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New OME Dakar Leaf Pack Review

Discussion in 'HeadStrong Off-Road' started by HeadStrong Off-Road, May 3, 2017.

  1. May 3, 2017 at 9:04 AM
    #1
    HeadStrong Off-Road

    HeadStrong Off-Road [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    ARB has just release their new Dakar leaf packs. Part numbers EL095R and EL096R to replace the CS047R leaf spring pack.

    As you can see, there are two different EL models available. As far as I have heard ARB US doesn't have the exact spec's on them yet so there isn't anything concrete as far as published spring rates but as soon as that information becomes available I will update this thread.

    From what we can see here is that the "heavy" duty EL096R is going to be the equivalent to the CS047R. It has 7 leafs, 5 main leafs and 2 overload leafs. They are calling this heavy duty but, to me, it seems to be more of a standard pack. Meaning that it would provide around 2.75"-3" of lift, over stock, on a stock weight Tacoma. Now, obviously, the more weight you add the more it will settle down. ***UPDATE: ARB has spec'd this leaf pack out to provide 2.75" of lift on a 05-15 Tacoma running a constant load of 660lbs and around 2" of lift on an 2016+ Tacoma running the same constant load of 660lbs. The EL46XL add-a-leaf can be used in combination with the EL096R "heavy duty" leaf spring pack. It is the same size as the 3rd leaf of the EL096R spring pack which follows the same design as the D29XL for the CS047R leaf pack. It will increase the spring rate by 15% and the overall lift height by 15mm. Unless you are running an excessive amount of weight, usually around 1,000lbs running the add-a-leaf can adversely affect the ride quality. If you are looking to gain some additional height an not really more capability then there are better options available. This add-a-leaf can also be used to convert the "light duty" pack into the "heavy duty" pack. NOTE: This add-a-leaf is not meant to be used with the CS047R leaf spring pack. If you have the old pack ARB is continuing to make the D29XL add-a-leaf for that spring pack.

    The "light" duty EL095R seems to be the equivalent to the CS047R with the 3rd leaf removed. This pack has 6 leafs, 4 main leafs, and 2 overload leafs. **UPDATE: ARB has now slated this pack to provide around 2.75" of lift on a Tacoma running stock weight to up to GVW on an 05-15 Tacoma and 2" of lift on a 2016+ Tacoma running the same stock to GVW. I like the idea of this pack more then I do the "heavy" duty because it can be more versatile however I am still not thrilled about the two different pack thing to begin with. This pack would be ideal for those that are not looking for as much lift or as stiff of a ride since it has one less leaf. It basically saves people the trouble of having to clamp the pack together to remove the leaf like they had to with the CS047R pack. The flip side of this though, is that it costs more, and should you ever need/want more lift or support you would then have to purchase the add-a-leaf separately in order to get what you would have had from the CS047R pack for "free."

    Pro's and Con's aside from the leaf count:

    The paint and quality of the leafs on the new packs aren't as nice as the CS047R. It could be something that may get better over time but the ones we have seen so far haven't been impressive.

    EDIT: The spring retaining clips are zinc plated so the black coating of paint on them does not adhere well and chips off. You can repaint them but it will most likely continue to flake off.

    It comes with more, thicker, and better designed anti-squeak liners
    Con of that is the OME ubolts don't seem to fit properly on the "heavy" duty pack so we recommend using our u-bolts since they are a little bit longer. A side note, the OME u-bolts are also a bit narrower so depending on if you decide to shim the rear end the shims or bolts would have to filed down in order to clear most common shims. We have developed our u-bolts to accommodate the addition of the shim.

    The EL versions do not come with any bushings pressed in to the fixed end like the CS047R's did, which was a source of squeaking before
    Con is that you now how to have a full bushing kit which costs more as well. Side Note: We now include the full set of bushings/sleeves and grease packages in our kits and our Dakar packages so there is no need to purchase that separately unless you are purchasing ala carte.

    The big pro, for me at least, is the spring retainers. They are much beefier then they used to be so they are going to be less likely to get bent or damaged and they do not have the plastic/rubber liners like they used to which would fall off and break. In the place of those they have appear to have a rubber or possibly poly material that is adhered to the inside of the retainer so you wouldn't have to worry about breakage or slipping of that piece.

