runner was the same as the Hilux?

The 4-Runner as marketed in the U.S. is an SUV, not a utility truck. As marketed in Australia, the Hilux is what in the U.S. would be called a pick-up truck. The Hilux is most closely compared to the Toyota pick-up as it was marketed in the U.S. just before the introduction of the Tacoma. As I recall, the Toyota truck in the U.S. was, at one time, also called a Hilux, but that was years ago.

edsd90

01-16-2008, 12:20 AM

Dave - I'll take a few images tomorrow. It'll be easy to shoot the suspension since the rear bumper is off for my trip up to ARB on Thursday for a beta-test of their rear bumper sold to the rest of the world. The trruck is probably sitting a tiny bit higher in the back right now with the rear bumper and Class IV receiver off.
I installed the Shrockworks front bumper and winch plus sliders only two or three days after getting the lift. My mileage definitely dropped after all of this, but couldn't guess how much could be attributed to the lift itself.
Look for some detail and side profile shots tomorrow. I'll take some more after the rear bumper is installed if it impacts the height at all.
Ed

edsd90

01-16-2008, 06:16 PM

Attached are three phots of the OME installation - one of the drivers side front, another of the drivers side rear, and a side shot that should give a good feel of the lift that resulted.
As soon as their rear bumper is on and I get the finishing panel painted, I'll start a new thread and post some images.
Glad I could help with these OME questions, and I'm sure ARB will be happy to outfit more Nissans in the US.
Ed

mcm4090

01-16-2008, 07:37 PM

This week they're installing the ARB rear bumper as sold in the rest of the world. The sent the installation instructions, and it looks like it should go on very easily as well. The rear infill panel kit may not be an exact fit from what I can see in the instructions, but should be simple to adapt.
Ed Sanman
Wow! This is great news. Do you know if ARB will start sell the front bumper in the U.S.?

edsd90

01-16-2008, 08:07 PM

Yes, fitting the front bumper is in the works. They gave me a heads up that that's the next test, but not sure how soon.
When I first went up to for the OME, they had to admit they were pleasantly surprised by the vehicle. They've been so focused on the Tacoma here in the US they haven't paid much attention to the Frontier.
When it happens, I'll let the Nissan group know.
Ed

xterraoffroad

01-16-2008, 08:29 PM

This is great stuff, thanks. As you can see from my sig I'm waiting for ARB to have a completed suspension package (and then bumpers) for my Xterra. I have enjoyed the OME products for the Jeep Rubicon I had that I figured I'd just waiti it out rather than rush into anything. My guesstimation that this summer completed packages will be for sale and I'll be able to outfit my vehicle.

Thanks again.

Jeff

p.s. as I stated in my earlier thread you merely have to reference the TSB I quoted you to your Nissan dealer and they will install the Cam Bolts that will allow you to adjust the camber in your front end. Enjoy.

edsd90

01-16-2008, 08:35 PM

Jeff - I'll be up there tomorrow or Friday, and will ask about OME for the Xterra. I'll definitely see a dealer about the cam bolts. Thanks for sharing that info.
Ed

articulate

01-16-2008, 08:58 PM

Thanks for posting the photos and information, Ed.

Jeff, the parts for the Frontier are available for sale through any ARB dealer (I've been quoted pricing and availability). However, no dealers are promoting it.

I should back up.... the XTerra has a spring under rear axle, right? So I presume that you need to see if they have the correct leaf springs for you.

xterraoffroad

01-16-2008, 09:08 PM

I should back up.... the XTerra has a spring under rear axle, right? So I presume that you need to see if they have the correct leaf springs for you.

That is correct. I'm real nervous about "going outside the box" and being the first guy with an Xterra to do this, I believe that I will wait a bit - love the OME'd Frontier though.

