Hi all-

Just wanted to share some pics and thoughts I had about the new OME light/medium duty kit I recently installed on my 85 4runner. Install was decently easy- no rust issues for me. Took me a couple days as I was being diligent and taking my time with all the heavy pieces under there.

The kit truly was a direct bolt in replacement for the stock suspension. I have had no issues with the stock steering (see pics below), original brake lines would have reached just fine (I replaced mine...figured new ones were long overdue), and no driveline issues whatsoever from my limited driving thus far. The front was lifted ~2.5" while I got closer to 4" out of the rear, probably because of the saggy old springs.

The ride on road is great. Definitely firm and still rides like a leaf-sprung truck, but not nearly as harsh a ride as the stock suspension that bottomed out on the smallest of bumps. Off road looks very promising so far, but have really hardly tested it yet. Running right now without sway bars until I make up some longer ones.

Some pictures:
Before


After






A few tips from my install:
1. The front hangar pin on the rear spring: You will need to get the old metal sleeve out of the bushing on the original leaf spring, at least for an 85 as the OME greasable pins won't work on rear. I tried drilling/demolishing the old bushing rubber, but in the end the easiest thing to do was to just heat it with a propane torch until the rubber was soft and then tap out the metal sleeve. It came out incredibly easily for me using this method.

2. I put in some gussets for the front axle spring saddles, as evidently they tend to warp over time and lead to a W-shaped bend in the spring. Since I had the front axle out, I just had the gussets welded in as a precautionary measure. (you can read about the issue I'm talking about here: http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/views/view...hp?f=95&t=7412).

3. Stock steering is fine. I was worried about having to install a drop draglink, but with the OME flattened U-bolts there are no clearance issues on my truck.




4. Passenger side rear spring- the OME spring clamp closest to the spring hanger has a bolt that sticks out and, with the suspension fully compressed, will hit the pinch weld on the gas tank. I haven't fixed this yet, but going to address this issue ASAP.

 

that is one clean truck, i bet that our friends in the rust belt would like to own one of those :-)

i would take a harbor freight grinder to those u-bolts that are sticking out on the bottom... maybe leave enough length to add another leaf in case you need it.

i'd be tempted to put something in there from the old spring packs.

 

Subscribed.

Been really looking into this setup.

Install looks good!

 

Just getting into new leafs on my 84 pickup and wondering how you got the front end leafs hooked up? Did you pull of the driveline to let the axle be totally free? Just looking for amy tips and ideas to make this as easy as we can.

 

When I did mine on my other 4Runner I jacked the front of the truck up until I could move the leaf bolts without any feeling bound up. Then I put jack stands under the frame and chocked the front wheels. Remove the old leafs and then you will need to raise the front again as the OME's have much more arch. To install I always start with the main eye bolt first, then the axle and finally the shackle side. The shackle side moves freely enough to align with the mount and makes it super easy.

 

Who did you order the kit from? Looking into lifting my 85’.

 

Great write-up. And, great looking 4Runner!

Only thing I can add - I agree with @osv about cutting the U-bolts and, much more importantly, retorque the U-bolt nuts after you put a few miles on the truck.

 

Ordered it from roughcountry.com

 

Are the rear leaves 8025s?

 

Yes the rear leaf springs were a 8025s that I put on my 84 pickup

 

Thanks Bbilbao - now I know what my new-to-me '84 has under it! I'd assumed (hoped) the springs were OME... and you confirmed it.

Your truck's looking, great by the way.

 

Nice write-up. Thank you. I know this is an old thread, but I was curious about the wheels you are running in the pictures of this thread. The truck stands nicely.
1 ) Are those factory 3.75" backspace rims, and are those 31s?
2) The driver side front leaf you only used one of the OMEU52 flattened spring u-bolts...I assume it cleared fine on the other? Since install....have you ever had any problems with the factory drag-link with those springs?
Thanks.

 

I am going to jump in since I just did this to my 85 runner as well. I used the flattened Ubolts for the steering side and still needed the drop drag link. It seems to be hit and miss but I figured I would rather have the extra clearance vs having to always worry about binding or rubbing. To get my front springs to bolt in I had to disconnect the torque rod at the axle. I keep meaning to order the rod relocation bracket but the heavy breaking issue isnt something that bothers me personally. Although I will eventually either oder that bracket or pick it up another inch or so to run a cross over style steering setup.
Make sure and bleed all your brakes well after the install and recheck torque on your install after 50 and then 500 miles if nothing moved on retorque at 50. If stuff moved then recheck after another 50. Mine didn't change a bit but I still give it a once over about every month.

 

1. The wheels are just standard steel aftermarket wheels, 15", 8" wide with 3.75" backspacing. Yep, they are 31" grabbers.
2. Hard to tell in the pics, but both are the flattened u bolts up front. I have plenty of clearance with the factory drag-link and I'm still running the same set up today without any problems. The draglink clearance really does seem to vary from truck to truck for some reason.