Old Man Emu suspension kit

[POD]

I'm planning on fitting new springs and shocks to the 130 as the rear end is quite sagged and the original shocks are pretty tired, planning on lifting maybe 40-50mm above standard height to improve tyre clearance and ramp-over angle also. Have already fitted a Tom Woods double-cardan front shaft in preparation for this.
Was looking up Bilstein and Koni part numbers and prices today, and came across some old threads on Aulro that recommended Old Man Emu as a better option. I've requested a quote from OME for the heavy-duty kit they sell for the 130. Wondering if anyone has any experience with this setup, good or bad? Will be comparing against either Bilstein or Koni Raid shocks, plus springs from LRA. The OME kit includes springs and shocks, plus caster correction bushes which I won't be using.

[CraigE]

OME are crap for Defenders and have a rep of breaking mounting rings, I would go Koni or Billies. I have had all 3 on various vehicles.
I looked at the OME kit and it was ridiculously priced.
I went Billies on my Defender with King Springs. I bought the Billies from Shock warehouse in the US and 1/2 price to buying here inc US air freight and were at my door in 4 days. King springs I got from Coventry's (ask for trade price).
By doing this I purchased the shocks, springs and polyairs for around the same price as just buying the shocks in Australia, King Springs and Polyairs bought in Australia.
Then if you want them fitted you can double the price.
I had Koni adjustables on my old RR and they are the best but a lot more expensive and then there are the ultimate Koni Raids.
Not hard to fit.
Cheers
CraigE

[Drover]

Just fitted a set of Raids on the rear, replacing TerraFirma Expeditions. The differece is substantial.

As once (or twice) said you get what you pay for.

[ugu80]

What I found when I went suspension shopping was that OME cater for touring with the kitchen sink crowd, i.e. they only do firm. Also, I wasn't after a lift, just comfort. I ended up with Dobinsons (springs and shocks) with a mild 25mm lift. They have spring rates to suit whatever you are after. Shop around and you will get what you want at probably a better price and/or quality.

[Reads90]

OME are crap for Defenders and have a rep of breaking mounting rings, I would go Koni or Billies. I have had all 3 on various vehicles.
I looked at the OME kit and it was ridiculously priced.
I went Billies on my Defender with King Springs. I bought the Billies from Shock warehouse in the US and 1/2 price to buying here inc US air freight and were at my door in 4 days. King springs I got from Coventry's (ask for trade price).
By doing this I purchased the shocks, springs and polyairs for around the same price as just buying the shocks in Australia, King Springs and Polyairs bought in Australia.
Then if you want them fitted you can double the price.
I had Koni adjustables on my old RR and they are the best but a lot more expensive and then there are the ultimate Koni Raids.
Not hard to fit.
Cheers
CraigE

Sorry totally disagree and have had OME's on three 90's I have had

One was a winch challenge trucks and they took a beating with no problems

And still have them on my 90 which has been 45,000ks around Australia on all the worst tracks with out a problem

[uninformed]

This might be worth a read regarding springs and rates:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/189656-understanding-spring-rates.html

As far as shocks go, Koni raids are going to be about the best bolt on shock, but wont allow for much extra travel over stock.

[nugge t]

I agree with Reads90.

Had OME shocks on my 110 which was a tourer...no kitchen sink but went more places than most in some of the remotest and harshest conditions including cross desert.

The shocks took an absolute hammer. So much so that the paint turned from yellow to burnt black and the shocks still worked perfectly. Pretty sure I posted pics in my 110 build thread.

No broken mount rings either and they did over 50,000kms. Changed them just to be on the safe side before going on another trip for a new set of OME's and used the old ones as spares. Another 25,000kms and still no broken mount rings.

That the shocks still worked perfectly after getting that hot was a pretty good recommendation for me.

[blitz]

I bought my 94 disco in 95 put OME under it straight off - they have worked perfectly and I have clocked up 300 000km on her.

It is just starting to sag on one side - far as I'm concerned i could not have asked for more than that

[POD]

Got a reply to my price enquiry on the OME suspension kit, $1968.00, back to plan A at this stage which is Koni Raids, and springs from LRA. LRA are happy to trial-and-error the springs until they're 'just right', and the Konis can be adjusted, so should be difficult to go wrong that way.

[steane]

Got a reply to my price enquiry on the OME suspension kit, $1968.00, back to plan A at this stage which is Koni Raids, and springs from LRA. LRA are happy to trial-and-error the springs until they're 'just right', and the Konis can be adjusted, so should be difficult to go wrong that way.

Exactly what I did after trying a few other options that either broke or were too harsh.

I went with orange/yellow 270lb rears and pink 180lb fronts. Has close to standard ride height with bb winch and dual rear wheel carrier. If I was super fussy I'd get LRA to order a custom 240lb rear set to get the ride spot on. Run airbags in the rear but havent needed them.

