I went over to a mechanic/friend's house on Saturday and worked on installing the OME suspension. We had difficulty with the rear coils, since neither of our spring compressors would work, his was too big, and the one I rented, the grabbers were too short to reach across and center on the coils. When we would compress it, it would just spin down. We ended up taking off the rear upper bump stop (bolts sheared - no upper bump stops in rear now), the sway bar, and the cross member bar (I don't know what else to call it). Then we used a small jack situated between the axle and where the upper bump stop normally is, to push the axle down as low as we could. We were able to fit in the new OME spring as well as a 2" spacer on the bottom, designed for a Toyota Sequoia, but it fits perfect (purchased from Fat Bob's Garage for around $60). The rear shocks weren't too bad, except all of my bolts were very difficult to remove (this was a Chicago truck).

Next we tackled the front shocks. The passenger side went on without a hitch. The driver's side was ugly! The bottom bolt was rusted to the shock sleave. We smacked it with a large hammer and it would not budge. I ended up cutting the shaft of the shock off with my sawzall. We then used a dremel with a cutting wheel to get out the rusted sleave/bolt (We didn't have access to a torch). It took forever!

Lastly we tackled the torsion bars. Other than the bolt on top of the rear of the torsion bar being difficult to work on, they came off quite easily. Their is an index mark on each end of the splines and the spline receivers. However, the new OME bars (they are thicker than stock) did not have any index marks. I guess it didn't really matter. Make sure to put the end painted green toward the front of the truck. We installed the rear at the same angle as stock. We then tightened it up as far as it would go. Before we put the front wheels back on, I used my sawzall to cut off the upper bump stops on each side. I only left enough so that the axle will not hit the bump stop mounting bolts.

By this time, it was 10:30 p.m. and we were exhausted. The rear is 3" higher than before the installation. The front was a little over an inch higher, definately not level!

So Sunday, I crawled back under the truck and removed the rear of the torsion bar. I reindexed it down 1 notch. I had to used a jack to push it up high enough to get the nut started on the thread. I then proceeded to tighten the torsion bar back up to the same position - BIG MISTAKE. When I took it for a little drive to settle the suspension, the front end was bouncing it was so tight!!! I got back under and loosened it about an inch. Took another drive, and it was still bouncing. I did this a couple of more times until I only had about 3/8" of thread left above the second nut. I was kicking myself for tightening it so much after re-indexing. It took forever and my hands are hurting!!! I only have a little space between my axle and the upper bump stops, but haven't noticed any issues driving it in to work this morning. I won't take it off-road until this Friday (Crested Butte).

Now for feedback. I find the new suspension is softer and a little more initial body roll than the stock adjustable system on Medium or Hard. It seems to ride most similar to the Soft setting. I took it easy this morning and haven't pushed it around corners yet.

Overall I am very pleased so far! The truck sits 3" higher and there is a LOT of room above the stock tires. I am measuring 37.5" (give or take a couple of eighths from wheel to wheel) from the pavement to the top of the fender opening with worn 265/70/15 tires. It will easily accommodate 33's, probably even 35's. My 33x10.5x15 new tires should be in today or tomorrow. I will take some pics afterward.

So far I don't notice any issues with the alignment. After I install the new tires, I will take more measurements and see if I need to tweak the torsion bars to level it more. After that is done I will drive it for a while, then get an alignment done.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but hopefully this is helpful to someone in the shoes I was in a few weeks ago.

My tires are in!!! I am headed over to get them installed. I can't wait to go wheeling! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Wow, I have a new Truck! 33's look absolutely incredible on this truck. I don't notice any more road noise than the grocery getter Michelins that came off. It is easy to turn, with a little less power going up the hills, but not terrible. I will get pics soon.

One interesting discovery. When I pulled off the spare tire cover, I discovered that the tire was mounted on a different kind of wheel. So, while they were mounting the tires, I had them check the measurements of the wheels. Apparently I have aftermarket wheels that look similar to stock, but are 15x8.5"......grrrrr. I could have gone with the 33x12.5s. Oh well. I really like the way these tires drive so I will give them a good workout over the next couple of years and then we will see what goes on next time! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

They installed them with 32 psi...seems great on the road, but I am sure it will be brutal in the rough stuff...on board air compressor needs to move to the top of the parts lists.

Anyway, I feel like I have a new truck, definately a more Manly Truck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Joe, I am ready for a moderate off-road adventure!

By the way, can anyone tell me where to find the stock jack? Thanks.

Depending on how much you value your A/C, it could be easy or not quite as easy to remedy that. Or you could go with an aftermarket electric pump or a Powertank, but I'm not up to snuff on either of those.



If you can, I'd like to do a night run of Slaughterhouse sometime this summer. I've been itching for a night run, but every time I get within sight of one, whomever I was going with had to cancel. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />



Sorry...not sure about that, either, but I think I remember someone saying it'd be in a compartment under the second row of seats, near the front.

Yeah, let's see the pics!

Your stock jack should be in the drivers side cubby under the rear seats. It won't be much use with 33's. I can only just get the rear of my truck off the ground with the stock jack under the diff with 32's. You'll need something like a high lift jack <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

OK, I snapped some pictures today and setup a Photobucket account. I hope this works. Here is a side picture of my "new" truck.

Here is a rear shot of both Montero's. The lifted '98 is much taller!

Here is the driver's side front bump stop gap.

Here is the passerger side front bump stop gap. I cut more rubber off of this one.

Here is a shot of the rear OME shock, coil, and the 2" spacer.

Here is the front wheel well clearance with the lift and 33s.

Here is the rear wheel well clearance.


I will get more "in action" pics this weekend.

Looking good! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

De-ja-vu! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> All your missing now is a green VR4! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



Looking good, your another step closer to an obsession! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> J/k, Take your time and have fun with it. Keep up the good work <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I am getting obsessed with upgrading my Montero!!!

I like the 3000 GT, but my previous obsession has always been with Supra's....I have owned 3 of them. You can just make out a little of the front of my '82 Spearco Turbo in my garage between the 2 Montero's. I need to get the turbo rebuilt... it is on my TO DO list. Like all of you, I have a Looonnnnggggg TO DO list. I don't think I can balance 2 vehicle obsessions...I am on the Monty kick, probably wont go back to the Supra kick until after we move next Winter.

"Kids, cover your ears" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> How dare you! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" /> We accept you here and this is how you repay us! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Just giving you a hard time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Supras are nice to have in the collection too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />



I hear ya on that one man, tell me about it. I have things lined up for the Monty, but I want to do more with the VR4 since I'll be driving it more, but its pretty well modded already, so I'll have to do veeery little for both here and there or they will get jealous of eachother <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

So whats next on the list for the Montero. Lemme guess, bumpers and winch? No wait, gears and lockers.... Or maybe skids and small projects? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> See, there's always something to mod. Man, this sport gets expensive <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />