Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

Nice! You'll like it a lot. A lot of people like the 882s as well. I was just under the impression it would give me too much lift without weight.

I also hear it rides a lot better without the sway bar, but I haven't taken mine off yet. Bolts are pretty seized in there for me. But if you are 90% road driving, it probably wouldn't be worth it to take it off.

 

I'm still on the fence about the 882... I want a bumper but... Probably won't have one for a bit. If you don't plan on a bumper, 881 with spacers might be better. Ride is fine with 882, but shot me wayyyyy up.

 

Im getting ready to order my OME kit but I'm stuck on either going with 881's or 882's with 255/85R16 or 285/75R16's. I have a 03 DC 4X4 and Im planning on getting TG bumpers all around with rock sliders. I also plan on buying a camper shell once I find a good price for a used one. Its my daily driver and I put 60 miles around trip.

 

882 or 883, no question in my mind. Maybe someone else will weigh in too.

 

I ran 882s and 255/85 16 on my truck for over a year with no issues at all. The suspension needs little time to settle to get the alignment perfect but that's normal. I only had sliders for a long time and love the height and feel of the truck.

 

I'd run 882s and the extra leaf in the Dakars if your planning on the shell anyways

 

I'll vouch, for shell, the extra spring is needed. No question. Kicking myself for not doing that...

 

Got my kit today!!!

Wheelers FTW!

OME kit with nitrocharger sport shocks
881 coils (might switch to 882 when I get my bumper and winch finished)
Dakar leafs (probably going to buy the D6XL add-a-leaf before I install)
Greasable shackles, ubolts, brake line, exhaust drop bracket, diff drop, trim packer, bushings, etc)

I'm expecting 2.5" of lift all around but we'll see how it settles. Pics will be in my build thread when I get it all installed.

I also bought a 20lb co2 bottle and adjustable regulator to make myself a powertank setup for 200$

 

I was on the fence too but went with the 883's and Dakars. I was happy with the ride after the install but after a few trips in the dirt it has gotten better. I initially thought it was too high in the front but now that everything has settled it's perfect. I have the 1/4" spacers to add later if needed when I install a winch. BTW, I also have a camper shell on it and the rear height is fine. Check out the pic of my rig above and see what you think.

 

Just ordered some 883 coils and 4 of the 5100 shocks! Just going to shackle the rear right now since my leafs are only a year old; I don't want to replace them. So excited!!!

 

I agree 100% that the 882's and D6XL AAL based on what you said you plan to do. Heres my truck and its setup almost how you plan with camper shell and TG front bumper and CBI rear bumper.

OME 882 Coils,
OME Dakars W/D6XL AAL,
Nitrocharger Sport Shocks
Goodyear Duratracs 285/75r16

 

My truck has stock bumpers, no winch, no heavy skids, etc (just sliders but I don't think those have any effect on my question).

I run a topper a lot of the time. When wheeling/camping I have a bed rack but am pretty well loaded in the rear.

If I run 881s up front and the Dakars with AAL in the rear. Will I have too much rake when just running the topper?

 

I can't speak specifically to the Dakars, but the rest of your spec/load is pretty much the same as mine (as a DD, I have the cap on 24/7 and a ~50 lb rubber bed mat, and added a Class III HIdden Hitch a couple years after the lift.), and after a few years, the Wheeler's 5-pack (~1.5 in) is now giving me some bro lean with 881s, especially if I have the small trailer hooked up and a load in the bed (think standard camping stuff, but not a huge/heavy load).

I am looking at an AAL of the 5-pack, and now I wished I had gone for the Dakars, but they seemed too much for what I wanted at the time and before I had the camper. But I think the 2.25 inches of Dakar settling even 1/2 inch over time would have me at a very slight rake when unloaded. Say 1/2 to 3/4 rake. Which I think would be perfect now that I know my truck and suspension better since getting it in 09.

You might want to go for the Dakars first, then you could always insert an AAL later if needed.

 

I can't directly answer you question but can give you my experience from using 882's and the AAL on my truck above. When I installed my suspension I still had stock bumpers front and rear and always have my shell on. I had about 3/4in rake which was nice IMHO. Once I installed front and rear bumpers I sit pretty much level which is OK but I like a little rake for when I carry a load. IMHO 881's and the AAL will give you well over an inch of rake with your camper and prob over 2 inches with it off and no load.

I would do what scocar suggested if you are going to run the 881's and run the dakars and evaluate whether you need the AAL later.

Heres a pic pre-bumper.

 

For anyone with Nitrochargers / 882s and the D6XLs, did you notice any difference or improvements when adding UCAs? I know this more so applies to 2nd gens but I've been getting a lot of info one way and the other.

Also, double cab guys, how are the 882s vs the 881s/883s in terms of road comfort? This is also a daily. Not looking for a Benz ride but I don't want to rattle my teeth out

 

It ain't a Benz, rides about like my wife's Mazda speed 3, maybe a little smoother. MUCH/worlds better than my old wrx on coilovers. Ido not have the aal yet but plan on it in the next year. Just 882 on sport shocks and dakars. Are you planning on 33's and/or extra weight? If I wasn't going 33's and planning to add skids and bumper, I may have gone with 881 and the extra top spacers if needed.

 

Long term I'd be adding skids, side rails and off road bumpers. Maybe plate but more likely tube with plate welded in.

I'm going to try to stay away from 33s because of fuel economy / regearing but, that's what a lot of people say who end up with 33s...

 

Well, yeah. I'm hoping that the 33x10.5 on 15" alloys won't be too much of a dog. But then again, I only drive like 20-30 miles/week.

 

I have the 882s/nitrochargers/D6XL combo but still using stock UCAs. Only real difference with aftermarket UCA's is it can be easier to get it aligned to spec, and caster can be improved slightly.


882s and 881s have the same spring rate so you'll get the same ride from those two coils. 883s are stiffer and will have a harsher ride. Much of the ride quality will also depend on the kind of weight you're carrying like steel bumpers, or skidplates and a winch. My TG front bumper is actually pretty close in weight to the stock bumper and I don't have a winch yet, but I do have some heavy skidplates. The 882s are great IMO. Lots of people recommend the 883s but I MUCH prefer the 882s. They are the tallest of the coils and will net about the same lift as the 883s but will ride a bit smoother. If you have lots of front end weight the 883 might be the best choice. Otherwise I'd go with 882s.

 

Maybe this is a dumb question but wouldn't it feel bouncier or stiffer since the spring is longer and needs to compress further than say an 881?