Old Man Emu (OME), ARB's suspension brand, and Skyjacker are both popular for lifted trucks and SUVs, but they approach the job differently. OME builds replacement springs and shocks matched to the load you carry. Skyjacker is best known for complete lift kits that raise the vehicle by a set height. The right choice depends on whether you want a lift, a stronger suspension or both.
The short answer
| Old Man Emu | Skyjacker | |
|---|---|---|
| Main approach | Replacement springs and shocks, plus kits | Lift kits, springs, shocks and add-ons |
| Lift height | Typically 1.5 to 3 in., depending on vehicle and spring rate | Kits for a range of lift heights, from mild to tall |
| Spring options | Light, medium and heavy rates | Standard, Softride and dual rate long travel coils |
| Shocks | Nitrocharger Sport and Plus, MT64, BP-51 | Black Max, Hydro, M95, Nitro and others, depending on kit |
| Strongest at | Load matched, balanced ride | Bigger lifts for taller tires |
| Best for | Overland builds and heavy accessories | Tall-tire stance on trucks and Jeeps |
Want a moderate lift with a ride that suits your load? OME is the natural fit. Want a tall lift for big tires? Skyjacker covers far more height. We sell both.
Lift kit or replacement suspension?
This is the first question to answer. A lift kit is a package: springs, shocks and the brackets, blocks or arms needed to hold the new height. Skyjacker sells many kits like this, including the 6-inch lift kit for the 1994-1996 Ford F-350 2WD. A replacement suspension swaps the springs and shocks for better ones and gives a smaller change in height. OME is mostly this second type, and ARB says its lift is typically 1.5 to 3 in., depending on the vehicle, accessories and spring rates chosen.
Taller lifts change more than ride height. Steering angles, driveline angles, brake lines and alignment can all need attention, so a big lift is a bigger job and often a bigger bill. A moderate lift on replacement parts usually keeps the vehicle closer to how it left the factory.
Springs and load carrying
OME sells springs in light, medium and heavy rates, and ARB advises choosing by the weight that stays on the vehicle all the time, such as a steel bumper, winch, drawers or a rooftop tent, not by occasional gear. Springs that are too soft sag. Springs that are too stiff ride harshly when the vehicle is empty. You can see the idea in parts like the heavy duty rear coil springs for the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the heavy duty leaf spring for the 2005-2015 Tacoma. ARB also says coils generally ride smoother and articulate better, while leaf springs carry and tow heavier loads.
Skyjacker offers a wider spread of lift and spring types, including Softride and dual rate long travel coils. Examples are the Softride coil springs for Ram 2500 and 3500 and the 2-inch rear leaf spring for the 2016-2022 Tacoma. If you tow or haul, check the spring rate and load notes for your vehicle, not just the lift height.
Shocks and ride quality
Shocks shape the ride as much as springs. OME makes the Nitrocharger Sport, a twin-tube nitrogen shock aimed at a balance of trail and highway manners, and the Nitrocharger Plus for heavy loads, towing and rough terrain. Its MT64 monotube is aimed at daily driving and long trips, and the BP-51 is its adjustable bypass shock for hard off-road use. Examples in our catalog include the Nitrocharger Plus front shock for the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Skyjacker kits come with different shocks depending on the kit, such as Black Max, Hydro, M95 or Nitro. The Black Max shock for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator is an example of a stand-alone replacement. Do not compare the brands by shock name alone. Compare the shock listed in the exact kit for your vehicle.
Daily driving or off-road?
For mostly paved miles with some trail use, a moderate lift on matched springs and a good shock usually gives the best mix of comfort and ground clearance. For a truck that needs tall tires, or a Jeep that goes onto rough trails, a larger Skyjacker kit gives room that a small OME lift cannot. For heavy overland setups, OME's load-matched approach is easier to dial in. Our guide to Tacoma upgrades shows how this plays out on a popular platform.
Vehicle coverage and cost level
OME's roots are in off-road racing, and its lift kits are listed for popular platforms such as the Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Tundra and FJ Cruiser, the Ford F-150 and Bronco, and the Jeep Wrangler. Our stock leans toward Toyota fitments. Skyjacker covers a broad run of trucks and Jeeps, including Ford Super Duty, Ram, GM and Jeep Wrangler applications, so it is often the easier brand to find for older and heavy-duty trucks.
In relative terms, a full Skyjacker lift kit costs more as the lift gets taller, because it needs more parts. OME replacement springs and shocks are bought piece by piece, so the total depends on how many corners you do and which load rating you pick. Either way, budget for installation, an alignment and possibly new tires and wheels if you go taller. Our guide to how suspension works explains why these parts all affect each other.
How to choose
- Need a tall lift for big tires? Start with Skyjacker kits.
- Carry a winch, bumper or rooftop tent? Choose OME springs rated for that constant weight.
- Drive daily and want comfort? Keep the lift modest and choose a shock tuned for mixed use.
- Tow often? Check the load rating of the spring or shock, and consider a heavy-duty option.
- Check fitment first. Brand coverage differs by year, engine, cab and drive type, and some kits need extra parts.
- Plan an alignment. Any change in ride height needs one, and larger lifts may need other parts.
Common questions
Is Old Man Emu or Skyjacker better for a lifted truck?
It depends on the lift. Skyjacker offers more height options for tall tires. OME suits moderate lifts and load-matched builds. Decide on lift height and load first, then compare the exact parts for your vehicle.
Which gives a better ride?
Ride depends on spring rate, shock tuning and how much weight you carry. A suspension matched to your load, in either brand, rides better than one that is too soft or too stiff for it.
Do I need new shocks with a lift?
In most cases, yes. A lifted vehicle works the shocks at a different length, so many kits include shocks sized for the new height. If you add only springs, check that your shocks can handle the longer travel.
Will a lift change my alignment?
Yes. Ride height affects camber, caster and toe, so plan an alignment after any lift. Larger lifts can also need steering, driveline or brake line parts.
Where to buy
Shop Skyjacker parts. We are an authorized dealer for every brand we sell, shipping is free anywhere in the USA, and returns are accepted within 60 days (unused, in the original packaging) and return shipping is free. Not sure what fits your vehicle? Contact our support team and we will help you check before you order.