Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

Hey guys, I just found out that one of my driver side leaf springs cracked! I've replaced the shocks with Bilstein 5100 up front and 5125 in the rear just about a year ago. What I'm wondering is if I were to go with a set of Dakar springs, which shocks should I go with and will I get enough lift out of my 5100 in the front at the highest setting with the stock springs. Or how would a set of OME springs work with the 5100? Or am I better off just buying the whole kit with everything OME from a place like Wheelers.

So my options I've been toying with:
5100 in front with factory spring, seat set at highest point. Dakar rears with 5100 shocks to match the front.
5100 in the front with 881(?) springs, not sure where to set for leveling. Dakar rears with 5100 or OME shocks.
OME all around.

I have a 03 V6 Extended cab with the TRD package.

At first I had just planned on buying stock replacements but haven't had any luck sourcing them locally. I had looked at General but its almost the same price to go with the Dakars.

 

I’m running that setup and yes, my rear end was lifted real high. I took out one of the leafs and that dropped it an inch or so, but it is still high and rides stiff with no weight in the bed. When I loaded it w soil it rode like a dream.

 

Thank you. Same year truck?

 

1995.5 3.4 4x4, so should be about the same.

I do have some vibrations on the highway around 65ish, which is kind of annoying. I installed shims with the leaf's, but the pinion is still a little low. I may try some new shims this spring. I believe I installed 3* shims, but with the angle finder on my iPhone it looks like I need another 4-5* to get the pinion to point at the double cardan joint.

 

02 prerunner double cab. Stuck between 2881 and 2882. Want 3" lift. Read lots of thread but not much about prerunner .

The no load height dif between 881 and 882 is 20mm. Read about 881 with 10mm top spacer getting about 3" lift . Don't want spacer if not necessary . If the 882 gives 10mm more than the 881 with 10mm spacer, and I'm sure the 882 will settle some, then what are potential prolems? I have no cvs. I drive low speed fire roads for camping. I play on the dunes a little to give the kids a thrill. Help me make this decision so I can go to freaking sleep. Thanks guys. Good thread.

 

You have the same truck as me

 

I run the 882's on my access cab v6 4x4. When I first put them on I had sliders only - 80 pounds. The 882's rode like crap. Super super super stiff. Speed bumps were aweful. Then I added 3/16" skid plates at 120 pounds. Stil rode terrible but a little better. Then I added an ARB Bull Bar...a little better. Then I started adding 50 pounds of scuba weights to the bumper. Finally I was getting some where. The only problem is everytime I go diving I have to wrestle the scuba weights from inside the bumper. Then I got an actual winch. The truck sits level with the rear (OME Dakar with the Add A Leaf) and it rides nice. Speed bumps are absorbed nicely and it corners well.

 

The 882s rode like crap compared to what? What was your front center hub to fender measurement before you started adding all the weight?

 

Compared to my previous worn out stock coils and Bilteins and every other vehicle I've ever driven and my friends stock 1st gen.

I didn't take measurements. Funny you bring that up because I kicked myself after installing the winch I didn't measure before hand. I'm sure there will come a time when I take the bumper and the skids off for whatever reason. Like I have to replace the stock skid plate mounts and I'd like a snorkel. The bumper and skids have to come off for those to happen. I'll take a measurement then.

A good example is if you go over a speed bump on the near side of the bump the coil doesn't compress so the front end rises up very quickly. On the other side it just drops off because it's pretty much at the top of the suspension travel..ther's no negative travel. Does that make sense. Now with the weight I can go over speed bumps pretty fast.

I've got about 30,000 miles on my current suspension so it's pretty settled. I've wheeled it a lot. 2 Trips to Baja with about 800 miles of dirt on one and about 1200 miles of dirt on the other. The rest has been minor rock crawly type stuff and endless corrogations.

 

I wonder if people running the 881s are experiencing a similar effect as you with your 882s. They both have the same spring rate. I understand what you are talking about with your description of the travel being shortened because of the extra height. I just don't see it can be so "stiff", as people have described, compared to the 881. I'm hoping someone out there with a prerunner has run 882s and can weigh in. I appreciate your input

 

My 881s and 10mm spacer ride really good...that's compared to 5 years on 3" spacers though lol

 

What size tires are you running? Any rubbing when backing up on the passenger side?

 

33 12.50r18s. It rubs at full lock on both sides I think

 

What motor and trans.

 

3.4l automatic

 

Anyone with a 2004 double cab running the dakars in the back.. Do you have to shim the rear axle.. I know its depends on the truck but wanted to see if more guys shim or dont shim and what size shim?

 

I did not shim

 

I did not use any shims . What are they supposed to be for?

 

Does anyone have a good writeup on lift installs saved? Looking for a list of necessary tools/socket sizes. I read somewhere that a set of ratcheting wrenches is really helpful, and I'm hoping to purchase just the sizes I'd actually use.

 

its good to build your tool sets.