Dead horse: OME MD vs HD springs

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
I know this has been discussed since the Clinton administration, but I am facing a decision and would appreciate hearing from the Discoweb sounding board. I have a D1 with Terrafirma springs (light duty, which I think are the functional analog - but not performance equivalent - of the OME medium duty springs), paired with Blingstein shocks. Springs are about six years old, they are flaking, and I have the opportunity to acquire a local set of new OME HD springs at a very low cost.

My D1 has a couple accessories (factory brush bar, Safety Devices rack) but not the 100kg of extra mass that the HD springs are designed to accommodate. That said, when I go on trips I routinely load well over 100kg in the vehicle. I suspect that the MD springs will be better suited to my purposes, however their retail price with shipping is more than double what I would pay for the HD set.

So I can either get a great deal on the HDs with the tradeoff that my D1 is likely oversprung much of the time, or I can spend a lot more and get a spring that I think is more closely suited to my needs. I don't want more lift. I don't need it for my tires (245/70/16 AT) and I'm happy with my current ride height on the TerraFirmas. I just want the improved performance and longevity of the OME.

Do I take the deal on the HDs or suck it up and pay double for MD?
 

outono

Well-known member
Sep 26, 2020
162
85
Orange, CA
The spring rate on the Medium load is 200 lb/in, while the heavy load clocks in at 225 lb/in. That's about a 12.5% difference. The rears have a larger difference (~30%).

Now, whether that's going to make a noticeable difference in your ride quality is really up to your specific build.

I think it's worth throwing the HDs on. If you don't like them, flip them.

Here is a coil spring database with all sorts of metrics that you might find interesting.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Thanks for sharing the link. I was using that exact resource yesterday. The context on relative spring rates is helpful. 12.5% difference doesn't seem like it would translate to a big difference in feel. 30% probably would be obvious.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I find the heavy duty springs are too stiff if your not heavy loaded. On a basically stock truck I ran the Med Heavy springs and couldn’t seem to find a shock that could tame the crazy bouncing on a washboarded fire road. Hated them.
Because I don’t run heavy winch bumpers and not much weight in the truck I like the light duty springs. I think I would be sorry if I had a winch up front and more weight in the truck. EE actually says they don’t recommend the springs I like, but most people have a lot more crap bolted on.
 

robertf

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2006
4,780
355
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both of those options sound too stiff

nrc4305 up front (150lb/in)

ntc8572 +1" spacer in the back

these are a couple years old from bearmach
 

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1of40

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2017
244
58
Va
I absolutely hate springs that make by rear axle bunny hop. I have MD front and rear on a NAS 90SW and the ride on is no different than when it had stock springs, other than height.
 

luckyjoe

Well-known member
Oct 10, 2004
455
118
New Jersey USA
I know this has been discussed since the Clinton administration, but I am facing a decision and would appreciate hearing from the Discoweb sounding board. I have a D1 with Terrafirma springs (light duty, which I think are the functional analog - but not performance equivalent - of the OME medium duty springs), paired with Blingstein shocks. Springs are about six years old, they are flaking, and I have the opportunity to acquire a local set of new OME HD springs at a very low cost.

My D1 has a couple accessories (factory brush bar, Safety Devices rack) but not the 100kg of extra mass that the HD springs are designed to accommodate. That said, when I go on trips I routinely load well over 100kg in the vehicle. I suspect that the MD springs will be better suited to my purposes, however their retail price with shipping is more than double what I would pay for the HD set.

So I can either get a great deal on the HDs with the tradeoff that my D1 is likely oversprung much of the time, or I can spend a lot more and get a spring that I think is more closely suited to my needs. I don't want more lift. I don't need it for my tires (245/70/16 AT) and I'm happy with my current ride height on the TerraFirmas. I just want the improved performance and longevity of the OME.

Do I take the deal on the HDs or suck it up and pay double for MD?
Keep in mind, the stock rear D1 springs are 210lb/in, while MD rear are 200. I could never figure that one out. I found the best balanced D1 suspension for my needs was OME MD/front and HD/rear, with rear spring retainers. This puts your spring rates ~30% higher than stock, and retains the factory front:rear proportions.
 

p m

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Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
15,617
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
Had OME HD on one of my D1s and MD on another. There was very little difference in either ride height or quality. Shocks had far more effect on ride quality - Bilsteins were the best for moderately-loaded trucks, OME Nitrochargers - for heavy load but are horrible with anything other than heavy load.
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
Back in the D1 days, I installed OME MD and I felt that it was way too mushy when loaded up and off-road, especially the rear. I then went with OME HD and it was much better. A little rougher ride but it was also nice and tight on the road. Found some pics....exactly one month shy of 21 years ago! Pretty sure the spring comparison photos are the front springs.
 

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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
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Northern Illinois
Back in the D1 days, I installed OME MD and I felt that it was way too mushy when loaded up and off-road, especially the rear. I then went with OME HD and it was much better. A little rougher ride but it was also nice and tight on the road. Found some pics....exactly one month shy of 21 years ago! Pretty sure the spring comparison photos are the front springs.
Oh it's always going to be D1 days here at my house.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
I tried to buy a D5 after my LR4 was crashed, but I think I would rather put the money into one or two of my DIs instead
PT returns! Speaking of crashing, if you're going to crash my thread I'd appreciate hearing your perspective on choosing HD vs MD springs given my situation.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I tried to buy a D5 after my LR4 was crashed, but I think I would rather put the money into one or two of my DIs instead
The product has taken a turn for the worse. The clientele has changed drastically because of Covid. They handed out lots and lots of money and lots of people went to CarMax and bought a Jag or a 10 yr old Range Rover. Gone are the days of trophy wives and banker types.
 

signalMTB

Well-known member
Dec 30, 2015
221
31
Chattanooga TN USA
I’m running HD’s with bilsteins, only bolt on is a full cage rack. Ride quality is fine, a bit stiff and bumpy but it’s aD1 so it’s as expected. My 16 yo daughter drives it now and she’s never complained.
 
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