Sway Away vs Old Man Emu Torsion Bars

ARDOR

Active member
Does anyone have any direct experience with either or both of these?

I'm planning on swapping a diesel motor into my '87 D50 and likely a front bumper/winch eventually.

In addition to that extra weight, I would like to crank the torsion bars a bit, along with longer UCAs and possibly a small (1"-2") body lift, to fit 31"-32" A/T tires comfortably.

I'm planning on running HD Old Man Emu leafs in the rear, # CS023R - http://store.arbusa.com/Old-Man-Emu-Leaf-Spring-CS023R-P21006.aspx, to compensate for heavy loads/camper/hitch mounted dirtbike tray/etc

Old Man Emu # 303006 / $225 USD - http://store.arbusa.com/Old-Man-Emu-Torsion-Bar-303006-P20916.aspx

Sway Away / $389 USD - https://swayaway.com/product/torsion-bar-set-1982-1989-4wd-dodge-raider-4wd-mitsubishi-montero/

Old Man Emu stuff has a solid reputation, and are 42% cheaper, but the Sway Away bars are US made and claim to "offer a 20-30% increase in spring rate over stock".

That 20-30% increase sounds desirable, but I wonder if it will result in the front suspension being too stiff?

Does anyone know if the Old Man Emu torsion bars are rated higher than the stock bars?
 

plh

Explorer
I have the CS023R rear springs ready to go into my '83 as soon as I finish getting my rear differential together.
 

DRLexpress

Observer
IncorpoRatedX
How do the two compare ride wise? Is one stiffer that the other? I'm guessing the OMEs are in between the stock and sway-aways? Are the sway-aways necessary if no HD rock crawling?
 

jeep-N-montero

Expedition Leader
I have had the OME for 3 years on our 98 and they haven't lost any lift/had any settling since I installed them.
 

DRLexpress

Observer
Thanks for the info. Also glad to here the 3yr report about OMEs. I'll keep saving for OMEs and 5100 shocks if Social Security doesn't go under. :)

Doug
 

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