Havent been on a trip with the Raids yet, but on-road they've made a substantial difference so looking forward to trying them out on some corrugations.:cool:

[ThorneGator]

Just fitted a set of Raids on the rear, replacing TerraFirma Expeditions. The differece is substantial.

As once (or twice) said you get what you pay for.

Drover, I was curious about the Terra Firma Big Bore's. Are these what you had, and not very impressive I take it?
@Drover

[CraigE]

Sorry totally disagree and have had OME's on three 90's I have had

One was a winch challenge trucks and they took a beating with no problems

And still have them on my 90 which has been 45,000ks around Australia on all the worst tracks with out a problem

Great that you have had no issues. I have seen 4 OME shocks on Defenders broken at the shock mount top rears and heard of several more. Had them on my Disco and Nissan Patrol and found them way to hard. They are also way overpriced with the last quote I got for my Defender prior to settling on Billies. Re-considered after a few horror stories and seeing a failure first hand.

[n plus one]

Any differences in the shock mount angles between 90/110/130s?

FWIW, I understand that ONE recently re-specced it's Defender two inch lifted package to improve down travel (which it previously limited).

[460cixy]

Any differences in the shock mount angles between 90/110/130s?

FWIW, I understand that ONE recently re-specced it's Defender two inch lifted package to improve down travel (which it previously limited).


About time there front shocks are way to short

[nugge t]

Great that you have had no issues. I have seen 4 OME shocks on Defenders broken at the shock mount top rears and heard of several more. Had them on my Disco and Nissan Patrol and found them way to hard. They are also way overpriced with the last quote I got for my Defender prior to settling on Billies. Re-considered after a few horror stories and seeing a failure first hand.

Very much a ford/holden, coopers/BFG type discussion I suspect. The failures never admit to hard driving or hitting pot holes at excessive speed.

I know I have hit a hole going way too fast which split the bead on the tyre where it pinched against the rim but the OME was fine. Top mounts don't fail by themselves so it does beg the question of what caused it given others have had good experiences.

[steane]

Am I right in saying that the OME shocks are made by Monroe in Australia?

[460cixy]

I believe so . Nothing wrong with there shocks just not suited well to there application on a coil sprung land rover I have used them with out failure but found the lenth too short on the front even there +2" with standard springs

[CraigE]

Very much a ford/holden, coopers/BFG type discussion I suspect. The failures never admit to hard driving or hitting pot holes at excessive speed.

I know I have hit a hole going way too fast which split the bead on the tyre where it pinched against the rim but the OME was fine. Top mounts don't fail by themselves so it does beg the question of what caused it given others have had good experiences.

Absolutely agree with the Holden v Ford type philosophy, that of course does not mean things dont just fail. I am sure it happens with a lot of products. I know I have given my Billies and previously Konis a hard time without any issues. I have not had an OME fail breaking the mount but did have bush failures.
Have never heard bad stories about Billies or Konis. To have a mounting ring fail is unacceptable. Though the last one I saw was about 4 years ago and from what I can gather there were some application issues that the rear shocks may have not been manufactured to the correct spec or there was metal fatigue. Someone else may be able to confirm.
I know I was very close to getting them fitted to my Defender, but the price was ridiculous.

[dieselsniffer]

where are OME shocks made?

[Floydo]

I have new original springs on my 130. With Koni Heavy Tracks. Only get raids if you are a tour operator and spend most of your time off road . That's the only way to justify the price. You can get 4x Koni Heavy Tracks for less than the price of 2x raids . plus konis are fully rebuildable.

[gromit]

where are OME shocks made?

Monroe Factory Tour - Monroe Shock Absorbers (https://www.monroe.com.au/trade-corner/monroe-factory-tour.html)

Colin

[INter674]

Absolutely agree with the Holden v Ford type philosophy, that of course does not mean things dont just fail. I am sure it happens with a lot of products. I know I have given my Billies and previously Konis a hard time without any issues. I have not had an OME fail breaking the mount but did have bush failures.
Have never heard bad stories about Billies or Konis. To have a mounting ring fail is unacceptable. Though the last one I saw was about 4 years ago and from what I can gather there were some application issues that the rear shocks may have not been manufactured to the correct spec or there was metal fatigue. Someone else may be able to confirm.
I know I was very close to getting them fitted to my Defender, but the price was ridiculous.

I've had a number of Billies leak ...two brand new after the Simpson crossing but others for no good reason. They still worked ok but the weep remained visible. OMEs on the same trip on Son's car were.. well useless..throw aways on return. Re the Billies a rep at Agfest told me to return them for examination etc..which given the freight cost etc I did not bother.

My boys etc buy Fox or equivalent type..pref US made..and have no issues whatsoever. Poor man buys twice?