Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

What are the sports? 90021?

 

IDK. I thought they were all sports now but different tunes. They used to have both the regular old twin tube and the newer sport models. I have the older standard twin tube models

http://www.find4x4parts.com/ome-nitrocharger-sport-shocks

 

when installing my 882 coils is there a driver side and a passenger side?

 

nope

 

As long as you like it, that's all that really matters.

Okay, speaking in general terms now...

I think some are afflicted worse than others when it comes to the too-short OME shock making the "go over speed-bump-clank noise." I had enough and finally did something about it. I've solved my problem. In my case, The solution was Bilstein 5100. The Bilstein 5100 provides about 1.2" longer travel. And in my case it made all the difference in the world.

Early Saturday morning I took out the nitrocharger and put in the Bilstein 5100 with my 885 coil. Then got an alignment at Firestone. I then drove to the speed bump proving grounds and drover over a bunch. I can take them at 15 mph and no cluck, no noise, no stupid bang B.S.

Yesterday I went for a tougher test. I went wheeling in Cleveland Nat'l forest, and I was delighted. The truck performed really, really well. The difference for me and my passengers was night and day. Very pleased with the result. I feel like I got better compression of the coil off road and I certainly got more travel, and no loud bang noise!

Also I noted something different between the two shocks. When I had the 5100 out, I manually compressed it. It fully expanded in about 5 seconds, what I would consider normal. I performed this same test with the nitrocharger and it took something like 20 seconds to fully expand. Not sure if it's a defect or what, but both nitrochargers did this. Not sure why. Even so, that's a separate issue, and unrelated to the too-short length.

To sum up, it cost me 2.5 hours of my time to put in the new shocks, and $170 to buy them. Completely solved my problem.



I wheeled with 15 PSI in my tires and between that and the 5100 it was like riding on clouds.


I really hope my post helps others!!!

Thanks, I see those in my future as well.

 

What's the recommendation on the grease / lube for the leaf packs prior to installation to avoid any squeaks?

 

Butter

 

Glad you got it dialed in!

 

If your lubing between the leafs, I recommend a dry moly lube. If your greasing a bushing use any synthetic grease you can find, superlube is a good one, I also like Mobile 1 synthetic.

Thanks!

 

Second time I got doored today so that means it's time for sliders! Anybody know anyone local that deal bolt on sliders? Not worried about them being used as actual rock sliders as this is my everyday driver and I'm not gonna wheel it that rough but more for b!tches that door me in Seattle. Prefer to buy local if not I'll take to online ordering.

 

You can start here if you'd like

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sliders-2nd-gens.199562/

 

Thanks for the update. I have been thinking about changing the OME's up front but haven't decided on a strut yet. Your write up bumps the 5100's up on the list. I am using the 885's with 1/4" spacers.

Did you use keep taco lean spacer on the driver side?

 

I hope it helps. No, never had any spacers on my install.

 

Thanks, I was wondering about this myself as well. Going to be installing some Dakars as soon as I get a day off with some nice weather. Also wanted to know I should only grease the metal sleeve that goes in the poly bushing, or pack the whole thing in grease when I install the bushing?

 

Yes. Grease the inside and outside of the poly bushing and the metal sleeve. Any metal contact with the bushing should have some grease. I also grease the bolt as well.

And just know that no matter how well you prep the Dakar with lube, it's only a matter of time before it starts to squeak. The only solution I have found to work reliably is to mechanically separate the leaves. I took somebody idea and ran with it, using zip ties as a quick fix. For me and my pack the noise is the main spring vibrating against the second leaf down.

EDIT: Here is a link to what I am presently doing with my leaf pack noise.

 

They sagged for me. I have a winch and front steel bumper

 

OME 886 and Dakars installed! It only took 3 hours with me and another TW member bustin' knuckles. Wheels and tires tomorrow. LR UCA's and alignment on Friday.

I'll be the first to say, I was very concerned about how the ride quality would be with 886 and no armor up front, but the guy at TRDParts4U sold me on them, saying he likes the ride quality and they won't sag as much in the long run. I'm absolutely impressed with the way it drives now. The truck actually feels locked in, not jarring by any means. It's hard to explain but it just feels solid now. The roads here in Cleveland are total sh!t, so consider this a proving ground for mall crawling and street driving ride-quality. I'm very happy with how she drives on the street, and it's so much better than the stock ride.

 

My kit didn't come with the axle shims, I got full Dakars for rear are they necessary?

 

They are only necessary to correct pinyon angle alignment with output shaft of transfer case / transmission. Some people need them and others don't. No pat answer.

I ended up pulling an overload leaf out of the Dakar pack and adding the

$74 D29XL Old Man Emu Dakar Extra Leaf Spring

D29XL AAL, and using a 3* shim at install time. Other than some minor take off shudder, I have no drive train vibrations that I can tell.

My advice would be just to install the leaf pack and see how it goes for you. If you do have unwanted vibes after installing, there is a video you can watch to diagnose the problem yourself and determine which shim would be appropriate for your install.

 

I installed mine couple weeks ago with no vibes so I guess I'm good. On another note my driver side seems to lean more than passenger side. I did install the trim packer which I heard was suppose to take car of the lean. Any idea? Oh and this is will a full tank of gas.