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Bilstein vs Old Man Emu Shocks

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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 08:31 AM
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Default Bilstein vs Old Man Emu Shocks

I have decided to go with OME 2934 Coils and CS033RB Springs (1 spring removed) for the lift with SST 30's on Pro Comp wheels (lower unsprung weight than 31's) on my 93 2-Door W/Warn Trans4rmer and M8000 Winch What I'm on the fence about is shocks. Anyone have real world experience comparing Bilstein 5100 vs the OME 6000 series shocks? This is a hunting vehicle which will see 70/30, Highway/Forest Service roads.
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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 10:18 PM
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Id probly do the 5125s and choose the lighter valving if on short arms.
id cycle front end to get shock length.

Im not sure about oldman Emu shocks mainly because I think they might just be rebranded so no real clue what they are.

Emu has a following for some reason most seem happy bit I question everything especially concerning jeep freaks opinions..

I built my rear pack on a crown 7" arch pack with srb and 6" long shackle at comfy flexy angle.

Front was rough country 3" coils rode pretty rough on short arms long arm improved ride alot with Gladiator ifp fox take off shocks.

The 5125 bilstien gives you valving options short arms want lighter valving long arms heavier theres soft Medium firm valving available depending on length you need.

I liked what i Was reading on the rock krawler coils. Was going to try them myself but went a different direction.

On a xj these lift 1" less than on a tja.
If you want 3.5" order 4.5" coils

https://rockkrawler.com/tj-lj-front-coil-spring/
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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by EvanM
Id probly do the 5125s and choose the lighter valving if on short arms.
id cycle front end to get shock length.

Im not sure about oldman Emu shocks mainly because I think they might just be rebranded so no real clue what they are.

Emu has a following for some reason most seem happy bit I question everything especially concerning jeep freaks opinions..

I built my rear pack on a crown 7" arch pack with srb and 6" long shackle at comfy flexy angle.

Front was rough country 3" coils rode pretty rough on short arms long arm improved ride alot with Gladiator ifp fox take off shocks.

The 5125 bilstien gives you valving options short arms want lighter valving long arms heavier theres soft Medium firm valving available depending on length you need.

I liked what i Was reading on the rock krawler coils. Was going to try them myself but went a different direction.

On a xj these lift 1" less than on a tja.
If you want 3.5" order 4.5" coils

https://rockkrawler.com/tj-lj-front-coil-spring/
Thank you for the reply,

I'm only looking for 2 to 2 1/2 lift with 30's and the later curved LCR's to I believe, eliminate the 3 1/2 back spaced wheels rubbing the LCR's. Do you need adjustable LCR's with such a small lift?.
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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 03:59 PM
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The rockkrawler 3.5" springs would be what your after.

2-3" of lift you can get away with stock control arms but id recomend and a castor shim on each side.

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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by larryb
Thank you for the reply,

I'm only looking for 2 to 2 1/2 lift with 30's and the later curved LCR's to I believe, eliminate the 3 1/2 back spaced wheels rubbing the LCR's. Do you need adjustable LCR's with such a small lift?.
I have the old man emu 2934 on my XJ, gave me 4" of lift. I also have the cs033rb leaf springs, one leaf removed, netted about 3-3.5" , I have an extended shackle making it 4"
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Old Feb 15, 2022 | 07:51 AM
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I went with the OME shocks because Dirk from DPG told me they are built/designed/tested for the XJ whereas other manufactures make their shocks universal. I have no experience with Bilstein shocks so I can’t give you a comparison.
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Old Feb 15, 2022 | 01:15 PM
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Id have a rough time believing the old man Emu Marketing. Do I believe oldman Emu chooses one of 3 over the counter valving options yes I could believe that.

Im not one to believe words posted or said. The shocks arent tunable or valvable so my assumption is not worth buying would take further research time im not willing to investment in cheap over the counter shock bodies.
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Old Feb 15, 2022 | 05:51 PM
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I've had OME suspensions on my CJ7 and Land Rover Discovery 1 and will be installing on my XJ in a couple months. Their shocks are designed to work with their springs and for each incividual application. They're supposedly manufactured by Monroe to ARB's specifications. My OME shocked vehicles were fantastic on and off road. Highly recommend buying and using there shocks. Bilstein shocks are also great, but I have zero experience mixing OME springs with there shocks. I have had Bilsteins on a MX5, Lotus, and my RV and they are fantastic as well, just not sure how the work with OME springs.
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Old Feb 16, 2022 | 08:37 PM
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I guess I need to rethink my front springs....2930's then with OME shocks. Thank you all for your opinions....
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Old Feb 17, 2022 | 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by larryb
I guess I need to rethink my front springs....2930's then with OME shocks. Thank you all for your opinions....
I used the cs033rb springs with one leaf removed with this shackle. I have the shackle set to .5" height, and it's slightly lower than the front. Maybe 3.5". I can measure it later today. I used almost new take off shocks from a JKU (wrangler) . I think the leaf springs are going to give you 3" with one leaf removed. not 2.5.

Amazon Amazon
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Old Feb 17, 2022 | 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by mikesignal
I used the cs033rb springs with one leaf removed with this shackle. I have the shackle set to .5" height, and it's slightly lower than the front. Maybe 3.5". I can measure it later today. I used almost new take off shocks from a JKU (wrangler) . I think the leaf springs are going to give you 3" with one leaf removed. not 2.5.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Did you do a T case drop?
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Old Feb 17, 2022 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by larryb
Did you do a T case drop?
No t case drop, but I get slight vibrations from about 23 mph to about 40.
I just measured. 4 inches front and back. I have the extended shackle set to 1/2 inch, so I got 3.5 with 1 leaf removed from the cs033rb. As info the 2934 coils are specific for driver side and passenger side. The passenger side is about a half inch shorter. They sell a spacer to even them out.

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Old Feb 17, 2022 | 02:29 PM
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https://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_6025.htm
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