OME Lift

[photoman]

Okay I have tried researching across the web including here and at NAXJA. I have a 98 Cherokee Sport that I am looking to lift. I am down to four options and looking for some feedback and hopefully some experience with these set ups.


Rubicon Express-
1. 3.5" Super ride Lift with RE Mono tube shocks
2. 3.5" Super ride Lift with OME Shocks

Old Man EMU
3. The famous 2.5" Lift
4. 4" Trailblazer Package

This lift/suspension setup will be for expedition/overland type travel vs. rock crawling which is why I am seeking help here. Looking at roughly 60% of travel being on improved roads - 30% being on forest roads-pipeline roads, and power line roads - and 10% slightly rougher trails. Looking to have a good highway ride as my trips are often 1800 miles round trip yet still be durable and capable in the back country.

The RE 3.5" Lift seems the most popular but I hoping to find some first hand knowledge of the OME 4" Trailblazer setup on an XJ. Does OME on an XJ live up to the reputation they have w/ Toyota??

Thanks in advance.

[Momrocks]

I am by no means an expert but our rigs are similar, our usage is similar (though my off-highway percentages are much lower) and I have one or your options installed on my '99...so here goes.

Not all “kits” are created equal. Many don’t come with everything you really should have. Though many, calling themselves experts, will say with a 3 inch lift you don’t require LCAs, extended track bar, extended brakelines or even SYE…I am not in that camp. Your build up is for the purpose of jaunts up to 1800 miles, most of which is highway speed; safety and comfort is foremost. Never skimp on safety. Attend to geometry, make sure your rig steers and handles properly or your trip is ruined.

The Rubicon Express kits are very well made, very complete and well respected amongst XJers. One of the things I like about these set ups is that they are a "one stop shop". You can get a Super Ride kit with LCAs, U-Bolts and extended brake lines. I have no shock advice, I run OMEs…I’m very satisfied. I have heard many swear by their Bilstein 5100 series.

My own research led me to use OME springs and shocks. You’ll find on Jeep boards that OME is very well respected and only bashed for not being a “lift kit” but rather a suspension system. Old Man Emu is a bit harder to understand and find out information and options so I leaned heavily on advice of others. A good data source is Dirk at DPG Off Road (316) 776-9900. There are others but you can quickly weed out sales guys from knowledgeable guys. On my 99, I have a set of OME heavy coils for V8 Grand and XJ heavies on the rear. Good ride under varying payloads. OME doesn’t really sell a kit. All the other stuff you need will need to be sourced elsewhere. If you choose the OME route, I recommend a replacement trackbar (mine is JKS, several other quality ones available), U-bolts and extended rear brakeline. OME leafs do not come with bushings, source rubber OEM type ones. Avoid poly to avoid transmitting anymore shock and noise into the unibody than is already present. Same advice for LCAs, make sure they are rubber bushed to isolate the road from the cabin.

One of the great things about XJs is that there is such a wide variety of options for upgrade and fortification. Good luck with your research and decision. Doing the suspension right is a large investment, but it is indeed an investment. If done right it will enhance your enjoyment of the rig and pursuits you use it for. If poorly done, will be a constant source of frustration and ultimately could end your enthusiasm for the exploration your build up is intended to support.

[Root Moose]

You didn't mention what tire size you wanted to run.

Given your intended usage I would pick one of three options:

a.) A mild OME lift (i.e. 2.5")
b.) ~4.5" of lift with drop brackets
c.) Long arm of some undetermined lift height.

Why? You are sensitive to ride quality.

Keeping the control arms at a near stock angle will provide the best ride quality or replace the stock stuff with a long arm configuration.

The second and third options may be "overkill" depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

Do not feel limited to a certain tire size if you settle on the 2.5" lift. There are so many ways to make oversized tires fit on an XJ it is almost comical.

