New OME Dakar Leaf Pack Review

Just purchased my extra leaf then for the old pack, don't want them to disappear! Even tho the new extra leaf (EL46XL) is reported to be the same specs AND even shows a

$77 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL in its picture

Keep up the good work- always a pleasure with Headstrong

 

Could you give some advice on which spring pack to go with?

DCLB with shell, 50-100lbs of gear, occasionally 120lbs of bikes off the back. Looking for a full OME kit, with 885s up front, but not sure whether I should get the light duty leafs or the heavy duty. Sounds like I'm right on the border between the two! I've been bottoming out frequently with my stock suspension - want to stop that, and also don't want any rear sag.

Many thanks!

 

Heavy would be my recommendation in your case.

 

The shells usually weigh around 200lbs and with the rest of the gear added, the heavy duty may be a better option. The good thing is, if you go with the light duty and aren't fully satisfied by the lift and/or support you can always add in the add-a-leaf and if you go with the heavy duty and have too much lift and/or the ride isn't as desirable you can remove the 3rd leaf.

 

My EL096R Leafs and AALs are showing up tomorrow!! Hopefully I can get them on tomorrow night and get some feedback!

 

Awesome, thank you!

 

Thanks for this review, Marie. I was just reading ARB's application guide for the Tacoma (http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaTacoma.pdf) and if I'm reading it correctly, the EL096R (aka "Heavy Duty") is rated at 660 lb, constant load. Can you confirm? I read your review to say that the EL096R only supported 300 lb. which doesn't sound very heavy duty, indeed.

-jeff

 

Thanks for all the info. Gonna be ordering my Dakars sometime in the next month

 

This is conflicting information from what was first spec'd out from ARB to what they are spec'ing out now. I will update the op but to be honest it will really does come down to how much weight you are running as to how much height you will and how that correlates to ride quality.

 

Installed the EL096Rs tonight. Will take measurements hub center to fender tomorrow. What a difference it makes compared to my factory leafs with an AAL and 1.5" block! It feels so much nicer, firm yet comfortable, no more axle wrap either! Can't thank you enough Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road !!

 

I was looking at this too and I am thinking somewhere along the way someone got a little confused with the metric system because 660kg is equal to 300lbs. So I would believe what they meant is 300lbs constant load which would be about even with their previous CS047R leafs.

I have a set of EL096R on the way and I am hoping they will support the extra 300lbs constant load I expect to be running but if not I can always add in the extra set of leafs.

 

I spoke with ARB tech support this morning about the AALs I ordered with the ES096R packs I have and installed tonight. The 3rd leaf down from top is already the ES46XLs added which is what makes these packs the "heavy duty". You can add them in to make it super heavy duty and lift another 15mm but would need one extra rubber center pin shim per side and a total of 4 "pucks" (1 on each end of the AALs) to prevent noise. At the moment there isn't a part number available nor did they know if it would be released.

 

Looks great. What bump stops you using? You have the extended 5100s or standard length?

 

Extended length 5100s, extended rear brake lines, all pro u bolt flip with upgraded 5/8" u bolts, and wheelers bump stops, they bolt right into the pre tapped all pro plate

 

@adadandhistruck i can't express how nice they feel, I recommend em. I'm not even running weight in the rear with the heavy duty pack

 

I put the es46xl on tonight as well and had to borrow the shims and insulators from a set of my stock leafs. The plastic insulators arent exactly the same but they fit and seem to work!

I gained about 4" over stock using the ES096R pack with the ES46XL AALs. Coupled with standard travel ICON 2.0 RR shocks the on road ride is firm but not harsh. Going over segmented concrete highways it is definitely smoother than stock and doesn't get a bed bounce resonance nearly as bad.

Next step is to crank up my coil overs another 2" to level it out

 

EL096R Rear measurements are right at 26", maybe a hair under. Hub center to fender. No rear weight other than the curt hitch receiver I forgot was back there. Both packs were at 0 spec.

 

I'm at 25 1/2" from hub center to fender with the EL096R and ES46XL AAL. Stock I measured 21 5/8". Both measurements however is with a hi-lift, axe, and shovel in the bed which probably add up to 70lbs

This measurement was taken with the front still sitting low at 22 1/2" fender gap

 

I installed last night and I'm sure it will settle down to about your measurements, so I'm only a hair over you, one of the times I measured it was about 25 3/4", it's also a bit difficult to get dead center on hub due to the 285 tires bulging out around the level 8 wheels. My front is at 28", maxtracs with 5100s and 885s (08 prerunner)

 

Pretty stoked to get this ordered. Probably going with the 95r since I won't have much constant weight