What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

So far just 2 sets of tires. Just put some cheapo all-terrains on it today. I was running Cooper STT Pros. Went with Travelstar At's this time. On the way home in my new truck(because it was quiet and rode awesome once again) I started hearing a wah wah roaring sound. Like watching one of those wood turning vids and they're working on a log and turning it slow on a lathe..lol its either my rear end or an axle.
I am also about to order some leaf springs because mine are not a happy face anymore. More of a frown. WHAT IS A GOOD BRAND of leaf springs? I have 5100's on front and back. 0-3" adjustable front coilovers. I'm tired of my truck looking like its squatted.Thanks!

 

It's an 03 Ext cab trd ..3.4l..auto

 

depends on what you're going for. there are two varieties of Old Man Emu Dakar springs for the first gens, ones with an without an AAL. without an AAL they ride like butter but just don't have the load carrying capacity that the ones with the AAL do. that said, the ones with the AAL don't have the load capacity of the All-pro expo springs or custom springs from Deaver or Alcan. I am running the Dakars with the AAL and have been very happy between their load capacity and ride quality, but overall your choice depends on your needs.

I think that @eon_blue has run all of these options pretty much (Dakars without AAL, Dakars with AAL, All-pro Expos, and Alcans) so he'd probably have more insight than I do.

 

I hadn't even thought of using rivnuts.

 

More stuff arrived for "the winter list." Will be making changes to the mobile audio.



This is some of the nicest damn power wire I've ever seen. The know is 1 Gauge wire.

 

@razhick4x4 Just standard use. I am torn between medium and heavy duty. Sometimes I haul 2 Honda 4 wheelers. We have a Polaris Ranger that I can't even begin to try and haul currently. Our 16 4 runner does the job fine though.
Medium would probably do it..or whatever the 4 runner has from the factory. So OME seems to be the good choice?

 

I'll promote Alcans all day because they're far better than the Dakars or Expos were for me, but I understand +/-$1,000 after shipping isn't in everyone's budget for leaf springs. That said I do think they are worth every penny. But if he has to work within a budget I think the Dakars are fine, add the AAL if needed

 

I'm wanting to stay below $500 ...lol.. for sure a budget.

 

AllPro Expos.

I'm running them now. @eon_blue is 100% right. Alcan or Deaver are better options. But on a budget of around $500 AllPro is your best option. I think they'd be great for running trails and rocks with no load... unfortunately, I typically run heavy and AllPros aren't that good for that.

 

I bought my Expos second hand so my negative experience with them probably isn't the norm, a lot of people run them and are happy. I think those are right around your budget and if you need to carry a good deal of weight it'll be better than the Dakars

 

I am assuming they come as a pair? Didn't specify on the website. They did say they came with bushings..

 

Yeah they do

 

You want the AllPro Exeditions. They are rated for a heavier load.

That's the ones I run... I think the standards would be pretty much useless.

 

I'm not sure if they come with bushings. The Expos will be better for carrying a heavy load but if you ride around with them unloaded you'll get a good 4" lift out of them. I don't mind rake personally, I think it looks good on a pickup. My Alcans sit the rear a couple inches higher than the front when unloaded.

 

@03TuRD where are you located?

 

West Tn

 

Oh lawd...they're $592 with shipping...lol

 

Not sure how bad shipping would be on a leaf pack.

 

Let me see what 4 wheel parts has. The Memphis store isn't that far from me..