Old Man Emu shocks are tuned for a controlled, stable ride especially on vehicles that carry extra weight or see regular off-road use. On the street, they typically feel a bit firmer than stock, but in a good way—reducing body roll, brake dive, and that floaty feeling you get with factory suspension.

Where OME really stands out is under load and off-road. These shocks are designed with specific vehicle weights and setups in mind, so when paired correctly, they handle added gear, bumpers, or overlanding setups extremely well. You’ll notice the vehicle feels more planted and predictable over rough terrain, washboard roads, and uneven trails.

Overall, Old Man Emu delivers a firm but comfortable ride that prioritizes control and consistency, making them a great choice for drivers who want dependable performance both on and off the pavement especially for built or loaded rigs.

Most Old Man Emu shocks are not adjustable in the traditional sense they come with vehicle-specific, pre-set valving designed to match your vehicle, weight, and intended use right out of the box. That’s a big part of OME’s approach: dial it in from the start so you don’t have to constantly tweak settings.

That said, some OME setups do offer limited adjustability through ride height and preload, especially on strut and coilover configurations. This allows you to compensate for added weight like bumpers or gear, but it’s not the same as on-the-fly damping adjustment.

If you’re looking for true adjustability, higher-end options like the OME BP-51 shocks do offer external adjustment for compression and rebound, letting you fine-tune the ride for different terrain and loads.

In short, most Old Man Emu shocks are set-it-and-go, with select premium models offering adjustability if you want more tuning control.

Click the 'Select Your Vehicle' button above the 'Add to Cart' button to make sure the shocks fit your exact vehicle. If needed, the site will send you to the right shocks for your ride. If your vehicle has been lifted, use the dropdown menu to pick the correct lift height. For example, if you have a Rough Country 6-inch lift kit, choose Front 4–6" and Rear 3–4" (the rear is usually smaller than the front). Still not sure? Our sales team is happy to help.

Old Man Emu shocks are built for durability, and with normal use, many drivers can expect around 40,000–60,000 miles before performance starts to decline. Like most non-rebuildable shocks, they’ll gradually wear over time, especially as seals and internal oil break down.

That said, real-world lifespan can vary quite a bit depending on how the vehicle is used. Trucks that are heavily loaded, see frequent off-road use, or spend a lot of time on rough terrain may need replacement sooner, while lighter-duty, mostly on-road setups can last significantly longer. It’s not uncommon to see OME shocks go well beyond that range in mild use cases.

Overall, Old Man Emu shocks are designed to be a reliable, long-lasting option for daily driving and overlanding, but like any shock, they’ll eventually wear out and should be replaced once you notice reduced control or increased bounce.