Topic: Old Man Emu

[JCook5003]

Hey Guys-

While not very hardcore I plan on using my 84 pickup for camping and light wheeling, I'm also going to try to get it up to DD duty as well. I was thinking as such I don't want a tremendous amount of lift. I was also thinking going through all the mods for RUF/63" upgrade wouldn't be inline with the budget nature of the project.

I was thinking with a set of OME springs with a set of 33-35" rubber and some gears with proper fender trimming I could meet my goals.

Problem is info on the OME springs is few and far between, I've searched and found all the appropriate part numbers, but now I'm looking for real life experience. Most people over at IH8MUD love OME springs but they are using them on cruisers. Are the truck springs of equal quality? Where's the best place to get them? How much lift should I expect am I looking at any other mods to run them than extended brake lines and potentially an adjustable drag link?

Thanks Guys,
Josh

[H8PVMNT]

OME is great stuff.  I hade  '95 4runner setup with OME, a detroit locker and 33s and it was absolutely a great ride. Completely dead butt stuck to the road well damped ride.  Just don't plan on getting too big because that's not what it's for. These are not for huge flex and massive tires, just for a good dependable setup.  If you run OME you will not need extended brake lines or an adjustable drag link.  You are looking at a net lift of 1.5-2".  You can order medium or heavy spring rates.  I would go with the medium for a daily driver unless you plan to haul 1,000 lbs of stuff everywhere you go.

I am also running emu rear spring up front on my 4Runner, which I got used about 12 years ago.  They have held up very well even in the wrong application.

[emsvitil]

The difference between the heavy and medium springs is 1 overload spring.

The cost difference was only around $10, so I'd get the heavy springs and remove the extra overload.     

That way you have the extra spring in case you need it.

[H8PVMNT]

Thats a good idea too...

[realcamotoy]

I have the heavy springs on the front of my 91 sas because i have a brush bumper and ramsey winch up front. It sits up because of the sas but i love the ride and the flex i get with them. I also grease mine frequently winch give me the smoother ride. When i stuff my tires i can get over 15" of flex out of it going with 20" of clearence to 5" when fully stuffed in the fender.

[SierraDave]

I'd like to see more info about these springs on pickups too. I'm planning a build similar to the OP.

[H8PVMNT]

My emus in the rears up front configuation get huge sick flex too.  I added a leaf or two for the RUF.  Originally I had so much flex that the steering arms hit the shock body and my super long extended brake lines weren't long enough.  I ended up rearangeing my shocks and bump stops to make them work and settling for a bit less droop.  Make no mistake, these springs CAN flex, they just don't yeild alot of articulation in the manufacturer intended OME suspension system setup.

[scheefdog]

I installed OME medium springs on my 79 pickup this fall. They lifted my truck about 2.5"(not including the extra 3/4" from longer shackles). I put on 33s and they are a perfect size for the amount of lift.

Here is what I ended up running-
Old Man Emu medium springs- front and rear
5" greasable shackles- front and rear
Pro Comp ES3000 shocks

I'm really happy with the front springs and they have great flex, more than what your stock steering and driveshaft will allow(your shocks will limit the drop). I converted to high steer at the same time and that made a huge difference in the truck handling as well. I  think you will have to do a drop drag link if you keep your stock steering(I also did extended breaklines). I would recommend 5" greasable shackles(Marlin,, AllPro, TG etc) over the stock shackle length. I ran my fronts at stock shackle length(3.5") when I first installed the springs and then later raised it to 5" and it made a significant improvement in the ride quality.

I'm not as happy with the rear springs. The rear shackle angle is pretty close to vertical, even after I removing a leaf, and flexing them out and running weight in the bed. I'm sure they will settle a little more, but then I will probably want to put the leaf back in(to gain the height) and then I'll be back with a vertical shackle angle. If only OME would have made these springs a little longer than stock for a better shackle angle and smoother ride....however, for a stock length spring they are probably as good as you are going to find. If you are on a budget just run an add-a-leaf in the rear.

[OldGold3VZE]

I recommend using the 51" eye to eye OME rear springs over the stock 47" springs.  The 51s started in 88 or 89.  They only move the rear axle back .25", but they really relax your shackle angle and offer great flex and ride quality benefits.  Also, as stated earlier, High Steer is almost a must, I personally would not lift a truck and continue to use stock steering, even with a drop drag link.

[scheefdog]

I recommend using the 51" eye to eye OME rear springs over the stock 47" springs.  The 51s started in 88 or 89.  They only move the rear axle back .25", but they really relax your shackle angle and offer great flex and ride quality benefits.  Also, as stated earlier, High Steer is almost a must, I personally would not lift a truck and continue to use stock steering, even with a drop drag link.

Do you know if you can run them with a banana shackle? Or do you need to move the rear shackle mount?

[OldGold3VZE]

If you're planning on using them in the front then you might need the banana shackle to clear the body mount, but I thought you were looking for rear spring advise, or just spring advise in general?  To clarify, I would use the OME 79-85 front springs in the front, and the 89-95 rear springs in the rear.

