[sourskittle]

I think I'm going to scale my lift plan down in an effort to "keep it simple".

I already have a set of 2.5'' front lift springs. And I've desided to get a "full pack" vs the AALs. With 277K miles, these might be the stock rear springs, and I could see them failing/sagging pretty soon after the AALs. Plus, if I'm far way, I can see the Pass. side is slightly lower.

ANYWAY. I think I'm going to order a set of OME rear leaf packs, which add 2'' lift. If I need slightly more to level the rear with the front I might do some rear shackles.

I know a lot of people like OME stuff. But what does everyone think of the rear springs ? They claim to have a different better design vs everyone else ( with the flat part where the U-bolts/perch go ). Are these about the best you can buy as far as stock replacements ?

I don't wanna go too big with lift b/c I want to avoid all the small things that you need to start replacing after 3''s. Pitman arm, track bar, SYE etc etc. And I only plan on runnings 31x10.5s on the stock rims. Not that I won't ever seen mud, but I like the sand stuff, and there are no rocks to crawler here in FL ( in general ), so big wheels tires just seems like more $$$ for stuff I prob. don't need.

So anyway, what does everyone thing of the OME packs ? Still haven't desided on shocks either, but it wouldn't be OME, Blisten, or RE Mono-tubes, as I'm not looking to put that much into shocks for a trail truck. Not to meantion, I daily drive it right now with 4 blown *** shocks and it doesn't really bother me.... I'm thinking ranchos or simular cheap-os.

I also plan to move the rear shock mounts up and I'm removing the sway bars completely and using the BPEs from the rear sway bar on the rear shocks.

One more... Any issues with driving the XJ a short distance without any rear shocks ? That way I can fab the rear shock mounts at home, and drive it 8 miles to work and weld them there.

O, and I wanted to add that searching for OME stuff is kinda hard b/c the search doesn't see 3 letter words like "OME".

[4.0H.O.XJ]

I just put on a complete OME suspension system 2 weeks ago. (Fr/Rr springs, shocks, and stabilizer).........I couldnt be happier with it. Rides better than a stcok new XJ did, or better than any other system I have ridden in. Flex is awesome, and it handles really well.

Dislikes: Kit does NOT come with the reccommended rubber eye and shackle bushings, and they are EXPENSIVE. Fortunately, mine came with them. Also, It was WELL OVER 3 inches of lift when I first got it on. Took about a week of driving to get it to settle back down around 2.5 inches. Slightly unlevel, but it is evening out nicely now. (only off by about 1/4 in).

Overall, the best Ive used yet.

As far as other items you are avoiding adding, (SYE, Track-bar, etc).....I would HIGHLY suggest getting everything suggested for even a MINOR lift or you wont be happy with it. I tried driving around for a week with only just the stock track bar, and adding the RE adjustable made all the difference in the world when I dialed in my front end alignment. Extended brake lines are good insurance. SYE Im doing this week. And even at 2.5, Ive still gotten minor vibes..........you wont need pitman arm, but anything else I would seriously look into.

PM if you want pics and my contaqct for further info.

Tom

[xjpilot]

driving a few miles with no rear shocks won't be that big of a deal. I drove 10,000 miles in an old f150 with no rear shocks because they rusted off Just take it slow, and avoid cornering fast, because if you hit a bump while turning....its one h*ll of a ride!!

[4.0H.O.XJ]

Also, Youd mention getting rid of your sway bars.

Personal preference, but I did away with my rear one without issue. However I drove around with the sway bar disco'd on the front, and it makes for a scary ride anything above 50 MPH. Front sway bar is reccommended for a daily driver for sure. Discos aint too expensive, and worth every penny if you are driving this thing daily.

[mecompco]

I love me OME springs and shocks. Very nice ride. I did end up adding the extra leaf to my pack for a bit more lift and stiffness (they are very flexy).

Talk to Dirk at DPG Offroad about everything OME and all the options. BTW, simply add an asterisk to search three letter terms, for example: OME*

[Prosonic]

You can see what I put on in my sig. As far as there on the road feel and handling and off road performance, I love them. The only thing I don't care for is since I went with the "B" springs the spring rate is a little too low for what I haul in the back of my jeep. If I had to do it over I would probably get the "A" springs. I will eventually be getting the OME aal to compensate.

