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Built for the tough conditions
of the Australian outback, 'Old Man Emu' was brought
to the US by British Pacific in 1991, and literally hundreds
of land Rover and Range Rover owners have been thoroughly
pleased with the improvement in the ride and control
over factory replacement springs, shocks, and suspension
bushings.
Old Man Emu is the only system
of heavy duty spring and shock we carry, because they
have proven to be reliable, predictable, and a great
value.
Need help with installation?
Click here.
When do I need to consider
a set of Old Man Emu springs?
When the original springs are sagging (usually after about
7 or 9 years, mileage isn't really a factor);
or when additional load capacity is required (such
as when adding a winch bar or trailer towing);
or when you wish to lift your Land Rover to achieve
additional wheel well clearance for bigger tires
and more ground clearance;
or if replacing a faulty air suspension system
on Range Rovers.
Earlier Range Rovers not fitted with
anti sway bars will find the OME's really improve that
'tippy' feeling, and they are much cheaper and easier than
adding sway bars. Sway bars restrict axle articulation,
too.
Land Rover Discovery
and Defender owners find rock crawling easier with OME
springs and shocks fitted, and the sway bars removed.
Land Rover Discovery
1 shown with stock rims and 215's, fitted with Old Man
Emu medium springs. Notice increased ground clearance
and wheel well space. Front air dam removed for improved
approach angle.
Why should I use OME springs?
First, you are looking for a ride that's
not 'mushy', or handling that doesn't roll to the sides
as much on cornering;
Second, you don't want a jarringly stiff
ride: Emu's are designed as 'variable rate', so you don't
give up a smooth highway ride for a harsh one;
Third, you can select them for light,
medium, or heavy load carrying, to exactly match how you
use your truck. Your BP service rep will help you select precisely the
right combination for you;
Fourth, we have all the specs, and we
can tell you exactly how much lift or load carrying to
expect. Just try asking your Land Rover dealer for a replacement
spring on your Discovery that lifts the rear up enough
to support a 220 pound tongue weight! No need to trust
some anonymous suggestion off the Internet, either: we
are experienced with this product and we will be here tomorrow.
Fifth, choosing the correct OME springs
is the easiest way to lift your Land Rover to fit taller
tires and get increased ground clearance for off road travel.
OME springs are shot peened for longer
life, and fully 'scragged' to eliminate spring sag in the
future. In short they last longer than stock springs.
Even if you aren't an off roader, this product will give
more years of service than stock.
OK, so the OME springs are great, but why do I need their
shocks?
OME's shocks are designed to work with
their springs, so the shocks are valved to match the spring
characteristics. OME variable rate springs are designed
to maintain the smooth road ride advantage of an all coil
suspension: if the shock isn't similarly valved, there
goes your ride! Bilsteins are high pressure shocks, and
ride stiffly as a result. Some people like that, but in
our experience most folks aren't looking for a harsher
ride, just better controlled. Fitting a shock that matches
the spring is the right way to do it.
OME shocks are also designed to allow
for the additional axle travel achieved when using the
springs to increase ground clearance. The shock is the
suspension limiter: if the shock is too short it will
limit the travel. If the shock is too long you might
unseat a spring when on the trail. No worries about any
of that with a matched Emu set!
OME's are a low pressure nitrogen shock,
superior for rough service, and last longer than the
stock oil shocks. OME shocks are also double walled to
prevent rock damage. They are constructed much more stoutly
than an equivalent Bilstein, with thicker shafts, larger
urethane bushings, and thicker tube walls. Emu's also
use a metal rock shiled, while Bilstein's are plastic.
The metal not only protects better, but is used as a
heat sink for cooling: shocks get hot in severe service!
Shock comparison:
Emu (top), Stock Woodhead (center), Bilstein (bottom).
On top of all that, they are unconditionally guaranteed
for 2 years. (In all the years we've sold these, and
we've sold hundreds to date, only a few have ever been
exchanged for warranty.)
Your Land Rover is carefully designed and engineered.
We always recommend using matched suspension systems:
when using OME springs, use OME shocks. OME shocks also
work well with stock springs, to maintain a nice ride
but add the reliability of gas shocks.
We stock OME coil springs in different weight ratings
for Land Rover Defender 90 & 110, Discovery 1 & 2,
and Range Rover Classic. We stock OME shocks and steering
dampers for the same models.
We also carry OME urethane bushings for all models.
Call
or e-mail with your vehicle type, intended use, desired
lift, or additional weight added, and we will be happy
to guide you in selecting the right spring/shock combinations
for your specific needs.
1
- 800 - 554 - 4133
Here's what our customers say:
Here's a letter from Ryan, one of our customers
in Arizona. His '95 Land Rover Discovery 1 is a daily driver,
used for some trail work but a lot of highway driving as
well. Lots of folks are now buying low priced Land Rover
Discoverys and Range Rover Classics to use in dual service,
but this otherwise straight truck was sagging pretty dramatically.
He fitted a set of new medium Emu spring and shocks to
his Land Rover Discovery 1. Here's what he says about the
conversion process and the result:
"The job went well, and was pretty straight forward.
I had two friends help me: it would have been hard to do
myself, but could be done by two people easily. I removed
the rear sway bar completely, and have since left it off
with very good on-road ride results. I also found it better
to unbolt the front sway bar from the chassis so that the
front axle could swing lower. Never did have to use a spring
compressor. When the axle swings low enough, the springs
just fall out. Had to watch that I didn't pull too hard
on the brake flex lines though.
" I’m exceedingly pleased with how the medium
springs ride: not too stiff, not too soft, just right.
I gained about 2.5 inches of ride height compared to my
old stock springs. The shocks also went in with no problems.
Removing the old ones was tough though, as the bolts were
very stubborn.
"On a side note, I noticed that the Disco seems to
still lean a tiny bit towards the passengers side.
I installed the “A” springs on the drivers
side, and the “B” on the pass side. This was
correct right? Thanks!" Ryan, Phoenix AZ
Thanks for the note, Ryan. Those 265/75's you wanted to
fit should work well now. Yes, you fit the springs correctly.
The 'A' springs go on the drivers side, and initially it
should set up just a little higher than the right side.
This will settle over time and give a level stance for
years to come. We've heard that both Range Rover and Land
Rover Discovery owners like to eliminate the rear sway
bar with the Emu springs: this improves axle articulation
off road without making the body roll more extreme on cornering.
This was the primary reason Range Rover Classic owners
replaced stock springs on their low mileage vehicles: the
lift is one thing, but the ride and handling quality is
improved also. Spring rates are available for vehicles
carrying heavy loads on a regular basis. We're glad your
project worked out so well.
Customer Update: 3/28/07
Hey, Since I've had these OME springs/shocks
on here for a month, I wanted to give you a quick update.
I'm still amazed with the ride these medium springs provide:
I love it! Even with the rear sway bar removed, the Discovery
feels far more stable on road than it ever did with the
original springs. Off road performance is also awesome.
You can fly down a dirt road at speed and the suspension
just absorbs all the bumps. The ride is compliant, without
being too soft. It's amazing how it can feel better on
road, and off! Usually suspensions make it better one
way, either on or off, but not both. I woudl think the
heavy duty springs may have been too firm, but the medium
ones feel perfect. Anyways, just wanted to give you a
shout, and tell you again how much I love them. Thanks!
Ryan, Phoenix, AZ
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Need
help with Installation?
Would you prefer to have this product professionally installed in your
Rover? Here is a list
of service companies that we can recommend to do the job for you. If
you like, we can ship your parts directly to the company doing the installation. |
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