Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

I’m baffled at much of this. I realize everyone’s situation and experience seems to
differ slightly but nonetheless I am looking for input. It’s my DD and I do some minor off roading/hunting on the weekends. Nothing crazy.

I have a 2002 4x4 DC V6. The suspension is stock besides 5100s up front at highest setting and 4600 on the rear. My stock rear leafs look good and as of now it sits pretty level but the ride seems a little stiff.

I’m looking for a better ride, maybe a tad bit higher all around but as long as I can stay level with rear. Ideally I’d like to go as high as possible without having to do brake lines or cv’s. I already have the poor mans level with the 5100s set high but I’m looking to go a little further and get a better ride.

It’s a lot to ask but any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks fellas.

 

Going higher can be a slippery slope and expensive. What is your hub center to bottom of the flare measurements on the 4 corners now?

 

Ok can someone here please help a guy out. I have a 98 4x4 running on 5100 all around with stock coils up front. My leafs are SHOT and I want to replace them ASAP. Can anyone just give me advice as to what I need to replace my leafs with to have as little lift as possible so I can still be leveled using the highest setting on the front 5100?

Like Dakar’s, Denver’s or another brand?

Again I’m not looking for hella lift, just the max I can get using the 5100. Thanks guys

 

"I have a 2002 4x4 DC V6. The suspension is stock besides 5100s up front at highest setting and 4600 on the rear. My stock rear leafs look good and as of now it sits pretty level but the ride seems a little stiff."

Im no expert but did a lot of research before i put my suspension together... from what you say im guessing you have a harsh ride because youre on the highest setting with them 5100s.. I would suggest getting new coils, 880s or 881s and drop the Billys to the low setting.... its what i have now and the ride is firm but smooth and i have E load tires....

I didt want a lift either but unless you go with stock parts its almost impossible... If youre happy with the way the front feels stick with it , if not check my first response.... for the rear, since this is an OME thread and your leafs are shot, I can only recommend the full leaf pack because its what i have and im happy with them.... I removed the 3rd leaf to lower it a bit and get a softer ride... i have no comparisons with that leaf in but the ride is great the way it is

880s front and full pack -3rd leaf rear.... gained about 1 1/2" up front and 2" rear, but note i have a Reg Cab 4cyl and this is before the new parts have settled... so you 6cyl XC and DC guys would get even less lift with this set up... Hope this helps

Before :

After :

 

if you are level now with shot rear suspension, anything you do will raise the rear. probably because your front coil springs are shot too.

 

5100s set in the middle with 881s and 5100s rear with 2inch block. 4cyl, fully settled, been 2 years now, my front is pretty heavy, id say im about 2.5 lift front if that.

 

How long are you going to keep the truck? And what's the budget? If it's a lot time, and a couple thou, look into rebuildable coilovers like kings or icons. This will give you the most customizable ride and better response to bumps and whoops. It will seem stiff unless you throw it into bumps and dips.

I have OME 882s and Dakars with AAL, Nitrochargers all around. I do have alot of weight. It rides similar to no weight and 881s with dakars. Really good ride on road. Huge improvement over stock on gravel and back roads. It doesn't "feel" as soft as stock, but it responds to hits and bumps much better. Hard to notice inconsistencies in the road as well. I don't know how 5100s ride, but my bet would be those leafs are shot. So a new leaf pack should be in your future. I would go with General brand. They are stock replacement. Dakars are for lifted applications. You need extended brake lines if you offroad.

Like @Digiratus mentioned, lifts are a slippery slope. I told myself I only wanted a small lift to handle the ARB bumper. Then come bigger tires because of the disproportionate look. Then come offset wheels cause the stock wheels cause UCA rubbing. Next comes the regear cause you can't pass grandpa in the Buick on Sunday morning. Might as well throw a locker in while the regear is being done. Gotta add an air compressor to run that locker. The list goes on and on and on.........

Keep it low. I would if I did it all over again. Replace the shocks if they are blown, likewise the leafs. Otherwise, happy trucking

 

I would love a set of SAW 2.0s but almost a grand for just the front....

 

If you are gonna spend that kind of money on adjustable, rebuildable COs, then consider Kings instead. I've run both and the Kings are better. I haven't looked lately but Kings from Downsouth Motorsports with a 5% TW discount cost me ~$945.

My first COs were the SAWs with 650 lbs coils. They were nice for a while but I wore out the smaller diameter coils and they started to sag a bit. Kept having to dial in more and more pre-load just to maintain the ride height.

Unless you hate the 'blue', they are a better choice. For one, they a are bigger in diameter at 2.5" shock body with a 3" coil, which means larger oil capacity so less chance of shock fade in hard use situations. And the coils are holding the weight.

 

Oem or t100.. get crafty and do some looking. It more more less depends on whats avalible to you and what its worth to you. You could grab tundra shackles and gain 1.5". Coils and leafs have one thing in common, the longer lower rate the softer the ride in my opinion.

There is a reason skyjacker oem length 6in lift springs have no give. Cause the spring arch is huge thus trading give for clerance.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind

 

Why did you never seek a straight axle? I know you are capable of the transition. Along with seeing pro's and cons of each set up, and patients for parts collecting. Yet it is not something you mention.

 

Big jump imo. I tossed the idea around, but big cost. And lots of time dialing it all in. Also harder to get parts, I would think, than Toyota front end parts. I personally don't like how tall sas rigs are. Not suited to my spirited driving. And 35s are expensive, let alone 37s.

But I'll let Mike answer

 

I like to go fast. With the mid-travel IFS with well tuned shocks, I can do that.

An SAS setup is better for crawling tho. but if anything, long travel better suits what I like to do with my truck. It's use is as an adventure rig with multi-day excursions. While these sometimes involve very technical trail situations, they also require many highway miles to get to. None of the SAS rigs I've driven or ridden in, are all that great on the highway.

I will be sticking with ifs and ~33" tires.

 

I've been researching for the past like 7 or 8 months and I'm still not sure what route to go. I have the 5100s on the front at the 3rd setting (the older model of 5100s) and a progressive AAL in the rear. I want to get some new coils to replace the pre-load and also get a little bit more lift to level out my truck (it sits about 3/4 inch higher in the back). My front hub to fender measurement is ~23.5" if I recall correctly. So, I'm not sure whether I should go with 881s, 881s with spacer, or Eibach coils.

 

Love my bilstiens and 881s with the 10mm spacers. Eibachs have a higher spring rate so they will ride more rough

 

What are your truck specs? And do you have any measurements?

 

Prerunner doublecab. 3.4. The front measures at like 24" on both sides

 

No weight up front either current or planned? Go with 881s and top plates are easy to add later if it doesn't sit at the height you want. How old are the billies? Might consider nitrochargers if they are worn out. They do good with the OME coils.

 

No added weight, they're a year old now, maybe 3-4k on em.