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Comments
Anyway, I'm still real happy with OME lift and all other ride characteristics it provides.
like a few others, am anxiously looking forward to arrival of ECB nudge bar. Will they be providing an installation guide of any sort or can you help offer some details(ie, ECB for Dummies) on that? I want to be ready when that thing shows up. Thanks.John
I will likely go for the calmini sway bars eventually.
Tonight I cranked up the Ranchos from 3/3 to 5/5 for a ride. 5 is way too stiff for on-road stuff, although I may try 4/4 just for the heck of it. 3/3 is nearly perfect though.
-mike
Installation is easy, and the directions are near perfect. The hardest part I found was getting a good sledge hammer and cold chisel to get the weld-nuts off the frame. The second one I installed was much easier than the 1st time.
Basically you un-bolt one of the bolt holding the front sway bar bracket in place and knock off the weld nut on the frame, then you bolt on the bracket for the nudge-bar. Once the brackets are in place but not tightened up completely, you bolt on the bar, level it, and then tighten up all the bolts. Should take someone who is a non-gearhead like myself about 1.5hrs from start to finish.
-mike
You're absolutely right - the last thing you want is a mushy set of taller springs or taller torsion bar. If you're going to lift, even just a bit it is worth considering going for a firmer, safer torsion bar up front to go with the OME coils in back. The OME coils and orignal torsion bar, in my opinion, are NOT well matched to each other. But then again, it was obvious the original torsion bar was too weak the first time I had an emergency stop from about 30 mph - the whole front end dove WAY down - enough to scare me.
My '99 Troop now has WAY less body roll, sway, etc compared to original equipment. It now corners like a champ - even though it now sits about 1 and 1/2" taller than before. In fact, I had originally considered doing the sway-bar thing too - but this is no longer necessary with the equipment I have now. This is due to superior, more robust equipment. There is no magic here.
The only thing I may consider - once the issue of "squeaking" is cleared up - is maybe doing the bushings as some of you have. But again, my vehicle now corners, handles hard acceleration, hard braking, and high speeds so well now that I'm in no hurry.
Good luck on your decsions.
I did notice more body lean after I put the OME springs on, but that's simple physics after raising the center of gravity 1.5".
Now I am contemplating Calmini sway bars, but you have me interested in new torsion bars instead...what do you think?
I'm not crazy about the Yakima/Thule looking racks that bolt on the frame, and would like a "stock looking" rack that sits on the back half of the roof. My primary use would be cargo hauling, probably one of those aerodynamic luggage tops.
Any thoughts/reccomendations?
Andy
-mike
Sahara, did you add front and rear Sway a Ways or just front?
I should have a good rec. on roof racks to post tonight for those who like the Landcruiser style. I put one on a month ago....sharp looking...just can't remember brand, model#.
-mike
see them at:
http://www.prolineracks.com/roofpermanent.html
I bought and had installed new Sway-A-Way brand Torsion Bars - which are only used on the front. The current Trooper uses torsion bars up front (not coils, not leafs, etc...). Torsion bars may be an "old" design - but it has the clear advantage of being able to quickly raise/lower the front end as needed, including compensating for more weight. I also put on the OME progressive coils for about a 1.5" lift. Along with these I have installed the OME shocks, part numbers N15 rear, N65 front.
I spoke with 2 different tech reps before deciding on the N65 front - which is the firmer option - and they both told me I would be much happier with the more controlled, firmer ride even though I do NOT currently have a heavier front end (bull bar, winch, etc...). And they were right - the truck feels VERY sporting now and certainly corners fast enough for any sane person. This, after all, is NOT a sports car.
This combination - firmer shocks and a stiffer torsion bar - has overcome any body roll, sway, nose diving, left/right back-n-forth mushiness problems of the original equipment - in spite of being about 1.5" taller than normal.
I personally did not want to mess with replacing the sway bars - and now I don't need to. Remember, sway bars won't do pee for you when it comes to hitting bad bumps, holes, carrying lots of extra weight, off-roading, etc. It won't help one bit.
However, if your number one priority is "cornering" - in a 4500 lb SUV - then I strongly suggest you have the vehicle LOWERED (via shorter, custom springs in back) and ALSO have the new Calmini sway bars, and bushings, installed. Also, you'll really want to also do a wheel and tire upgrade. After all this, you may have a serious "cornering" SUV.
Again, I would do everything again just as I have - except skip the Edelbrock shocks!!
SDC2 and duktrooper - which shocks do you have on now?
Price was 189, pls 60 to install. Model # is ASB 4460 and I think the brand name is Dynstar or Dynostar. Anyway, the quality of material and look is vast superior to any of the Perrycraft brands most places sell. It is an extremely lightweight but strong aluminum frame(no plastic) with four stancions(sp?)on the corners. Wgt.limit is 150 lbs. The closest thing online I've seen, though not nearly as nice is the "winnmaster" under the roof rack section at the "prolineracks" website. My model has thicker dimension runners and cross bars, like that on a Landcruiser, for a more rugged, beefier look.
One of these days I'm going to figure out how to get pics of my vehicle posted...hate too admit it, but I don't know how. I'll post more on this once I get the other details. Net/net...this is by far the best looking rack I've seen of the 12-15 styles I looked at. HTH. John
I'm still using Edelbrocks.....just can't make up mind between 9000's and OME's, though I still lean towards OME's b/c I like the "matched/tuned for vehicle" story. I also realize one can't go wrong with 9000's either for adjusting, value, reliability, etc. What were the biggest differences you noticed in switching from IAS's to OME's? Thanks. John..
rack mounts just inside the gutter line, with 3-4 screws per stancion. Fit and finish is excellent. Width is 38" across and legnth is 50" I believe. Dlr told me rack should NEVER have problem with a leak. You can still add Thule or Yakima cross bars or adapters if you need that kind of stuff as well.
