OME on Jimny, what's the point?

I have avoided joining the conversations regarding articulation on the Gen 4 but would like to add one thing to the subject.

For those following these threads, discussing shocks and springs is obviously appropriate but there is one other thing that is often omitted. While shock and spring length are factors, another piece that should be considered is the limiting travel of the radius arms. For the Gen 3, measurements between top and bottom shock mounts have been taken by a member on another forum. These measurements were taken with springs and shocks removed and one side completely compressed (hard on bumpstops) and the other side fully extended. While this was a Gen 3 (and why I have avoided joining Gen 4 discussions), the dimensions should be similar. Even with some difference, consideration of the radius arm travel should still exist.

For the front shocks, with the sway bar removed, the fully compressed dimension for the mounts was 312mm . Fully extended, the dimension was 455mm. For the rear, those dimensions were 350mm and 455mm. In the case of a stock Gen 3, using a shock with compression and extension figures much beyond those numbers provides little benefit.

Edit: 300bhpton: While I avoid giving any public opinions about manufacturers, multiply your experience with ARB several times, and that is why I no longer do business with them.



 

zukebob wrote: I have avoided joining the conversations regarding articulation on the Gen 4 but would like to add one thing to the subject.

For those following these threads, discussing shocks and springs is obviously appropriate but there is one other thing that is often omitted. While shock and spring length are factors, another piece that should be considered is the limiting travel of the radius arms. For the Gen 3, measurements between top and bottom shock mounts have been taken by a member on another forum. These measurements were taken with springs and shocks removed and one side completely compressed (hard on bumpstops) and the other side fully extended. While this was a Gen 3 (and why I have avoided joining Gen 4 discussions), the dimensions should be similar. Even with some difference, consideration of the radius arm travel should still exist.

For the front shocks, with the sway bar removed, the fully compressed dimension for the mounts was 312mm . Fully extended, the dimension was 455mm. For the rear, those dimensions were 350mm and 455mm. In the case of a stock Gen 3, using a shock with compression and extension figures much beyond those numbers provides little benefit.

Edit: 300bhpton: While I avoid giving any public opinions about manufacturers, multiply your experience with ARB several times, and that is why I no longer do business with them.




 

Seeing as the radius arms are the same part numbers, the travel should be pretty close.  My Gen 3 (deceased) scored the same as my Gen 4 on a 20 degree ramp. Both lifted and had their anti-roll bar removed.

zukebob wrote: I have avoided joining the conversations regarding articulation on the Gen 4 but would like to add one thing to the subject.

For those following these threads, discussing shocks and springs is obviously appropriate but there is one other thing that is often omitted. While shock and spring length are factors, another piece that should be considered is the limiting travel of the radius arms. For the Gen 3, measurements between top and bottom shock mounts have been taken by a member on another forum. These measurements were taken with springs and shocks removed and one side completely compressed (hard on bumpstops) and the other side fully extended. While this was a Gen 3 (and why I have avoided joining Gen 4 discussions), the dimensions should be similar. Even with some difference, consideration of the radius arm travel should still exist.

For the front shocks, with the sway bar removed, the fully compressed dimension for the mounts was 312mm . Fully extended, the dimension was 455mm. For the rear, those dimensions were 350mm and 455mm. In the case of a stock Gen 3, using a shock with compression and extension figures much beyond those numbers provides little benefit.

Edit: 300bhpton: While I avoid giving any public opinions about manufacturers, multiply your experience with ARB several times, and that is why I no longer do business with them.




 

Thanks for the useful information. Finding measurements on the shocks/springs seems challenging also.

Ironman4x4 offer some kit and I'd love to know how much potential flex they have. As they do include the cross member drop bracket and longer brake lines. I'd also like to know how they ride by comparison.

Jimnybits has been more helpful and claim that their front shocks are +2" over standard, while the Trail Master and OME are only +1" for the front. But I don't know any official closed/extended shock lengths.

The Trailmaster kit only supplies replacement hoses for the rear. The front hoses hang approx. vertical whereas the rears are more like 45Deg and that created the need for the longer hoses. Once fitted, the ride height increased by 46 and 47mm at the front and 55mm for both at the back.

An increase in articulation requires a number of factors that need to work together. Space within the wheel wells for the tyres to move, availability of movement within the design of the shocks and ditto the suspension design. On the Jimny this later point is controlled by the void bushes on the leading and trailing arms binding and the restriction on anti roll bar. These restrictions will not improve articulation because, as long as the original design allowed articulation to the max. ie void bush binding, you cannot go any further without modifications to the mountings. A suspension lift increases clearance by raising the bodywork. It does not increase clearance under the axles.

Roger

Dreadnaught seems to flex quite well for standard height suspension 
 

That just proves my point. Your articulation, based on measurements taken from the photo, indicate 7" front to back which is similar to the extended/compressed length Trailmaster series 2 shocks for the Gen.4. Once the leading/trailing arms bind on the mountings, any further articulation ceases.

Roger