Old Man Emu - Which one?

[Cali-Disco]

I just bought a Fleetwood Evolution E3 trailer. I took it out over the weekend and the Disco pulled it very nice. The only problem is the backend went down about 5+ inches under the load. I knew I would have this problem and have been looking into replacing all the springs and shocks with Old Man Emu ones. My question is... how is the ride quality? It is possible I will need to get the Heavy Duty coils so that the back end doesn't sag too bad or at all when towing, but being that I will obviously be driving around without a load more than with, I am just not sure about how the ride quality will change and if it is wise to do this.

I have about 45,000 miles on this disco already and was getting ready to change out the shocks anyway so if anyone could give me a heads up I would appreciate it.

Also this doesn not have the SLS, no airbags....it is the S model.

Thanks.

[Funrover]

Get the HD OME's you will be happy!! I have the HD's on my Rangie and the ride is great!! and when I pull my camper it may sag abotu 1/2" or so!!

[p76rangie]

If you are happy with the ride at the moment (except with the trailer on), just get airbag inserts that go inside the rear springs. One brand is polyairs, but there are others. You just increase the pressure in them for the times you have something heavy in the back and don't destroy the ride the rest of the time.

[Funrover]

you have more faith in air than me.......

[DiscoAmigo]

I've got the OME 763 springs in the rear that hold up real well to heavy loads. My rear end drops about 1 inch with a coleman popup attached and gear loaded in the back. The ride is comfortable loaded and unloaded. Not much difference from stock as I recall. But be prepared to gain about a 2" lift, and that means matching the lift up front too.

[Disco Mike]

I would suggest the 751 front springs and the 763 extra HD rear coils that will hold an extra 440 pounds over stock. Match them up with OME's HD shocks and steering stabilizer.
Good luck.
Mike

[Cali-Disco]

Thanks for your responses.

I have a couple other questions. Is this something I can do myself or should I have it done? I have a place about 15 miles away (Huntington Service Center) that can get me out the door for about $1300 with everything including the steering stabilizer. It was recommended by Britishpacific.com. Although I am mechanically inclined, I also have the theory "if you can pay someone else for their expertise and wisdom sometimes it's worth it" - I guess maybe that answers my question.

Also if I go with a 763 on the rear and 751 up front will the truck be level? It is possible I may get an ARB front winch bumper in the next year, so maybe I need the heavier duty upfront? How about the 766 will that be harsh?

Are there easy ways of leveling if I go with a mismatch ie; spacers?

Sorry for all the questions, Thanks for all the help.

[01001010]

Originally Posted by Cali-Disco

Sorry for all the questions, Thanks for all the help.

It's what the boards are here for brotha...no need to be sorry.

About doing it yourself...

1) Is your driveway level or at an incline?

2) Do you have a 3+ ton floor jack and jack stands?

3) Do you have a vise?

[HMBRover]

I'm running OME 779s in front and OME 763s in the rear along with OME shocks and love 'em. The ride is a bit stiffer than stock but it corners well and has a solid feel. Last week I had 300+ lbs of camping gear in the back and didn't even know it was there.

I'm still running the stock steering stabilizer but will probably go with the OME when I increase tire size.

If you currently have coils all round (which it sounds like you do) then it's a pretty easy chore to change over to OME. You'll need jack stands, a good floor jack, a socket set and torque wrench and a bottle jack. I also used spring compressors on the front but they are optional.

With my setup, the truck is level although I did swap the springs in the rear to make it so. OME springs come in A/B pairs with the A springs a bit longer than the B. Their instructions say to put the A springs on the driver's side but on the '04 Disco this results in a lean to the right. I swapped the rear springs so the A was on the passenger side and it sets level within 1/8 inch. The alternative is to order all A springs or all B springs then you don't have to fuss with it.

My install includes one LR spring isolator on the rears. You can add a second one if you need an additional 1/2 inch or add them to the front if required.

[p76rangie]

Originally Posted by Funrover

you have more faith in air than me.......

Polyairs have been around a long time and they have proved to be very durable in such circumstances. There is no need to put in heavy springs for the occassional load carrying.

http://www.polyair.com.au/

[skikir]

you may want to try something like this.

http://www.truckspring.com/VSearchResults2.aspx?cID=741

I put some helper air springs on my dodge Dakota and am amazed at how well they work. I've carried 2000 ponds with no sag and very comfortable ride and that is not a big truck.

[Disco Mike]

[quote=Cali-Disco]Thanks for your responses.

I have a couple other questions. Is this something I can do myself or should I have it done? I have a place about 15 miles away (Huntington Service Center) that can get me out the door for about $1300 with everything including the steering stabilizer. It was recommended by Britishpacific.com. Although I am mechanically inclined, I also have the theory "if you can pay someone else for their expertise and wisdom sometimes it's worth it" - I guess maybe that answers my question.

Also if I go with a 763 on the rear and 751 up front will the truck be level? It is possible I may get an ARB front winch bumper in the next year, so maybe I need the heavier duty upfront? How about the 766 will that be harsh?

Are there easy ways of leveling if I go with a mismatch ie; spacers?

Hear is a chart I copied which will give you a little better idea of the difference in each spring and its load rating.
For apx. $675 you can buy all the OME stuff you need and with the help of a friend and a jack you could do it all in under 3 hours.
If your are interested in ordering, call Tony at Cerrones, at 650-365-4145.
Mike


Discovery Series II

Part No.


Axle


Rate (lbs./in.)


Recommended
Application


Length (DS)


Length
(PS)


Resulting
Lift




776


Front


160


Light Duty (under 44 lbs.)


16.2"


15.4"


2"




777


Front


180


Medium Duty (44 lbs. to 110 lbs.)


15.6


14.8"


2"


Add to cart

779


Front


220


Heavy Duty (110 lbs. to 250 lbs.)


16.2"


15.2"


2"


Add to cart

781


Rear


290


Medium/Heavy Duty (unspecified)


16.7"


16.3"


2"


Add to cart

762


Rear


300-340


Heavy Duty (220 lbs.)


16.5"


16.1"


2"


Add to cart

763


Rear


360


Extra Heavy Duty (440 lbs.)


16.5"


16.1"


3"


Add to cart

[Cali-Disco]

Well I went to Huntington and spoke with the owner, which actually gave me a very wild ride around Pasadena in his Disco with medium OME's. He also suggested since I wouldn't be pulling this trailer full time that the HD or XHD's would be too much. After flying over and throug about 10 or so dips at about 40-50mph, I realized my stock Disco would definitely not be able to handle as well as his did. So I am thinking mediums all around and some helper springs. That way I have it when I need it and still get a decent ride.

Thanks for the help. When I get things going I'll post to let everyone know how it works out.

[Disco Mike]

I bet 90% of the people that put on lifts use the 779 and a 762, it is by no means harsh. If you think you have to go to the light duty coils, then save your money cause you will not gain anything but a small lift and a mushy ride.
Mike

[Cali-Disco]

Now harsh to me is going down one of these SoCal freeways in an F250 4x4 at about 75+mph and when you hit the bad stretches (sectioned but unlevel concrete freeway) you feel like your head is going to fall off or at least your brain is going to be bruised. If anyone has had that experience than please offer a comparative.
Now its quite possible that he may have meant the 779/762, he never actually mentioned any #'s (He was more interested in talking about my trailer, than anything else). I noticed OME doesn't have a "light" coil, they pretty much go from Med to XHD. I guess I will have to get the particulars to know what model # the guy actually had on his truck. Either way it felt better than my current set up, so it would be an improvement.