My 2020 Ranger / Old Man Emu experience

[GSD4EVR]

Last winter I installed the OME 2.5" lift/leveling kit. I kept the factory rear springs, but put in Bilstein B8 5100 shocks. This weekend was the first time I really got to running it on a good trail. I completed Hurricane Creek Trail in the mountains of Western NC. It's hardly a serious rock crawling adventure but more a worn and neglected Forest Service trail - which is what I've "built" my Ranger for. It definitely has some challenges with a few stomach tensing moments and certainly tests the suspension with some bouncy off-camber ruts. (There are plenty of vids on the Tube of Hurricane Creek Trail and Max Patch Mountain so I'll defer to those if you're interested in getting a better idea of the terrain.)

Additional build specs: Wheels/tires = 265/75-R16 Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on 16" factory rims (painted black). Ranch hand brush guard (weighing 87 lbs). TSC tool box packed with recovery essentials and other gear.

I'm VERY pleased with the OMU kit. I simply couldn't afford to pump tons of additional money into my Ranger so ended up with what has turned out to be a very capable setup.

I never bottomed out (or rubbed tires) even though there were a few times I may have (unintentionally) gone a bit fast for, or misjudged the depth of some ruts and holes. There were tight mounds and valleys that I thought for sure I would rub the air dam (yeah, I kept it on), center frame or the trailer hitch, but my angles of approach/departure were greater than I thought. There were short sections where one half was on a rock outcrop and the other in a rut with front/rear suspension undulation.

I felt extremely confident in my truck even though my skill confidence was challenged. I could stay focused on the trail and my driving, and not worrying if she could "take it."

As a side note, I'm glad I had the e-locker in the rear. Used it a few times when I managed to get in a few cupped ruts going uphill. It kept me from having to back up or reposition the vehicle. I simply stopped, engaged the locker and continued on. (Tires were not aired down beyond 25 psi which would have helped, but I was lazy).

Gratuitous pic of Ranger. (This was taken during a break on a fairly level, easy stretch. The camera doesn't capture it, but even where it's parked the front and rear are a bit "twisted" showing the rear springs extended quite a bit. Sorry, I'm not big on taking lots of photos when I'm out and about LOL)

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[kieefer]

Those 265/75’s are a bit taller than the more common addition of 265/70’s.
Did you have any clearance issues and do these fill out the fender well better?

 

[GSD4EVR]

Those 265/75’s are a bit taller than the more common addition of 265/70’s.
Did you have any clearance issues and do these fill out the fender well better?

These definitely fill out the fender wells better. To be clear, they are 16" rims so the 265/75-16 are almost exactly the same as 265/70-17.

Absolutely no rubbing whatsoever (there was plenty of opportunity, too). According to Yokohama these are 31.9" diameter / o/a width=10.7" / tread width=8.4"

The rims are factory / 55mm offset. (I prefer the narrower stance..... and they were cheap! )

ETA: tire size

 

[JohnnyO]

Old Man Emu kits aren't the biggest lift, apparently in Australia where they're from the government is kinda strict on lift height, but if you want something that actually works well off-road their stuff is very good.

 

[Frenchy]

Lets make sure i understand this correctly before maling any comments. Did you install the entire Old Man EMU kit or are you only running part of it?

 

[GSD4EVR]

Lets make sure i understand this correctly before maling any comments. Did you install the entire Old Man EMU kit or are you only running part of it?

Last winter I installed the OME 2.5" lift/leveling kit. I kept the factory rear springs, but put in Bilstein B8 5100 shocks.

OME complete front kit (springs and struts). Rear stock springs with Bilstein shocks. Sorry.

 

[Frenchy]

Last winter I installed the OME 2.5" lift/leveling kit. I kept the factory rear springs, but put in Bilstein B8 5100 shocks.

OME complete front kit (springs and struts). Rear stock springs with Bilstein shocks. Sorry.

No worries, just wanted some clarification. I'm glad you like it in general. As a suggestion get the rear leafs. If im not mistaken the Bilstein shocks can handle up to 2 inches of lift so they should be fine. The big advantage you will get is more travel with the clearance and that may help you in certain situations where a locker will not be needed. Doesnt mean the locker will be useless either. I have the Old Man EMU lift kit and there are still are still situations I run into where a locker would be beneficial

 

[GSD4EVR]

No worries, just wanted some clarification. I'm glad you like it in general. As a suggestion get the rear leafs. If im not mistaken the Bilstein shocks can handle up to 2 inches of lift so they should be fine. The big advantage you will get is more travel with the clearance and that may help you in certain situations where a locker will not be needed. Doesnt mean the locker will be useless either. I have the Old Man EMU lift kit and there are still are still situations I run into where a locker would be beneficial

I appreciate it. I can see where greater articulation would keep those tires planted better. I had followed (IIRC) your thread on the OME stuff and it helped in my decision in going with that. I was considering the rear springs at some point but it seemed like some users were having trouble with the shim issue and whether or not the OME rear was causing vibrations (again, if I recall correctly). Unfortunately the 5100s I bought are the model for stock height.

 

[Frenchy]

I appreciate it. I can see where greater articulation would keep those tires planted better. I had followed (IIRC) your thread on the OME stuff and it helped in my decision in going with that. I was considering the rear springs at some point but it seemed like some users were having trouble with the shim issue and whether or not the OME rear was causing vibrations (again, if I recall correctly). Unfortunately the 5100s I bought are the model for stock height.

I have the entire kit and dont have the vibrations that others are talking about thankfully. Also it depends on how much load you plan to have in the back for what springs to get. Planning on some weight up to 800 lbs here and there then the basic springs will be fine. Plan on a constant load of 660 ish plus extra weight from time to time then go to the middle. Plan on getting heavy and cart at least 1320 in the rear then the heavy leafs will be for you.

 

[GSD4EVR]

I have the entire kit and dont have the vibrations that others are talking about thankfully. Also it depends on how much load you plan to have in the back for what springs to get. Planning on some weight up to 800 lbs here and there then the basic springs will be fine. Plan on a constant load of 660 ish plus extra weight from time to time then go to the middle. Plan on getting heavy and cart at least 1320 in the rear then the heavy leafs will be for you.

Yeah, I rarely if ever have more than my full tool box in back. I can't see myself ever having more than about 300lbs in the bed beyond that. Even with full camping kit (tent, stove/kitchen, cooler, extras, misc. BS and so on.) Hardly a full-on Aussie Outback rig. Just me and a love of pickups.

 

[Trigganometry]

Do you have TC control? Or just 2W 4w with locker.

 

[Frenchy]

Do you have TC control? Or just 2W 4w with locker.

Depends on how you are asking there. I myself have the 4WD with the terrain management. Unfortunately no locker.

The OP on the other hand I can tell you he already has terrain management, trail control and he also has a locker because I can see the FX4 sticker and he stated he has a locker.

 

[GSD4EVR]

Depends on how you are asking there. I myself have the 4WD with the terrain management. Unfortunately no locker.

The OP on the other hand I can tell you he already has terrain management, trail control and he also has a locker because I can see the FX4 sticker and he stated he has a locker.

Sticker is for STX package on XL 4x4. Unfortunately I don't have Terrain Mgmt. Ran the trail in 4 low almost the whole time.

 

[Trigganometry]

Sticker is for STX package on XL 4x4. Unfortunately I don't have Terrain Mgmt. Ran the trail in 4 low almost the whole time.

For a 100 bucks and a Forscan tweak you would have Terrain Control too. Sounds like it would be very useful to you

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