Go on line to " prolineracks" and look at the winnmaster and you'll get an idea of style...only this version is much more of a rack with better lines and wider profile rails and bars. Have gotten many compliments on it; it really finishes off the truck nicely. I'll contact my store today to get more info. and hope to get pics posted soon.
Currently I have the Old Man Emu shocks and springs. I think I have the same #shocks as you do.
I'm going to go look at torsion bars now... :-)
Thanks
-mike
http://www.sportrackaccessorygroup.com/home.html
1) Physical build - OME is much beefier, has a thicker piston rod, is welded at bottom, and - looking at diagram of internals - apparently has a much nicer valving system. Keep in mind the history/background of OME and what their equipment is designed for from the get-go. There is NO comparison between these two shocks.
My decision for OME vs. 9000 was easy. I was aware of the OME top notch reputation, and, had heard slight negatives about the 9000 - even when set at "soft" settings it was still not smooth (but opinions may vary...). Plus, it only made sense to have a spring/shock combo that was designed/matched for each other. Finally, I knew this particular application is used a LOT in Australia so the product is proven. But nothing against the 9000 - it also seems to have an overall good rep, and seems to be rugged and reliable, and is used practically everywhere.
2) Shock reaction - In spite of the fact the IAS are advertised as being "smart", i.e., sensing when to firm or soften up - the OME seem to be even "smarter" and react just enough at just the right time. They even seem to stay softer at very slow speeds over bumps, etc, but then feel like a sports car setup when cruising the interstate at 90 mph (like today....oops!).
3) Shock firmness - the IAS, when they go to firm mode, were probably too harsh especially in front with the new Sway-A-Way torsion bar, although I remember this effect with the original torsion bars also. On the other hand, they never did match real well with the rear coils - because they seemed to be affected by the extended length (not designed for that....) and the fact the first part of travel of the OME coils is easy/soft until it compresses just a bit. So the IAS in the rear seemed to not work well, like they got confused; I would still get a little pogo-ing (sp??) from them.
Not so with the OME - the front is actually softer (but still firm); the rear slightly firmer - both front and rear are now very well matched and the vehicle is even more controlled now, actually very well controlled.
4) Dampening - again, the OMEs win in this situation/setup. In most cases, I do not have any secondary bounce. On severe bumps, dips, etc, there is an occasional, small, secondary rebound from the shock. This was not the case with the IAS - I routinely had more secondary rebound than I wanted, and the rare tertiary rebound was not so rare.
Three weeks ago I dropped a work buddy off at an appointment after a 15 mile ride. He had not been in the truck since I put everything on. He was amazed at the ride - described the feeling as being "on rails" - with no mushiness.
The ride of my Troop is now best described as sporting, firm, controlled, and safe - it is NOT luxo-boat soft - but it is still quite compliant. I keep wanting to say it's "smart" because it seems to always do just the right thing. I think after awhile most drivers, including men and women, get tired of the overly soft, rolly-polly, lean-to-the-left, lean-to-the-right ride of most stock SUVs - not to mention the concern with rollovers. I can guarantee you I don't have any of that now.
Finally, I like this setup so much that I am now planning to repace the Downey Offroad 3" lift coils and Bilstein shocks on my '92 Landcruiser with the OME equipment. It's that good.
Does this help?
Travis
Anyone have experience with the OME setup and towing?
Also, I will be adding a tranny oil cooler. I'll probably get one from http://www.tpiperformance.com as they have good prices. Though coolers are extremely inexpensive where ever you go. Any experiences with oil cooler installations?
I'll advise as to my experiences with both the OME and tranny oil cooler when I start towing again.
Also, I've been starting to collect some of your writings to add to a website. I know others are doing the same, but I am just trying out some new discussion forum scripts and needed content. If any of you want feel free to add content related to Troopers (or other suv's). Its at http://www.suvtech.com/discus
Thanks,
Pete
-mike
http://165.113.128.10:81/$WEBMSG.Read.ITOG-4.76
Islander
Yes, they do make it for the '99. Mine went on perfect, I watched the installer do the work.
Good luck.
The brackets are lightly discolored with minor surface corrosion from the past winter (NJ), but otherwise appear to be okay. The bushings are still snugly in place, so the brackets haven't stretched any noticeable amount. Some lube has been squeezed out of the sides of the bushings, but I expected that to happen since I was pretty liberal with the stuff during the install.
Note that I also posted this over at ITOG.
Rgds, Marty
95 Trooper LS
Funny story: One of my co-workers has a Pathfinder (95ish, red) with no rack. He confided in me recently that his girlfriend initially questioned his masculinity because he had an SUV with no rack. She thought,"what kind of guy would own an SUV with no rack".
He now has an aftermarket Yakima, which is sturdy, but IMO looks aftermarket. It also sits on the front of the vehicle over the four doors.
Andy
-mike
Andy
I used a hitch plaform recently to haul my Honda Trail 90 bike, worked very well. The spare did not interfere like I thought it might, and I did not need an extension for the receiver either.
-mike
-mike
I upgraded a month ago and the new ride is noticeably better and improved. They are also higher(about 1 ") than my Michelin XCX's, which I sold used for $70 each. In fact, I paid $98 each plus 10% off coupon...but since I bought inside of 30 days, Sears will give me a credit on the lower price difference. Now I can get that larger spare for a 5 tire match.
It's amazing how you can always come up with a good reason for another upgrade.
I have to admit my reason for buying was vanity just as much as function. I just felt my Trooper looked "nekid" without a rack! It now draws the looks and respect she deserves.
-mike