Medium or heavy duty OME leaf springs

71mach1 · 11-26-2007, 05:13 PM

I'm planning a 2" lift for my 97 xj. After some research I've decided to go with OME leaf packs, coils and shocks (pricey! I know). The vehicle will be used mainly as a DD and for long camping/fishing trips so ride comfort is very important. Medium duty leaf springs seem like the right choice in my situation. However, I often carry my offroad motorcycle (about 280 lbs) with me in a hitch mounted rack. This has always been pretty tough on my factory springs. I think that's the main reason (except for getting old) they started to sag lately. So I'm thinking maybe I should go with the HD springs. How do factory leaf springs compare to OME light,medium,HD? Will I be OK with the medium duty springs or should I go with HD and possibly sacrifice the ride quality?
Do I need to install swaybar disco's with a 2" lift?

Thanks.

dopod · 11-26-2007, 05:25 PM

The primary spring rate on the HD leafs is less than the spring rate on the light and medium duty packs. So you will actually have a softer spring pack before you hit the overload leaf.

There are a lot of questions on OME HD pack ride quality...I have used mine for about 3 months now and I can assure you that they ride and flex great.

71mach1 · 11-26-2007, 05:33 PM

dopdod, So basically you're saing that unless I load up my vehicle it should not ride any stiffer with the HD pack than it would with the medium light pack.

**mecompco** · 11-26-2007, 05:42 PM

I'll second the HD pack--I ended up buying the OME AAL to get a stiffer pack for off roading.

dopod · 11-27-2007, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71mach1

dopdod, So basically you're saing that unless I load up my vehicle it should not ride any stiffer with the HD pack than it would with the medium light pack.

Exactly. Soft when you want them to be soft, stiff when you want them to be stiff.

lcarney91 · 11-27-2007, 08:40 AM

Here is the info from the horse's mouth........

CS034RA (OMEJC1A) 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 230mm free height
CS034RB (OMEJC1B) 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 205mm free height
CS035RA (OMEJC2A) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 235mm free height
CS035RB (OMEJC2B) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 210mm free height

here is a link to the thread.....http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/leaf-spring-rates-485148/

The numbers show a softer spring rate for the HD pack than the MD, until the overload spring is engaged. Why wouldn't people go for the HD?

71mach1 · 11-27-2007, 06:20 PM

Thanks for your help everyone. I just ordered the HD leaf packs to go with the OME coils and shocks. I got a decent deal from Quadratec. Apparently it's over $100 cheaper to buy the components separately than the whole kit for $809. My sales rep said they will fix that soon, though.
I didn't get the t/c drop kit (too pricey for $44). How much can I lower the t/c using the factory bolts and some washers?
Also, how important is to get the swaybar disco's with a 2" lift.? I'm not planning on doing any extreme offroading in the near future.

unhitched · 07-15-2011, 12:33 AM

sorry wrong spot

11-26-2007, 05:33 PM	#3
71mach1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	dopdod, So basically you're saing that unless I load up my vehicle it should not ride any stiffer with the HD pack than it would with the medium light pack.

11-27-2007, 06:20 PM	#7
71mach1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 8 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks for your help everyone. I just ordered the HD leaf packs to go with the OME coils and shocks. I got a decent deal from Quadratec. Apparently it's over $100 cheaper to buy the components separately than the whole kit for $809. My sales rep said they will fix that soon, though. I didn't get the t/c drop kit (too pricey for $44). How much can I lower the t/c using the factory bolts and some washers? Also, how important is to get the swaybar disco's with a 2" lift.? I'm not planning on doing any extreme offroading in the near future.