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Make sure you use some penetrating fluid on the top nut. Pop this nut off, remove the lower bolt, then compress the shock by hand and work it out of the control arm.
Once again, the old shocks are higher tech than the OME shocks, but the OME shocks are longer. The Isuzu dampers are monotube type and aluminum bodied, unlike the OME shocks, which are steel and twin tube. Really trick stuff for an SUV, much less one that’s now 15 years old! Because new Isuzu shocks are so expensive, we did keep these and may have them rebuilt and resold. The OME shock includes all new hardware and rubber isolators, which is a nice touch. They also include a dust boot for the shock shaft to keep dirt out of the internals.
With the dust boot in place, the OME shocks are once again a perfect fit and easy to install, fitting right back into place. OME provides new isolation bushings and washers for the top mount. It is best to install the dust boot with the shocks bolted in at the bottom. Trying to compress the shock with the boot on is a bit of a pain.
You’ll notice we haven’t yet said anything about the front springs. That’s because the OME kit does not include any. Isuzu front ends are all double wishbone and use torsion springs instead of coils. The torsion bar can be seen right next to the framerail here, pressed into the lower control arm on the far left.
4 comments
I have really appreciated your Vehicross tutorials. I went with your advice on the Curt install and it made the project a breeze. I have a 1999 that I would like to tackle the lift on but with all the concerns you shed light on I am on hold for now. Looking forward to more of your posts.
Thank You
Hello Australia. If it is not much trouble, can you please tell me the part # for the Old Man Emu coil springs you have used on your Isuzu? I have 2000 Vehicross and one of my coil sprigs broke. No luck (I am not surprised) to find original coil springs, then I saw your page and began to have a hope. I live in Vancouver, Canada (Communist Republic of Canada to be correct)
Hi Kirill. I think your best option would be to find a set of used springs. There is a junkyard on eBay who is selling a set of used Vehicross springs right now. There are also a few good Isuzu and Vehicross forums where you can find used parts. They are much cheaper than the full lift kit and will not give you the driveshaft problems I had. Independent4X also offers a lift kit that you should be able to get in Canada. Unfortunately it has been so long I do not have the part number for this kit anymore.
Thanks for reading and good luck getting your Vehicross fixed. I wish I had never sold this truck.
Hello Dave. Thank you for your reply. I am not looking for a lift kit at all. I just want to replace a broken coil spring. I would not bother at all, unless one of them broke and now I have to replace both. Vehicle is too old to spend too much money on it. I am just looking for the least expensive option to fix it. I I took all the measurements (I tried my best) and was looking on Amazon to find coil springs with matching dimensions. Unfortunately for me, Amazon only indicates shipping box dimensions, not coils. Maybe I just should look at a wreck place (car’s junk yard) with a ruler in my hand. Damn, I wish it was an easy task. Dave, do you remember the number for the coil springs? Was it OME 2912?