OME 2" Springs - Any word yet?

[Tom Wilk]

OK, I'll admit, I'm impatient. Dead Link Removed I was wondering if anyone has heard anything from ARB concerning the 2" OME leaf springs for late model Explorers. Rick, have you talked to Fly-N-Hi lately? I'm keeping my eyes peeled. I'm hoping they hit the market soon.

Ray L, I have a question for you, since you have been testing the prototype. On the 4-door Explorer (with normal 2.5" wide springs), do the shock mounts have any type of notch for the springs, or is the surface towards the spring flat. Unfortunately, the only shock mounts I looked at during Moab were on Ray H's explorer and he has modified his a bit. I want to make sure I have everything set so that when the springs hit the market, it will all fit the first time I tear into it.

On another suspension note, I'm definately going to get some type of sway bar disconnects. I know these late model Explorers are kind of stiff WRT articulation, but they are even worse with that thick front sway bar intact. I know it doesn't take a lot of effort to unbolt them, but disconnects would make it even easier (not that I'm lazy or anything). Dead Link Removed

I had a couple of instances on the trail where I needed some momentum to get over an obstacle where there was very little weight on one of the front tires while the other one was up on a rock. Rear wheel drive was really all I had in that position (I know, a front locker would help). Had I disconnected the sway bar, I think the lower wheel would have easily dropped down onto the ground. I hope I'm being articulate enough here. tee hee. Dead Link Removed

Sorry, bad humor.


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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[NoBoundaries]

I was asking myself the same questions recently, both about disconnects and the OME leaf springs, and also about the OME shocks as well. What is the latest on the shocks and leaf'?

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Tim Y.
1996 Explorer XLT
4.0L OHV 4x4

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Tom, Tim,
I wish I could tell you something, but I can't. All I know is they are coming soon.
Tom,
My shock mounts don't have anything placing the leaf springs in any position. than is done by the spring perch on the axle. There is a hole in it that the peg on the springs go into, this aligns the axle up straight. Just so you know, when putting the springs on, you do both ends first then, let the truck down and have a jack under the springs. Jack the springs up to the axle and the peg will go right into the hole in the spring perch.
There is a guy over in Visalia CA that makes quick disconnects for the newer Explorers. they cost $117.00 + shipping. I will be ordering a set of them soon. Explorer Quick Disconnects

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[Rick]

I'll call tomorrow to find out when the springs and shocks will be available.

Ray, I never did get any good shots showing your rear end flexing. Do you have anything? Also was your rear swaybar connected or disconnected in Moab?

 

[Tom Wilk]

Thanks, Ray and Rick. I'm looking forward to having these springs in the near future. The only reason I asked about special shock mounts is because of my 3" wide springs. I was worried about there being some differences between the two systems WRT the shock mounts. I doubt if Ford would manufacture two different axles to accomodate the two different spring setups.

Also, Ray, I appreciate the link to the disconnects. Without looking, I'm assuming that those are for the front. It appears that rear disconnects might be easy to rig up using trailer hitch pins or something like that. I searched out a thread that discussed just that.

Tim, its good to see someone else interested in this.

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Paul Gagnon]

I am anxious to find out about these springs too. Ray do you have any pictures of the springs both out of the truck and installed?

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

Technically Velveeta isn't REALLY cheese... it's a cheese food...
The stuff that other cheeses eat... I guess.

 

[Rick]

I just got off the phone with the President of ARB's U.S. office.

The Old Man Emu Nitrocharger shocks are now available for the late model (torsion bar equipped) Explorers. The part number is N-16 for the front and N-17 for the rear.

The rear springs will be available in about 2 weeks. They are currently being shipped from Australia.

These products can be ordered from any ARB retail shop. They are not in stock at the local dealer level.

Also, more good news. ARB has completely re-designed it's 8.8" Airlocker. Jim assured me that this is a vastly improved unit capable of handling 33's without a problem. he said that besides heavy duty fourwheeling it is being geared towards hi-performance Mustangs used for drag racing.

------------------
Rick Horwitz
Editor
rick@4x4central.com
www.explorer4x4.com
Ricks Explorer

 

[William Schumacher]

hey Tom:
let me know how you make out with the springs,I have not done the torsion twist as of yet,I have the (D) bars up front,and wanted to get all the info on the rear,before I go ahead with it,and from what I just read from the above posts,it should work with the 2dr(3") wide monoleaf springs.
now the only other question I have is for the front ?,should I have the stronger (B) bars put on,since I have a full manik brush bar,with these spings,or will the (D) bars be ok Dead Link Removed
thanks,

------------------
Bill
'99 sport,sohc,4X4
T/A,ko's (255/70's)
kkm-true rev,superchip
bilsteins,Eaton posi rear
Amsoil syn and filters
jacobs ignition & wires
kenwood head & changer
Q-logic sub,remote start

 

[Tom Wilk]

Rick,

Thanks for contacting ARB!!! This is good news. I'm hoping that I can get these in before Pine Barrens, springs AND shocks. Dead Link Removed

That's also good news on the locker; I know a couple of people that will be pleased. i think you know them as well. Dead Link Removed

Bill, I haven't done the twist yet either. The shackles I bought from Gerald provide just enough lift to offset the rear sag that seems inherent in these late model Explorers. I did make some torsion adjustment to offset the lean, but that was less than 1/2" on one side.