    All in all, I think they could have made some minor tweaks to the CS047R pack, like the thicker liners and retainer, and left well enough alone.

    Picture of EL095R and CS047R side by side (El095R is on top in the pictures and the CS047R is below):
    side by side.jpg

    Bushings:
    20170503_083708.jpg

    In leaf liners:
    20170503_083722.jpg
    20170503_083727.jpg

    Anti-squeak pads:
    20170503_083735.jpg
    20170503_083742.jpg

    Spring Retainers:
    20170503_083651.jpg

    As with anything that is new in the suspension world it really will come down to real-world feedback on ride quality, lift heights with and without weight, and how the product wears in over time.

    EDIT:

    New OME Dakar part numbers released. Please see new write up:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-newest-ome-dakar-leaf-packs.671911/


    If you have any questions feel free to PM me or contact me via e-mail or phone.

    Thank you so much TW and have a wonderful day!!!
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2020
  2. May 3, 2017 at 9:19 AM
    #2
    MadRiverTaco

    MadRiverTaco Join TW, they said. It's free, they said.

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    King 2.5 Ext. w/ Compression Adjusters (Front & Rear), Dakars w/ D29XL, TC UCA's & LCA's, ARE CX, 17" SEMA Pro's, 265/70/17 Falken Wildpeaks, BORA spacers, Rigid Side shooter ditch lights, ATHF bedside reinforcements, OME carrier bearing drop bracket, extended rear brake lines, Northstar 27F battery, Yakima Jetsream crossbars, OEM roof rack, OEM skid plate, TRD Pro grill, URD TCAI, 5.7L Throttle Body, BensonX bedside tool mounts, fire extinguisher bedside mount, AMP research bed step, Redline Tuning hood struts, ECGS needle bearing mod, CV Boot slide mod, Differential breather mod, U-Bolt Flip Kit w/ Timbren Bumpstops, A-pillar RAM mount w/ cell phone holder, ProFX tow mirrors with turn signals and heat, "Raptor" lights, DEPO taillights, motorized Pop n' Lock
    Now that's one thorough review. Thank you for taking the time to write this up @HeadStrong Off-Road! The decreased weight capacity is a head scratcher but I look forward to some member reviews post-install
     
  3. May 3, 2017 at 9:20 AM
    #3
    jztacoma

    jztacoma Trust me I’m an Engineer

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  4. May 3, 2017 at 9:23 AM
    #4
    KaptainH

    KaptainH Well-Known Member

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    Love it - great customer relations! I'm gonna want a pair of the overload springs soon for the old pack. Think they'll drop in price or no? Don't wanna come off as stingy but if I'm gonna save a few bucks...
     
    ChadsPride likes this.
  5. May 3, 2017 at 9:25 AM
    #5
    HeadStrong Off-Road

    HeadStrong Off-Road [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Overload springs? I am not sure if you mean the add-a-leafs. If so, once we can get a EL46XL we will review that too to see if it could be used as the D29XL replacement since that is now considered discontinued. I would venture to guess it will be just fine though.

    The old product pricing has and will remain the same. Prices have gone up with the new leaf packs as well.
     
    Malinosan and ChadsPride like this.
  6. May 3, 2017 at 10:11 AM
    #6
    KaptainH

    KaptainH Well-Known Member

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    Sorry yup meant the add a leaf
     
  7. May 3, 2017 at 11:36 AM
    #7
    HeadStrong Off-Road

    HeadStrong Off-Road [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    I figured that was the case but some people do remove the long overload and I imagine they can toss it so I thought it could have been a possibility. Just in case someone is reading this and wants the long overload they do not sell it separately.
     
    ChadsPride and KaptainH[QUOTED] like this.
  8. May 5, 2017 at 12:41 PM
    #8
    dirtnsmores

    dirtnsmores A camping truck

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    Interesting. Would you still recommend extended length shocks for these or will my standard 5100s be ok.
     
  9. May 5, 2017 at 12:43 PM
    #9
    HeadStrong Off-Road

    HeadStrong Off-Road [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    By removing it, it will help some however it will be the limiting factor.
     
  10. May 5, 2017 at 1:00 PM
    #10
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Very nice, thoughtful review, Marie.

