A year with OME

A year ago I installed Old Man Emu struts with 883 springs, and OME shocks with the Wheeler 3-leaf heavy duty add-a-leaf bolted to the factory 4 leaf pack (without the overload).


The initial lift was 2" up front and 1.5" in back, with a Leer fiberglass topper. After a year it has settled .75" up front, which left me with just 1.25" up front. The rear hasn't sagged at all, even with lots of off-roading and hauling weight in addition to the topper on full time.

The truck rides great on and off road. It's much more stable compared to brand new, stock suspension. This is my second Tacoma with OME, my first being a 4 door 1st gen with 881 springs and Dakar leafs.

The truck retains the OME ride quality even though it has "softer" springs than the 884 or 885 springs- same spring rate, just shorter for less preload compared to those options.

I've run 255/85r16 tires with no rubbing even while fully flexing the suspension while driving forward or reverse. Just needed to trim a small part off the front mud flaps.

Hope folks find this info helpful, I couldn't find many posts about the 883 springs or reviews of the wheeler AAL that specified whether the overload leaf was on or off.

 

Center of hub to fender measurements after a year of settling:

Drivers front 21.5
Passenger front 21.75
Drivers rear 22.75
Passenger rear 23

 

Not related but had to share. I went to college with a kid we called Ffej. Not his real name but he looked like a Jeff but there was already one on our team so we flipped it and called him Ffej lol. This is the only other time I have seen it.

 

That is awesome. My brother came up with my nickname of reversing Jeff.

 

I've had my 883's on Billies installed for a while now and here are my numbers. I had a local guy install an add a leaf in the rear after one leaf snapped. Truck drives great.

PS - 22"
DS - 21.5"
Average Rears w/add a leaf 23.25"

 

Thank you for the information Ffej and 08TacoTRD. I am considering the 883's when my frame is swapped out with 5100's at zero. Have you had any driveline issues or vibrations? It seems like a crapshoot. Cautious to do any lift with all the reports of issues with real minor lifts.

 

I did 883's and 5100's all around and it raised the front a little over an inch and provided a much better ride than stock (in my opinion). I didnt do anything in the rear becasue it was close to level if just a little bit high in the back. no vibes no issues at all for me. it is a very mild lift and i doubt you would have issues either.

 

Thanks for the post. Is your taco 4x4? The PreRunners don't suffer from the bearing vibes due to, well you know.

 

4x4. its a very mild lift. if thats all youre doing its not noticeable to those who arent really looking.

 

I have a 2011 prerunner DCSB . I did the 883 on 5100s @ 0 . I got after settling 1 9/16 on driver side and 1 7/8 on pass side . Only setteled about 1/4 in. The ride is awesome. No issues in 2 plus years . The only thing I would do different is the 1/4 spacer on driver side for the Tocoma lean .

 

Thinking about the spacer myself and closer to ordering it everyday.

 

I'm hoping to order my lift from HS next month and going with the OME but trying to decide what front Springs to get.I'll know more once my bumper is built and have the weight.going with HS 3 leaf rear pack I think and LR UCA'S so I can get a full 3 inches

 

Did you do 883s or 884s? Sig says 884, unless you've changed...

 

I did 883's first. i liked it and only changed because I got a shell and had to upgrade the rear leafs to support it. after doing that there was too much rake so I put 884's on

 

So no shell and the 883s were fine? I don't plan on a shell of any kind.

 

@glwood6 no shell and 883's were perfect for me. I had bora 1" wheel spacers too and got exactly what I wanted as far as the stance of the truck.

 

I know its hard to say. But I imagine the ride is better with 883 and OME struts vs 5100 set at .75 on stock springs???
Probably get a little more lift too. I have been contemplating going with 883. But with a standard cab I imagine the lift might be more that what you guys are reporting.

 

I also wonder what the difference in ride height/handling is between 5100s @ .85 w/ stock springs vs. 5100s @ -0- w/ 883 springs...

 

Do you have any photos of the truck with the new shocks/springs/Bora spacers?

 

Probably so...I am just about ready to pull the trigger on 5100s & 883 springs for the front, & 5100s only on the rear and see how it ends up.