Goodbye Bronco Queue, Hello Fun

Hey all, new to the Xterra and love it. I just picked up a 07 x(I think.) With the power package and a ton of mods the previous owner did and did them surprisingly well. As said in my header, I was in line for a new Bronco, been waiting over a year and just started to look for other manual 4door 4x4 or all wheel drive vehicles in my area and came across this beauty. Needless to say I got everything I want out of the bronco for far far less. Very happy with my purchase and I'm chomping at the bit to get some dirt under her and do my own mods.

That said, I was wondering if anyone here has experience, personal or second hand, with the Old Man Emu Suspension system. I know ARB is one of the highest reviewed companies and from the research I've done the OME suspension seems like it's pretty great. I do intend to throw the ARB steel bumper and a winch on the front end at some point which lead me to finding the OME. Let me know what you guys think.
 

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Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Welcome from Denver! Three pedals is the way.

General concensus on the ARB bumper is negative. It's sheet metal thin, no provisions for a body lift, and really just an expensive bull bar (AKA damage multiplier).

For a front bumper look at Shrockworks, Hefty Fab, and there's one other that I'm forgetting. Nissan also launched a steel front bumper this year for these. And it looks good, but I've heard availability has been a challenge.

Mixed reviews on the OME suspension. Some people love it. Some people claim it's too soft. YMMV.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Radflo stuff. It's always done me right and is fully rebuildable if need be.
 
Welcome from Denver! Three pedals is the way.

General concensus on the ARB bumper is negative. It's sheet metal thin, no provisions for a body lift, and really just an expensive bull bar (AKA damage multiplier).

For a front bumper look at Shrockworks, Hefty Fab, and there's one other that I'm forgetting. Nissan also launched a steel front bumper this year for these. And it looks good, but I've heard availability has been a challenge.

Mixed reviews on the OME suspension. Some people love it. Some people claim it's too soft. YMMV.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Radflo stuff. It's always done me right and is fully rebuildable if need be.
Thanks for the info. Sad to hear that's the case with the ARB bumper. Love the protected winch look. I'll check out those other brands for the bumper, I did see the Nismo bumper and liked it a lot too. That may be my go to then but I'll check out those other two. Is Radflo a full system or just shocks? How are they price wise? Because one thing that attracted me to OME was the price point for the system and the supposed ruggedness of it. Wanna make sure I'm getting something durable.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
OME is decent stuff. It's an affordable system built to function together and I generally recommend it for mild set-ups.

Once we dig in and see what all you have already, we can make recommendations on getting the most from your suspension or give advice on where to go to get what you want from it.

I like my Radflo shocks as well, but the price point is up there a good bit for just shocks. But if you plan on running heavy, you'll want to look into them.

@Newb has the ARB bumper and I run a Shrockworks. The ARB is designed to pass Aussie crash tests where in America we are free to bolt battering rams on our trucks and go bashing around. So that's what Prime meant.

Welcome!
 
OME is decent stuff. It's an affordable system built to function together and I generally recommend it for mild set-ups.

Once we dig in and see what all you have already, we can make recommendations on getting the most from your suspension or give advice on where to go to get what you want from it.

I like my Radflo shocks as well, but the price point is up there a good bit for just shocks. But if you plan on running heavy, you'll want to look into them.

@Newb has the ARB bumper and I run a Shrockworks. The ARB is designed to pass Aussie crash tests where in America we are free to bolt battering rams on our trucks and go bashing around. So that's what Prime meant.

Welcome!
Gotcha, that makes more sense haha. I'm a relative newbie to to more hardcore offroading stuff. My previous rig was a Suby that Id drive like a rally car down dirt roads but obviously it didn't have the clearance to get me everywhere I wanted to go. I'm not looking at doing anything crazy with the Xterra (rock crawling and crazy angles) mainly just to get off the beaten path and get to some good campsites and overlanding stuff so I think OME might be a good place to start for me then. To get my feet wet so to speak haha.
 

meisanerd

Need Bigger Tires
I ran the OME leafs in my old X, was happy enough with them, but they squeaked like crazy when they got wet, and I probably wouldn't like them for much more than daily driving and gravel roads.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Gotcha, that makes more sense haha. I'm a relative newbie to to more hardcore offroading stuff. My previous rig was a Suby that Id drive like a rally car down dirt roads but obviously it didn't have the clearance to get me everywhere I wanted to go. I'm not looking at doing anything crazy with the Xterra (rock crawling and crazy angles) mainly just to get off the beaten path and get to some good campsites and overlanding stuff so I think OME might be a good place to start for me then. To get my feet wet so to speak haha.
I really liked the OME springs I had on my Cherokee and I think @Brunnie , @outback97 and Eddie (won't let me tag him) all run their stuff on their Xterras.
 
