Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

What did you go with in the back?

Not sure if I should go with wheelers 2" add a leaf or the progressive pack.

 

I replaced the leaf packs with General Springs HD leaf pack. Gave me 2" lift. So far they are great and quiet.

 

So I've been slacking and still dont have any decent photos but I figure I will give a review since I am now aligned and have driven 50 miles on the new gear.

886 coils are stiff, the front bumper and winch help it a lot but I am a little taken aback at how stiff the coils are. Its not a negative thing at all, in fact I think the truck tracks and drives much better. I also lost almost no lift in the front after added almost 200 pounds which is nice because I have a little bit of rake from the Dakars. The ride comfort is fine, I can is it being a bit taxing if the truck was a daily driver but over all I am very happy I went with the 886. I also installed LR UCA which given the amount of lift I got I think it really helped to align everything.

The Dakars are awesome as well, they feel about as stiff as the front and gave me more lift then I had expected. Even with a topper, deck and tools the back is still a bit higher then the front. Its not enough to make me want to remove a leaf, once the dog and camping gear are in the back it'll level out nicely.

Overall things are settling a bit, I am getting use to the difference in how the truck drives. I will say that I was kinda shocked at how much a 3"ish lift raised the truck. My girlfriend suddenly has a harder time getting in and out of the truck, it stands so much taller!

Now its time for new tires and possible spacers!

 

Yeah I do need a build page and an avatar!

 

I need some help picking the correct spring for an OME kit with dakars. I have done my research and am familiar with OME having run the complete kit on my 09' Tundra. My truck is a 2011 DCSB 4.0 OR 4x4 and we just ordered a Century topper (same as a Leer 180) that weighs 240#. I am jumping back and forth between the 887 or 885's and will be installing either a T/C or Icon UCA at the same time to help tighten up the front end.

My thoughts are to possibly add a front bumper and sliders in a year which leads me to the 887 springs over the 885's. My biggest concern is that if I pass on the bumper, will I end up nose high in the front once the dakars settle in? I know that OME offers an AAL#

$77 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL that would solve that issue but i'd rather not stiffen the rear up any beyond the normal dakar ride. The bed will be mostly empty except for a hi-lift and some basic tools until we head out on camping trips. Tried looking around for pictures of trucks running the 887's in this thread and the OME gallery but could not find anybody that had them paired with a shell/topper on dakars. Any help or advice is appreciated.

 

Not sure if this helps but....

I have 887 with dakars. I also have a canopy on the way. I have had the lift on for about three weeks and it hasn't seemed to settle at all (have not re-measured). After the lift I had about the same rake as before so I'm hoping once I put the canopy on it will level out just a bit.

I don't think you will have to worrie about being nose high with or without the aftermarket bumper.

 

Thanks, I hope to end up with a factory rake after adding the topper. The dakars seem to settle about a 1/2" over time from what I am reading which is why I am concerned a bit ending up nose high with the constant weight of the topper. Most people that are running the 887 all seem to be dead level with standard dakars. I am not hung up with getting exactly 3"...just don't want to buy 885's now and realize in a year that i made a mistake.

 

I actually just put my bump stops on today and that was a pain in the ass. Even with the front jacked up all the way the Allen key was way to long to fit in between my lca's. So I had to go to my friends house and use his cut off wheel. Took about an inch or so off still no help. Had to finagle the bolt with my fingers to get it stated then tighten as much as I could with needle nose pliers. After I got to that point I had to insert Allen key tighten as far as I could, drop the key and reinsert until I got to the point where I could make full turns with the wrench. It took me about two hours and even if they don't help or go bad they might just stay in there lol. That was the most annoying thing I have done in a while. Seems to me they would send s modified Allen key with the kit so you wouldn't have to go through all the trouble I went through! Hopefully they pay off though. Haven't had a chance to test them out yet.

 

I had a helluva time myself. Expected it to be quick. That was not the case. Ended up using a socket key and small extension which got stuck in the stop once it was tight. Then I had to pry them out with pliers and small flathead. PITA

 

I had the same problem with the allen wrench. I cut off more than an inch and it went ok, but still a PITA. Then I did the rears no problem, but I fretted about reusing the u-bolts and ended up ordering a new set. Ordered the wrong size and had to buy ANOTHER set. Sheesh, I feel like I should go find some gnarly potholes just so I can really put 'em to use.

 

884's out front 22.5"
Dakar's out back 24.5"
Measurements from center of hub to fender.
Have lr uca's that i'll add at some point.

 

We need more pics guys

 

Ok.

 

I run 885 up front, Dakars in the rear with Nitrocharger shocks. Nose up for about 2-3 weeks, then levelled out, added my Pelfreybilt bumper and dropped the nose very slightly (3/8") which gave me the rake i wanted. I never got measurements from hub to fender, but judging from the pics in this thread, I'm on par with the average.

Pre-Pelfreybilt


With Pelfreybilt

 

Have you guys noticed a difference yet sit just normal driving? I feel like it does specially over rail road tracks and washboard roads but then again it could be in my head. But it does seem like there is less or a jar in the front end. Let us know how you feel about the rears. I just ordered my billy 5100 rears so should have them on next week and possibly upgrade the rear bumps while I'm at it

 

I just have wheelers in the front and I can say with certainty that it is a night and day difference under my "normal driving". I live on really bad washboard roads and there is no more teeth jarring shutters. Smooth sailing. Such a relief.

 

So it's not in my head then haha. I love it and it is night and day difference!

 

. Truck looks awesome! What size tires are you running?

 

Wheelers front bumpstops or timbren front bumpstops? I have timbren rears and they ride great but the timbren front bumps are way pricey in my opinion, but then again maybe they're worth it? Anyone have experience with the timbren fronts? I know a lot of you guys run wheelers and love them so I'm just trying to decide. $50 vs $200

 

Wow
That's 2.5" of front lift with 884's