It would depend on how worn out the springs are, if you're leaving the OME springs in the rear I'm thinking you'll have some rake. My friends CRD went up less than 2" on the 2" setting with stock springs.

 

Hi guys,

Quick question. I'm replacing my OME struts and HD springs with bilsteins and using the stock springs with them. OME is about a 2" lift. Hoping to keep it level with the new struts.

What amount of lift did your bilstein/stock springs get you?

Not wanting to come across as a jerk, but why are you putting new shocks with stock springs when you have the OME springs already? Are you putting on new stock springs or old stock springs?

I can understand a desire to bring the height back down with stock springs as long as they're new - putting used springs back in is a bad idea IMO. The new shocks will be overworked trying to control the jounce of the old springs especially on compression.

If you're going with 4600 series Bilsteins and new factory springs you'll probably gain up to an inch of height over worn springs and that lift is only due to the springs - the 4600's won't lift you at all. If you're going with the 5100 series and set the perch on either of the non-stock settings you'll gain up to a couple of inches I would imagine. But you're asking the shock to give you the lift the springs are designed to give you.

Since you have the Hemi, in my opinion stick with the OME HD springs - in tandem with Bilstein shocks you'll have a very good riding Jeep.

Bob

 

This is my second set of OME struts/HD springs that have failed within weeks of install. ARB says it's because i have no extra weight on the front of the Jeep(steel bumper)and they're over extending the struts and damaging them. Recommended the MD springs for my Jeep.

I've heard great things about the bilstein 5100's and my stock springs were never that worn since the Jeep was low miles so I figured I'd replace with the 5100's. Only reason I'm using stock springs is I've read that you can ONLY use the stock springs on the 5100's?

 

They need to be stock spec springs, but they don't have to be the original ones that came with the Jeep. You could get some from Moog or someplace else that does OEM replacements.

 

I've been under the impression that the OME struts are MADE for a 2" lift. It seems that you could use OME struts even at stock height with stock springs?

Anywho no you didn't come off as rude or a jerk haha, but I can see what you're saying with the spring being possibly worn out. If I notice any odd handling I'll probably sell the HD springs or trade for the MD set and throw those on the bilsteins on various levels to test height(a lot of work but oh well)

Really wish my OME HD worked well for my Jeep out of the box, the one time I buy a high dollar kit and "do it right" and I run into problems, boo. So now I've gotta some more time and money but hey, at least it'll handle great!

 

Update to this thread.

Switched to the bilsteins and stock sprigns and the ride is GREAT. I have significantly less road noise, especially over bumps and no more bouncy ride on the highway.

Selling my OME HD springs if anybody is interested.

 

Excellent - glad it turned out well and you've got a comfortable ride again :thumbsup:

Bob

 

Hello! I have a WK and I want to buy the Bilstein 5100 shocks, I want to assemble it with the original springs, I see that you did it, my doubt is at what level you installed it, or you left it at the height of stock

 

If you are just wanting to level then use the first ring (3/4" lift) ....

 

Yep I have the same on mine (5100s front on lowest setting and stock springs) and it sits totally level. The front is approx 3/4" or 19mm taller than stock. That plus 1" taller tires (245/70-15) is a nice set up for a stock WK-1. It is much better for light off road than the stock configuration was; stock the front was too low, the front skid was acting like a shovel getting full of sand every time I went to the beach, and the soft shocks bottomed out all the time. Set up as it is now, it is almost as good as stock ZJ and JK are on the beach,