Who has removed their Dakar upper overload?

Looking to try to soften up the rear a bit, has anyone done this? I read one thread that removing the top overload does change the spring rate a bit but there isn't much info on this.

I called ARB and asked them and they advised against it. I don't tow and the most weight I have in the back is when I go camping, 300-500lbs tops



I'm going to mount my go pro underneath and go for a ride to see how often the top 4 springs are bottoming out on the upper overload over small bumps and imperfections

 

Dont see why you couldnt, you will loose lift height in the form of the thickness of the leaf itself.

I actually contemplated flipping my EL095R second overload to engage the springs sooner as I feel the pack doesnt support quiet enough.... im glad im not the only one with W shaped springs haha.

Also, are those 5125 rear shocks? How do they fit? Going to be doing suspension soon and am looking at them.

 

I have the HD pack and wished I had removed my 2nd overload, just to keep the rear half an inch or so lower. Post the video. I'd like to see how often your MD pack hits that huge piece of metal. I think you'd get more up-travel without it.

 

Ill hit the stock bumpstops fairly often with my medium pack... uptravel isnt a concern id imagine.

 

Oh yeah, bump stops.

I removed mine when installing air bags. I haven't needed air in the bags since putting in my Dakar HD pack. I don't get a whole lot of up travel with the 400 or so pounds I run around with in/ on the rear. Certainly not enough to hit the bumps, if they were still there.

 

I put two sand bags in the back and that made a great deal of difference

 

I flipped mine. Was worried about reported 'clunking', but they make no noise whatsoever and definitely engage the upper springs sooner. Also removed the third leaf spring (from the top), and added Archive HH. Negligible difference in lift height, nicer ride and less chattering on washboard roads.

Next is 5100 rear shocks, believe the 110 is the ticket for the added droop. I guess that means doing the 4.5" durobumps at the same time. Didn't want to loose up-travel but evidently the 3.5" model will not protect the shocks under compression.

 

I'm glad someone else has W shaped springs, I almost made a post about that in itself, there's only about 5k miles on these... Is this normal?

The shocks are 5160s, part of the TRD Pro suspension. Honestly I'm not sure if it's the leafs or shocks that are driving me nuts. From what I remember the TRD kit did stiffen up my ride a bit and from what I've been reading the digressive valving fits what I've been feeling in my butt. If I could do it again I'd look to other brands that use progressive or linear valving like Fox or Icon if you want a smoother street ride.

Northshore, what are the hammer hangers? I've never heard of them before. Did flipping your OL stiffen things up?

 

No, flipping them did not stiffen the rear. Both BAMF and Achieve make replacement hangers for the stock leaf hangers https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...a-archive-garage.519625/page-73#post-22060510.

I went with the Achieve, as Eric also has some good input on the Dakar leafs.

 

Still trying to figure out what these do, does it change the geometry of the springs so you are riding on the upper leaf more? Or riding in the shackle bushing rotating vs the leaf?

 

Yeah i wont be going 110's as that will mean i have to limit uptravel too much. Interested in pics of your flipped longer overload as that might be the ticket for the slightly firmer ride im looking for.

Yeah i noticed real quick on my 95R's that they turned W, they still handle things well though.

Ah ok 5160's im looking at the proper length 5125's which will allow me a little more droop but keep the same bumpstop's.

 

If you want a softer leaf pack remove the 3rd leaf. If you just want to reduce lift height remove the overload.

 

This^^^

 

i removed the second overload but then added another ARB AAL for a slight incread in ride height, articulation and to soften up the ride while keeping some of the payload.

 

I said FTW kept it and added sumo spring bumps.

 

how are those leafs so flat looking? I have a lot of weight and mine are still kinda arched...???

 

6 yrs of wheeling.....full steel skids front--->rear. sliders, winch, full steel bumpers/front & Rear with BF rear HC and swing out w/full size spare, Tepui, bed rack, truck tool box full of chit, full stereo etc.....just wild how those OP pics look soo flat'n out....maybe not seeing something?? or different steel content now days??

 

OP leafs almost look "wavy" in a way.....weird, are they the Dakar HD packs? I can grab a pic of my yellow stamping ontop of my leaf pack if you want.....should be able to find it under the dirt etc for @mikalcarbine for comparison if you want.

 

Ya they are dakars, I bought the HD pack and already removed the 3rd leaf, to my knowledge I can't remove anymore leafs per ARBs recommendation. I'll contact ARB about the W shape, I wonder if having more arch would improve my horrendous ride quality? These are less than half a year old and I have no weight in my bed

 

Those leaves are trashed. Leaf springs should never be W shaped, and there should not be huge gaps between all the leaves. No wonder your ride quality is horrendous. Do you have proper bump stops installed? That condition is usually caused by people wheeling their truck hard without proper bump stops and forcing the spring into such a recurve that the springs are bent backwards.

The way leaf springs work is that the leaves load from the top down. The main leaves at the top are in contact and support the weight they are designed for. The spring is arched under normal load. As load is applied, the bottom leaves in the pack engage, then the first overload, then the second overload. This gives leaf springs a distinct advantage over coil springs, and it's the reason that leaves are still used today. This progressive stacking gives them the ability to support huge weight shifts. In a hill climb, especially on a rutted hill, leaf springs prevent catastrophic weight transfer that could result in a roll over.