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Are OME Dakar springs made for 4x4?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Cutter_, Nov 18, 2020.

  1. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:10 AM
    #1
    Cutter_

    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    I have the option to either get Dakar springs or an AAL. I'm going with an OME kit to level the truck and I don't do any heavy offroading. Would buying the Dakar springs for an extra $300 be overkill?
     
  2. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:14 AM
    #2
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    The OME kit is a lift kit, not a "leveling" kit. If you just want to "level" it, get some 1/2" spacers for the front and call it a day.

    I would say that yes, a 3" lift kit is overkill if you don't do any offroading. I do go offroading, and I don't even have a 3" lift.
     
    Cutter_[OP] likes this.
  3. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:16 AM
    #3
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    OME 2.5,Tundra 17s,Falken Wildpeak AT3W hitch w/ 7-pin, ARE cap, JVC HU w/BT, HID/LED lights
    I got the OME kit and got 2.5" (over stock height, this is key!!!) and they are actually pretty good springs. the fronts I don't like but the rear is great
     
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  4. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:19 AM
    #4
    Cutter_

    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    I just want to fit 33's on. I know I'm going to get the front and rears, but for the leafs I know @SellyKlater just did an AAL. Trying to figure out where to get the AAL seperately... Wheelers has a discount right now on the OME kit w/o any leaf options. Toytec has leaf options, not sure if I can just do the AAL seperately.
     
  5. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:22 AM
    #5
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    Most people get a good 3" rear lift out of Dakars. An AAL sounds better for you if you just want an inch or less. Should be able to buy an AAL from anywhere really, Wheelers, Headstrong, Toytec all sell add a leafs
     
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  6. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:28 AM
    #6
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    gotcha.

    I'd say that all new springs are going to be better than old springs with an AAL. AALs are basically just a bandaid fix.

    So it's kinda just up to you if the extra $300 is worth it. But $1200 for all new shocks/springs is a pretty good deal. If you have a new email (I used my wife's email, because I had already signed up for their mailers) Wheeler's sends you a 10% off coupon. I got my J59's for under $600 that way.

    The other side is that you won't be doing your ride any favors. They are geared more for off-road performance, and being a street only truck, that's not really ideal.

    The only way to get around that, though, is to spend a pile of cash. So it's a compromise.
     
  7. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #7
    Cutter_

    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    Is the difference between an AAL and a Dakar pack really that significant? Below is Toytec's specifications. It says an AAL will give 2" of lift, where the Dakars give 2.5". I have no problem springing for the Dakars (pun), but I DO NOT want the ass end of my truck to sit higher than the front. I'm throwing 881 coil overs on the front which give 2"-2.5" of lift. I also have a camper shell. If the front is level with the rear, or sits 1"-2" higher, I'm happy. Do you think I could just order the Dakars, and if the rear is a bit higher, just throw a spacer on the front?

    I'm building my truck out to look exactly like @SellyKlater's below. I got the 17" rims ordered, and I'm going to put 33" cooper tires on it.

    toytec.jpg

    PSX_20170319_194735.jpg

    Fotor_148745848651033.jpg
     
  8. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:42 AM
    #8
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    I had 881s awhile ago and I barely got 1.5" of lift out of them, I really (highly) doubt anyone gets 2.5" of lift out of them. Maybe a 4cyl single cab

    2" out of an AAL sounds high to me too but it depends on the AAL I guess. I know there are AALs out there that give under an inch to 1" of lift. Check out Headstrong or Trail Gear, Low Range Offroad, etc

    Really there is no way to know 100% exactly how your lift is going to turn out, if it will be perfectly level or slightly higher/lower in the front or rear. There are variables to everyone's truck that prevent making a reliable universal equation for this kind of thing. At a certain point you just gotta pull the trigger on one and then work out any kinks/fine tune it after install and after it settles
     
  9. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:49 AM
    #9
    Cutter_

    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    The 883s give 2-3" of lift, but they are made for heavier front ends with an aftermarket bumper or winch. @SellyKlater says he has them w/o a bumper or winch and they work great. I might just get those instead. Hoping it won't made the ride too stiff, and when I hit potholes, get that BOOM sound like I do currently with my POS wornout stock setup
     
  10. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:55 AM
    #10
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    If you're copying someone else's build, do exactly what they did, and that should get you close (still no guarantee it'll be exactly the same tho). I have fully adjustable Kings in front, so that when I ordered my J59's, I could just dial in my coilovers to match. I really don't care what the exact lift I have is, but it's probably around 2-2.5".

