Ride quality of OME vs Ironman vs Stock

Hey all, new member here after having Samurais and Sidekicks. I posted a pic of my Sidekick in the introduction forum. It had an OME lift and it was STIFF. In fact one of the main reasons I decided to get a Liberty. I realize these Jeeps are totally different vehicles, but have been reading everyone recommending the OME or Ironman 2.5" lift kits.

We are in our early 60's and don't need a buckboard ride anymore. Can someone give input on either of these kits ride quality compared to stock? We mainly do desert trails here in the Nevada high desert. Thanks in advance.

Either will be a HUGE improvement over stock and ride 50 times better than the Sammy did. If you want the best ride ever just go with the JBA adjustable coilover. I've ran Ironman/ OME / and the JBA coilover and they all have their benefits. Ironman rides and handles a little better some say. When I tested it it felt somewhat smoother on bumps/ cracks in the road than the OME. BUT then I really liked the ride of the OME.
Maybe see if there is anyone in your area that is running either setup. Ask on here and LOST and see, that way you can check each one out.
Noneof the setups I had on mine gave a buck board ride. Well except when it was brand new, with 209,000 miles mine rides better than it did with 100 miles:icon_lol:

If age matters I love my OME but Tommod has gave good reviews on the Ironman as well as OME. Pm him I'm sure he'll help you out.

Ok Tom this is getting freaky every time I go to post on you bingo there you are beating me to the punch.

Thanks guys, actually I had put YJ springs on my Sammy years ago, and it didn't ride too bad for what it was. The Sidekick is the one I can't seem to get a tolerable ride out of, not to mention lack of power even though I put a larger (155 hp 2.3) engine in it.

Anyway, I just got the KJ today and drove it home 70 miles from Reno on I-80 and it was a Cadillac at 75 compared to the Sidekick which would have been screaming for mercy. The coil-overs are sweet, but more than I really need to spend on something that won't get driven much. The KJ will be mainly our motor home toad and desert toy. So, I need the lift for clearance. If I can keep the ride as good as stock, I will be happy. If it is is better, I will be ecstatic!

I have the iron man 2.5" set up and it's amazing. Don't even need to slow down one little bit over railway crossings. The highway ride is caddy like and it handles the trails with easy. I'm very happy with my purchase.

Alan

X2 on the iron man. Not as much lift but the ride is fantastic. It's funny to watch my passengers cringe before pot holes and rail road tracks then suddenly be surprised and relieved when it barely made a bump.

Also >>> 60 I have OME (springs and shocks) on a basically stock Libbey, ride is much improved.

FWIW - a couple other things help the ride - good swaybar bushings - poly and keep lubed. Tires - I've had 3 different sets and all 3 rode different. (stock size). Tire pressure.

I do NOT do heavy off roading anymore, but a lot of hiway and 2 track. Ride for me is very important, off road capability is 2nd.

I did a Wrangler YJ years ago - OME, greasbale shackles, poly bushings and it's ride was light years better.

The only buckboard ride I got was from a spacer lift....one large pothole will jar your teeth and that of your passengers also....

Does the Ironman lift give a true 2.5"? What is the largest tire size you can run with it? Thanks for all the input!

SeventyGTX said:

Does the Ironman lift give a true 2.5"? What is the largest tire size you can run with it? Thanks for all the input!

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Ironman adds 2.25 inches, OME 2.5 without any extras.
If you want 2.5 and Ironman use a clevis lift to get you to that height, only have to use a small amount
245-75-16 can be used at that height and pound over the pinch weld in the rear of the front wheelwell.

One more vote here for OME being far superior to stock. Actually, I have a hybrid set up - OME 927's with Ironman shocks up front, all Ironman in the rear. The ride is excellent. Easily 10x better than stock. I was worried the 927's would ride like a 1-ton truck but they are very comfortable. Honestly I wouldn't mind if they were a little stiffer.

With a 1/4" clevis and 1/4" top plate I'm sitting right at 2.5" of lift all settled in.

tommudd said:

Ironman adds 2.25 inches, OME 2.5 without any extras.
If you want 2.5 and Ironman use a clevis lift to get you to that height, only have to use a small amount
245-75-16 can be used at that height and pound over the pinch weld in the rear of the front wheelwell.

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My Sidekick has Duratracs in that size on it. Had to do some pinch weld "messaging" on it too. I will have to get new wheels as the Limited model stockers are chrome 17's". I'm going to have to search and find out what a clevis lift is. Thanks for all the help!

Your front shocks slide down into a " clevis that then bolts to the LCA. You can gain some height just by leaving the bottom of the shock up out of the clevis a small amount. Leaving it up say 3/8 of an inch gives you 3/4 inches of lift. If you want less then only raise it say 1/8 inch
Duratracs are good overall tires IMO, have over 80,000 miles on mine now. I think they would easily go 90,000 or more but with winter coming on its time for new ones

tommudd said:

Your front shocks slide down into a " clevis that then bolts to the LCA. You can gain some height just by leaving the bottom of the shock up out of the clevis a small amount. Leaving it up say 3/8 of an inch gives you 3/4 inches of lift. If you want less then only raise it say 1/8 inch
Duratracs are good overall tires IMO, have over 80,000 miles on mine now. I think they would easily go 90,000 or more but with winter coming on its time for new ones

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Thanks again Tom. Yep, they wear like iron, but had no idea they wore THAT well. I only have around 15-17k on mine (not 100% sure because of the tire diameter throwing the speedo off) and they still look like new. Are yours load range C? Mine are C's except the spare is an E because I got it cheap off ebay. I'm sure E's would ride a bit rougher.

You dont always have to pound in the pinch welds. Mine clear easily by a good inch or so with 245/75r16 new Duratracs. Speaking of Duratrac's - Tom in an example that if you properly maintain air pressure and rotate frequently you can make Duratrac's last a long time. BUT - I've seen people just wear the hell out of them in 20,000...