I ran the OME leafs in my old X, was happy enough with them, but they squeaked like crazy when they got wet, and I probably wouldn't like them for much more than daily driving and gravel roads.
Did you lube them up real well with water resistant lube? I've heard the polymer bushings squeak a ton if they aren't lubed up well. What would you recommend for replacement leafs for more off-road capability?
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Welcome!

I'm about to install an OME 2" lift on my Frontier, but only the front coils and shocks. I'll be going with a deaver AAL for the rear, as I managed to score this setup for pretty cheap.

Once I do, I'll let you know how it feels if you're still shopping.

Yours looks like a sweet rig.
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Welcome from Utah. I don't have one but have heard good things about the Expedition One bumper:

As far as the Old Man Emu (OME) stuff I'm a big fan of their suspension for how we use our Xterras, which is basically car camping and exploring areas you can't drive a car to. Not so much rock crawling or "offroading" for offroading sake.

With the OME setup you get a mild lift (about 1.5") and a firmer suspension in my experience. The slight lift is handy, and the handling is much better than stock IMO. Haven't really had problems with noise that some people talk about, maybe I'm just lucky, or it's a desert thing, because I'm not driving in rain and mud too often. Also it seems like noise complaints are more prevalent amongst those that run the leafs without the OME shackles.

Both of ours ('06 and '09 Off Roads) have OME front and rear. The '06 has the standard coils up front (607's) and the '09 with more armor, a winch carrier and winch has the HD coils (608's). Both have identical rear leaf, shock and OME shackle setups, though the '09 has the rear sway bar deleted.

Something else to factor into your planning is this: Any front lift over 2" or so you'll probably need aftermarket UCA's. The OME doesn't require aftermarket UCA's, but you'll want to put camber adjusting bolts in the lower control arms to do it right. You might get lucky and be able to remove your stock LCA bolts to replace with camber adjusting bolts, but more likely with a 15 year old truck you'll have to sawzall out the old LCA's, and install new ones with the camber bolts.
 
Welcome!

I'm about to install an OME 2" lift on my Frontier, but only the front coils and shocks. I'll be going with a deaver AAL for the rear, as I managed to score this setup for pretty cheap.

Once I do, I'll let you know how it feels if you're still shopping.

Yours looks like a sweet rig.
Thanks man. Yea it's exact what I wanted from the bronco (minus the removable doors and roof which no big loss there this things much quieter) I got real lucky finding this rig everyone at the dealer was telling me how all of them wanted to buy it and the previous owner really did a great job with the electrical upgrades for the LEDs. Everything is wired very professionally and so far I have no complaints at all.
 
Welcome from Utah. I don't have one but have heard good things about the Expedition One bumper:

As far as the Old Man Emu (OME) stuff I'm a big fan of their suspension for how we use our Xterras, which is basically car camping and exploring areas you can't drive a car to. Not so much rock crawling or "offroading" for offroading sake.

With the OME setup you get a mild lift (about 1.5") and a firmer suspension in my experience. The slight lift is handy, and the handling is much better than stock IMO. Haven't really had problems with noise that some people talk about, maybe I'm just lucky, or it's a desert thing, because I'm not driving in rain and mud too often. Also it seems like noise complaints are more prevalent amongst those that run the leafs without the OME shackles.

Both of ours ('06 and '09 Off Roads) have OME front and rear. The '06 has the standard coils up front (607's) and the '09 with more armor, a winch carrier and winch has the HD coils (608's). Both have identical rear leaf, shock and OME shackle setups, though the '09 has the rear sway bar deleted.

Something else to factor into your planning is this: Any front lift over 2" or so you'll probably need aftermarket UCA's. The OME doesn't require aftermarket UCA's, but you'll want to put camber adjusting bolts in the lower control arms to do it right. You might get lucky and be able to remove your stock LCA bolts to replace with camber adjusting bolts, but more likely with a 15 year old truck you'll have to sawzall out the old LCA's, and install new ones with the camber bolts.
Man that's a ton of good information there I really appreciate all the detail you put into that.

It sounds like your use and mine are very similar with rigs. I'll definitely look into some aftermarket control arms to go along with the suspension upgrades. Any recommendations on upper control arms?

Also, you mentioned the rear sway bar delete, is there any downside to that as a daily driver? I've considered doing it to mine but I don't really know the in's and outs. I know it'll allow a lot more travel of the rear end but what's the potential downside?
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Man that's a ton of good information there I really appreciate all the detail you put into that.

It sounds like your use and mine are very similar with rigs. I'll definitely look into some aftermarket control arms to go along with the suspension upgrades. Any recommendations on upper control arms?

