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    Quick Links: UCA Maintenance Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bag Install Question Best Up to Date Install Pricing on UCAs 25470? Your dakar leafs over time Silicone grease for UCA and Shackles DIY LCA Ball Joint Replacement 2005+ Tacoma

Dakar Leaf Pack vs Firestone Air Bags

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by phatso, May 27, 2013.

  1. May 27, 2013 at 11:43 AM
    #1
    phatso

    #1
    phatso [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've searched for and read a lot of material on each of these, but I've had a hard time finding anything that compares both. I have an '08 TRD OR DCSB with an OME 3" lift with the aal. I tow a boat often during the summer months...with that and the camping gear I have quite a bit of sag. I have been debating whether to get the Firestone Ride Rites or a Dakar Leaf Pack.

    What are the pros and cons to each? Will the Dakars eliminate sagging?

    Currently I do not do any real off-roading, but I would like to in the future. If it matters I'm running 265/75/16 Duratracs.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    phatso, May 27, 2013
    #1
  2. May 28, 2013 at 9:28 PM
    #2
    Kahunabert1

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    Kahunabert1 Kahunaman

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    I run air bags because I have heavy lumber rack and toolbox for the last ten years and they work fine and you can always air them down for softer ride. I don't know about the leaf springs.
     
    Kahunabert1, May 28, 2013
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  3. May 28, 2013 at 11:42 PM
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    penguins_cc

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    penguins_cc Well-Known Member

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    The Dakars can handle a surprising amount of weight without sagging, would be a major upgrade over your existing and obviously match well with your OMEs. They would perform much better offroad than the air bags. I've loaded 1500lbs of pavers in the back and was shocked how little sagging I saw. Having said that, they are more of a wear item than the Firestones.

    I would personally get the Dakars since I'm guessing your rear suspension can probably use a freshening up.
     
    penguins_cc, May 28, 2013
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  4. May 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM
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    raycie

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    raycie Well-Known Member

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    Check out timbrens... less "parts" to need to go wrong. I am currently running a 2"aal with the time's, an have the OME leaf pack on order as the aal is starting to sag after 3 years.
     
    raycie, May 29, 2013
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  5. May 29, 2013 at 12:06 AM
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    OZ-T

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    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Dakars
     
    OZ-T, May 29, 2013
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  6. May 31, 2013 at 12:04 AM
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    Series1000

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    Series1000 Well-Known Member

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    I was just there, asking that same question. I bought the firestones, they work amazing for my needs and I dont regret it. They ride awesome no sag and a bit of lift at 30 psi empty, most that I have had to put in is 40 and I was still above stock height in the rear. Daystar makes an airbag saddle that the bottom of the air bag rests in, that will be my next buy.
     
    Series1000, May 31, 2013
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  7. May 31, 2013 at 12:13 AM
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    PerfectTekniq

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    PerfectTekniq I'm undefeated in the UFC.

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    This.
     
    PerfectTekniq, May 31, 2013
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  8. May 31, 2013 at 6:06 AM
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    ATHiker

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    ATHiker Well-Known Member

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    Do we have a fix for the squeaking Dakars?
     
    ATHiker, May 31, 2013
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  9. May 31, 2013 at 6:12 AM
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    vicali

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    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

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    Got up bright and early to look for info on this same topic, I tip my coffee to you OP.

    My initial impressions are that the Dakars are a suspension upgrade that has a bunch of benefits including helping with towing; where the Air-bags are a solution exclusively for towing..
     
    vicali, May 31, 2013
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  10. May 31, 2013 at 6:31 AM
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    medic2230

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    medic2230 @Koditten Pirate Radio member #002

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    I have a pic somewhere to show you. Let me see if I can find it..

    edit: can't find the pic. I had the truck loaded with 2 160 qt coolers fully loaded, gear for 5 guys for the weekend, 5 guys in the truck, and a ranger bass boat hitched up and the truck was sitting level and road like a dream. you can't beat the Dakars.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2013
    medic2230, May 31, 2013
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  11. Jun 4, 2013 at 10:31 PM
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    phatso

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    phatso [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've been hella busy the last few days, but I appreciate the replies.

    I've been leaning towards the Dakars since I first started looking into this and I think I'm still leaning that way. I guess I was wondering if someone would make an overwhelming case for the air bags. I see the benefits of both, but I think the Dakars fit my needs more-so than the airbags.

    Do the Dakars really have a squeaking problem? That would be a huge problem for me. That could sway my decision. Is the squeak something that goes away with time, like the squeak from my aal?
     
    phatso, Jun 4, 2013
    #11
  12. Jun 5, 2013 at 6:00 AM
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    ndcmack

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    ndcmack Well-Known Member

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    Not enough

    I've had my Dakars for a few months now and they've been squeak free. I soaked them in PB Blaster(as discribed by someone on here) before install, seems to have done the trick. Time will tell. One thing to consider is vibrations though. I'm fighting a take off shudder since install and may end up with a custom double cardon drive shaft to solve this...

    Refer to: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/244535-drive-shaft-vibrations-solved-step-step.html

    I've towed 2000lbs with loaded truck bed about 800 miles and the Dakars may have dropped and inch or so. Note:I have the Dakar's w/
    $81 D29xl Leaf Spring
    D29xl
     
    ndcmack, Jun 5, 2013
    #12
  13. Mar 4, 2018 at 12:03 PM
    #13
    scottfarm

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    scottfarm Well-Known Member

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    I have airbags and could not do without them. You can keep your truck at your stock height no matter how much weight you have in the back. I tow a 5000 trailer with 650 lbs of tongue weight and and load the bed with a ton more weight. Try that with the Dakars. All I have to do is adjust the air to get to stock height. When I don't need it air down and ride on the stock smooth suspension. If you have the taco lean put a little more air in one side than the other. I use a small bicycle pump. $250 for air bags or $500 for Dakars. No squeaking. No Brainer.
     
    scottfarm, Mar 4, 2018
    #13

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Old Man Emu D29XL Leaf Spring
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