Help deciding on OME kit for 1st gen Tacoma (2004 xtracab)

My rear springs are sagging and I am looking at replacing them with OME leafs and OME front springs. I am looking for a 2.0-2.5 inch lift to help clear my current tires a bit better and get a bit more static clearance. I don’t really wanna deal with the pains of a higher lift. I have a 2004 xtra cab 4x4 with a v6. I don’t rock crawl or anything crazy but I spend a good amount of time on rough dirt roads etc, i.e it’s not getting babied. I have a couple questions as it’s my first time lifting a truck.

1. it sounds like the nitro shocks that often come with the kit are the way to go over bilstein 5100s, is that true and why?

2. I am planning on adding a trail gear tube bumper sometime soon and eventually a warn winch with a synthetic line. Should I go with 881 or 883 ome front springs for now?

3. I generally have a camper shell on my bed with a wooden platform and tools in the back of my truck, especially when I go camping ( most of the rough terrain). I am planning on getting Ome Dakar leafs with the aal to help with this weight. Does this make sense to do or would the normal springs be fine? Will the aal put me over 2.5 inches of lift?

4. finally I have heard conflicting things about a diff drop at 2-2.5 inches of lift. Should I drop my diff and does anyone have any recommendations as to which kit to get?

thank you!

 

Heres the setup now and its sagging a decent bit with ball that weight

 

Well my setup is a bit of a hybrid:
Front OME 883 w/Bilstein 5100 set at zero
Rear OME CS046 with AAL w/Bilstein 5125 shocks- grease-able shackles
After a few years I added an ICON progressive overload leaf pack ( without removing the OEM overloads).
Legend for pics:
1) first off-road ride day after purchase
2) first trip after getting new front coils/shocks installed
3) old rear springs w/ daystar AAL before OME installation
4) post OME installation
5) Bilstein 5125 installed
6) JBA UCA installed
7) loaded before the Icons
8) Lliard river campground e route.

 

Icon AAL progressive overloads post installation

 

thanks for the detailed response man! she looks good

 

Sure glad to help out. And on the side note, the Tacoma has been sitting over at the bar for the last year fully loaded with tools and stuff and still maintains a rake. I may have some pictures on my phone, or will get some in the next couple days.
I mainly went with the Bilsteins because of price. But the truck still rides nice, especially on the gravel roads I drive going to work.
Pics legend:
1) loading the Tacoma for the drive north post Icon AAL installed
2) loaded bed and trailer(not Uber heavy) post Icon
3) R side post front axle R/R post Icon
4) L side “ “ “

 

ok sick i was gonna ask you about the amount its settled so far. I think you have a pretty similar setup to what I've got in the back, so i might do what you did. What advantage to the 5125 inthe back give over another set of 5100S? also is the front too stiff for you with the 883s?

 

Fill disclaimer: I carry a lot of weight in my truck, somewhere north of 700# would be my guess- tools and camping gear mostly.
Yes, the front end can be a bit stiff, the OME 883 coils are for a 2nd gen Taco with a winch & aftermarket bumper. I don’t know for sure if the ARB nitrchargers would be a bit softer ride but can’t confirm that.
It did settle some aft, not a lot but with weight it shows. One of the reasons I opted for the Icon progressive AAL is that even towing an empty trailer it was still plagued with the Toyota droopy butt syndrome. It will tow without excessive squat now, usually about level or even with a slight rake (load dependent of course)

The reason for the 5125 shocks is that they are for a 3”+ lift aft. I got those from wheeler’s along with the all my suspension parts. The 883 gave me about a 2-1/2” to 3” lift up front, I did install a 1” diff drop long ago, seemed to help some. I understand the simple situation with a mini - lift over going big. All in all, I’m pretty happy with the rig and the ride is great.

pics legend:
1) final version of the sleeping platform, I used a set of Toyota tie down rails from a 2nd gen which attach to the edges of the bed rails.

2) The plywood sides index into the bed liner (bottom) and the rails on the sides, I do need to use either a spreader bar( low profile unistrut) or a cut down sheet of 3/4” plywood - which will fit on the bed or the platform sides. So everything is designed to allow me to stow 4-5, 17 gallon Sterilite industrial totes (shown) which hold food , cooking gear and other random necessities (?). The 2.5 gallon Scepter water cans fit underneath as well.

3) this is a semi standard load going up north, either a hitch hauler or lately a 6’ x 10’ open utility trailer.

 

My truck is very different, but I have the 881s and the rest of the full OME kit. For a single cab 4x4, the 881s feel just about right for me. I think if you were stock, they’d be perfect. I’d consider going to 883’s if you’re planning to add considerable weight.

As for the diff drop, I have it and have had no issues with CVs for the last 5 years. I don’t know if I would have if I didn’t get it, but that’s my experience.

 

With a front bumper and winch, 883 coils. Especially if you’re looking for 2 - 2.5” lift. 881s will eventually sag I’m sure. They have served me well for about 10 years.

 

I’m planning on adding a tube bumper and rock sliders soon-ish but I’m not sure how soon I’ll get a winch in there. I end up off-roading alone more than with other rigs so a winch is probably a good self recovery option. I might go with 883s and 5100s shooting for 2-2.5 inches of lift as I’d rather not change my ucas yet.

 

I think that is a good strategy, it would be interesting to see what the rating for 882s is.
I did my front end back in 2014, so it is holding up fine(without the winch of course, but I did also add a set of Relentless fab sliders- so there is a bit of weight up front).
I added the JBA UCAs as a tax return item, wasn’t immediately necessary, but I’m glad I did, rides a lot better and they come with some great upper ball joints. The JBA control arms can go up to 4” lift I think-best to confirm that.
That all being said, should the rear start to settle a bit as they wear in, the Icon pack is a good option and doesn’t break the bank.
Good luck and enjoy the ride once you get it done, it made the commute to work -79 miles of winding gravel road- 4 passes and other assorted delights, added a rejuvenated joy to my drive to work.

 

how hard was the diff drop?

 

Just out of curiosity which rear bumper do you have? it looks real good

 

I did the whole suspension and drop install on my own, so it couldn’t have been too difficult. I remember doing a bit of prying to get the spacers in, but otherwise I believe it was straightforward.

I got the kit off of Toytec’s website.

 

The diff drop is pretty easy.

The rear bumper is a home built item, a friend and I built it one evening, needs some tweaking. The biggest mistake I made was cutting in the round lights, and maybe longer frame mounts- 3” channel.

I have been talking with a friend here in Montana (winter spot) about converting/adding a swing out next winter.