Correct OME springs for winch install

[mercdudecbr600]

I'd like a slightly taller but not overly stiff lift on my KJ - a true 1 to 1.5" lift. So I ordered ARB 2925 front and 2947 rear (backordered at the moment). But now I've got a line on a detours winch mount and I'd like to add a winch to the front. Should I go up on the front springs to 2926 to account for the extra weight?
thanks for the advice.

 

[tommudd]

Lot depends on winch weight, what you are using as far as steel or synthetic line etc
I would go lower than 927s personally with the extra weight of the Detours and winch

925s at 350 lb or even 926s at 375 is just not enough over time

 

[Doing10to20]

I'd like a slightly taller but not overly stiff lift on my KJ - a true 1 to 1.5" lift. So I ordered ARB 2925 front and 2947 rear (backordered at the moment). But now I've got a line on a detours winch mount and I'd like to add a winch to the front. Should I go up on the front springs to 2926 to account for the extra weight?
thanks for the advice.

If it was me I wouldnt go lower than 927s but the diesel springs would be my 1st choice then the winch weight wouldn't be an issue

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Going too big on the spring rate is an excellent way to make the ride stiff, which is not what I want. But okay, input taken - Go bigger.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Been running 927s on mine with the Backbone and a Warn M8000 for years - no issues, rides great and has great flex. I wouldn't go stiffer.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Been running 927s on mine with the Backbone and a Warn M8000 for years - no issues, rides great and has great flex. I wouldn't go stiffer.

How does it ride compared to stock? And, did you install the heavy springs all the way around or just up front?

 

[tommudd]

Going too big on the spring rate is an excellent way to make the ride stiff, which is not what I want. But okay, input taken - Go bigger.

Point is you need a 927 inch daring's at least.
925s and 926s will never last under normal daily driving


never did find out winch weight, what kind is being throw into it
Makes a way big difference on what to run
run

As the 927s being to stiff, have you ever driven anyone's who fit winch . steel bumper etc on it not have a bumper and winch
have you ever rode in one with these springs without ARB with winch and steel cable
I did for 30-40,000 miles , not an issue

 

[tommudd]

How does it ride compared to stock? And, did you install the heavy springs all the way around or just up front?

927 front, 948 rears
Ride will be 30 times better than new stock\stock KJ springs and shocks are joke

 

[mercdudecbr600]

927 front, 948 rears
Ride will be 30 times better than new stock\stock KJ springs and shocks are joke

Does that mean it's stiffer, softer, better offroad, better onroad, etc???

And no I've never had the opportunity to ride in a modded KJ - not a lot near me that I've seen.

 

[Doing10to20]

Does that mean it's stiffer, softer, better offroad, better onroad, etc???

And no I've never had the opportunity to ride in a modded KJ - not a lot near me that I've seen.

If you dont add any extra weight up front there is a chance you could find it to be a bit stiff...some people do some dont,if your adding a winch ,winch plate ,bumper ect. You need the stiffer springs because they can handle the extra weight. So at that point it wont be as bouncy or stiff because you got extra weight moving up and down. Or just go with you're orginal plan of 926 and see how long they last..could work for you ,dont know what to tell ya

 

[mercdudecbr600]

If you dont add any extra weight up front there is a chance you could find it to be a bit stiff...some people do some dont,if your adding a winch ,winch plate ,bumper ect. You need the stiffer springs because they can handle the extra weight. So at that point it wont be as bouncy or stiff because you got extra weight moving up and down. Or just go with you're orginal plan of 926 and see how long they last..could work for you ,dont know what to tell ya

My original plan was 925 up front-that’s what arb recommends and what seemed to fit my needs. But after deciding on a winch and detours winch plate, I figured 926 was necessary to handle the weight.

I know 927 is typically recommended on this forum but I’m really worried that they’d be too stiff for my use. I’ve had bad experiences with too stiff suspension in the past.

I guess what I’m hoping is that someone can explain to me how the ride changes with the heavier ome springs... not just that it’s “better”.

 

[Doing10to20]

My original plan was 925 up front-that’s what arb recommends and what seemed to fit my needs. But after deciding on a winch and detours winch plate, I figured 926 was necessary to handle the weight.

I know 927 is typically recommended on this forum but I’m really worried that they’d be too stiff for my use. I’ve had bad experiences with too stiff suspension in the past.

I guess what I’m hoping is that someone can explain to me how the ride changes with the heavier ome springs... not just that it’s “better”.

