Yay or Nay ARB Old Man EMU 3inch Lift

I have a 22 TRD-Off Road Premium. I'm going back and forth between the ICON Stage 2 and the Old Man EMU. Youtube isn't beneficial for comparison, they only review what's been installed. My obstacle is the price difference. Is ICON worth the extra $600.00!?! I don't plan on rock crawling, just weekend warrior things and once-a-month-long distant Overlanding with a rooftop tent. I have already purchased the items below. Has anyone regretted the EMU's?

To clarify, I'm looking at the basic EMU's and Upper UCA on 4Runnerlifestyle.

295/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers
17x9 -12 Offset
BMC Plates
1" Toytec BodyLift

 

The OME has a good reputation, but one of the things I've found in my research is that people seem to feel that it has a stiff ride. That was a deal breaker for me.

I created a thread a few days ago, this is about what people DIDN'T like that they've run. I've found it pretty helpful so far.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/suspension-setups-you-regret.28640/

 

I've heard the exact same thing, and most mentioned they got used to it afterward. I'm trying to track down some local Yodas and allow me to test drive, ha.

 

I'm really intrigued by this setup from AllDogs. I'm not finding a lot of info on it online, however I heard from an acquaintance in a local group that a friend of his is running it and is very happy with it.

Alldogs has a video up on YT where they're comparing them to 5100s, and they definitely sound more what I'm looking for.

I don't know about 4x4s, but I've always heard good things about Koni in regards to track cars.

https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/alld...w-koni-82-series-shocks-for-toyota-150-series

 

Thanks! I'll give it a look over. Also, I'm reading the thread you sent, it's really good.

 

Thanks! I was hesitant to post , since there are a million suspension threads, but I thought coming at it from a different angle would be interesting.

It's so damn confusing picking suspension when you don't have deep pockets. If I had the budget, I'd go OME BP51s most likely.

Plus I'm thinking I'd want a winch in the future, so I need to account for that too. One more thing to think about, haha.

 

Ya know, in my head I was thinking I'd just go with the OME then when I get the money just replace it with the OME BP51s since you can keep the same UCA, lol. I have the wheels in tires just sitting in my garage and it's driving me crazy.

 

I have it on mine, 2+ years now. Wife said it went from being a “suv” feel to a “truck” feel. Now she doesn’t mind at all and when we get in rentals she hates the boat feeling of them.

in 2023 I’ll put this same suspension on the FJ.

 

I had the OME on my gen2 Tacoma and even with an ARB bumper and 8kWarn winch I thought it was too stiff (over sprung)

 

Just curious, why the body lift? I’ve read and seen a lot of videos about icons having leaking issues, seems to be a common issue.

 

I saw a video on youtube, and the guy had 295's with a 3" suspension lift and a 1" body lift. He told me that the extra room allowed for a "generous" clearance when off-roading.

https://youtu.be/pid3-tB5NqU

 

I have 295’s and others do as well, and there’s plenty of room if you can get your alignment dialed in. There’s a little rubbing on the rocker panels which I had to take off, but for the most part the tires can be stuffed without issues from my experience. Just wanted to let you know if you didn’t want to go the body lift route.

 

Thank you, I really do appreciate the info. I think I'll save the $500 and ditch the 1" body lift idea.

 

I’m planning to add a 2.5” OME nitro charger set up with medium weight springs in a few months. I’ve added some weight via armor, roof rack already and plan to add lo pro bumper and winch next summer. I’m expecting it be and prefer it to be stiff compared to stock. I’ve also read reviews and it’s difficult to assess due to subjective interpretation on what “stiff” is and not knowing what spring people installed relative to added weight. Happy to share my opinion after I get it put together.

 

are you doing the OME BP51 kit for front and rear? That was on my wishlist but $$$.

I love my set up and I’m 95% street and DD 40 per day. 2” lift Bilstein 6112 w/600 lb coils front, 1.5” lift Eibach T13 coils rear, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks and 285/70/17 Falken WP AT3.

 

Considering Ome. 884 up front and 895 rear springs with standard shocks. Anyone else running this?

