Old man EMU

Hey everyone. So the leaf springs on my 2010 taco trd offroad finally broke. Even though it's recalled, Toyota hasn't done shit for me over the past three weeks so it's time to get something done.

I decided Im going to get all aftermarket parts from Toytec and just lift the truck while I am at it. I just want to make sure everything I am getting will fit and work properly so please give some insight!

I am going to order:
Rear: 2 1/2" lift complete rear Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs, 9in U bolts and some generic shocks to go with it for now
Front: Height adjustable 5100 bilstein shocks. Just the replacement shocks though because I cant afford the full coils right now.
Question:Will these 5100s work with the stock suspension set up in the front? Any insight on the quality of the leaf springs?

Thanks everyone! Ill post pics of truck when its lifted.

 

A few quick notes:

1. The Bilisteins ride pretty crappy up front when you compress the stock springs for 2.5" of lift. Get the coils now or save your money to get them before ordering.
   
2. I don't think your stock rear shock is going to like being attached to that OME leaf. It will not only probably give you a stiff jerky ride, but that leaf will possibly allow the shock to over extend.

 

Love my Dakars. They will handle anything I throw at them. Only issue is they are prone to squeak. Before I threw mine on, I did some preventative maintenance:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rs-with-the-dakars.156353/page-2#post-3371352

No squeaks!

 

Dakars will ride rough unless you have a few hundred pounds of extra weight to soften them up.

Also, unless you're local to ToyTec, save some money and buy through @HeadStrong Off-Road

 

Dakars , not butter

 

Alright thanks guys. So I am getting bilsteins all the way around. Dakars for leafs and Im not to worried about the ride as long as they hold up. I do have my atv on the back a lot so that will help. I did read you can take the third leaf out though for softer ride. Is this true? Hoping the ride height is good with the front bilsteins at 2.5" if its too low, what do you suggest to level it? blocks?

 

Proper leaf packs for your application and use is better than modifying a Dakar pack, designed to haul heavy loads and therefore stiffer, so soften it up and then adding a block to regain height.

You obviously need to do more reading.

Why do you want Dakars as opposed to another option? I have a feeling you're just convincing yourself you want to use the trending parts of the day, even when they aren't what you should be using.


Because Dakars isn't a good answer.

 

Your actually completely wrong. First of all when I said adding blocks I meant spacers to lift the front of the truck. Second of all the cheapest leaf packs I have found are the dakars thats why I want them not because they are "trending" I dont follow trends or care what anyone thinks anyways. Finally, I am doing this because the stock leafs are shot on mine and thats why I am replacing them. Not because I want to or to follow a trend. By all means if you know of better leaf packs that are cheaper enlighten me because I would be much happier spending less than what I am.

Oh and I checked out out headstrong. Thanks you for that, definitely better prices.

 

Haha Nahh I really do appreciate the feedback. I just want to be clear Im not asking these questions because I want to blow money on this truck. (although I would love to) but simply because Its broken. lol

 

Spacers up front will ride poor. Dakars in the back on an otherwise stock truck will also ride poor.

There are comparably priced leaf packs than Dakars, but they don't provide the same lift per se. Dakars are cheaper for the leaf pack, but you aren't including the cost of small parts, spacers or shims to correct any vibes they'll create, U bolts, new rear shocks that allow for the lift height. And even after all of that, you aren't carrying weight. It will ride like ass.

Wheeler's 5 leaf pack is $499 and likely is cheaper in the long run, and certainly is comparably priced. You want a 3" lift in the rear and nothing up front but a spacer if needed, because coils aren't in the budget. That's fine, but like I said, you'll be spending a lot of money either way, and your plan so far is not one you may be happy with.

 

If it were me..

 

But it's not. Let it go, buddy. Just let it go...

 

For $200 or less you can buy brand new take off OEM leaf packs from someone on this forum.

For $150 you can buy a 3 leaf progressive AAL, and add it to that leaf pack - with overload leaf left in for a 2" lift.

For $300 you can buy 5100s at all four corners.

Set to .85 up front or 1.75 and have a new leaf pack, with sub $500 worth of parts that you'll be happy riding around in.

Even if you don't want OEM leafs, and that's understandable.. Dakars and an unloaded truck aren't advised.

@Kyitty can chime in as that's what he's running on his rear end, he originally said it was pretty stiff and not so butter.

 

@Kyitty

 

Front is going to get bilsteins 5100 adjustables (obviously you need to do more reading)... so no the front is not getting just spacers. Thanks though. I bet it will ride good for me. A lot better than with the broken leafs on it now. =)

 

The 5100's will ride better than stock, but the question is how much money do you have and what are your priorities.

 

Okay then. Spacers with 5100s are no different than having spacers with the shocks you have now.

Have fun.

 

I will look around a little more and if I end up with dakars and I hate them, I will comment and let you know that you were right so you can soak that glory up for sure haha