I think the choice of front torsion bars is a matter of taste; do you like the ride of yours now? Does it hit the rubber snubbers when you go over the rough stuff? Keep in mind that when you do the twist, you will probably stiffen things up a bit. I have the D bars myself, though I don't have the brush guard on mine. Gerald has a brush guard, but I'm not sure which springs he has. He has also done the twist on his, about 1.5" as I recall. You might want to check with him as he has taken his Explorer over some pretty rough stuff.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Ray Lobato]

Ok,I got pictures of the springs right next to the stock springs and pictures of the install, but they are not developed yet. I bought the digital just before we went to Moab. Rick what you see on ecircles is what I have. I can go get some pictures of the truck flexing if you want. I also had the sway bars disconnected at Moab. Hey next time you talk to him, see if you can get me a OME sticker for my window. I figure since they are sponsoring me, I should have something to promote their product. Dead Link Removed It looks like I will be getting new gears and a ARB locker in the back, not really sure what to get for the front, next month. Dead Link Removed Having a hard time trying to decide between the Altas II transfer case and a tire carrier/rear bumper and winch and front winch mount combo. any suggestions? Working on a 1" body lift so I can get 33x12.5's on 15x8 wheels. Comments on the back spacing? Oh, on the new ARB locker, is their a different part number on that to distinguish the old one from the new ones? I don't want to get an old model. You could also ask them if they would give me one at cost. Dead Link Removed Well it doesn't hurt to ask.
Tom, Yes the quick disconnects are for the front.

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[mikefox]

I looked at the site for the quick disconnects. It list them for 98 and up. I have a 95 and wonder if they will fit. Anyone know if the swaybay links are the same. I know mine are around 8" long stock. I need some new links and this might be the way to go. I can get Addco links at Pep Boys for around $20+ with urethane bushings. I like the idea of quick disconnects for offroad instead of unbolting the links. Thanks for any info you can provide. Dead Link Removed

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mike fox

Dead Link Removed

 

[NoBoundaries]

Sorry about the delayed response, but this is great news, probably the best news since Trailmaster said they were making a lift, but this is even better because this we are actually able to buy! I have been waiting for these since Ray first started talking about them! Any ideas on where they will be able to be purchased, possibly online? Any idea on price? I am definitely going to put an order in for the shocks and the leaf’s as soon as I figure out where I can get them. I’d like to pick up a sticker for my window as well! Is there any chance for OME to make a full suspension lift for the Explorer? I guess they will sell the leaf’s and figure out how much of a demand there is for a lift from there, then if it goes well, they might go from there. Let’s hope that other companies are watching for the sale success of the leaf’s and try to catch a market for 95+ suspension lifts. Either was you cut it, this is really great news, and may be a start of more things to come! Until then, we can only hope, like we have always done. Thank you Rick for finding everything out, all your efforts are greatly appreciated by everyone! Also, thanks to Ray for letting us know about these things and telling us how great they are! And while I am at it, thanks to everyone their endless help and advice! Tom, interested would probably be an understatement, I have been going crazy waiting for these things!!


------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Explorer XLT
4.0L OHV 4x4

 

[Ray Lobato]

mikefox,
Are you sure they aren't 7" instead of 8"?
The disconnects he is making are 7", but he can also make them any length you want. The thing I like about his is they are stainless steel and they are real thick.

Tim,
A little excited, are we? Dead Link Removed I hope their logic is like you think, and they could come up with something for the front, but we'll see for now. What I would like to see is a front air locker for our front diff. We just have to show them that they have a market for Explorer products.

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[NoBoundaries]

Just a little. Dead Link Removed Dead Link Removed Why, it's not obvious, is it? Dead Link Removed

------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Explorer XLT
4.0L OHV 4x4

 

[Ray Lobato]

This is Tim Dead Link Removed

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[NoBoundaries]

Haha!! LOL! The funny part is that I was considering using that one in my post but I forgot to put it in! !!



------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Explorer XLT
4.0L OHV 4x4

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Any news on availability yet? Where are your pictures Ray? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! I really want a set of these springs!! That's right, I want 8" of suspension lift in the rear. As soon as I find out about these OME rear leafs I am going to have a custom set of 7" coils wound for the front. For now I will be sticking with the 33's because I am almost at my limits of how high I can lift my truck without causing damage to it (low garage door opening).

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Paul,
Sorry haven't got the film developed yet, but I will get it done this weekend, I can take a digital pic of them installed, and I have a old pic of the stock springs with the warrior shackles. We're having a pool put in and got busy with who ,how much and signing my life away for the next 10 years.

 

[Rick]

Paul, the springs are available from any ARB dealer, right now. They do need to be ordered though, the retail shops don't stock them.

 

[Tom Wilk]

Well, that's good Rick. Now, all I need to do is find an ARB dealer around here. Actually, I could order them through elsewhere, but I fear that the shipping is going to be pretty high. Oh well, I just sold the bike so I can probably afford it at least for now.

I definately need the shocks as well. I have one that squeaks and its annoying. Plus, anything is better than these stock ones.