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Bought an ARB bumper...now what?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Adam Baum, Jan 9, 2012.

  1. Jan 9, 2012 at 9:27 PM
    #1
    Adam Baum

    Adam Baum [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I own a 2001 Tacoma DC prerunner w/ 140,000 miles on the stock suspension. In a few months I will be moving to Australia with my ride and want to start upgrading it. My first purchase was an ARB bumper (w/o winch), but now I am stuck on the suspension.

    I have read up on Wheeler's complete OME setup vs. the OME 881/882 coils and Bilstein 5100 struts on all 4 corners. There are no intentions of ever lowering/lifting the Tacoma, but I am open to it if the price difference isn't much.

    Here is what I need out of my reliable Toyota:
    - protection from random wildlife that may want to get in front
    - front suspension that could support the new bumper
    - rear suspension that would allow me to 20 bags of mulch without sagging much, move a loaded U-Haul across the country every 3years or so, etc.

    Now the worries:
    - would I need air bag (helper bags) in the rear?
    - any worries/fixes for the dreaded Tacoma lean?
    - are the OME881/882 coils w/ Bilstein 4600/5100 struts enough? Or should I go with the complete OME kit from Wheeler's?
    - how durable are the Bilstein 5100? I don't feel like rebuilding struts every year.

    Any advice would be awesome. I am going to make this purchase within the next two weeks, and I find myself in front of the computer every trying to do my research.

    Thanks!

    P.S. Anyone in Houston want to help/show me how to do the work? Beer and pizza is on me if you provide the tools and know-how :D
     
  2. Jan 9, 2012 at 9:34 PM
    #2
    TacoMX

    TacoMX TW's Official anti body-lift pundit

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    Many will recommend to run OME struts with OME coils and not to mix bilstein's and OME coils. OME struts are designed to be used with OME coils and will yield the best ride.

    OME shocks on all four with 881 coils should support the ARB bumper fine.

    And if your rear leafs are worn out (flat or negative arch) the best way to carry load would be to get a whole new leaf pack.

    OME sells shims for their struts to correct taco lean.

    Both bilstein and OME are great durable setups that will last quite a long time.

    And if it means anything, OME suspension is designed and made in Australia to endure the Australian terrain...FWIW...
     
  3. Jan 9, 2012 at 9:37 PM
    #3
    stunt man hans

    stunt man hans DISPLACED VIKING LIVING IN WYOMING

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    i would suggest a full ome kit the dakars seem to handle loads really well i would ask oz-t about them he has some pics of his loaded up big time.

    also ome designes their struts and springs to work in conjunction with their bull bars. plus they are solid dependable and priced decent for the full kit when you consider what you get for your money.
     
  4. Jan 9, 2012 at 9:42 PM
    #4
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    OME is from Australia. It is expensive here (but I love it). If you are moving there you should first look into how much the same setup would cost there. With the exchange rate and export/tarriff savings, it may be less expensive to put it on there. Do some math.

    You have a V6? DC with ARB? You'll want 882s. You'll end up with about 2 in lift in front, and if you are going to be carrying a lot of stuff and towing, you should consider upgrading to at least 5-leaf pack just for added capacity and reduced axle wrap. This will give you about 1.5 lift in back. Do you already have a hitch installed? That will add weight, too.
     
  5. Jan 9, 2012 at 9:52 PM
    #5
    Adam Baum

    Adam Baum [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No hitch right now. I had plans on buying one from U-Haul when I actually need one. Most of the other times I am hauling a bed full of yard stuff, bricks, tiles, etc. My stock leaf springs aren't "flat" but they do sag quite a bit with a load.

    I also didn't consider the possible OME price difference in Australia. Looks like I need to find some contact information and ask.
     
  6. Jan 9, 2012 at 10:08 PM
    #6
    kmok

    kmok Plastidipped ma Hootus!

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    I would personally go with 5100s with eibach springs up front then the all pro expedition leaf pack with 5100 rear shocks. The eibach springs will handle the extra weight of the front bumper well and the all pro expedition leaf pack should handle weight better than the OME Dakar leaf pack.

    My truck with 30-35 bags of mulch and I have the OME Dakar Pack.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jan 10, 2012 at 12:40 AM
    #7
    x2468

    x2468 Well-Known Member

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    If you are worried about squat in the back, look into a set of timbrens for the rear. They helped with hauling a lot of weight very well. cheap, easy to install and then you can just forget about them. purchased mine from wheelers offroad.
     
