Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

Think I could start working on them now so I'll know for sure if they're stuck? Think I'll go put a wrench and breaker bar on them tomorrow. Do they get stuck to the nut or do they seize inside the metal sleeve?

 

Your bushings will likely be seized on to the bolts. When you try to get the nut off you'll be torquing the leaf spring and flexing it out instead of actually turning the nut against the bolt. If they were normal bolts you could just lock a wrench on to the bolt side to keep it from rotating... but these aren't normal bolts. I couldn't figure a way to get them undone so I resorted to cutting.

 

Just installed a 2" OME kit from Cruiser Outfitters on my '04. I went with 880 coils with trim spacers and Dakar leafs. I should have measured before the lift, but I'd say I got an easy 3" over my worn out stock suspension. It rides great and looks better too. I've got a little more rake than I wanted, but I guess it might settle some.

I haven't messed with a BPV or brake line extension or anything. I'm waiting to see how everything works once it's broken in. I'll see if I can't get a pic if it clears up outside.

 

Can anyone help in regards to the OME lifts and a 4 cylinder (3rz) '99 tacoma extended cab? Roughly, the 4cylinder model weighs about 200lbs less than the v6 model. I would assume most of this is in the front (engine) that would affect the front coil ride height. I have a camper shell but would not have it on all the time. I do haul/tow occasionally as well. I plan to put on lighter armor in the future, no heavy plate stuff.

Any help is good help.

Which set up?

Set up #1:

881 coils, no spacers (maybe for taco lean), nitrocharger sports
Dakars only, no spacer (maybe for taco lean), nitrochargers,

Set up #2:
882 coils, no spacers, nitrochargers
Dakars and OME AAL, no spacers, nitrochargers,

Set up #3
882 coils, no spacers, nitrochargers
Dakars only, no spacers, nitrochargers

 

Your #1 set up will be the best option. The other two will be too stiff and too tall up front. When I put my 881s on my 3rz it was right at 3". It was a little over 3" for a few weeks before they settled any.

I don't know about the Dakars, but I wished I had gotten something beefier than the Wheeler 5 leaf packs because I run a fiberglass shell, also.

 

Thanks for the insight. What is it looking like up front now that the coils have settled some? 2.5" or 2.75"

 

I don't know. I've got a 100# plate bumper and a 90# winch up there.

 

You might want to do #1, but swap out 881s for 880s.

Here is my old V6 with 881s, 5mm trim packer on driver side, and Dakars, no AAL. Stock tires size 265/70 16. Pic taken last September right before I sold it. Cap lived on it 24/7/365 since I bought it in 09. Towed a ~1600 lb camper and bed full of camping gear.

881s had been on since late 2010, IIRC. Dakars since early Sept 2014. I swapped them in after the Wheelers 5 "HD" pack sagged out after only 4 years. That pack is not worth the high price AT ALL. At least I managed to resell it for $100.







This is with the bed empty and trailer dry



This is heavy camping load en route to Utah.

 

Do you know the dimension from the center of wheel to the fender well? I could compare to my own to get an idea of lift between yours and mine stock.

 

I'm sorry, man, I know I measured them, but I'm not sure that I have that record any more. I'd have to check at home.

 

Good info and good pictures. If I could have that ride height, I would be completely happy.

I figure with the 881's I would have a little higher lift in the front (stock bumper). It would probably compensate for the Dakars (no AAL) in the rear with no camper shell. Thus nearly leveling out the potential rake if I were to go with the 880's initially. Once I add a bumper and winch I will get some of the preload back, I guess?

As we all know, suspensions sag and settle with time and use. I am still thinking once all settles, I want to still be at 2.5" to 2.75" of lift. So if it takes a rougher ride initially with the 882's and an Dakar+AAL, I'll take it. But as its looking, the 881's and Dakars (only), originally designed for V6 models, may have plenty of beef to maintain the height.

Further thoughts?

 

No worries bud, I appreciate the input.

 

Hey, Got a question for you guys who assembled your OME struts-

I had a local 4x4 shop assemble the 880 coils onto Nitrocharger struts-

The bottom metal cushion retainer rattles around, and has about 3-4mm of vertical play on the shaft of the shock, and the dust cover is loose and rattles around too. I'm skeptical that the shop assembled the stack of cushions and retainers correctly. Additionally, the eyelet is not properly aligned to mount to the lower control arm, and the shop guys said to torque on the eye to achieve alignment. Again, skeptical.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Have any pics?

 

Not sure if this is helpful, but this is the loose retainer:

It can move several mm.
Thx

 

I was on the OME site, and from the current data sheet (specifically in regards to options for the full lift kits) it appears that the 880 and 881 give the same 1.75" lift and the only difference between them is what load they're recommended for.

If this is true this is in contrast to what I've read on this site which is 880 = 0.5-1" and 881=1.75-2.".

Does anyone know if the OME specs for 880 has changed recently? Which lift height is correct for a 1st gen V6 with 880 coils, 1" or 1.75"?

 

Any pics of the bottom spring perch?

 

Here it is:

 

Those assembled struts look fishy. The pics aren't the greatest, though. Better camera possibly?

The 880 is intended for small v6 lift or med/lg 4cyl lift.

The 881 is intended for v6.

 

Didn't they come with these instructions?



My red notation is because I had 5100 on before the 881s, and I had a missing piece (highlighted retainer) I had to order from Toyota because they guy who installed the 5100s previously must have discarded it and not given back to me. I was not happy.