OME 2.5'' suspension kit or Rancho 2.5'' Rockcrawler suspension kit?

billabong266 · 04-23-2009, 02:10 AM

My jeep is my DD and i am looking at these two kits because i have read in several threads that they are pretty good. I am lookign for a 2.5'' kit because i plan to run 31' tires maybe 33'' someday and i would like not to suffer with gas milage and would like a soft ride from the suspenion i choose. As for offroading i plan to do a Jeep Jamboree next year as well as some trails in NC. Also if i get one of the two lift kits above woudl i benefit from getting some front and rear adjustable track bars as well as front/rear adustable control arms? I have also read that some people get MMLs woudl this be nessecary? Mayeb install a 1'' BL as well? Overall i just want a 2.5 kit that i can get a nice ride from, decent clearance, and some flex if possible.

**NotURMailman** · 04-23-2009, 06:06 AM

From what I have read with people that have these lifts it sounds like the OME has a softer ride. (I'm not 100% because I've never had either one.) Not sure what you think the lift has to do with fuel mileage, that is more directly related to proper gearing for your tire size. If you hit any trail near Raleigh or even go to Uwharrie and want some company let me know. You can always benefit from adjustable track bars with a lift, as for CAs with that small of a lift I would probably say just uppers. Suspension lift will not require MML, but if you're planning on doing a 1" BL Might I suggest a tummy tuck and 1"MML with a SYE (then you will have to have adjustable uppers to correct pinion angle) - this will get that factory shovel up with that small lift (you mentioned decent clearance). I don't know what you want to spend, but adjustable uppers and lowers with JJ or similiar ends (should be able to get a full set for around $900) will give you the flex you mentioned in conjunction with front discos. Not sure if I answered you orinional question at all, I tried to give input on each question you threw in there.

billabong266 · 04-23-2009, 07:08 AM

what i meant by gas milage is that if i went to 33' tires that it might cut my MGP by 2MPG per gallon vice running 31' tires. But i am sure with my 3.73 gear ratio i woudl be fine. Oh and about NC the Uwharrie national forest is exactly where i was refering to. I seen the traisl they offer on the website. Woudl you recommend any specific mods in order to ride on those trails? I was telling my wife when we go i would hope there woudl be other people out there just incase i were to get stuck or whatnot so i'll let you know for sure. It will proabbly be somewhere in early 2010 since i am overseas and come back to the US this november. Well i will proabably end up going with the 1' BL on top of the 2.5' lift just incase i ever want to run 33' tires and i'll get the adjutable upper and lower controls for the flex and the other parts for the drive line angle issues. You answered all my questions though. When you mentioned "but adjustable uppers and lowers with JJ or similiar ends" what does the "JJ" stand for? So if i buy the upper/lower adustable control arms that will run me about 900 bucks right? So i guess in total i would need 4 lower and 4 upper? And i think the discos refers to the sway bar right? I am new to all these suspenion terms so bear with me i am trying to learn as much as i can. Thanks

gaucho919 · 04-23-2009, 07:20 AM

OME is a way better quality product than skyjacker in my opinion. WAY better
Also for the uwharrie trails a front aussie locker would be worth every penny.
JJ is a johnny joint

jrtdogbone · 04-23-2009, 07:36 AM

I've ran both the 2.5 and 4 OME Springs and Shocks since 2004 with very good results. Here are some pics that may help you decision making process.

http://www.jeep-willys.com/picklift.htm

Good Luck with your choice

The Dog

..

HAARUBICON · 04-23-2009, 08:13 AM

My vote if for the OME 2 1/2". I really like my ride quality, but dont expect more than any suspension can deliver in that area, its will not ride like a Caddy with the OME's. I would also encourage you to do the 1" or 1 1/4" body lift, that simple mod will help you through out your build plans, it was one of the best "First" things that I did. As you grow you can add spacers to the springs for additional height without compromising ride quality.

My rig is running a 2 1/2" OME with 1 1/4" spacer up front and a 3/4" in the back with the 1" body lift. I chose to run 35" tires ,(This is not to bad with Rubicon) but with an X or a Sport the 35's introduce a whole new set of problems with gearing and such. I drive it every day and it gets down the highway at 70 plus with no problem, and milage is around 13/14 mpg.

Hope this helps.

