Hey guys

I was wondering....I have Bilstein shocks and OME springs. Someone mentioned to me that the coil spring rate would be off and therefore would not work very well...Is that true? I have the 881s for the front and 906 for the rear...Thanks

Matt

 

Has anyone tried OME 880s with Bilsteins? I have been looking around the board and I have only seen people run the PP springs with Bilsteins. I have Bilsteins on my 97 Limited but my springs must be fatigued at 185k miles. If I want to save money, should I just go with the PP springs all around for the best bang for my buck? I also heard that you cannot run progressive springs with airbags in the back. Is this true? Thanks Yotatech.

 

The OMEs will work fine with the Bilsteins and should be a softer suspension than the PP springs. If you prefer a harder ride then go with the PP springs and the Bils. The OMEs will also give you about 1/2 to 1" more lift (unless you used the 880/906 combo which should be only 1"' over stock like the PP springs). Once you upgrade the springs you shouldn't need the airbags but you should be able to use them if you want. You need to remove the conical bump stops to do it though.

 

MTL,
What is the difference between the 890 and 906 rear springs? I am looking at 4by4connection.com and all they have is 890s. I am not plannig on ever adding any extra weight to the front or back of my truck. (except for Cargo in the back of course) I have 4wd and already have Bilsteins shocks and I am looking for a setup that will be good on the road but also have the ability to handle easy trails....


-1997 4Runner Limited 4x4, w/ Factory Electric Locker

 

I have the 890s and they will give you some lift for sure over stock (looks like I got almost 2.25"+). The 906 are meant to stay close to stock (maybe 1.25" lift max on a 96-98) with a different spring rate than stock, but the are much harder to find too. I like the OME 881/890 combo because the truck sits with a slight rake (very level with heavy stuff in the back). If you don't mind a little lift then 890s are good, but if you are after the just slightly higher than stock look, hope to find someone selling 906s. I don't know of anyone using the 880s in the front so I don't have much info on those. PP springs will ride tighter for road use (esp with the Bils) so I went the comfort route instead. There is also mixed reviews on how well PPs do on the trails. In the end it still boils down to personal preference.

 

So you think the OME 881/890 would be a more comfortable setup than PP springs? I know I should call the shop and find out but do you think I would need the trim packers for the front with 881/890s? Also, should I think about doing a diff. drop with this amount of lift? Thanks.

 

I have had the PP setup with billies and my wife now has it on her SR5. It is tight and stiff. Not jarring, but stiff. It is great on road and corners wonderfully. However, off-road it does not soak up the bumps as nice as my Tunra/ OME setup. It flexes well off-road, just has a different feel than other setups. I like it and it gives about 1.5" of lift with no CV issues.

however, if stiff isn't what you want, then don't do with PP springs and Bilsteins

 

You shouldn't need trim packers with the 881/890s (at least I didn't).
PPs will be stiffer, OME softer (it isn't gonna ride like a couch or anything), again personal preference.
You don't have to do a diff drop with 881s, but it is recommended (I will be doing mine).

 

Thanks a lot Jamie. I just want to say this board kicks ass compared to a lot of automobile message boards. You guys are great.

 

Do you have the setup mentioned above or the setup mentioned in your sig line? If you're running the 881/906 combination, does your truck sit level?

 

This is an old thread. Localmotion has a differenet setup now--the one in his sig. I believe the OME coils(front) were too stiff for his liking....

 

I thought OME was one of the softest?

I can't decide whether I want the Tundra setup or PP coils...OME is more lift than I want or need.

 

the Tundra setup will give you about 1.75" of lift with no spacer. The PP setup will be more like 1.5" of lift. I like the Tundra/OME setup better than the PP. I don't care for the stiffness. I like it soft. It is not too soft for the road, I just dont' care for a stiff setup.

Plus, the PP coils and Bilsteins are about the same price as the other

 

Paddlenbike,
What were you planning for the rear springs if you went the Tundra springs in the front route? I am also looking to achieve about the same results with new springs as you are.

 

you can run Downey springs as I believe they will yield they least amount of lift. When compared to OME and LC coils.

 

If I did the Tundra setup up front I would probably go with the PP rear coils with a small trim packer.

I really like the stock ride and how the suspension is balanced, so the goal is to lift the truck 1.5" and increase the overall stiffness by 15-20%. I haven't heard any major complaints with the PP setup, I can buy it all online without mixing and matching peices (specific Tundra coils, specific Tacoma struts, etc.) and I know my truck will sit level when it's all said and done. I may opt for the Tokico shocks over the Bilsteins to soften the ride a bit. Any comments on a PP/tokico combination?