    So by their pricing logic for the "light" pack, they should offer an HD pack version of the EL096R, let's call it the 97, that adds the AAL and is the least expensive of all three. AMIRITE!
     
  11. May 6, 2017 at 7:06 AM
    #11
    cappsinc

    cappsinc Active Member

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  12. May 6, 2017 at 7:23 AM
    #12
    TACOVRD

    TACOVRD I Identify As A Prius

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    Workin' on it....
    Awesome Marie!
     
  13. May 18, 2017 at 9:37 AM
    #13
    kain102708

    kain102708 Well-Known Member

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    I am interested to know if the EL096R pack can have an add a leaf? Or if it gives just as much lift as the CS047R pack with the add a leaf?
    What is the difference in "stack" height between the different packs?
     
  14. May 18, 2017 at 9:49 AM
    #14
    CenCal805

    CenCal805 Well-Known Member

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    Would love to know this ^ too. I ordered the CS047R + D29XL from Wheeler's and received the new leaf pack EL096R. I had Wheeler's assemble the leaf pack, and they installed the EL46XL and not the D29XL. I hate to bash a vendor here, but between waiting weeks for my $1200 order to ship because they didn't have the extended brake lines ($60) in stock (still haven't received them, placed the order on April 20th. Canceled that order today) and had to tell them to ship my order without the brake lines or I would still be waiting for my entire order, plus getting the "new" parts that I didn't order and not being notified, my experience with Wheeler's was unpleasant to say the least. Now I am curious to know if what I received was the best option for me considering the "changes" that were made. Wish I had know that I was going to be getting the "new" parts, as I might have gone a different direction. Kind of hard to change now that they are installed on my truck.
     
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  15. May 18, 2017 at 9:52 AM
    #15
    CenCal805

    CenCal805 Well-Known Member

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    BTW, I ordered extended front and rear breaks from Headstrong this morning after I canceled my order with Wheeler's. :thumbsup: If they wouldn't have been closed for two week to move, I would have ordered everything from them. Should have been more patient considering I waited for two weeks for Wheeler's to ship my order anyways.. *sigh*
     
  16. May 18, 2017 at 10:29 AM
    #16
    kain102708

    kain102708 Well-Known Member

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    CenCal805 What is your overall height on the rear if you have the EL096R pack with add a leaf?
     
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  17. May 18, 2017 at 11:03 AM
    #17
    CenCal805

    CenCal805 Well-Known Member

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    Honestly, I had Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags on before I installed the new leaf pack because I have an ARE MX shell, sleeping platform/Drawer system and about 200#s of gear constantly loaded. So, I am running about 600# constant load. I took the air bags off at the same time I installed the leaf pack, so I don't really know what I gained. I also never measured stock height before adding the shell, etc. All I know is once I added the weight, I had a serious sag issue and installed the airbags. I was not a huge fan of adding air, so I ordered the leaf pack and extended 5100s. If I were to guess, I got every bit of 3" with the constant load. So, to be honest it works for my needs. (Also added a 3 degree shim with the leaf pack and extra leaf) It supports the weight incredibly well and I got some added lift. Overall, I'm very happy with it. Just would have loved to know I was getting the "new" version.
     
  18. May 18, 2017 at 11:43 AM
    #18
    kain102708

    kain102708 Well-Known Member

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    I am running the TSB pack with toy tec add now. Also axle shims as well as spacers. I am sitting at 24.5" rear with my shell and sleeping platform in the back (this is constant). Plus my bike which is an additional 250LBS (weekend trips). If you have 600lbs constant on the back I am curious what your hub to fender measurement is. I am looking at making this purchase soon as well and want the truck to sit where it is now if not a little taller. I will have it loaded at times but definitely not constant at 600.
     
  19. May 18, 2017 at 12:42 PM
    #19
    HeadStrong Off-Road

    HeadStrong Off-Road [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    It does seem like the EL46XL can be added to either leaf pack. It can make the Light Duty heavy duty and the Heavy duty an even heavier duty. It would increase the spring rate by 15% and the overall lift height by around 15mm.
     
    ready6delta likes this.
  20. May 18, 2017 at 12:50 PM
    #20
    kain102708

    kain102708 Well-Known Member

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    Sweet.
     

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