OME or Bilstein shocks?

hey everyone I have a 14 DCSB OR that is my daily driver. I tow a pop-up camper trailer and a utility trailer. As of right now I only get off road at my camp and it is easy trails. I live in upstate NY where pot holes are everywhere. After doing some research on what I want I have decided on a 2" lift with 884 coils and a 3 leaf progression AAL. My goal is to keep a comfortable ride because it's my DD.

Soooo to keep a comfortable ride with this lift do I want to run OME or Bilstein shocks? I would love to hear from people who have experience with both and their thoughts. Thanks

 

In for feedback.

 

I have read so many threads here where people have used Bilsteins with various OME coils, which is compelling, and a few threads where others have commented that using the Nitrochargers instead results in a better quality ride.

The latter opinions have been more compelling, because the Bilsteins are valved for stock coils and all OMEs are stiffer. Particularly '884s, at 590 lbf/in .

I still don't know why the OME shocks cost what they cost, and it's surely why Bilsteins normally get chosen.

You might ask one of the vendors here this advice.

 

Use what will work together and well; OME shocks with OME coils.

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For this use situation, "pot holes", it would be best to go Bilsteins I think. They are cheaper as decked pointed out. And also as decked alluded to OME is just an overpriced Monroe shock. Yes, Monroe manufactures the shocks for OME.

Now to be clear I have OME shocks and love them. Just about perfect for a wide range of driving surfaces on and off road. But if you are really not needing an offload shock then pointless to waste money on OME and suffer with a stiffer ride.

 

OME coils work with Bilstein or OME struts equally as well.

I have had no issues with my 5100/884 setup that has been installed for almost 20k miles.

 

I didn't mean to imply Nitrochargers are overpriced because I don't know hardly anything about them. I just want to know what their characteristics are that make them potentially a smarter choice for stiffer-than-stock front coils, which is the only characteristic I understand OME coils to be.

Speaking of OME coils and stiffer springs, shouldn't there be something that fits similarly from Moog or whomever for like $50? Read about 4Runner coils but again, they're like 600 lbs, a good 100lb too stiff for a Tacoma that's not loaded with winch and the rest.

I suppose Nitrochargers must be stiffer than 5100s in order to "keep up" with stiffer springs, which would just be jigglier with soft shocks? Is all this just worrying about angels dancing on the head of a pin?

Does Monroe offer a front Tacoma shock that's a monotube like 4600s/5100s/Nitrochargers? If not (and I don't think they do) doesn't that seem odd they'd make a special one just for someone else?

 

Great questions. Our Tacomas have coilers in the front. The relationship/pairing of the shock and spring is very important. Obviously getting an OME package where the shock is designed specifically for a spring will give results that are expected.

SPRINGS: It's the springs that absorb bumps and control body roll, not the shocks. They do so by compressing and expanding to absorb individual wheel motion. It's the springs' job to prevent the chassis from bottoming out, control the tires when traveling over bumps, and manage body roll when cornering. They control squat while accelerating and reduce diving while braking. Springs also establish the car's ride height and center of gravity, which directly affects handling. Spring rates should be selected carefully. If they're too soft, the shocks will bottom out. If they're too stiff, any given tire's contact patch won't be fully utilized when cornering. (Source: super street online)

SHOCKS: Shocks control unwanted spring oscillations and reduce vibrations caused by the wheels and chassis. When you hit a bump, the suspension's springs compress and decompress, absorb vibrations and transfer energy to the shocks through their upper mounts, into their pistons. As a result, the shocks dampen the vibrations, making that bump virtually unnoticeable. The degree to which all of this happens depends on the shock's internals: stiffer shocks slow spring movement while softer shocks do the opposite. (Source: super street online)

As you can see the two work together as a package. Many Tacoma owners who offload like adjustable shocks so they can "fine tune" the handling.

OME: Monroe has a big shock manufacturing plant in Australia where OME is located. Apparently it may (or may not be) the only shock manufacturer making shocks in that country. So unless OME wanted to manufacture their own shocks they didn't have many options, in country anyways. As I understand it the shock is totally an OME design and technology. Monroe is just the builder of the thing. Similar to how Apple Computer pays Samsung to build all their iPhone CPUs (SOCs). It's totally an Apple design but since Apple doesn't want to bud a CPU manufacturing plant they have to outsource the building of it. Monroe has a reputation for building pretty cheap shocks generally. So I find it a bit humorous - but my OMEs have worked well and are super stiff and take a beating before showing fadeout, and that's great offload. On road with an empty bed it's a bit jarring sometimes.

 

Thanks for the info everyone

 

I am very happy with my Bilstein 6112's, they come with their own springs and are adjustable like the 5100's.

 

4 door with bumper, winch, rock sliders and full skid plates? Go off Roading around twice a month but the rest of the time it's a daily driver. What would you recommend For a 2-3 inch lift?

 

Icons with Dakars in the rear

 

I opted for the Toyota OEM option (not OME), which is based on the same 6112 body. TRD designed the Baja setup to match perfectly with the Baja springs for 2" of lift. No guessing or pairing, designed and paired by TRD engineers. See the Baja link in my sig if interested.

There have been a few threads lately about the OMEs topping out to easily and causing a loud bang when expanding without an internal bump stop in situations like going over a speed bump.

 

What is your reasoning for recommending those?

 

Sounds like you wheel consistently and could use something high quality in that regards yet something that rides smooth for the street. What better than rebuildable coilovers that can be custom valved for your needs?

 

Fair enough, I haven't done any research into those. Do you have a helpful link?

 

I have bilstein 5100's and the ride is incredible. Feels like factory !

 

Good starting point for anyone wanting to lift their truck:

http://www.tacomahq.com/66/tacoma-leveling-lift-kit/

Some more links:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-lift-review-and-info.355874/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/king-vs-icon-vs-fox-racing-coilovers.203714/

There is also an "IconRep" (his actual username) on here that you can contact and I'm sure he'd be able to help

 

OME suspension with 886 coils and Dakar leafs would work well for your armor/winch situation. You could do the same setup with 5100s if you were on a strict budget, but I think most people would recommend OME Nitrocharger struts/shocks for that much weight. If you go with fully adjustable coilovers like Icon, King, or Fox, make sure you get higher rate coils to support all the weight (650 or 700 I believe?).

There are a number of great vendors on the site who are always willing to help. Headstrong, DSM, ToyTec, and Wheeler's to name a few.

 

Am I going to have to do Uca's and extended brake lines and all that noise along with it?