Dave

01-16-2008, 09:41 PM

Cool! Thanks for the pictures and yeah you better go ahead and post some pictures of the ARB rear bumper after it's installed. ;)

mcm4090

01-17-2008, 02:13 AM

edsd90

02-08-2008, 11:00 PM

Here are a couple more images of the OME suspension, taken while I was up at ARB for the rear bumper install. Being on a lift allows a little better view.
Ed

AUTOTUNING

03-12-2008, 08:06 PM

edsd90

03-12-2008, 10:51 PM

Good day, dear users of expeditionportal FORUM... I have some questions to you: please, somebody halp me,- where can I buy OME lift components in USA??? Please tell me some enternet - sites, where I can buy OME SUSPENSIONS for NISSAN NAVARA D40 2006 - Sanks.
Go to www.arbusa.com and at the top of the home page is "FIND A DEALER". That should get you the information you're looking for. Anyone who sells ARB can help you, even if it's a Jeep shop.

mcm4090

03-13-2008, 09:33 PM

I have just contacted http://4by4connection.com/

They well have everything instock later this month.:drool:

AUTOTUNING

03-15-2008, 10:10 PM

Maybe you know some sites with catalogue of OME suspension for NISSAN NAVARA? Because I am not from USA, and I need full link to product... Only by that way I can buy! Can you help me?

roadrider

03-18-2008, 01:59 AM

After looking closely at Eds photos, it doesn't look like there really is any lift on the front. The picture with the car on the ground shows a gap between the UCA and the spring bucket that looks the same as on my Xterra. But the real proof is the pix with the truck on the lift - the UCA is NOT contacting the spring bucket. I've measured - the front can only be lifted a 1/4" without UCA contact at full droop. So it looks ARB is not going to be the answer for those looking for lift.

Ed - do you have before and after measurements to (hopefully) show me wrong?

edsd90

03-20-2008, 02:12 AM

Ed - do you have before and after measurements to (hopefully) show me wrong?
I did take measurements, but discarded them long ago. I measured before leaving for the install, and when I returned. At the time of the OME install, I had not yet installed the Shrockworks bumper and winch. From what I recall, it was just under 2 1/2" in front and right at 2 1/2" in back.
I measured again after adding all the weight in front, and the front lift was reduced to right around 2". The ride improved considerably.
Another reason I know there was a lift around the amout I measured, I had to raise a ceiling mounted basket that resides above the Nissan before I could pull the truck into the garage. I see Frontiers pretty regularly, and after seeing mine from a distance on many occassions it definitely sits with a much better stance.
I certainly wanted some lift for the way I use the truck, but quality and reputation were the most important. I'm not dissapointed.
If someone with similar equipment (Shrockworks, Warn 9000 w/plasma rope, two driving lights, front skidplate, Shrockworks rock sliders) but stock suspension could measure theirs, I could re-measure then we would have good data for the Nissan guys to consider. If measurements do become available, please send me a private message then I won't miss seeing it. When I measured, I did it from the center of the hub to take tire pressure out of the equation
Ed

sami

12-31-2008, 07:41 PM

bringin this back up..

Just got into an 06 Xterra so i'm curious if there's been updates on the OME lift for the 05+ Xterra as a package? I did see the N183S, N185 listed earlier, and am looking to see if there's a more complete setup offered by OME.

Also, how different is the 02-04 vs 05+ mounts for the front bumper? Is it difficult to make the 04 ARB front bumper work on the 06? Anyone know? My knowlege is all in the Toyota relm, so this Nissan stuff is new to me.

Thanks

-Jason

mcm4090

12-31-2008, 09:59 PM

.

Also, how different is the 02-04 vs 05+ mounts for the front bumper? Is it difficult to make the 04 ARB front bumper work on the 06? Anyone know? My knowlege is all in the Toyota relm, so this Nissan stuff is new to me.The frame is wider on the Gen2 so a bumper off a Gen1 would not work.

Now I did get this e-mail from ARB earlier this month.

We finally have a bar engineer coming from Australia in January. He will be taking measurements for the Frontier as well as the newer Xterra and Pathfinder. We would hope to have production by the spring.

Jim Jackson
President
ARB-USA