Kings v OME

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

I have a 2009 120 series diesel Prado. I intend to raise it 2" and fit a ARB steel bull bar, winch and duel battery. All in all about 100+ kg on the nose. After months of research and total confusion I have emerged with two options. King springs or ARB OME. As it turns out OME are made by Kings to ARB's spec's. I am after a good ride but the hight to get me out of trouble when needed. I have two questions if I may. 1) Which would be the better set up Kings or OME? 2) Kings have a 'H' 680 lb spring and a 'HD' 800 lb. Apparently the 'H' is a longer spring but settles to the same hight as the 'HD'. Add 100 kg plus and you get a further 5mm drop with the 'H' below the 'HD'. Question here is has anyone seen a comparison between the two with the weight on? 3) I believe the Bilstein's have an adjustable ring that could give me additional lift thus making up for the 5mm loss with the 'H' - is this fact or fiction? If all the above is true then I could achieve a softer ride with the same lift as a heavy duty spring.

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Not sure on all the figures, you seem to have done a bit of homework.

Its all about a bit of give and take, if you want a big lift on a 50mm raise you will suffer a bit on ride comfort. If you have constant weight front and back its can be similar eg F- Bullbar, winch, battery R- Drawers, recovery gear, fridge, cargo barrier.

I had my 120 raised with HD springs but removed all the rear gear when not using it and it was rough over speedhumps and pot holes. Initially i had lower rate spring in the back and when loaded and going round a roundabout it actually lifted one of the front wheels (changed within 2 weeks of fitting to HD), my 120 lifted from stock and 3 years on standard susp nearly 100mm all round, this settled to 70-80mm over time and it was noticably a higher vehicle than i have now.

My 150 also has Bilstein/ridepro HD spring combo but its not near the height my 120 was. The ride is definately firmer over stock but very good over bumps and corrugations, i have got a decent 50mm lift over stock height with this lift thought it was only 4 weeks old when i removed the standard susp.

I dont know where you are from but if you let the forum know someone here will be able to tell you where the best place to go would be.

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Hazza

I have OME on my 150 and set it up to suit the end result of accessories no problems after 32k and have had OME for 4cars,

Works well, great warranty ( never had to use it) and support all over Aust.

Pick your setup plans and talk to your ARB dealer and I'm sure you'll be happy.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[Guest Close Guest]

This is in the wrong forum.
Have a look at the suspension database where you can theoretically evaluate different suspension components.
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsion-Database

Yes, the Bilsteins have 3 circlip groups to vary the preload on the spring, thus giving you extra lift for the same load.

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

Everyone thank you for the advise so far. Richo you seem very satisfied and confident in the OME set up. I must say having taken a 150 with OME 'HD' springs for a short run around the block driving over gutters at some speed did impress me with the comfort and ability. Add ARB backup it's hard not to head in that direction. The Kings offer a life time guarantee against breakage and also replacment if they sag 10mm+. Bilstein's apparently speak for themselves. What I'm hoping to achieve by using the Kings 'H' front spring and a medium rear is even better ride than the OME. Hopefully someone has used these springs and can enlighten me.

[pinko351 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pinko351]

I went Bilstein's and OME for the ride quality! And I'm very happy I did.

I was advised that any of the other springs would return greater lift but a firmer ride. After using the other brands in the past (on other 4Bs) and experiencing first hand the overly firm ride when not loaded I had to agree with the advise. Sure OME are know to sag over time, but I'm happy to replace in years to come and enjoy a comfortable ride in between.

Which ever way you go, be honest with the way you mainly use the 4B and spring accordingly. Use airbags for that once a year trip loaded up with 2 kitchen sinks!

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

Pinko as OME springs are made by King Springs and in more recent years (three to four I believe) Kings have changed to a high tensile steel (this also confirmed by ARB for OME) I don't believe you will have any issues with sagging. I'm interested as to why you didn't go with the OME shocks. Bilsteins certainly have the name but do you believe Bilsteins give a superior ride over OME?

[150gxl Member Find all posts View Profile Close 150gxl]

Hazza,
IMHO, if you can afford the Billies, go the Billies.
I'm restricting myself to a budget this time and gone for:
the Tough Dog foam cells front and back (I normally use Konis but can't justify the cost this time around).
King std height, normal spring rate front (KTFS101) and rear (KTRS102).
Also Airbagman bags to the rear.

My aim is to:
keep as close as possible to the standard set-up, thus avoiding the harshness the heavy springs give,
use the airbags to lift the sorry std rear end when you have full tanks, a fridge in back and a 110kg ball weight,
eliminate some of the pitching and wallowing of the std setup,
eliminate the nose dive on braking,
provide that little extra support to the front end which will carry an ECB allow bar and a dual battery system.

The suspension and bar were ordered today and will be fitted in a fortnight, to suit my programme.
This is not being done by ARB or TJM as their prices were hundreds too dear.
They were also hundreds to dear on fitting up the dual battery system/anderson plug/Tekonsha brake controller/ boot fridge power point system.

(TJM would not price a Uniden 7760nb even though it was on the shelf.
I got the old wives tale about "if your life depended on it, you'd have to buy GME" pfffft.)

HTHs

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

King std height, normal spring rate front (KTFS101) and rear (KTRS102).
Also Airbagman bags to the rear.

My aim is to:
keep as close as possible to the standard set-up, thus avoiding the harshness the heavy springs give,
use the airbags to lift the sorry std rear end when you have full tanks, a fridge in back and a 110kg ball weight,

So why not go the KTF"R"101's & 102's? You certainly wont get a harsh ride, the extra bit of lift will provide support for the Bar and Dual batts, along with the potential load in the rear, still having the airbags for when it's really needed. (just putting it out there?)

[pinko351 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pinko351]

Hazza
I have a thing right or wrong with OME in general. Bit like Ford/Holden, Toyota/Nissan. It took some time for me to agree to the OME spings but after plenty of research I decided I would give them a chance. As for their shocks, that was never going to happen! Especially when it only cost another $100 to get the bilsteins. Each to their own and only time will tell if I've done the right thing. For now very happy with the set up.

[150gxl Member Find all posts View Profile Close 150gxl]

Hi Craig,

The important thing I didn't mention, was the need to keep std height.

The missus has difficulty getting in now. Mind you, although vertically challenged, when she sees the bill come, she'll hit the roof regardless. (I've applied the 'get it done and face the consequences later' principal that I learned on this board)

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

Well after much deliberation, research, plenty of assistance form fellow Prado owners from this forum (thanks for the experience and knowledge) I have made a decision and hope it all works out. I’m going for the King springs 'H' for that extra length to oppose the weight of the winch battery and so on while keeping the ride and Bilsteins considering I’ve only heard good things and hardly a harsh word about them and the fact they also offer me the ability to adjust thus gaining additional height if the Kings 'H' sit a little lower than expected.

Next question; Does anyone know of an experienced reputable workshop that can supply fit and wheel align preferably on the south side of Brisbane? Any assistance here would be greatly appreciated.

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

Fourby's at Moorooka have been good to deal with, I have no affiliation, they've done suspension work on three of our cars, price and workmanship both good.

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

BNEGXL

Thanks for the heads up. I will call them Monday and go from there.

If there is anyone else that's had a great experience with a workshop on the south-side your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Cant beat experience and a good one at that.

Hazza

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

Hi Hazza.

I have a 150GXL manual and looking at a suspension upgrade, in the past I have gone with Konis, been happy with them but I hear the Bilstiens offer the best on-road ride. I saw your past last year:

Was wondering if you ever got this installed and are you happy with the setup, off-road / onroad ?

Regards