Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

The spring rate is the same as the 884s and 885s as per the ARB/OME literature , IIRC they are used on the 4 Runner generally

 

Hey guys.. so I'm still trying to troubleshoot the reason why my truck leans, in my opinion, more than it should. It's atleast a full inch lower on the driver side. Like i posted earlier, I recently swapped my 885's with a newer set of 885's, hoping it was just a faulty, saggy coil. Nope.. same results. Which.. makes me think it could be 1) the shocks themsleves, although there are no signs of a blown shock. Or 2) the driver side leafs are crapped out causing the entire driver side to lean. They are used, from another memebers truck, and are looking pretty damn flat. So, my next course of action is to try some new leaf springs. After a ton of looking around, I think I may try the OME leafs, and remove some of the leafs to get the ride height I'm looking for. For reference.. I currently have the factory leafs with the Icon pack for a gain of 1.5" of lift. I'm looking to keep the rear right around that with whatever leaf pack I go with. That way I can stay level with the 3" lift up front.

Any recommendations are welcome. I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure it out and get it sitting how I want. I'm wanting to figure out the cause before I start just throwing money around on new leafs just to find out that doesn't solve the problem, or that the truck sits too high in the rear/rides too stiff.

 

The 887's are listed for the 4-Runner, but some are trying them on the Tacoma. I am really happy that I went with the 887's. Look under the 4-R section on Toytec's website. You can also call Kevin there, he helped me get them in place of the others (I had them assemble mine before shipping).

 

The problem is the gas tank and the driver are on that side. The OME 5mm trim packer doesn't do shit because the load of the gas tank is on the rear leafs.

I would replace the leafs but understand that, over time, the driver side will start to sag again.

Messing around with leafs and shackles may get it sitting level but then one side will behave differently than the other. Not like it doesn't already with the weight being tilted to the driver side.

 

exactly. I know its just the nature of the beast, but it shouldnt sag THIS much, THIS quickly.. atleast I wouldnt think it would. It shouldnt imo.

I defintely think the leaf springs are a major culprit for sure. I think that will be my next fix. So.. what leaf pack should I go with. Deavers are smooth.. yield 1.5" of lift which is exactly what im looking for, but I know they wear out very quickly as well and have been told to avoid them by several people who actually have them. OME has some.. but Im not 100% clear on how they perform, sit, and how to figure out what combination of leafs to use in their pack to get what im looking for (height and ride). There are others as well. The Standards from All-Pro, Alcans, or even a custom pack (which im highly considering as long as the shop knows what im looking for and can deliver)

 

I dig my OME Dakars but I have a 1st Gen and I'm an OME fanboi.

They have developed pretty bad Taco lean after being on there for 4 years though. Starting to consider my options for fixing that.

 

Are you sure you have the correct spring packs on the correct side? Isn't one pack of the Dakars different from the other to help with the lean? I could have sworn I read something about that on here. If that is the case and you have the wrong packs on the wrong side, it will crossload the suspension and multiply your lean.

 

On 1st gens the Dakars are side specific , on 2nd gens they are not

 

The trim packer won't help the rear will it? I wouldn't think it would, but I read something earlier that sounded like it would. Can't find the post right now though.

 

I'm really enjoying OME, excellent ride with 886 coils. I didn't think I would get this much lift out of it. Now I need bigger tires!

 

In theory lifting one corner of the front should rotate the truck dropping the rear corner on the opposite side

 

Yea...I guess that is possible.

 

Okay, so from reading through this thread, it looks like most people with DCLBs who go with 885 springs get around 2.5-2.75" of lift, would that be correct? Also, it looks like you're better off going with a 1/4" top plate spacer instead of the trim packer to deal with the lean?

 

Does anyone make a 1/8" top plate spacer?

 

I can tell you that the trim packer didn't fix my lean. It's not bad and I'm probably the only one that will notice it, but my right side is ~ 5/8" higher than my driver.

 

looks good what are your measurements? i am leaning to trading out my 885s with 1/4 top spacer on each side for the 886s ( I already have them) and getting rid of my sway.

 

Front and rear ?

 

Been lurking on here for awhile doing my research. I know this is the lift I want. I am just torn between two options. Thinking of getting the 885 w/1/4" top spacer and the dakar leaf bundles. That should put me close enough to level for my liking.

Trouble is I only have 265/65r17 tires on the stock TSS wheels so I am also contemplating getting just the 885 coils with no spacer and taking the 3rd leaf out of the pack. Think that may look better with the smaller tires and 265/70r17 is probably as big as I will go when I replace these so I don't really need a big lift.

My question for you guys is will my truck ride considerably better with the 3rd leaf out? I will be getting the LR UCAs so that is a non factor for the height of the lift. Overall ride quality vs offroad performance is what is going to be my deciding factor.

Not really a big offroader but I am doing this to improve my trucks capability and ground clearance enough to take the occasional trip to the mountains and get into the backcountry. Thanks in advance!!

 

Honestly if you are thinking of 265/70 I would k st get the full set up..I have five inches from hub to fender and I'm on 265/75/16 and i look perfectly fine

 

For 265s get 884s and an AAL. Clears well and rides great.