H&R vs OME springs

Thanks, appreciate it.

Here is what I used for the suspension:
  • H&R Springs #52107 (I got them from Tirerack.com)
  • Rancho 5000x Shocks (RS55128 Front, RS55240 Rear)
  • Rancho RS5407 Steering Stabilizer

Any modification to track bar?
 
Any modification to track bar?
I didn't need an adjustable bar from the lift.

However...I installed a new Moog Track Bar when I did the lift and after running it for a while I constantly had issues keeping it torqued down on the frame side. Last week I pulled it off and realized the hole had been drilled out by a PO for a larger bolt. I ended up putting on a JKS adjustable track bar since the bolt is larger and it fit perfect. Wish I would have done that from the start.
 
Totally opinion but Ranchos are pretty soft and the type of person drawn to the H&R springs generally prefers a sporty ride. The Bilsteins give you that, it drives others crazy. Accutune has a pretty good description of digressive valving the Bilsteins have which I think explains it pretty well. They have allot of good information about shocks.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/
I don't know much about the differences between Bilstein and Rancho's on a TJ except what's been stated here on the forum.

I was attracted to the H&R springs because they were the only set I could find that consistently provided 1"-1.5" of spring lift, and that's what I wanted; didn't have anything to do with being sporty in my case. I find the ride quite nice. I run Bilsteins on my F150, so I have some experience with them although that's a completely different vehicle and setup so it's not exactly comparable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pagrey
Totally opinion but Ranchos are pretty soft and the type of person drawn to the H&R springs generally prefers a sporty ride. The Bilsteins give you that, it drives others crazy. Accutune has a pretty good description of digressive valving the Bilsteins have which I think explains it pretty well. They have allot of good information about shocks.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/
Thank you for this. This says "Bilsteins definitely!" to me. I'm not sure what "sporty" means, but I do prefer good handling, not land yacht float. This goes back to previous discussions about tire pressure where some find higher tire pressures to be "harsh", whereas I do not. That article clears it up for me! {BOW HERE}

I too am interested in the H&R springs for both their mild lift as well as simply renewing possibly tired springs on the TJ. Sporty? Dunno...
 
I put H&Rs on my 2003. They gave me 3/4” on the front and almost an inch in the rear. Soft top, no rear seat, stock bumpers and Warm M8000 with synthetic rope. i have alloy wheels with 31x10.5-15 KO2s. After I mounter Morride tailgate reinforcement kit, rear dropped. After adding High-lift mount to the tailgate an mounting the jack, Jeep sagging in the rear right corner. already ordered OME medium-heavy spring set. Shocks are Rancho 5000x.
 
Thank you for this. This says "Bilsteins definitely!" to me. I'm not sure what "sporty" means, but I do prefer good handling, not land yacht float. This goes back to previous discussions about tire pressure where some find higher tire pressures to be "harsh", whereas I do not. That article clears it up for me! {BOW HERE}

I too am interested in the H&R springs for both their mild lift as well as simply renewing possibly tired springs on the TJ. Sporty? Dunno...

Probably not too many mountain roads in your parts. I live in a fish bowl, so the only way out is over a twisty mountain road. Drive it aggressively and you would understand "sporty".
 
Just put on the H&R springs and Rancho shocks a few weeks ago. I got about 1" lift in the back and about 1.25" in the front. I really like the ride with this combo. I used the Rancho RS55128 and RS55240 shocks (0-2" lift). Haven't done much offroading yet but this combo works well for the tires I'm running (31x10.5x15 with OEM 15x8 Canyon rims). I'll try and find my before and after pics for comparison. No body lift.
This is also the setup I`ve been running on my 06 auto Rubicon and I really like how it drives and how it looks. I thought about a body lift to allow me to go to 32s, but I abandoned that idea since I`m not replacing my current 31s anytime soon. This setup gives you an off road capable vehicle with a nice ride.
 
This is also the setup I`ve been running on my 06 auto Rubicon and I really like how it drives and how it looks. I thought about a body lift to allow me to go to 32s, but I abandoned that idea since I`m not replacing my current 31s anytime soon. This setup gives you an off road capable vehicle with a nice ride.

I'll have enough room to go 32's if I wanted to as I'll be doing the MCE fenders both front and rear. Which means with a BL I could go 33's lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: H_Nunez
The Ranchos are commonly found for around $50 each. They are no where's near a 'land yacht' ride. They are about the best shock for a daily driver because they handle the typical potholes and such very well. As long as you are running a stock or nearly stock ANTIsway bar you don't wallow around in a corner. The bilstines are firmer and tend to give a harsher on road feel from everything I have heard. I have the Rancho 5000x shocks and can only directly compare them to the OME nitro Sport shocks. I feel the OME shocks may be better offroading but the Rancho are better onroading (if they are words). I'm running OME springs and am getting 2"+ front and 2" rear. Add in the front spacer that comes with the springs and even with a full aftermarket bumper and winch I'm sitting level (within a 1/4" or so) with a hardtop on or off. I'm running 32s and don't plan on ever going more than 33s. To do it again I would be thinking hard about the H&R springs, later add a 1 1/4" body lift if i ever go to 33s. I have a shitty sciatic and need to go as low as possible to be able to slide into the TJ.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zorba
I have a shitty sciatic and need to go as low as possible to be able to slide into the TJ.

I understand your pain, 56 pins, 8 plates, 4 rods, a plastic knee and fused ankle are no fun with climbing into and out of a lifted anything. Thus my LowCOG approach.
 
Probably not too many mountain roads in your parts. I live in a fish bowl, so the only way out is over a twisty mountain road. Drive it aggressively and you would understand "sporty".
Grew up in California - well familiar with nice twisties. I call that "good handling"! ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobthetj03
Why do so many people recommend the 5100s paired with the h&r springs over the ranchos I see usually recommended in general? Is there something to the combination?

Whenever I was researching and shopping it seemed to be the most recommended. I can cruise in comfort at 80mph. I would say the Wrangler actually handles frost heaves/expansion joints better than my air sprung Grand Cherokee. May also have to do with side thickness butttt....
 
I have the 1" H&R springs on mine paired with the Bilstein 5100s. Seems to ride and handle pretty well even on the highway at 75.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zorba