**NotURMailman** · 04-23-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billabong266

what i meant by gas milage is that if i went to 33' tires that it might cut my MGP by 2MPG per gallon vice running 31' tires. But i am sure with my 3.73 gear ratio i woudl be fine. Oh and about NC the Uwharrie national forest is exactly where i was refering to. I seen the traisl they offer on the website. Woudl you recommend any specific mods in order to ride on those trails? I was telling my wife when we go i would hope there woudl be other people out there just incase i were to get stuck or whatnot so i'll let you know for sure. It will proabbly be somewhere in early 2010 since i am overseas and come back to the US this november. Well i will proabably end up going with the 1' BL on top of the 2.5' lift just incase i ever want to run 33' tires and i'll get the adjutable upper and lower controls for the flex and the other parts for the drive line angle issues. You answered all my questions though. When you mentioned "but adjustable uppers and lowers with JJ or similiar ends" what does the "JJ" stand for? So if i buy the upper/lower adustable control arms that will run me about 900 bucks right? So i guess in total i would need 4 lower and 4 upper? And i think the discos refers to the sway bar right? I am new to all these suspenion terms so bear with me i am trying to learn as much as i can. Thanks

I ran all of Uwharrie excetp the back half of Daniel in bone stock trim with 29" tires. I beat the hell out of my OE belly pan and fuel tank skid, had to pick line very carefully and got high centered once. I did use two of the bypasses. JJ is Johnny Joint (made by Currie). And yes, you can get a set of eight JJ adjustable arms for around $900. Yes disocs means the front sway bar disconnects.

billabong266 · 04-23-2009, 08:25 AM

So the tummy tuck is just an after market skid plate that will give me more clearance underneath my tranny right? Thanks alot for all the info so far it's been really helpful. I am pretty dead set on this lift now and i have a godo understanding of what i need to get.

**NotURMailman** · 04-23-2009, 08:32 AM

I have never installed a TT, but I believe it actually raises the tranny (and yes, the point is to give you more ground cleanance). That is why it would be a perfect compliment to your BL and MML (with a SYE).

Glad to help, I planned my whole Honda build while I was in Iraq and got a lot of help from people on forums. It sure helps to pass the time!

billabong266 · 04-23-2009, 08:35 AM

yea my wife is in the states and she bought the jeep for me so i pretty much just pass tiem now reading the forums learnig all i can. If anything i'll just start out with the 2.5' lift and then build from there. If i can figure it out i'll add you as a friend that way when we do plan to come up to NC i'll let you know. Thank again.

HAARUBICON · 04-23-2009, 09:13 AM

The tummy tuck is on my list of stuff to do as well, here again, the bodylift is good thing to have if that is your plan. The lower lift heights are great for staging your build. What I mean by that is, you dont have to change everything at once. You can run your stock control arms until you find exactly what you want, same with the track bars, skid plates, etc. The higher lifts dont allow that as much. Dirk at DPG Offroad is the guru on OME and is willing to share his wealth of knowledge on these set ups.

jmalys · 04-23-2009, 09:18 AM

I have the 2.5" OME HD and love it.

Just be aware the the front shocks are short (13.13" collapsed), so with this lift and 1.25" BL and 33's you might rub depending on the flexability of your control arms and other suspension components. The easiest thing would be to just add 1" of bumpstop to the front. I have ROKMEN double JJ's with 32's and the front rub a little bit. I am going to go with 35's this summer and add .75-1" spacers all around and trim underneath the front flare for another .5-.75" of clearance.

The HD springs are nice in that they do not sag with a bunch of weight. If you have a bunch of heavy crap in the back like bumper, tire carrier, rack, hi jack, make sure you get the LJ rear springs.

billabong266 · 04-23-2009, 09:25 AM

I have heard abotu this guy named Dirk in many many other trheads i have reserched today. Whden i get out of the military in November and head hoem i will defianlty give him a call and plan my lift out. About how much on average woudl it cost for me to get just the lift kit installed on average? I think i might do the kit seprate from everything else i.e after market control arms, track bar, ....

HAARUBICON · 04-23-2009, 09:37 AM

The great thing about OME is the flexibility you have in purchasing the components. I started with just the springs and 4 hydro shocks.(I was lucky enough to pick some springs up from a fellow forum member) I think the springs are about $90 a piece and a good Hydro Shock is about $40.00 a piece, going to a better shock like a Bilstein 5100 will be about $80.00 a piece . From there you can add whatever you want. I did not add the trackbar relocation bracket in the rear until I added the spacer, but I would recommend that to start off as well. Put the 1" bodylift on, about $125.00 and you are set for 33's with some bumpstop extensions, I used some old 2" bodylift pucks and bolted them to the spring perch for that.

Look a DPG Offroads website for more info. Rock Road Outfitters sells the springs seperately, check them for pricing.

**95BadBoy** · 04-23-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billabong266

I have heard abotu this guy named Dirk in many many other trheads i have reserched today. Whden i get out of the military in November and head hoem i will defianlty give him a call and plan my lift out. About how much on average woudl it cost for me to get just the lift kit installed on average? I think i might do the kit seprate from everything else i.e after market control arms, track bar, ....

Dirk at DPG is a really decent guy, he will spend a lot of time with you to make sure your into the right stuff the first time. Has a lot of very good advice. You'll be happy with the time spent - Enjoy.