It's not about better it's about what can handle what you want to add to the front of the jeep...you can out a winch on with 925 and it will ride great for a while but then the springs will start to sag amd the ride will suck with 927 or higher you'll handle the weight and have the ride you need to handle the offroading akd daily driving with the extra weight...any after market lift suspension is gonna ride stiffer than stock you gonna bounce and feel bumps more..it is what it is

 

[mercdudecbr600]

It's not about better it's about what can handle what you want to add to the front of the jeep...you can out a winch on with 925 and it will ride great for a while but then the springs will start to sag amd the ride will suck with 927 or higher you'll handle the weight and have the ride you need to handle the offroading akd daily driving with the extra weight...any after market lift suspension is gonna ride stiffer than stock you gonna bounce and feel bumps more..it is what it is

So is the consensus that 926 are too soft for a winch in the front with a winch mount (no ARB bumper)?

 

[tommudd]

YES

 

[p14175]

Just an FYI. I purchased an OME suspension last July and it took close to 3 months for delivery. Keeping that in mind I have a used OME CRD lift kit for winch and ARB bumper gathering dust. I think that's 927 fronts and 948 rears, plus shocks and the fronts are assembled. They have about 172k miles on them. PM me if you are interested.

 

[tommudd]

Just an FYI. I purchased an OME suspension last July and it took close to 3 months for delivery. Keeping that in mind I have a used OME CRD lift kit for winch and ARB bumper gathering dust. I think that's 927 fronts and 948 rears, plus shocks and the fronts are assembled. They have about 172k miles on them. PM me if you are interested.

99% of people use 790 front springs when being used on a CRD especially with ARB front bumper and winch
I ran 790s with an ARB etc on a gasser with no issues
with 172,0000 miles on them they would pretty much be worn out

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Had an interesting discussion with ARB this morning. Could be useful info for people. According to them here are the specs for the OME KJ springs:

Front
0. Stock spring - 320#/in
1. Light spring - 375#/in 385mm height
2. Medium spring - 375#/in 392mm height
3. Heavy spring - 400#/in 394mm height, thicker coils

Rear
0. stock spring - 150#/in
1. light spring - 170#/in, 340mm height
2. Medium spring - 200#/in, 340mm height, thicker coils

To note, the light/medium springs are the same rate but the medium are taller by 1/4". Heavy are nearly the same as medium except thicker coils to get higher rate.
For people like me (concerned with ride quality), they suggested to stick with softer springs and balance out height with spacers. They also noted that some KJ's have a higher ride height than others (I assumed they meant pre-lowered 02's, like mine) and you can only expect 1/2" to 1" increase.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Lot depends on winch weight, what you are using as far as steel or synthetic line etc
I would go lower than 927s personally with the extra weight of the Detours and winch

925s at 350 lb or even 926s at 375 is just not enough over time

Sorry I didn't answer this: planning on synthetic line to help with weight.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Lot depends on winch weight, what you are using as far as steel or synthetic line etc
I would go lower than 927s personally with the extra weight of the Detours and winch

925s at 350 lb or even 926s at 375 is just not enough over time

Sorry I didn't answer this: planning on synthetic line to help with weight.

 

[p14175]

99% of people use 790 front springs when being used on a CRD especially with ARB front bumper and winch
I ran 790s with an ARB etc on a gasser with no issues
with 172,0000 miles on them they would pretty much be worn out

I think you're right about the fronts being 790s. The '05 KJ is new to me and I'm not familiar with OME part numbers and what's the best selection, so I took a guess. The 790s are 400#/in? That sounds about right. After I took off the ARB bumper and winch, the ride was horrible. I replaced the suspension with an OME CRD kit for the stock bumper and it was so much better.

 

[mercdudecbr600]

99% of people use 790 front springs when being used on a CRD especially with ARB front bumper and winch
I ran 790s with an ARB etc on a gasser with no issues
with 172,0000 miles on them they would pretty much be worn out

I think you're right about the fronts being 790s. The '05 KJ is new to me and I'm not familiar with OME part numbers and what's the best selection, so I took a guess. The 790s are 400#/in? That sounds about right. After I took off the ARB bumper and winch, the ride was horrible. I replaced the suspension with an OME CRD kit for the stock bumper and it was so much better.

I think the 790s are 500#/in. The HD gas = medium Diesel, which is 400#/in. The medium gas = the light diesel, which is 375#/in.