The ride-quality benchmark for XJ lifts. ARB's Old Man Emu kit uses progressive coils and twin-tube nitro shocks; widely considered the best on-road lift at this height.
Old Man Emu (OME) by ARB is the gold standard for an XJ lift that has to commute every day. The kit pairs progressive-rate front coils, a full replacement rear leaf pack (heavy or medium load options), and OME Nitrocharger Sport twin-tube shocks. Real lift is 2.5"-3" depending on coil choice (Heavy front coils 939 and Heavy rear pack CS013R sit higher; Medium options sit lower).
What sets OME apart is on-road ride. The progressive coils are softer in the first half of travel than RC or Rusty's, and the Nitrocharger shocks valve well for street use. Expect to pay $1000-1400 for the kit depending on shock package. There is no transfer case drop, no track bar relocation, and no extended brake lines included; you'll source those separately.
For overland / daily-driver builds OME is unmatched. For dedicated trail rigs OME is sometimes criticized for being too soft (heavy steel bumpers and a winch will compress the front, and aggressive trail use can blow out the twin-tube shocks). The rear leaf pack is rated for additional load (the Heavy pack handles ~330 lbs constant rear load — bumper, swing-out, fuel cans). Pirate4x4 and Expedition Portal both rate OME XJ as the top "daily/overland" lift at this height.
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| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| OME Heavy front coils | ARB / Old Man Emu | ~$240 |
| OME Heavy rear leaf pack (pair) | ARB / Old Man Emu | ~$480 |
| OME Nitrocharger Sport shocks (set of 4) | ARB / Old Man Emu | ~$320 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.