Also, you mentioned the rear sway bar delete, is there any downside to that as a daily driver? I've considered doing it to mine but I don't really know the in's and outs. I know it'll allow a lot more travel of the rear end but what's the potential downside?

No problem. As said, if you keep the lift under 2" you don't generally need aftermarket UCA's. The OME setup lift is about 1.5" so no need for aftermarket UCA's, mine are just stock and that works fine. So unfortunately I don't have any first hand knowledge about aftermarket UCA's. But others here definitely will.

With any suspension lift to the front (including Old Man Emu) you do need to get your alignment back in spec. Since I have stock UCA's with no adjustment at all, it was necessary to install camber bolts into the LCA's. Since mine were fused into the LCA bushings, I had to saw the LCA's out to put new ones in to get my alignment in spec.

When you're shopping for an Xterra suspension lift, that important detail seems to be omitted a lot. After installing the OME stuff we drove the '06 for quite a while without adjusting the camber because I didn't want to go through the hassle of LCA replacement and it was technically "in spec". What that got me was inferior handling and faster tire wear from the excessively positive camber. Much happier since I did it right.

Regarding the sway bar delete, this is what you'll hear from most people: You get better articulation off road and I didn't notice any difference daily driving on road, so just take it off. And I think that's all true. What you probably won't hear, because it's boring and not fun, is the fact that almost everyone thinks they are a more skilled driver than they really are, and a sway bar might matter for that emergency lane change that you didn't anticipate. I don't know, not an automotive engineer. And to be fair, all these things we do to these trucks (suspension modding, moving the COG around) are going to have some impact on handling.

So, I wouldn't tell someone else to take it off, that's their call. If one opts to leave it on, there are mount spacers that come with the OME kit that in my experience prevent it from banging into the shock.
 
No problem. As said, if you keep the lift under 2" you don't generally need aftermarket UCA's. The OME setup lift is about 1.5" so no need for aftermarket UCA's, mine are just stock and that works fine. So unfortunately I don't have any first hand knowledge about aftermarket UCA's. But others here definitely will.

With any suspension lift to the front (including Old Man Emu) you do need to get your alignment back in spec. Since I have stock UCA's with no adjustment at all, it was necessary to install camber bolts into the LCA's. Since mine were fused into the LCA bushings, I had to saw the LCA's out to put new ones in to get my alignment in spec.

When you're shopping for an Xterra suspension lift, that important detail seems to be omitted a lot. After installing the OME stuff we drove the '06 for quite a while without adjusting the camber because I didn't want to go through the hassle of LCA replacement and it was technically "in spec". What that got me was inferior handling and faster tire wear from the excessively positive camber. Much happier since I did it right.

Regarding the sway bar delete, this is what you'll hear from most people: You get better articulation off road and I didn't notice any difference daily driving on road, so just take it off. And I think that's all true. What you probably won't hear, because it's boring and not fun, is the fact that almost everyone thinks they are a more skilled driver than they really are, and a sway bar might matter for that emergency lane change that you didn't anticipate. I don't know, not an automotive engineer. And to be fair, all these things we do to these trucks (suspension modding, moving the COG around) are going to have some impact on handling.

So, I wouldn't tell someone else to take it off, that's their call. If one opts to leave it on, there are mount spacers that come with the OME kit that in my experience prevent it from banging into the shock.
So OME doesn't have a 2in lift set up? I think it's currently on a 2in lift so If I drop it to a 1.5in will the 33s that are on there still fit or would they rub? I may have to look into another system if that's the case.
 
If you're already at 2" then there isn't a whole lot to do before going to the Titan suspension.
I guess I wasn't too clear initially, what's currently on the rig is pretty worn out, haven't been able to find out exactly what it is yet, pretty caked in gunk. I was just browsing around to get an idea for a good replacement really, not so much an upgrade on the lift. Want to keep it where it's at. Any higher would be too much in my opinion and I'm not opposed to going down to 1.5 if thats what needs to happen.
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
I guess I wasn't too clear initially, what's currently on the rig is pretty worn out, haven't been able to find out exactly what it is yet, pretty caked in gunk. I was just browsing around to get an idea for a good replacement really, not so much an upgrade on the lift. Want to keep it where it's at. Any higher would be too much in my opinion and I'm not opposed to going down to 1.5 if thats what needs to happen.

Post some pics of the suspension components and we might be able to tell ya what you’ve got.
 
