starting install of Old Man EMU dakar Leaf packs

just getting started on install, friend flaked out and doing this myself. I am stoked as i am getting rid of revtek space lift and 1.5 aal. I measured the rear from top of hub to middle of fender opening and was at 21.5 in. hopefully this goes smooth. 2nd pic > the pack goes in like in the picture right, that is the only thing i am unsure of.

 

I am now a firm believer in PB blaster, the bushings/bolts in the stock leafs were a pain in the ass to loosen up. I am committed as all shit right now. getting ready to add the shim and replace the leaf pack.

 

Good luck with the install.

 

x2

 

stupid ass shims are not going to work until i add a washer or two to the center bolt. this sucks ass because my wife is in town for a few hours and i am in the sticks now with no way to get some washers. i read a thread last night with a guy with the same issues and someone chimed in that the ome dakar were as good as gold for the shims without the washers.....FUCKER!! i knew i should have went in last night for some washers. guess i am going to install the washers at another time.... ok on to snugging the bolts and torquing and adding the billy's, then on to the other side.



pics show where to use 5 mm hex to tighten top nut on the billy's

 

finished up passenger side, gonna double check torque and finish up with finished product

 

finished, with about an hour break it took me over 4 hrs. with very little knowledge except fluid changes and brakes, install went smooth thanks to sticky and some threads from other installs.... after install measured just over 23 inches which put me at about 1.5 in. over the 1.5 aal from revtec..... gonna take a test drive and see how she feels......next weekend front coilovers and uca going on.

 

Nice job!

 

Can't wait to see final pics!

 

Awesome man. Way to get it done by yourself!!

 

sweet looks great and nice job doing it solo

 

thnks for the comments, i was contemplating this all week, and after the outrageous quotes for install i just saved myself some serious coin on this. the ride is great compared to stock shocks and wimpy leafs plus the revtek aal. there are some good dirt roads and right on the next property they are developing some land and its all tore up from dozer and an excavator. I did some serious flexing and i noticed some vibration at start, i am putting on shims next week after the coilovers go on and the drive shaft spacer so hopefully that'll cure that. right off the get go i heard some clunking when going over some ruts and very uneven terrain, i then took out everything in my truck box> that was the cause, 1st aid kit and tire inflator was clanking around in the back. PHew! I freaked for a minute. any how when i do the fronts and get her all cleaned up i will post final pics/or do the right thing and do a "BUILD THREAD" A shout out to all the sticky originators on this forum. (chris4x4) was a big help on his aal sticky. ITS MILLER TIME BABY!!!!!

 

Nice job !

You said you were just over 23 inches ,centre of hub to underside of fender , but your picture with the tape measure looks as though you are more like 24 1/2 " .

What gives ?

 

i measured from top of hub to begin with, it was easier for me to gauge height........

 

Gotcha , I wanna put the Dakars on my truck as well , keep us posted on how they ride .

Nice work .

 

Just curious but how much did the shop quote you on the install? I am wanting to do the same stuff as you. Only issue for me is that i don't have many tools, what can i get by with for an install like this?? thanks.

 

read the sticky by chris4x4 in the suspension section, aal install> a decent 3 ton jack with stands and blocks of 4x4, one of those heavy mallet for the obvious, and seriously use air tools for the stock leaf removal, and use PB Blaster < that is the shit for tuff nuts/bolts. I was fortunate to have a electric in pact gun > i don't think i could have broke the front bolts off the leaf packs on both sides < they were the hardest to break.... basic hand tools are listed in the sticky

oh yea, 2 quotes one was $650 and the other was just shy over $930

 

thnks, so far ride is smoother than stock/aal/oem shocks. i need to add some weight in the back and see how the ride is with about 400# in the back. i will post up ride results soon.

 

very nice! are those billies the 5125's? because I didn't think the 5100's would fit with the Dakars.

 

they are the extended length 5100's from ultimate lift kit from toytec.