OME BP-51 Suspension coming in 2015?

So ready to hit that big button. Wanted to order from @HeadStrong Off-Road but they don't have them yet.

 

You don't HAVE to order from Headstrong...(playing devil's advocate)...JUST GET IT DONE ALREADY so we all can live vicariously through you!!

 

I did find one that had free shipping and no tax...

 

Nothing 2nd gen specific that I've seen.... but I have no reason to expect this setup would be any different on a 2nd gen compared to the vehicles in the first post in this thread.

 

Mine are being installed on the 24th.

 

Where'd you get em from? and "being installed", by a shop? Come on DIY!

 

By the time these have been tried and proven and the price hopefully drops a bit I'll be in the market for a suspension overhaul.

 

Mule Expedition Outfitters in Issaquah, Wa. I believe they still have one of the two sets that ARB sent them. As of the day I purchased, only sixteen sets were sent to the U.S. and the two for Mule had just arrived in Portland that morning (26th of April). Mule is doing the install.
In this case, doing it myself would not be doing it right!

 

I doubt the price will ever drop. This system is more advanced than Kings or Icons and are about equal in price point. Might see some sales though. Maybe some group buys!

 

It is a real disappointment that the rear shocks will still limit Dakar down travel (topping out). 2 inches of down travel loss is a lot, compared to other shocks (Bilstein 6112, for one) in the same application.

Therefore, I'm off the BP-51. A real disappointment, and a waste of money IMO. Until ARB/OME get their shit together on true performance, I'm off them, especially at this price. If I'm offroad, I need my tires on the ground.

 

I haven't heard anything about a loss of down travel.
Arb states a minimum of 2 inches down travel.
I feel like I'm missing something...?
I have to admit, I assumed they were extended travel. Searching all over the net, I can't find any actual specs.

 

Yep you are missing a couple somethings. I scoured ARB literature for specs, and they provide all sorts of information. However, nowhere do they say extended travel, not sure where you got that. Also, nowhere do they provide actual extended and compressed shock lengths for the BP-51s, which, frankly, is one of the primary concerns every modder should have when planning a lift to maximize performance benefit and minimize chance of damaging components.

@Crom did some real homework at the suggestion of another member and compared the extended and compressed measurements of his OME Nitrochargers against Bilstein 6112s, both applied to Dakars.

The Bilsteins allowed the Dakars to droop 2 inches farther than the OME shocks. He provided measurements of both brands of shocks.

Earlier in this thread, I ask Dan at Wheeler's Offroad to measure the actual lengths of the BP-51 rear shocks he received from ARB. He did, and they are essentially the same as the Nitrochargers within a few fractions of an inch.

This is the basis of my conclusion. If I am off road in a 4x4 DCLB without a locker, I want my damn tires articulating and hanging down to touch the good earth as much as possible to maintain traction. If OME are "experts" and can't figure out how to apply to their own suspension component to provide maximum benefit and performance, I'm not interested.

The Dakars still provide me with what I need for load capacity and apparently flex. It's just the BP-51s that fall short. Literally.

 

Good point scocar. Can't believe I forgot about that even though I was a part of the discussion

 

Missed it somewhere. Oh well, I'm already in it now. We'll see what the results are after install. I'll try to get some flex measurements before and after. Very busy (too busy to read the entire thread Lol) so no guarantee.
Still expect a drastic improvement over stock. If we can get real specs, there maybe slim possibility of using a different model application rear shock for extended travel.
Thanks for the info.

 

Actually I gained a full 3" of wheel travel when switching to the Bilstein RCD/BE5-B110-T5 Shock.

It's really too bad OME made such a short shock for our trucks. Only reason I can think of they don't want customers to have to change out their brake lines for longer ones.

 

Hopefully @scocar will join our crew of Dakars + B110's.

 

I have no doubt it will improve the ride quality. Anything would LOL. It is just an issue regarding maximum performance against cost. If I am going to spend this much on suspension, it better shit a few golden eggs for me off the beaten path. Oh, wait, you lay eggs, not shit them.

 

Oops, thanks for the correction Nick. Watched your video last night on the front end clunk too. That was actually the first issue that had be questioning OME for 2nd gen. right after I bought the 2015 and starting giving a crap about 2nd gen probs. Love my OME on my 1st gen, had no problems. This was all a rude awakening. Also, the whole OME shocks don't fit 2015 rear axle conundrum (unless you grind the axle mounting tabs a tad).

They did seem to emphasize the plug and play virtue. But is it really a virtue...hmmmm.

Actually, I may be leaning toward Kings or Icons. We'll see. This development is clarifying my path of research.

 

Yep. I agree. Normally how I function. Flew a little loose on this decision.