    While there's only a 1/2" difference in the nominal height form a 2" AAL to the 2.5" Dakars, having the cap will more than likely push the rear end down enough to match. But it's also not just about the height, it's about performance. All new springs are better than old springs with a new piece of metal bolted to them.

    If your current leafs are worn out, that may help push you in the direction of new leafs. Maybe it's not the Dakars, maybe a set of Generals with an add-a-leaf is an option, too. By that point though, you've already spent more than Dakars...
     
    Cutter_[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  11. Nov 18, 2020 at 9:58 AM
    #11
    DavesTaco68

    DavesTaco68 Well-Known Member

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    - ICON UCAs, BP51/Kings, SCS wheels, 285s, Leer 100XR canopy. Greenlane aluminum winch bumper, Smittybilt X20 winch. Trying Falken AT3w now, Really like BF KO2s.
    The OME coils have the same spring rate, just different lengths except for the 886
    https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p250/Old_Man_Emu_Lift_Coils_-__Various_Lift_Heights_Available_%28PAIR%29.html
     
  12. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:07 AM
    #12
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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  13. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #13
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    I mean, you could put 886 on your 1st gen but you probably won't like it lol
     
  14. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #14
    Cutter_

    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    Are the 883s the same spring rate as the 881s?
     
  15. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:10 AM
    #15
    eon_blue

    eon_blue If I would, could you

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    No, 883s are 590# springs. 880s - 882s are 500#

    883s should only be installed if you are running a steel bumper/skids/winch setup
     
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  16. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:11 AM
    #16
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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  17. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #17
    Cutter_

    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

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    And if you do it anyway?What’s the difference between an 881 with a spacer or just 883s?
     
  18. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #18
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    damn, you beat me to it, only because I got a link for him, lol...
     
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  19. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:13 AM
    #19
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    the spring rate

    only go for 883 if you have a bumper, winch, skid plates, etc...

    you'll get more lift than you want and the ride will suck if you don't have the extra weight.
     
  20. Nov 18, 2020 at 10:15 AM
    #20
    Captainskidmark

    Captainskidmark Well-Known Member

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    ECGS 4.56 gears with Detroit True Trac in the rear. Camburg Ball Joint UCAs Dirt King LCA Dobinson IMS rear shocks Dobinson IMS w/ 352 coils DAKAR EL096 HD LEAFS AR172 17"x8" BAJA RIMS (5 wheel/tire rotation) GX470 Front Brake Upgrade SS extended brake lines Front and Rear (Toytec) 285/70/17 BFG A/T Toyota Roof Rack over Cab A.R.E. Z series CAP with Rhino Rack rooftop rails , -RED/WHITE LED BED LIGHTING -12V AUX POWER AND USB MAGNAFLOW CAT BACK RAAMmat Sound Abatement Pioneer AVH-2440NEX w/ Android Auto + Morel Speakers 120 VAC Block Heater Pelfreybilt Front/Mid Skids ATH Bed Braces ATH FRONT BUMPER - FULL LOOP BAJA DESIGNS FOGS HERETIC 20" LIGHT BAR ATH REAR BUMPER - STANDARD RIGID FLUSH MOUNT REVERSE LIGHTS Weathertech floor mats Rear Diff Breather Mod Wheeler's Super Bumps + Ubolt Flip Kit ABS Kill Switch Mod Northstar AGM Battery Pedal Commander Desert Does It Seat Spacers
    On my last truck I initially went with the AAL option .... I broke an AAL, then eventually broke a main leaf before going to Dakars..... buy once cry once..... My current truck was swapped out to Dakars before it hit 750 miles.....at 93k now....all good.... stock toyota leaf springs are JUNK whether or not you carry a load...
     

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