Sagging OME heavy duty rear springs, options to replace

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

Well, my rear springs are sitting at 21 inches hub to flare, and I have added one extra isolator spacer already. My front sits at 22 inches. I keep 120 pounds of tools and junk in the back. I suppose that it takes its toll. The current springs were put on around 20,000 miles ago with the OME 132L shocks and the bump stops that came with the Frankenlift. The ride quality has been great, but I am not finding the sagging acceptable.

So what to replace them with? I tried getting in touch with CRDStu about his custom King rear springs and longer travel OME shocks that were designed to take the extra weight, but he has been MIA... So...

I am considering getting the rear setup to Jeepin By Al's 4 inch lift and running it with the Frankie in the front. I want to go to 235/85 tires and would like to get the rear axle centered as much as possible before doing so. So I am looking at Al's 4 inch rear springs, the 4 inch drop link, and maybe the brake lines. I think I will get the Rubicon Express control arms instead of Al's as they are cheaper and I don't care about the rear sway bar. I am also going to look into custom brake lines before paying for the kit from Al. So I have the following questions and concerns submitted for your comments and approval (or disapproval):

1. Does anyone know how high will the 4 inch lift will sit in the rear with 150 pounds of stuff back there? I don't want to push it over 23 inches, an inch higher than the front is currently.

2. Is there any good reason to go with Al's control arms instead of the Rubicon's which are much cheaper (besides the sway bar mount)?

3. Has anyone priced brake lines? Al wants $280 bucks for the pre-made lines, I don't buy new brake lines everyday... so I don't know if this is in line with what it should cost.

4. What about the SkyJacker shocks? I have not heard good things about them. I am picky about shocks and I don't want to shell out money for them just to chuck them in the can and have to find something else. Are they any good at all? Better yet, can I use shocks from another application on this 4 inch lift? Preferably some Bilstien's or OME's? Will shocks off a lifted XJ work?

5. Any other reasons why I should consider something else or why this will not work, etc... etc...

daspes · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:05 am

I had the same problem. I just added a Daystar spacer to my rear. I know sit 1/2 higher in the rear than my fron t with 3 clevis rings when unloaded.

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:45 am

Did you remove all of the isolator pads when you put in the daystar spacer?

daspes · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:07 pm

durangotang wrote:

Did you remove all of the isolator pads when you put in the daystar spacer?

The factory iso is still there. For a while I was running 2 of the All J's 0.5" spacers trying to make up for the lost ride height, those were removed. So now my rear is currently stuffed with (top down) upper iso, Daystar puck, OME HD spring, lower iso.

It had gotten so bad that even with the extra 1" of spacers, I couldn't get my fist into the wheel well even when the back wasn't loaded up.

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:14 pm

daspes wrote:

durangotang wrote:

Did you remove all of the isolator pads when you put in the daystar spacer?

The factory iso is still there. For a while I was running 2 of the All J's 0.5" spacers trying to make up for the lost ride height, those were removed. So now my rear is currently stuffed with (top down) upper iso, Daystar puck, OME HD spring, lower iso.

It had gotten so bad that even with the extra 1" of spacers, I couldn't get my fist into the wheel well even when the back wasn't loaded up.

Is that daystar spacer supposed to go up top? :shock:

I've had mine on the bottom for 20k miles or so :lol:

Must be the secret to my awesome flexiness

daspes · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:17 pm

Umm yeah, scratch that, it's still early here on the west coast and I'm on my first cup of coffee. :oops:

Upper Iso
OME HD Spring
Daystar Puck
Lower Iso

Just so used to having those two 0.5" spacers up there, didn't really think when I was typing.

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:29 pm

Yeah I don't know how long my new HD springs are going to last before they start getting sagtastic.... I think some airbags might be on their way soon

Drassis · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:31 pm **Posts:** 182

Just put in the 4" JBA spring with the weight you carry around and after some wear in your should be sitting at a good ride height

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

Marlin emailed me and said he has got Bilstiens, so I may just do it.

daspes · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:59 pm

Dunno, about the JBA 4". Measurements are nearly the same as a frankenlift, and the spring rates are comparable to IIRC.

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

Too late... I got ansy and bought them. I was told they measure about 23.25 to 23.75 inches when installed. I have 22 at the front, so if they only settle to that I would be ok with them. This 21 with an extra iso is just silly.

I was going to have to buy springs or a spacer anyway, so might as well try something besides the OME again, because I already know they don't work. Marlin did say he could get his springs in custom lengths, so perhaps he could get them stiffer too.

I will give it a try and if it does not work as well, I will give up and add a spacer or go back to the OME and a daystar spacer... whichever is better.

While I am spending money like crazy, I am also going to try the new Bilsteins and see how they compare to the OME132L's. I got the link extension too, so I will see how much more flex I get out of that tri-link after it is lowered a tad more.

dcsveen · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:36 am

if i put a standard frankenlift on, will i regret not getting new upper arms??

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

dcsveen wrote:

if i put a standard frankenlift on, will i regret not getting new upper arms??

Yes and no... you can always get them later if you can't afford them now. They make it easier to align. The lift will wear the stock arms out faster. Just make sure the current upper balljoints don't have too much play in them, otherwise you might as well since the whole stock a-arm has to be replaced when the balljoint goes bad.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:16 am

I installed my FLII back in May 07. I never changed the arms and never had to get a re alignment since the initial one after install. Rarely does a month go by without some wheeling in MOAB or on the East Coast. After 50K miles I'm still on the MT/Rs I bought when it was aligned. I do need to get re balanced on occasion due to losing chunks of rubber and metal on the rocks. At last check, the alignment is still fine and the PS ball joint shows 1/16" of play, the DS checks OK. I now have 83K miles on the clock.
I personally see no need the change stuff and have never had to replace the stock arms due to broken welds.

dcsveen · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:24 pm

thanks for the reply, I really didn't want to fork out another 350. i'm leaning towards a frankenlift now because my apartment manager is a b!@#& and i'm not allowed to work on vehicles here so everytime i need to do something as simple as changing the oil i have to go on post ( Ft. Lewis ) PITA........so the preassembled strut/springs will be nice. and i'll get more height

thanks for the reply

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:01 pm

FYI - the shipping will cost as much as the springs - but the Aussie's had it figured out first
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=29184&highlight=rear+springs

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

ATXKJ wrote:

FYI - the shipping will cost as much as the springs - but the Aussie's had it figured out first
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=29184&highlight=rear+springs

Yeah, that was plan A. I emailed months ago, and IM'ed and everything else, but now I am tired of waiting. If this don't work and I hear from him, I may go that route yet.

calamaridog · **Posted:** Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:42 am

How about some Firestone Airbags? They only run about $80. That is what I'thinking of looking at doing. My rear set-up was totally inadequate for a 5 day off road camping trip and all the gear.

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:16 am

ATXKJ wrote:

FYI - the shipping will cost as much as the springs - but the Aussie's had it figured out first
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=29184&highlight=rear+springs

When I ultimately lift mine I want to put on a RTT so I know mine will sag.. I wish we could get the King coils out here.

calamaridog · **Posted:** Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:48 pm

icefisher45 wrote:

When I ultimately lift mine I want to put on a RTT so I know mine will sag.. I wish we could get the King coils out here.

There are many shops in the US who could make you a high quality custom spring. The other option will be to add an airbag to the OME heavy spring.

Sagging OME heavy duty rear springs, options to replace

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