OME vs Billies

Im about to lift my truck, looking at either OME or Billies, doing my research I was gonna go with OME then started reading comments that OME shocks were not as smooth as Billies, anyone have any experience with this? This is my DD and will only do light (fire road) off roading, so want a smooth ride. looking at going going 2.5-3" I have a 2014 4x4 DCSB sport.
thanks

 

Neither is going to be super smooth. Unless you spend the money for Kings or Icons or the like you can expect a pretty stiff ride. I didn't mind it but if you're thinking it's going to be nice and plush with either one, think again.

 

i rock 5100's in the front and OME N182's in the rear, both ride nice and smooth. N182's also have a solid 1.2in more of travel than the rear 5100's

 

I got billies 5100 in the front at 1.75 and 5125 in the rear with 2" AAL. It rides fine. It's deff smoother on bumps than stock and this is also my DD

 

Its a truck. Billies are plenty soft for a truck. Maybe I'm just not used to driving around in Rolls Royces lol

 

Put airbag helpers in the back maybe?

 

At 75k my OEM's were shot.. Really glad Toyo tech friend was so hard core on these..After 3K miles I love them.

 

Hi Brad
I know they wont be super smooth, Im just wandering between the two which is better way to go. Im now leaning towards Billies with OME855 coils.

 

Don't think it is recommended to mix Billy's with OME coils.

Just my .02

 

same here rides great mine are set @1.75"

 

yup have my front with stock coils set at 1.75 with a 1/4in top plate spacer on driver side, with a 2in wheelers SINGLE aal and N182's in the rear. very happy with results.

 

I understand this. Just the way I read the op it sounded like he was looking for a soft ride so I wanted to make sure he understood what he was getting into. I loved the stiff feel of the OME set-up.

Gotcha. The OMEs are supposed to be tuned more to the springs but plenty of folks mix and match them.

You can, just can't use any of the adjustable settings above .85

 

I've had both and I prefer OME.

I had 5100's paired with the stock Off-Road coils and leafs, and that may have been the difference. When I replaced these with the OME kit, I had OME paired with OME - shocks, 885s, and Dakars - and I felt the OME kit rode much better.

One thing to note, I do occasionally get that bottoming-out clunk in the front when going over some speed bumps slowly. It is very rare, but it is something to keep in mind.

 

probably just the springs moving on the lower seats a lil.

 

Over Speed Bump Goes Clank

 

I too have a 2014 TRD Sport DCSB 4X4. I recently sold what was basically the same truck but a 2007 model year. The 2007 had 5100s. Both trucks were daily drivers. The 2007 with the 5100s was a better riding vehicle. It was not a soft ride; it was firm but very smooth. The truck handled and rode much better after installing the Bilsteins. The same time I installed the 5100s I also added Michelin LTX MS2 tires. It is difficult to say how much of the improvement was the shocks and how much was the tires.

I want my 2014 to ride better. I'm going to add the Michelin tires soon. As far as shocks, I've been asking myself, if I got such a large improvement with $300 shocks, would I get any more if I spent more on ICON shocks. I'm still in the data gathering mode though. I'd be interested in your thoughts on the 5100s if you go in that direction. Like I said, I thought they were great.

 

I have a 2014 DCSB Sport that I just put 5100's in set at .85 with OME 885 coils and Dakar leafs the back. If you talk to bilsten they will tell you that their 5100 is only designed for the stock coil, and you get the same story from the guys at ARB when asking about the OME setup. I did however get out of one of the techs that it will work just fine. Plate bumper is going on next hence the .85 setting to prevent sagging in the front end. ride is better than stock not near as soft and floaty as oem feels firm and very controlled.

 

Why didn't you get 886's instead of preloading 885's if you plan on a plate bumper ?

 

I wanted the ability to adjust the preload/ lift if needed. At the time I had not decided if I wanted to do a bumper either.

 

or 887's