Choose OME front coils to support constant front weight, choose OME rear leaf springs to stop squat under cargo, then align and validate with a short road test. Pick rates that match your real load.
Start with your constant weight, not your biggest dream trip. Springs should carry what never comes off your vehicle. That means counting steel bumpers and a winch up front, as well as drawers, water, recovery gear, and racks in back. Once you know that everyday mass, picking Old Man Emu springs gets straightforward.
If your nose dives at lights or the steering feels light with a roof rack and bumper, front coils are your first move. OME offers in-stock front coil spring sets like 2850, 2883, 2882, 2886, 2926, and 2936, each tuned to a different load window and platform. Light load coils keep daily compliance while adding support during braking and long dips. Heavy load coils stand up to constant accessories and help the front settle quickly after sharp inputs. When the front sits right, caster can be set properly during alignment, which is why the wheel feels centered on crowned lanes.
If your biggest complaint is rear squat with cargo, coolers, or a small trailer, then rear leaves come first. In-stock EL111R and Dakar CS003R leaf springs add early support in the motion so the tail does not sink when weight shifts rearward. That helps you keep headlight aim on the road, keeps rear tires planted through ramps, and cuts the slow rebound that makes passengers brace. A rear spring that carries real weight turns a wandering highway feel into a calm, straight track.
Rate selection is where most builds win or lose. Choose the spring that matches your steady mass, not the one that sounds toughest. If your vehicle sometimes runs heavier for a trip, you can cheat slightly toward the heavier option, but do not overshoot. Too much rate steals small bump comfort and does little for stability you will notice day to day. A modest stance with proper rate usually drives better, wears tires more evenly, and makes shocks last longer.
Installation details matter. Torque rubber-bushed hardware at ride height, not with the suspension hanging, so bushings sit neutral and stay quiet. Replace tired isolators and worn shackles during leaf installs so old noises do not hitch a ride on your new parts. Align as soon as you finish and re-aim headlights if height changed. Set tire pressures cold in the morning shade so you are not chasing feel with hot readings.
Prove your choices with a five-minute loop you can repeat. Include a rough patch, a steady sweeper, and a mile of highway. With the right OME springs, you will feel one clean motion over bumps, a tidy arc through the ramp, and a steering wheel that relaxes near center on the highway. If anything feels off, check torque and pressures first, then reassess whether you chose a heavier rate than your constant load requires.
If you need a quick rule of thumb, use this. Front end feels busy or heavy accessories live up front. Start with OME front coils that match the load window for your platform. Rear end squats or wags with gear. Start with OME rear leaf springs that hold your typical cargo. Once the axle that causes the worst symptom is settled, address the other end to complete the package. The goal is a vehicle that sits right, tracks straight, and moves once instead of twice.
Closing
When you are ready to buy, Shockwarehouse has OME front coil spring sets and OME rear leaf springs for popular 4x4s. Tell us your year, trim, and constant load, and we will match the exact part numbers so your first test drive already feels right.