Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

If you ordered from HS they include the bushings and sleeves in the kit.

 

Oh and IIRC they are about 5/16" thick

I beleive the Waterboy posted a link to an online source a couple pages back in this thread

 

Yeah, I've posted it a few times.....it keeps getting burried.

 

Here's the link to the collars.....again:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/out.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoandtrucksprings.com%2Fproducts%2FCenter_Bolt_Head_Lengthener_2_Pcs-1662-0.html

 

I have seen a few mixed reports on this so I will ask in this thread for a final answer. I did do a search of the thread but didn't quite find the answer I was looking for, or I didnt understand that it was the answer I was looking for, so here goes.

I am going to get the OME setup with 885's may have limited towing needs in the future. Also going full Dakar for the leafs. If I don't add the plate spacer in the front and stick with a bit of rake will I need new UCA's? I don't plan on stuffing the biggest tires on I can, just enough to do what I need. I have seen it said any lift needs new UCA's and other say only if its 3" or more. Just looking for clarification.

I have a 2013 Dbl Cab TRD off road with the tow package.

Thanks all

 

I would get the UCA 's

 

Anyone with a DCSB or DCLB running 884x's and Dakars? My camper shell has made my dakars sag to the point where they're even or so with my 885x's. I like some rake, so I'm thinking of putting a different front spring in.

 

Why not just spend $50 on the OME

$77 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl AAL for the Dakars

 

Thought about that, but I don't want the rear to be any stiffer than it currently is.

 

The reason you are getting mixed results is because it doesn't matter. Either way the truck is going to roll down the street. So you will have people say they did what they did blah blah. The fact is as you add lift you are changing the geometry of your front suspension. I have seen a 3" lift on a tacoma with stock UCA, I also have seen a stock tacoma with aftermarket UCA.

As the vehicle becomes lifted you will begin to lose caster. Once you lift it past a certain amount (My guess 2") you start to reach the outer edge of what the stock UCA can be adjusted to. After market UCA have Caster built into them, so once you lift the tacoma up it makes it easy to align the truck to factory specs.

If Money is not the problem then save yourself the trouble and get the UCA. If you need to not spend the $400-$700 then don't get them.


I am sure someone can add to this, but the following is what I have gathered.

Your Options:
Stick with stock UCA:
Pros: Don't spend money on UCA
Cons: Could cause alignment issues because of the limited amount of adjustability. Less available wheel travel. Alignment issues could lead to undesirable wear on other suspension components*.

*CV boot wear issue has more to do with actual height of the lift as it approaches 3" and I am not sure if the UCA has any effect on that.

Buy New UCA:
Pros: Makes for less Alignment issues, More Travel, improved handling.
Cons: Money. People think you drive a race truck.

 

Thanks Oz and Loaded Taco. I would rather spend a bit more upfront to save on headaches and larger expenses down the road that could have been avoided.

 

Loaded Taco gave a good summary. I would only add that you'll be happier with the ride. I ran 886s on stock UCAs and was able to get good alignment numbers, but my UCA would strike the coil at full droop and "clunk". After I installed the LR UCAs I was much happier with the ride.

 

I PM'd you and yes I did order from Headstrong which is the best thing Ive done. They called me to confirm my order and get more info on my truck. They are very personable with you.

 

Getting ready to pull the trigger today or tomorrow. Going through Headstrong or Wheelers. At headstrong there is an option for an additional leaf pack to add on to the Dakar. Is that overkill? I don't plan on doing major rock climbing but do plan on some mild to moderate trails and a slim chance I may have to pull a single horse trailer in the future. Thanks again for the info!

 

The

$77 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl AAL , you won't need it unless you are hauling constant weight

 

That's the one. Thanks Oz, off to melt the credit card

 

Hey OZ-T at how much weight would you consider a need for the AAL? I am getting a HC rear with a tire swingout. I am guessing it will put 200 lbs on the end of my truck which is what prompted me to get the Dakars. I am not sure if I will want the AAL or not.

 

I carry about 400-450lbs all the time between my cap and tools and currently just have the regular pack , it kinda depends on what height you want to retain

 

Okay I will see how the truck sits when I get everything installed. I don't see myself getting anywhere close to that weight on a regular basis.

Thank you!

 

It's been my experience that the Dakars stay at their initial ( bed unloaded ) height with up to about 200lbs of constant weight and then the pack activates and compresses at weights beyond that . With my 200lb commercial cap and 200-250lbs of tools I get about 3/4" of compression , if I remove the tools , the ride height returns to it's initial installation height that I recorded when I installed them approx 3 years ago