Originally Posted by mecompco

Talk to Dirk at DPG Offroad about everything OME and all the options.

X2

[McWood]

I run the heavy OME leafs and they are great!
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_530.htm
Lookslike the jacked the price up from when i bought mine.
Really useful post from another thread

Originally Posted by dopod

Just because the leafs are labeled HD doesn't mean they will be stiff or ride rough. Here is some spring rate info on the OME leafs

CS034RA (medium 2.5") 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 230mm free height
CS034RB (light 2") 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 205mm free height
CS035RA (3" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 235mm free height
CS035RB (2" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 210mm free height

You can see how the HD packs actually have less spring rate before you factor in the overload leaf so they will actually be softer for on road driving than the medium duty packs.

I have the HD packs and they ride and flex great. I took off the overload leaf since I don't tow and they tend to scoop up dirt while wheeling. I got exactly 2" from mine (but if you keep the overload you'll be at about .5" higher than me). I got mine from quadratec for under $230 shipped.

[4.0H.O.XJ]

Kokanee/Dopod,

Not to hijack this thread.....but that was some really useful info. I needed that more than you can believe. Looks like I made out scoring the CS034RA's. I was wondering what my spring rate was, and what I had bought (used.)

Thanx.

[McWood]

Hey it was all dopod. all i did was remember the post.

[sourskittle]

I'm going to be using the moog JZ progressive springs up front. I've heard they ride pretty good and the guy I bought them from off this forum said they were exsactly 2.5'' lift springs. I've read that people claim 2.25-2.75 height increase, so that's about right. ( note there is versons of this spring that add much less lift ).

I didn't know there was an OME med. spring. I'm going to do the Med. spring. with stock bushings pressed in.

I'm glad to hear they flex good. Ride quality and flex are what I'm after.

[XJ_Austria]

I have the OME heavy full package installed with OME shocks and it rides great! The rear sway bar is permanentely removed and it does not matter at all. The heavy setup is stiff but not uncomfortable ant you can pack into or onto your XJ whatever you want, it won't sag. Flex is awesome

[Timo_90xj]

I replaced my RE 3.5" full packs with OME 2.5" HD full packs and 1" T&T boomerang shackle. Along with the thicker tubes on the F8.8 compared to D35 I netted about 4" in the back, and with the winch etc. up front, I've got about 4" from the RE 4.5" coils up front.

The difference between RE and OME leafs? OME leafs are a lot better in almost every way. Ride quality is much better, they flex much better, the are built very well, etc.. The only bad things I've noticed is I get quite a bit more axle wrap with the OME leafs compared to RE leafs, and the center pin is not as thick as in RE packs.

I propably need to build a ladder bar/ traction bar (whichever you wanna call it) to get rid of the annoying axle wrap - and for the center pin problem, it's just drill 'n replace with a bigger pin..

[sourskittle]

Originally Posted by Timo_90xj

I replaced my RE 3.5" full packs with OME 2.5" HD full packs and 1" T&T boomerang shackle. Along with the thicker tubes on the F8.8 compared to D35 I netted about 4" in the back, and with the winch etc. up front, I've got about 4" from the RE 4.5" coils up front.

The difference between RE and OME leafs? OME leafs are a lot better in almost every way. Ride quality is much better, they flex much better, the are built very well, etc.. The only bad things I've noticed is I get quite a bit more axle wrap with the OME leafs compared to RE leafs, and the center pin is not as thick as in RE packs.

I propably need to build a ladder bar/ traction bar (whichever you wanna call it) to get rid of the annoying axle wrap - and for the center pin problem, it's just drill 'n replace with a bigger pin..

Yea, I was thinking that a flexy leaf would increase axle wrap. I'm not sure what would go into building a traction bar that would not limit the rear suspensions flex, while controlling axle wrap...

While I was playing around in a sand box last Tuesday, I got a small amount of wrap while trying to climb very steep sugar sand hills, but I just let out ASAP to stop it, I'm not in a hurry to start replacing axles, even on the stock sized 27'' tall, dry rotted, balled, M+S BObo tires. I think this old XJ has convinced me to get an auto when I buy a TJ, so much smoother.

mecompco: Thanx, for all these years I've been on a lot of different forums and I never knew that * thing.