Yotamafia kit or Old Man Emu (suspension/lift)?

Hi 1st gen folks, (I have a '03 extra-cab, 4WD)
I'm in between the Old Man Emu (heavy load kit, 2881 front coils, 4 OME nitrocharger shocks , dakar leaf pack (RB) in the back),
and the Yotamafia Bilstein/OME RTR Lift Kit.
The Yotamafia kit uses Bilstein 5100 shocks of course front and back, while the OME kit uses their own shocks, and I think that's the only difference (with the exception of maybe 2883 coils up front).
I have heard to go with the OME shocks for heavy loads, but am not 100% about this. The OME is a twin tube shock apparently with less room for oil and gas than the monotube Bilsteins. This is all new to me mostly, and I'm wondering if folks in the know could advise anything? I think the Bilstein shocks in the front may allow .5" of added lift over the OME's.
I'm also in between the OME 2881 and 2883 front coil springs for the front. I've been told that the 2883's (heavier duty) are for front end if it has a winch, bumper etc.
I've built some heavy 3/4" drawers/sleeper in the back and have quite a bit of gear stored back there for prospecting here in NM. I need to accommodate this added weight and would like some added clearance.
TIA!

 

I'm in a similar situation looking to do new suspension. I just looked up the yotamafia prices and they seem too high in my opinion. I'd check toytech or headstrong.

 

From my experience, the Nitrocharger’s live a pretty short life. I’ve been running them for 80k, but all pleasure came to a screeching halt around 30k. Could be my sensitive tailbone though. I wish I’d bitten the bullet on a rebuildable unit with better performance. Likely ADS will get my business next, but I understand that wasn’t your question.

 

I've put OME kits on two Gen 1 Tacomas now. One I sold with 8+ years on the suspension kit and it was doing just fine. My XJ Cherokee probably had 15+ years on its OME kit. I give Old Man Emu my highest marks.

I've had OME on several vehicles now, and most of the time the ride quality is improved even as a modest (typically 2") lift is achieved. The only exception so far is my Gen 2, where I went with "heavy load" springs in the rear and it's really too stiff if there's not aa good load or my RTT in the back.


The truck is on BFG AT 235/85-16 tires in this image. I like that size on my Tacomas...

 

Just an FYI- most shocks don’t make it past 50K.. if you go with an OME set-up, you’ll have to replace the strut versus a rebuildable one… something to keep in mind. Nitro chargers IMO are going to be more firm compared to the 5100’s.. additionally OME nitro charger are known for a clunking noise they make when the strut is traveling… I love my OME but when it comes time to replace, most likely going with a KING or Fox set up

 

I'll check them out, thx for the heads up. Much appreciated.

 

That doesn't sound too good- short life it seems. Like in the comment above, some folks say the OME's are stiff and clunky (may have something to do w/you tail-bone?). I appreciate the info. I think I might piece together the same kit offered by yotamafia.

 

I hear you about OME. It seems lots of folks give them high praise. My thought process going all OME components is the notion that all of it is designed to be run together. I have seen some complain that OME (shocks in particular) are stiff compared to Bilstein (I think someone even mentions that in a comment above). I'm still on the fence I think- between piecing together stuff or going all OME. I think the OME kit is a good value, versus piecing together. Thank you for info.

 

I've been told King is great, but more pricey. I think Fox needs to be serviced (after a break in period, I seem to recall up to 30K miles or something), and my neighbor may be able to help me w/that. Tight budget constraints here. Glad to hear you like your OME set up. When you started running it did it seem way stiffer than what you had on previous?

 

Beautiful truck!

 

I would not judge the OME kit I've put on either Gen 1 Tacoma to be overly stiff. I quite like the ride. Note that on both of my Gen 1 trucks an ARB bullbar has been up front, which changes the weight on the front springs and shocks.

Now on a Gen 2 Tacoma, especially in the rear, the OME "heavy" springs are more than I'd recommend unless one is running some legitimate weight in the back end.

 

I also have an ARB bull bar on the front as well as a pretty heavy Budbuilt front skidplate and at some point plan on a winch (synthetic line and save some weight). I have some racks up top that also weigh something, and have quite a bit of gear w/me. I'm hauling hard rock mining tools, and weighty rocks so quite a bit especially in the back end.
I hear you on the ride quality, sounds good to me.
I'm wondering are you running the 2881's front coils? The Yotamafia site says to run the 2883's, (more heavy duty) if you want 2.5" lift (w/bilsteins) running more than 100lbs.
Did you upgrade upper control arms? I'm thinking I might go for the SPC UCA's. A bit pricey, but I've heard good things.

 

Are you running the 2881 or 2883 front coil springs? I think the RB rear leaf pack w/extra leaf may be a little stiffer than the RA version also.

 

? please: are you running the 2881 or 2883 front coil springs? Also wondering if you're running the more heavy duty rear leaf pack (RB w/extra leaf) or the RA version? Appreciate the info. You guys are helping me finally narrow this down.

 

I'm now noticing your pic. looks like you're in my home state here in NM, possibly CO maybe UT. Sure does look like NM though. Nice pic.
Also I hear you about the stiff ride in the back end. I think I'm going with the heavier duty OME leaf pack in the back (the RB w/extra leaf), on account of the weight I'm carrying), but do wonder how rigid it's gonna be.

 

I can't speak of how the Billys will perform on the Tacoma but I have experience with them on a few other vehciles and they ride harsh. They are digressively valved whereas the OME is linearly valved. I have the OME on my tacoma with 880 and they ride softer and smoother than the factory KYB. The difference between the two on washboard road blew me away.

 

I've been wondering about those terms (digressive and linear), honestly IDK much about shock/strut construction. I do know I run around on wash-board a lot. Apparently they do in Australia as well it seems. I think I'm gonna go with the 2881's either way. Really hoping for good things in this upgrade.
Are you also running an OME rear replacement leaf pack in the back? and if so which one. I'm leaning to the heavier duty RB one w/extra leaf.
Thx for the info, much appreciated.

 

Holy crap. That is an amazing drawer system. I would totally steal your design as it is exactly what I'm trying to do. I'm curious what drawer runners you used?

Sorry/not sorry for derailing your thread.

Back on topic. I have OME nitrochargers front and back. I have the heavier springs in front to help with the winch and bumper and the heavy duty leafs in the back. They ride super hard on pavement, but when I'm fully loaded off road and driving fast on dirt roads they seem to ride quite nice. It's almost like they need to be pushed hard. When they wear out, which I imagine will be within a year, I'll probably upgrade to King or other rebuildable coilovers.

 

Hey thx. Check out 'paskmakes' on youtube. I based mine on his build. Lots of pausing in certain places, and of course modified it some. I used 1" inch steel tubing. Aluminum is light, but I was afraid it would get cut into some being softer metal.
I hear you about the OME stuff. Gotta ask are you running the 2881 or 2883 front coil spring? Also are you running the heavier duty RB (w/add a leaf) rear leaf pack?

 

I originally had the 2880 front springs and they were great. I upgraded to the 2882 when I put the bumper and winch on. I talked to a local Toyota shop and that is what they recommended to keep a level ride height and handle the increased weight. I am not using the add-a-leaf, but just the regular Dakar spring pack. I also have SPC upper control arms. I'm super happy with this setup.

https://lowrangeoffroad.com/toyota/...plete-suspension-system-for-98-04-tacoma.html

Edit: So, it turns out I have a set of 2880 springs with only a couple thousand miles on them sitting in my garage if anyone wants a good deal on some slightly used springs.