The Old Man Emu (OME) Options Guide

[mir207]

Motivation
Since there is no single "OME lift" but rather a range of shocks and coils that can be mixed and matched to give different ride quality, load, flex, and endurance, I'm going to try and keep an up-to-date and comprehensive guide to the myriad Old Man Emu suspension options. It seems like "I'm confused, which kind of OME should I get?" comes up alot, and it's tricky to search for the info both in the forum and on the wider internet.

Where to buy?
Many of our forum vendors stock OME products. They are widely available. I'll start a list here, but I will add as people pass me along their favourite vendor names:

AllPro
FJCruiserOffRoad
Man-A-Fre
MetalTech
ToraSport
Toyota Part Sales
ToyTec
TRD Parts 4 u

Front Options

Shocks:
OME-N140S - Shock length: Open: 543mm (21.38in); Closed 405mm (15.95in)

Coils:

Name / Code . . . Dimensions . . . Coil winds . . . Weight . . . Spring Rate
OME-883 17mm x 100mm/115mm x 375mm - 10.6 coils - 5.7kg - 590lb/in (+1.18" +2%)
OME-884 17mm x 100mm/115mm x 385mm - 10.6 coils - 5.7kg - 590lb/in (+1.58" +2%) --- "Light"
OME-885 17mm x 100mm/115mm x 395mm - 10.6 coils - 5.7kg - 590lb/in (+1.97" +2%) --- "Medium"
OME-886 18mm x 100mm/115mm x 402mm - 12.5 coils - x.xkg - 660lb/in (+2.25" +14%) -- "Heavy"

note: "Heavy" is no longer recommended because of caster issues that can be corrected with aftermarket UCA's. These coils are still fine, but ARB doesn't want the liability issue, so when ordering, it is best to ask for the part without specifying the application.

Rear Options

Shocks:
OME-N141 - Shock length: Open: 577mm (22.72in); Closed 353mm (13.90in)
OME-N71 - Shock length: Open: 620mm (24.41in); Closed 370mm (14.57in)
OME-LTR - Shock length: Open: 673mm (26.5in); Closed 387mm (15.23in)

Coils:
Name / Code . . . Dimensions . . . Coil winds . . . Weight . . . Spring Rate
OME-894
OME-895 17mm x 160mm/115mm x 390mm - 6.75 coils - 5.6kg - 260lb/in (+1.18" +45%) --- "medium"
OME-895E
OME-896 18mm x 160mm/115mm x 390mm - 6.75 coils - 6.4kg - 318lb/in (+1.18" +75%) --- "heavy"
OME-897 19mm x 160mm/115mm x 390mm - 6.75 coils - 7.2kg - 387lb/in (+1.18" +115%) -- "Ultra heavy"

note: The "ultra heavy" is not usually offered as a FJC option, but can be ordered.

Net Lift
The net lift you get from these kits will depend not only on the kit but also on the vehicle weight, so once the vehicle becomes non-stock, the lift for a given kit will vary from vehicle to vehicle. Here is a set of measurements for an OME "Heavy" kit: 886 / 896 with 5mm trim-packer (before and after measurements (ground to bottom of fender flares), followed by net height difference after lift: )

Left front - 34 3/4" > 38 3/4" = 4"
Right front - 35 1/8" > 38 3/4" = 3 5/8"
Left rear - 36 3/4" > 39 1/2" = 2 3/4"
Right rear - 37 1/8" > 39 3/4" = 2 5/8"

Front bumper (ground to bottom of black plastic molding) - 27 3/4" > 33 1/4" = 5 1/2"
Rear bumper (ground to bottom of black plastic molding) - 23 1/4" > 26 1/8" = 2 7/8"

[jeshua]

This should be a godo thread for those with questions on the OME.


Here is the rear spring info from Rear Spring Comparison

Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . Lift . . . . . . . . Length . . . . . . . Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Made in
OME895 . . . . . . . . . . .+2" . . . . . . .15.35" . . . . . . . .~37% stiffer then stock;260lb . . . . . Australia
OME896 . . . . . . . . . . .+2" . . . . . . .15.35" . . . . . . . .~67% stiffer then stock;318lb . . . . . Australia
OME897 . . . . . . . . . . .+2" . . . . . . .15.35" . . . . . . . .~103% stiffer then stock;387lb. . . . . Australia

[jeshua]

also for your reading pleasure.
Coil Rates - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

[VegasDlr]

MetalTech as a vendor. Just ordered mine today.

[FJFever]

jeshua previously said:

This should be a godo thread for those with questions on the OME.


Here is the rear spring info from Rear Spring Comparison

Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . Lift . . . . . . . . Length . . . . . . . Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Made in
OME895 . . . . . . . . . . .+2" . . . . . . .15.35" . . . . . . . .~37% stiffer then stock;260lb . . . . . Australia
OME896 . . . . . . . . . . .+2" . . . . . . .15.35" . . . . . . . .~67% stiffer then stock;318lb . . . . . Australia
OME897 . . . . . . . . . . .+2" . . . . . . .15.35" . . . . . . . .~103% stiffer then stock;387lb. . . . . Australia

I am only a beginner on this Lift thing. I always hear 2.5" lift and 3" lift for OME, but I only see the stores are selling 2" so how does it work? are the 2" adjustable to 2.5" to 3"? I try to go offroad like twice a year so i would prefer a set up more for everyday driving. Please give some advise. much appricate!!

[DoWork]

THANK YOU!!! MIR your the man!

[FJoel]

Torasport is a great OME vendor as well, in my opinion.

I smell a tech article on the rise. Thanks MIR!

[F.E.A.R.]

FJFever previously said:

I am only a beginner on this Lift thing. I always hear 2.5" lift and 3" lift for OME, but I only see the stores are selling 2" so how does it work? are the 2" adjustable to 2.5" to 3"? I try to go offroad like twice a year so i would prefer a set up more for everyday driving. Please give some advise. much appricate!!

What is up with this? The kit says "Typical lift 2"" so how are people getting 2.5-3.0" lifts out of it?

[wrigman]

F.E.A.R. previously said:

What is up with this? The kit says "Typical lift 2"" so how are people getting 2.5-3.0" lifts out of it?

"Typical lift 2" " assumes a 4wd with an ARB or other aftermarket bumper and winch. However if stock bumper is used one might get 2.5" with a 4wd. If one has a 2wd(like I do) they might get 3" of lift with a stock bumper. I now have an aftermarket tube bumper and a winch, so My lift has gone from 3" to 2.75" and might sag to 2.5 " over time. Also a pair of unloaded 886's will get a 4wd close to 3" of lift.
Hope this helps. I'm sure others will have something to add.

[volhoo]

Here is what I currently have on my rig:

Front:
OME 886 - Heavy Duty Coil Springs - 2” (51mm) Lift
OME N140S - Medium/Firm Struts (didn't see these on your list Mir?) - OK, I see you have revised it now!
Rear: OME 895 - Medium Duty Coil Springs - 2” (51mm) Lift
OME N141 -Heavy Duty Nitrocharger Shock

I have the ARB bumper on the front along with a Warn M8000 winch.

I have an All-Pro rear bumper and a Tuffy Box in back and it does sag a little.

I will be switching out the rear springs to the Heavies (896 or maybe the Ultra's 897) soon to correct the issue.

I am very happy with the OME set up and have had no alignment issues at all.

Over 48,000 miles and going strong.

As you can see I got almost exactly 2" of lift all around (51mm).

You can check out my build thread " The Brigadier" below...