[zembalayan]

I have heavy OME springs and med. shocks on my 1980.  Great results!

[JCook5003 [OP]]

So if I use the 51" inch springs on my 84 frame do I need to move the rear shackle hanger back or simply run a longer shackle?

Thanks for all the advice so far guys it's been super helpful for a newb like me.

[OldGold3VZE]

So if I use the 51" inch springs on my 84 frame do I need to move the rear shackle hanger back or simply run a longer shackle?

Thanks for all the advice so far guys it's been super helpful for a newb like me.

No, these are only slightly longer then the stock 47" springs, and since the additional length is all within the rear half of the spring (from the center pin to the rear eye) you will not have any drive shaft or wheel base changes, nor will you have to re-weld the hanger.  I would recommend a 5"-6" shackle.

[scheefdog]

No, these are only slightly longer then the stock 47" springs, and since the additional length is all within the rear half of the spring (from the center pin to the rear eye) you will not have any drive shaft or wheel base changes, nor will you have to re-weld the hanger.  I would recommend a 5"-6" shackle.

Cool. That is what I was trying to ask with my post above.

[OldGold3VZE]

Those curved (banana) shackles should really never be used on the rear.  They are just for clearance to the front body mount.  The eye to eye is still a given point, just a round a bout way of getting there. 

[emsvitil]

What part numbers are you looking at?

CS009r/10r or cs019r/20r?

Anybody find a length spec for their springs?

I found an pdf of specs (doesn't include length).    I'l post a link if anyone is interested (I'll need to find it again).

[OldGold3VZE]

Here is a place that carries everything except long shackles, but I bet Marlin can set you up with a set!

http://4by4connection.com/toyota14.html

They list the early pickup rear leaf springs as 43", and the 89-95 as 47.5", but you get the idea, you want the longer ones.

[fade]

Love my ome on the front of my 3rd gen runner. rides like a caddy.

[JCook5003 [OP]]

Is there any reason I should pay the $20 for the OME spring bushings and not the $3 ones from Marlin? Are the OME springs the same size bushing as stock Toys?

Also do I need the front greasable pin or can I reuse mine? They came off easy and are in good shape.

[scheefdog]

Is there any reason I should pay the $20 for the OME spring bushings and not the $3 ones from Marlin? Are the OME springs the same size bushing as stock Toys?

Also do I need the front greasable pin or can I reuse mine? They came off easy and are in good shape.

I went with the OME bushings, but yes I believe they are the same size bushing as stock...hopefully someone else can chim in and verify this (I don't have any stock springs left to double check on).

You can reuse your pins, just grease them up good before installing. I don't think you would notice a difference if you get the greasable ones (or at least not for a long time), and you can always pull the pins back out and grease again if need be.

[emsvitil]

Is there any reason I should pay the $20 for the OME spring bushings and not the $3 ones from Marlin? Are the OME springs the same size bushing as stock Toys?

Also do I need the front greasable pin or can I reuse mine? They came off easy and are in good shape.

The OME is $20 per side, Marlin comes out to $6 per side.

The CS009/10 are all small diameter, the CS019/20 are small diameter rear eye and shackel , large diameter front eye.

You need the sleeve for both on the front eye.

With an 84, I believe it should be the CS009/10

Measure the distance from the center of the front hanger bolt to the center of the top shackle bolt.
Should be about 46" for the CS009/10

[JCook5003 [OP]]

The OME is $20 per side, Marlin comes out to $6 per side.

The CS009/10 are all small diameter, the CS019/20 are small diameter rear eye and shackel , large diameter front eye.

You need the sleeve for both on the front eye.

With an 84, I believe it should be the CS009/10

Measure the distance from the center of the front hanger bolt to the center of the top shackle bolt.
Should be about 46" for the CS009/10

I didnt follow that at all. Can I use these parts from Marlin instead of the OME Part numbers?

http://www.marlincrawler.com/suspension/parts/spring-bushing-large

http://www.marlincrawler.com/suspension/parts/spring-bushing-small

[emsvitil]

You might need all small.

Depends on the front eyelet diameter of the spring you get.

[emsvitil]

I was thinking the marlin bushings were $2 a pair.

Looks like $2 each.

So it's $12 or $13(depending on front eyelet size) per side on the marlin bushings..

[JCook5003 [OP]]

Also the OME shackles are pretty pricey. Who sells a reasonably priced shackle? It looks like Marlin only sells fronts?

[emsvitil]

Marlin has greasable rear.

[JCook5003 [OP]]

When I click the greaseable shackle kit link it only has a front option. Am I having shopping fail?

[OldGold3VZE]

When I click the greaseable shackle kit link it only has a front option. Am I having shopping fail?

http://www.marlincrawler.com/suspension/full-kits/shackle-kits

You're gonna need a u-bolt flip kit also, so make sure to get that at the same time.  I highly doubt you want to reuse old u-bolts, and they probably aren't long enough.

[JCook5003 [OP]]

If I click that link the only option to choose is front shackle. Are the front and rear the same?