  8. Jan 10, 2012 at 8:30 AM
    #8
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Well if you upgrade the suspention your gonna get lift ha

    I like the idea of checking into how much the OME setups will cost in your new home country. Could be a lot cheaper. Id also recommend not running OME coils and packs with billy 5100s. A lot of ppl don't like how it rides. But love the OME stuff with the Nitrocharger shocks.

    But if you going for load capacity, id highly recommend the Eibachs on 5100s too. As well as the Allpro Exp leaf. Both choices are cheaper then OME setups. You'll need 10'' long rear shocks tho. so some 5125s or 5150s in the rear.
     
  9. Jan 10, 2012 at 8:32 AM
    #9
    Adam Baum

    Adam Baum [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Eibach springs are back in stock?
     
  10. Jan 10, 2012 at 8:33 AM
    #10
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Yea they should be at Toyotech lifts.

    If not, they will have some.
     
  11. Jan 10, 2012 at 8:48 AM
    #11
    Adam Baum

    Adam Baum [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looks like the Eibach springs are still OOS.

    As of right now I think my suspension setup will be:

    FRONT: OME 881/Billy 5100's
    REAR: Billy 5100/Firestone Ride Rite airbags

    I am going to call Allpro and see what they say before I start ordering stuff. It is too bad I can't get my hands on some Eibachs though. The Bilstien 5100 / Eibach Gallery makes that decision pretty hard: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/176037-bilstein-5100-eibach-gallery.html

    It just sucks that I had to wait until now to get my truck in order. BLAH.
     
  12. Jan 10, 2012 at 8:50 AM
    #12
    TacoIII

    TacoIII Mr. Boombastic

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    3" OME 886 coils, ARB bumper warn M8000, Lightforce 240's and 255/85 16 KM2, Redline hood struts,arb twin air compressor, 4.88's, Tepui kukenam, Pelfreybilt bed rack and rear high clearance with swing out, and custom offroad bodywork
    Dude how are you getting to go to Australia?!? Is it through the Air Force? I really want to get orders there lol
     
  13. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:06 AM
    #13
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Well you could always wait man. And air bags means your gonna have to invest into on board air..

    Send Toyotech an email to ask how long out their next batch is. I love mine man.

    881s will give you massive bro lean if you decide to get the expo leaf packs. Expos give about 4.5'' of lift so you'll want at least 3'' up front. Eibachs are your only choice at that point unless you want to throw down some serious dough for some nice coilovers.
     
  14. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:09 AM
    #14
    Tacodriver08

    Tacodriver08 To have faith, is to trust yourself to the water

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    I would definately call all-pro and check on the expedition springs. It'd be cheaper and just easier than the bags i would think. Those bags IMO are used more for hauling much heavier loads at long distances. I plan on getting the expedition springs for mine asap. The Bilstein 5100's all the way arund and OME coils up front are a great setup. I havent had an issue with mine for the past year and I have a CBI bumper up front on them.
     
  15. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:15 AM
    #15
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Your gonna have uber bro lean haha And also you can't use 5100s in the rear with the expo leafs. Just for future reference :thumbsup:
     
  16. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:16 AM
    #16
    Tacodriver08

    Tacodriver08 To have faith, is to trust yourself to the water

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    I would definately call All-pro and take a look at their expedition springs. they'll give you the weight capacity your looking for with out busting the bank, plus a little more flex in your ride. As for the Bilsteins all the way around and the OME coils up front, that is an awesome setup. Ive had the same kind on my truck for a year without an issue and I'm running CBI bumpers up front and back
     
  17. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:19 AM
    #17
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    That not bro lean. That's Cleetus rake.
     
  18. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:19 AM
    #18
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Your gonna have uber rake if you run the expos with those 881s. And dont forget to add some longer rear shocks to the list! Can't use the 5100s with the expos either :thumbsup: Wish the expos fit my truck :pout:
     
  19. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:20 AM
    #19
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    :facepalm:Brain fart haha Thank you good sir :thumbsup:
     
  20. Jan 10, 2012 at 10:33 AM
    #20
    Adam Baum

    Adam Baum [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have read that people are able to pump up the airbags with a bicycle pump. The air inlet is normally installed somewhere around the license plate area.

    Also just got off the phone with Curtis @ All Pro. I thought about going with the expo springs, but that will give me a 4" lift without any weight in the back. To get a 3" lift would mean carrying 400-500lbs around. The standard springs wouldn't give me the additional carry capacity = get air bags. Their All Pro Bilstein coilover kit looks pretty good too.

    I wish I could wait...but it would be ideal to get my truck finished before it hits the shipping port early Feb. I am in Florida now, but my truck is in Houston so everything will have to be done there prior to leaving. As of right now I believe I need to order my parts no later than the 16th so I can install everything on the 21st. [​IMG]
     

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