OME quality control?

[Jo6pak]

I stopped back at a local off-road shop today and discussed my KJ plans with the co-owner. When I mentioned using OME coils, he kinda grimaced and said they've had issues with different length springs and vehicle sitting lopsided. He didn't bring up any alternative brands, so it's not like he was trying to sell me something else, but he didn't really seem to keen on lifting a Liberty anyway.

I see that most everyone on here has used OME coils in there lifts. Has anyone had any issues with uneven coils?

 

[J-Thompson]

I stopped back at a local off-road shop today and discussed my KJ plans with the co-owner. When I mentioned using OME coils, he kinda grimaced and said they've had issues with different length springs and vehicle sitting lopsided. He didn't bring up any alternative brands, so it's not like he was trying to sell me something else, but he didn't really seem to keen on lifting a Liberty anyway.

I see that most everyone on here has used OME coils in there lifts. Has anyone had any issues with uneven coils?

I know that at some point they moved some of their production
to South America ,not sure where
those may have some QC issues

 

[HoosierJeeper]

My drivers side sits a tad, ever so slightly on the drivers side....but I thought it was normal. Hm.

 

[tjkj2002]

My drivers side sits a tad, ever so slightly on the drivers side....but I thought it was normal. Hm.

It's normal.................

My left sagged,could not understand as all the measurements between both sides was dead on,swapped coils from left to right and it still sagged,even tried another set of coils, but due to those nifty ACOS's I just cranked the left side up to even it out.

 

[tommudd]

I've seen a bunch of sets of OMEs so far and nothing bad about them, I'd say its more he can't or won't get OMEs and wants to try and sell you his brand he sells all of the time or whatever that may be.
All Kjs seem to sit lower on the left side, I just add some extra to the left side and alls good

 

[Jo6pak]

That's kinda what I thought too. The guy doesn't really seem too interested in the project. Everything I've discussed with him, he has been pretty negative about.

His first response to lifting my KJ was "Don't bother with it." I've done all the research, and double checked my info. and he still thinks I don't know what I'm talking about. I think his mind is already set against it, so he's just trying to talk me out of it now. Looks like I'll have to do it myself, I just need to find a place to work on it.

All Kjs seem to sit lower on the left side, I just add some extra to the left side and alls good

A little extra what? How much difference are we talking about (1/2 inch or less?) Could that be evened out with a little cleavis tweek?

 

[rockymountain]

That's kinda what I thought too. The guy doesn't really seem too interested in the project. Everything I've discussed with him, he has been pretty negative about.

His first response to lifting my KJ was "Don't bother with it." I've done all the research, and double checked my info. and he still thinks I don't know what I'm talking about. I think his mind is already set against it, so he's just trying to talk me out of it now. Looks like I'll have to do it myself, I just need to find a place to work on it.



A little extra what? How much difference are we talking about (1/2 inch or less?) Could that be evened out with a little cleavis tweek?

That's the typical reaction from everyone about lifting a KJ. Usually its from someone that has never even driven one before. I'd say when you get it done stop by his shop and show it off a bit. That might make him suck on his foot a little bit. I wouldn't listen to anything he says. He sounds like a debbie downer to me and should be kept in his little fish bowl he swims around in. My OME coils didn't have anything wrong with them and I've never heard anything but the best about them. Anything else will be sub par for your KJ. Trust us.

And yes, a little tweak on the clevis position on the shock will allow you to adjust a bit here and there. Its a 2/1 ratio as in if you lift the clevis a half inch it will raise it all 1 inch and so on.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The guy that lifted my KJ was surprised, but he wanted to see it done. He was really impressed with the look and quality of the stuff...

 

[ShafferNY]

When I took my KJ in for an alignment after lifting it, the guy who owned the shop acted like I was on crack. He said he thought my KJ was extremely tipsy and complained about dialing in the alignment.

I don't care. I'm happy with it. That's all that matters.

 

[tommudd]

On my own I add about 1/8 inch more to the left side, front and rear makes it sit level, don't ask how I do the rear you would just laugh and shake your head:happy175:

My alignment guy likes doing the lifted Libertys, have to count up some day how many he has done for me, he also likes those" red arms" :happy175:

One 4 wheel drive shop here in Toledo told me the only lift made for a Liberty was a Skyjacker and that they were extremely hard to install, would take at least 8 hours maybe longer. I asked them how many they had done and he said lots. I was the first lifted Liberty I ever saw in Toledo back in 04.

 

[tjkj2002]

One 4 wheel drive shop here in Toledo told me the only lift made for a Liberty was a Skyjacker and that they were extremely hard to install, would take at least 8 hours maybe longer. I asked them how many they had done and he said lots. I was the first lifted Liberty I ever saw in Toledo back in 04.

That's funny since I had one of the 1st SkyJacker coil lifts for the KJ and it only took me about 4 hours to do,1st one I ever did on a KJ so understandable for the little longer time,can do a Franki in less then 2 hours with JBA's installed also now.Took a little longer due to those dang extended front bumpstops are a pain,at least that kit came with extended front and rear bumpstops.

 

[Jo6pak]

I've given up on Midwest Offroad, the guy is just being an ****** about the whole project.
Trying to track down work space to do the lift. Finding heated, dry work space is harder than i thought it would be.

I actually got the stuff for the rear bumps today, and will build them tomorrow. I'll probably order the coils and springs next week. Just hoping my crappy tires last long enough for me to get everything lined up and put in.

A coworker (who is a mechanic) thinks we can get it done in a 4-6 hours. And I have another friend, who has done lots of work on his CJ, who can help too.

 

[tommudd]

KJ lifts are easier than CJs/TJs. or even XJs I think
so if you have some help that has done any of them this will be a walk in the park

 

[Jo6pak]

Good to hear, thanks Tom

kind of getting off topic now, but what are your thoughts on doing JBA UCAs as well.

I know I shouldn't need them, and would really not drop the extra $400.
But, I have a few concerns.

1. the OEM upper ball joints are not replaceable? The entire UCA needs to be swapped. The JBA UCAs ball joints can be lubed and are replaceable.
2. My 2004 already has 86K on the odometer, how long do ball joints usually last?
3. If I'll have to replace the OEM UCAs sometime anyway, should I just make the plunge and do it all at once?

Is this train of thought logical, or has it de-railed?

 

[tommudd]

Kind of hard to say about replacements with JBA, they do offer the ability to replace the ball joint is it is needed, can grease them and it will make it easier to align. The last lift I did here a few weeks ago my alignment guy could get it close but his comment was" if you had those red arms on there it would be sweet"
As far as how long the stockers last, I took mine off at about 75000, 50,000 of that lifted, and they were both still good. Installed one on a 2006 KJ with less than 45,000 miles on it that had the right one go, installed the other on an 02 that had 95,000 so???? really hard to say how long they will last.
They are not hard to do even after lifted so run for a while and you can always swap them in later

 

[twack]

where in western wi are you if your near the border come on over to rochester mn and i can install your lift and what not

 

[Jo6pak]

Thanks for the info Tom, I think I'll just wait on the JBA arms then.

@twack, I'm just north of LaCrosse, just over an hour away from Rochester. I'm still trying to get the $$ togehter, and make time to do the job. But, I may take you up on that. Thanks for the offer. I may actually be in Rochester for the MWCA gun show in 2 weeks. Maybe we could meet somewhere, I'd like to check out your KJ and see how those Cragars look on it.

 

[twack]

o for sure send me a pm im always around. ive taken apart and reassembled my lift/suspension so many times i think i could do it in my sleep. My Cragars look amazing but its about time to put some new rubber on them my BFGs are about dead.