I don't have direct experience with the OME equipment on XJs but have used their stuff on other vehicles in the past. Top notch equipment for your intended usage. Made my LWB SJ-413 ride a like a real vehicle in comparison to the stock paint shaker ride. I have OME shocks installed on my current XJ build but the Jeep has not left the garage yet (sooo close).

I second Dirk as a good resource. I've worked with him in the past and it was a very pleasant experience. He is extremely knowledgeable. It is worth a phone call to him to discuss the OME stuff. Dirk also puts together a couple "custom" hybrid lift combinations for XJs that are worth looking at. I had bought the 5" hybrid setup but had a TNT long arm kit fall in my lap so I went that route in the end. I'm actually thinking about dropping the ride height a touch and making more body clearance to run my 265/285s.

HTH

[ExpoMike]

I pieced my lift together, since at that time I could not afford to buy everything in one shot. Took me a year of gathering parts before I did the lift. What this did allow me though, is to pick and choose individual parts from different manufacturers. I tried to buy the best of each part (some items were great deals but for good parts). I ended up with OME rear springs as they had been shown to ride very nice and flex well. I did talk to Dirk at DPG and would highly recommend them as a supplier of OME stuff.

I used a TnT track bar, since it seemed to be bullet proof and came with a heavy duty bracket for the frame side. Lower control arms were JKS and I can't say enough good things about those. Upper arms were RE super ride (non adjustable) and bought them because of a great deal. Same with the front springs, they are Rusty's. Got a great deal on them and they have worked well but most likely would have not been my first choice. The biggest reason I stayed away from RE springs/leafs and a lot of other ones is, I wanted the expected lift, not more. You will find that a RE 3" lift will likely end up at 4-4.5". I did not want that much of a lift, I wanted 3" and that is what I got with my setup.

If you want a one stop setup, RE is hard to beat but talke to Dirk at DPG and he can tailor an OME setup. As for shocks, I only use one brand, Bilstein. Been that way for more then 10 years on many different cars/trucks and they have never let me down.

Good luck on your choice and post up pics when you get started.

[Root Moose]

JKS is good equipment as well. I've got their sliders, quicker disconnects and misc other bits to put WJ knuckles on my front axle. The JKS disconnects make the RE ones look like toys by comparison. We won't get into the debate about just how big a disconnect really needs to be though.

If you can swing it go for aftermarket control arms. The stock stuff is pretty flimsy in comparison to the afermarket stuff. There is a web page around that lists what length of control arms you need for certain lift heights. It is worth consulting. I like the idea of adjustable arms.

Edit: here's the web page I mentioned above:

http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/re_db.html#arms

[Zeero]

Old Man Emu 2.5" all the way for expedition use with the heavy duty springs.

The payload is huge and offers a good solid ride.

[photoman]

You guys rock!! I will call Dirk today and find the best solution for my needs.


BTW: I am only looking to run 31" tires on the XJ

[Momrocks]

Photoman,

Maybe you can test this new offering from OME? I'm curious to hear reports.

http://www.arb.com.au/products/old-m...-sport-shocks/

[GTABurnout]

It sounds like you want what I want out of my cherokee...

I have a 2000 with some sort of hybrid OME lift. It sits around 3.5" of lift. I have barily driven it but when I have it feels tons better then the old lift.

I also run 31's I will get a pic this weekend after I get the SYE put on...

[FlexdXJ]

You guys rock!! I will call Dirk today and find the best solution for my needs.


BTW: I am only looking to run 31" tires on the XJ

Wow! it sounds like we are going about the same way with our Jeeps. I have a set of the OME934 coils sitting in my room that for now will be going on with my AAL from a RE BB kit that i never completely installed, I'll order rear packs when money becomes available(shocks too). I hear so many good things about OME and i got a really good deal on the coils! I am going to suggest you add an Adjustable track bar and at least some decent LCA's just for more strength over the stamped factory arms. That being said I know several guys including myself who wheel with stock LCA's so if they have to wait a couple months i think you'll be ok.