OME dakar 3-leaf pack vs. AAL to stock

Hey everyone,

If this topic has already been discussed in the threads, please point me in the right direction. I think I have made my final decision on the type of kit I want before I pull out my hair. What is everyone's thoughts on whether I should get the dakar 3-pack vs. buying an extra leaf to add to my stock ones? I have a 2013 Prerunner TRD Sport with 61K miles. Is there a way to determine or measure if I need to replace the existing stock one? If so, how often would one need to replace the leafs?

Thanks!

 

Dakar is a 7 leaf pack, or the HD is an 8 leaf pack. Go with the Dakar MD 7 leaf pack.

 

Agree.

 

Buying the extra leafs and adding them to a stock pack is such a pain in the ass IMO. Especially when you live up north and most of your leafs are surface rusted together. I would just go with the full leaf pack and do it right. You'll save yourself the headache.

I've also read that the medium duty pack has some sag after a while if you constantly have heavy loads in the back. I'm looking to upgrade my leafs soon too and have been looking at the heavy duty Dakars

 

AAL , better ride IMO

 

Have you had Dakars?

 

I love my HD pack. It's about 4" lift without weight in the truck. With 500-600 pounds it holds at 3" with plenty of arch remaining in the springs.

 

Get the HD Dakar pack and remove a leaf.

This is the first I've heard that an AAL rides better than a Dakar....even people who have gone from AALs to the Dakar haven't made this claim. Curious why you think the ride is better?

 

My first lift on my prerunner dc was a AAL 2 inch with 5100's love the ride like a caddy.....moved on to the AC 4x4 with Dakar MD 47 packs and 5112 shocks. Ride is harsh compared to previous.....may have been the shock type, I have swapped P to E Rated tires and run lower pressure now..... some things to consider.

 

Thanks guys! So what can I expect my cost range should be if I went with the setup below? This is what I have in mind but is open to anyone's suggestions:

-Bilstein 5100s lift kit (adjustable in front and extended travel in back)
-OME Dakar leaf pack (medium but maybe heavy for the long term investment)
-OME 2887 or 2886 coils (Not sure which one to go with?)
-Light Racing UCA

I plan to visit 88 Rotors (positive Yelp reviews) in El Monte, CA for the labor and possibly the parts but if anyone has any other good referrals in the surrounding LA area, that would be helpful. A lot of ppl are saying to check out Headstrong Off road or bilsteinlifts.com for the parts. Thoughts?

Also, on a side topic. Why would ppl set the adjustable to a zero setting and use the coil for the lift versus setting the adjustable to the highest w/ the coil? Isn't that the point of buying the adjustable shock? What are the pros/cons? This is so confusing for me.

 

Get a quote from Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road.

Do the HD Dakar leaf pack and remove a leaf. That way if you do add weight down the road or it ends up sagging over time you have what you need to bring the height back up.

Using the shock for lift preloads the coil spring and will create a stiffer ride.

 

The new OME dakars are different. They are called EL095R for the medium duty, and EL096R for the heavy duty. The number of leafs is different than the older version.
Here is the EL095R, and there are 4 leafs and 2 overloads. I took out the longer overload because I run with an empty bed most of the time and have a pretty minimal front lift. After settling for a few weeks, it measures 23 1/4'' from hub to fender which is a perfect match to the front. I also have a 2 degree shim which adds a little height.
They are slightly stronger feeling than the OE springs but are smoother and springier if that makes any sense. The factory ones were a whisper away from the bumpstops, these are better. Once I get the right shocks, shock mounts, and extended brake lines there is 3 inches of droop to be gained with these springs vs the OE springs which is pretty neat.

Business casual Flop-Socks(patent pending) added for your viewing pleasure.

 

I have the 95R thought it was the 47, i will yank the 2nd O/L out and see how she runs.....

 

Order new center bolts. OME ones don't have enough threads.

 

I have the OMEs HDs and bought an add a leaf. The OME HDs add about three inches of stiff lift. The add-a-leaf made this about 4". I have a base 2010 access cab. I regret this setup because even with a cap and loaded with camping gear the leafs only sag about a 1/2" to 1" - making the nose of my truck a lot lower than the rear (even with 2.5" up front). I notice it while driving because of how I have to position my seat. OME HDs no add-a-leaf if the way to go. If you do get an add-a-leaf, you will need to buy an extended center bolt, I bought a 6" fully threaded grade 8 bolt and locking nut from home depot, which works fine. Can't remember if it was 7/16s or 1/2 inch. Its something like that. You will need extended flex brake lines. If the truck is old, be prepared with a double flare tool and extra couplers on hand to fix your hard lines. I ended up needed to replace my hard lines too.

 

What would be a good "best of both worlds" setting on the adjustable where you don't pre-load the spring too much? Is there such a thing? I just feel why get the 5100s shock if you can take advantage of the adjustable.

 

I believe some here are running the 5100s with 887 coils and have the shock on the clip for 0.85" of additional lift but this is not recommended. The adjustments on the 5100 are intended to be used with the stock coil springs.

The best option is to get a taller spring and not use the shock to add preload for lift. If you feel like you are wasting money on the adjustability of the 5100 then save a bit more for a proper coilover setup.

 

The adjustability is nice, but can only be done when the coil is removed.

Go with either the 5100s or Nitro Chargers up front, and add a coil to gain your lift. Or, buy a full coilover system from Fox, Icon, King, ADS, or OME (I'm sure I'm missing some).

I have 5100s up front on 887 coils with a 1/4in driver side spacer for lean. My rear is a 3pc AAL. I'll soon be upgrading to Dakars for the extra load carrying capacity. I previous just had the 5100s at 1.75 to level the truck. The ride waa stiff which was decent for cornering, but sucked on longer drives.

 

Thanks guys! I was thinking of getting the kit from Headstrong and finding a shop to install. After talking to a few shops, of course, they want you to buy from them and will tell you that the kit you buy online is not the full kit, and that you need this or that to complete the set.

I should just buy the a new pair of the OEM shocks for $100 and call it a day...*sigh*

 

If you can turn a wrench, you can do the install yourself in a day. If you order new shocks and springs from headstrong, they will even assemble them for you to make it easier.