Welcome from California! A couple other front bumper manufacturers: hardcore off-road (PA), and Dezert Runner Off-road (So-Cal).
Appreciate the info. I'll check them out too.
Just started looking at Hardcore Off-road and funny enough that rear bumper is the one the previous owner put on this rig. I thought it was something he mad. Haha
 

reaver

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Caldwell, ID
Appreciate the info. I'll check them out too.
Just started looking at Hardcore Off-road and funny enough that rear bumper is the one the previous owner put on this rig. I thought it was something he mad. Haha
I bought a Hardcore kit for the rear of my X, and a buddy welded it up for me. We did it without the swingout, then built our own from 2in tubing. I'd like to redo the layout of the carrier at some point, but it's worked well since we built it.

20200510-155056.jpg


Other than the crappy prepwork I did when painting, it's done very well.
 
Well, I guess that's what I get for listening to the dealer. It seems to me the "lift" on this Xterra I bought is only from the rubber on the tires. Maybe I'm crazy but this looks like stock shocks to me. Guess the OME is definitely on the table then for an upgrade.
 

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Brunnie

Bumpers Installed
Supporting Member
Location
Colorado Springs
Well, I guess that's what I get for listening to the dealer. It seems to me the "lift" on this Xterra I bought is only from the rubber on the tires. Maybe I'm crazy but this looks like stock shocks to me. Guess the OME is definitely on the table then for an upgrade.
Better look again. The front coil spring has a nisstec spacer block giving the front end some lift. Does the rear have stock shackles on the springs?
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Yeah definitely not stock leaf pack, UCAs, and spacer. Shocks themselves and coils though are probably OEM equivalent. Which would be bad with taller leaf.
 
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Better look again. The front coil spring has a nisstec spacer block giving the front end some lift. Does the rear have stock shackles on the springs?
Ah, is that what that is? Gotcha. So it's just on a spacer lift right now. From my understanding that's the least ideal lift right? As for the shackles idk let me go check.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I didn't see any markings on the shackles that lead me to believe they're aftermarket
You still have stock shackles but those are most definitely aftermarket leaf packs. See if there's any markings on top of the main leaf. Just pull a rear tire and wipe off the top of the main leaf, those kinda look like OME Dakar leaf packs already.

It looks like you just need to buy decent shocks all around and brake hoses.

It kinda looks like you scored pretty big with this. Two of the more expensive items for a lift on these are already done for you!
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Just something I picked up along the way through forums on the bronco when I was still looking at getting one of those. Good to know that's not the case.
It really depends on why you lift, what gear you carry and why you have a spacer.

I run some of the nicest shocks available to our trucks but to maximize my available travel at the lift height I run (~2") I have to run a 1.5" lift spacer as well.

Let's start with some questions and see if we can guide you towards the best setup for how you want to use the truck. Think these through and answer them realistically.

1: What are you going to use the Xterra for the most? Daily Driver? Overland/Camping? Mild Trails? Dedicated wheeler? Hunting/fishing access?

2: What's your honest budget? $500? $1k? $3k? $10k?

3: What kinds of gear are you going to carry? Full steel bumper with cable winch? Stock bumper with winch cradle? Rear tire carrier bumper?

4: How many people do you need your X to support on an adventure? (Like I have 3 kids so I need to easily carry 5 people and their gear)
 
It really depends on why you lift, what gear you carry and why you have a spacer.

I run some of the nicest shocks available to our trucks but to maximize my available travel at the lift height I run (~2") I have to run a 1.5" lift spacer as well.

Let's start with some questions and see if we can guide you towards the best setup for how you want to use the truck. Think these through and answer them realistically.

1: What are you going to use the Xterra for the most? Daily Driver? Overland/Camping? Mild Trails? Dedicated wheeler? Hunting/fishing access?

2: What's your honest budget? $500? $1k? $3k? $10k?

3: What kinds of gear are you going to carry? Full steel bumper with cable winch? Stock bumper with winch cradle? Rear tire carrier bumper?

4: How many people do you need your X to support on an adventure? (Like I have 3 kids so I need to easily carry 5 people and their gear)
So a lot of these I have thought about pretty heavily over the last year or so,

Answer 1: My Xterra is my daily driver but it's also my adventuring rig. I want to do overland camping and some mild off-roading but the majority of it's use outside of a daily driver will get to hard to reach camping and backpacking locations. ORV parks and rock climbs and such aren't really my bag. I also intent to take it hunting when I finally start going, just haven't gotten around to finding someone to teach me yet nor having the time/money to do it.

Answer 2: I figure my budget is ~3k at the high end. OME caught my eye because of the price and seemingly good build quality. I'm not willing or able to spend more than 3k on a suspension build.

Answer 3: already have the nice steel rear bumper with spare carrier and do plan on getting an Expedition One steel bumper and winch for the front end.

Answer 4: camping/backpacking will generally be my wife, my daughter, myself, and in some cases our two huskies and all the gear that goes along with that.
 
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