 

I think many times when people complain about OME being too stiff, they have the wrong spring/shock set up. They go for a taller spring or heavier spring or the heavier shocks than is needed/recommended. I see many shops as well not following OME guidelines for instance and selling rear 889 springs which are higher rated than the recommended 895 rear springs that are set up for the shocks. Or I read it is still but then read with their new set up they put on E rated tires. I did that once with a jeep and thought was the new suspension, as soon as got rid of the E rated tires was better. I also think adjusting the rear panhard bar (track bar) or adding relocation bracket to get the bar back to factory flat geometry makes a huge difference as well.

still considering 884 front 895 rear with standard shocks.

Had 885 front 895 rear on FJ cruiser I owned over ten years ago (that I stupidly traded in for a jeep) and it rode very well.

 

I did the same research before deciding on the Bilstein setup for my needs. Personally if I were you I would only go the icon route if I wanted adjustability of the shocks on the fly. Not sure if that is included in your cost but you can get a wing nut to adjust how soft or hard the ride is, think it was about $600 extra. Otherwise save your hard earned dough and go OME

 

I’ve had a OME on a Tacoma and now on the 4Runner. I have been happy with both setups. They feel firmer but not uncomfortable.

 

Firmer can be good - if it means more planted, less body roll, less no dive, tighter. It’s harshness, not getting spine jolted when hit a small bump, trail or road imperfection or pothole, that don’t wants.

 

My thoughts exactly. I have a hidden winch upfront and the truck would noise dive when braking. OME upgrade solved that.

I’m sure there are more comfortable/nicer setups, but for the price, quality, and ride, I’ve been happy with OME.

Was looking at Dobinson suspension too when I was shopping.

 

One reliable supplier I talked to told me out of the three setups he has sold thousands of over the last decade: Bilstein, Dobinson and Old Man Emu, Old Man Emu has the least amount of warranty claims . That maybe subjective and a small sampling, but found it interesting. As I had asked him what set up was the most reliable/durable.

 

That's why I went with them. I told the shop I am new to Toyota world and don't want any headaches. They said go Old Man Emu

 

I got the nitrocharger OME setup. I can get you the springs I selected if you'd like.

In short, it is definitely a stiff ride unloaded. Once I load it with gear it gets nice and smooth. Seems to handle weight really well.
As I get more serious about off roading I find myself intrigued by Mid travel/ long travel kits.

Been eyeing the dobinsons MRR or even the Ironman 4x4 recently. If I had to do it again, I might just spring for the Ironman 4x4 foam cell pro because kit as it comes with everything you need. (UCAs, sway bar mods, etc.)

If budget was tight, the bilstein option is good. They don't advertise this but the 5100's are actually a mid travel shock. So you get better articulation with that than you can with some higher end setups.

 

I’m kind of wanting to see how the Iron man, made in China, UCA issue resolved itself with the durability of the replaced ball joints. And some photos of them cracking. I want to believe in them, but after their recall and it being revealed they are made in China I am cautious.

 

Would appreciate the numbers of the old man emu spring set you installed. Thanks.

 

Here was the original setup.

There was quite a bit of lean in the rear so I added an OME lean correction spacer later on (PN 150PR10)

I added a before and after pic. Stock vs OME and 285/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

On road and unloaded it can be a bit stiff. Once loaded it handles the weight great.
Definitely saw improvements when off road. Ride quality and flex off road seemed much better.

The only downside to this setup is its a little stiff without gear in the vehicle. But It's very liveable overall and I know the EMU stuff is pretty strong. Which is good cause I drive like an idiot.

 

Is it stiff in front or only in the rear? I see you have 889 springs in the rear - which I still do not understand why dealers are selling them when OME recommends 895 springs for the rear which are paired with their shocks. 889 springs are too long for the shocks resulting in a bit harsher ride. At least that is what the ARB and Mudify both told me.

 

Its pretty firm front and rear. The 2889 springs are 10mm longer than the 2895 but I think the shock has plenty of travel for that spring. Hence why it's so common.

889 lift height is around 3" with medium load.
895 lift height is around 2.5" with medium load.

Right now I have the 2887s in the front to counter the extra weight from the bumper, winch and skids.
2889 in the back. This gives me about 3" of lift at all four corners.

If I had to do it again I’d stick with springs to stay around 2.5" of lift with the added weight.(2885 Front/ 2895 Rear)

Another option to consider is the Dobinson IMS. But its hard to argue with the track record that OME has.

 

https://trail4runner.com/2022/03/14/arb-old-man-emu-ome-lift-kits-for-5th-gen-toyota-4runner/

Here's a good write up on OME from Trail 4R.
It includes some guidelines on what springs to get as well.