Owner Experience: OME 883/Wheeler Prog. AAL on 2nd Gen DCSB

Hi Everyone, I wanted to do a quick write up on my experience running the OME 883's in the 2nd Gen. Going through these threads and seeing everyone's knowledge and expertise really helped me out when deciding on a lift for my truck. I just wanted to return the favor and post a little something about my experience with my current setup:
OME 883/N140S Front Strut – OME N182 Rear/Wheeler Progressive AAL - 265/75/R16 on stock steelies.

Intro:
In August of 2015 I decided to replace all 4 stock struts and front coils on my 2011 Base Model DCSB Tacoma 4X4. I also decided to lift the rear of the truck to get more rake. After many hours of research and pouring through forums, I decided that I would put the suspension on myself. This task seemed daunting at first because I didn’t have much experience with working on vehicles. The more research I did, the more comfortable I began to feel about doing the work myself. I set aside a weekend, during which I would only work on the truck. Because my Taco is the only vehicle I own, I figured I’d give myself the whole weekend just in case something happened and I needed the extra time to fix any mistakes. I didn’t want to have to walk to work in the middle of the Texas summer.

Philosophy of Use:
As I stated before, my 2011 Taco is the only vehicle I own. It is my daily driver, road-trippin’ vehicle, and play rig. I wanted a mild lift for two reasons, I wanted to maintain as much of the stock geometry as I could while attempting to improve the ride and ground clearance of the vehicle. Most of the driving I do in my vehicle is on the highway. With that being said, I take my vehicle out on camping trips as much as I possibly can. I probably average about 1 to 2 camping trips a month. In order to get to any place worth visiting I have to drive for at least 2 hours on the interstate. These camping trips usually entail mild off-roading, a lot of forest roads, and a lot of beach driving. I don’t use my vehicle for any hardcore rock crawling. Because this vehicle is used for every day commuting along with some mild off-roading and adventuring, I couldn’t justify throwing a large lift under my rig.

Why I bought OME 883’s
During the time I was considering my lift, I was still running the stock tire size of 245/75/16. My goal was to only lift the vehicle slightly, about 1” to 2” and put 265/75/R16’s on the truck. I was on the fence about getting the adjustable Bilstein 5100’s. It seemed like an economic choice, but I didn’t want my quality of ride to suffer. In some reviews that I read, people talked about their ride quality diminishing somewhat due to the 5100’s pre-loading the stock strings. I continued researching and found that some people were installing OME 883 coils in the 2nd Gen Tacos for a very mild lift. Most people were posting that they were quite happy with the setup. I called Wheeler’s Off-Road and talked with a rep about running the OME 883’s. They told me that it was completely doable, although it didn’t appear like it was all that common. I discussed with the rep from Wheeler’s Off-Road about my options for raising the rear of the vehicle. He recommended the Wheeler Progressive Add-a-Leaf. After I did a little more research on the Wheeler Prog. AAL, I called them back and ordered my kit.

Installation and First Experience:
Wheelers Off-Road offers a great service where they assemble your coilovers for you before shipping them. Since I didn’t want to mess with a spring compressor in my apartment, I decided to get the struts assembled by the guys at Wheelers. Installation was a success. I kept the overload spring when installing the Wheeler’s AAL. I then bought new shoes (265/75/R16 Cooper Discoverers) for the Taco and got her realigned. It felt like a brand new rig after that. The quality of the ride improved significantly.

Stock Measurements from the bottom of the fender to center of the wheel hub:
Front-Driver: 20”
Front-Pass: 20”
Rear-Driver: 21”
Rear-Pass: 21”

Measurements immediately after OME and AAL installation:
Front- Driver: 22”
Front-Pass: 22”
Rear-Driver: 24”
Rear-Pass: 24”

Measurements 9 months after install:
Front- Driver: 21”
Front-Pass: 21.25”
Rear-Driver: 23”
Rear-Pass: 23”

9 Months After Installation:
The whole setup sagged about 1” after 9 months. The ride quality is still much better than what it was with the stock suspension. I have not noticed a change in the ride quality of the OME 883’s after these 9 months. With the bigger tires I have about 35.5” from the bottom of the fender to the ground in the front of the vehicle. It’s about 37.5” from the bottom of the fender to the ground in the rear of the vehicle. I like having the extra height for ground clearance.
On the road, the OME 883’s are great. After the lift and up-sizing my tires I noticed that I lost around 1.5 miles/gal. My speedometer seems to be MORE accurate with the larger tires. The handling of the vehicle is very solid on the highway. There is no wobble to the steering at all while moving at highway speeds. Off-road, I have noticed a big difference in the way the suspension feels. Bumps are absorbed with greater easy. I have also found that I can make it over washouts and large beached trees without bottoming out. While on a camping trip in Arkansas, the OME suspension handled the washed out forest roads like a champ.

Conclusion:
Overall, this OME setup has been perfect for my needs. Because the Taco is a daily driver but it is also my play rig, I am happy with the compromise that the 883’s and Wheeler Prog. AAL’s was able to provide. I’ve taken this setup on several road trips and camping trips. I don’t have any complaints with how it has performed for me. If anybody is looking for a very mild lift for your 2nd Gen, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this setup.

Stock suspension and 245/75/R16

How she sits today

Throwing the suspension in

What the front looks like after 9 months

UCA clearance with the 265/75/R16

What the back looks like after 9 months

Just a picture of what lives in the back of my truck 24/7

One more glam shot with the current set-up

 

Looks pretty leveled.

That 3 leaf AAL is not ideal for you, with that shell and added weight inside the bed.

It's a good setup for the cash though, just sucks at weight carrying. My experience was identical to yours, gained 2" and then lost half of it.

Then I got rid of the AAL, it's too soft for carrying constant loads.

 

What are you rolling with now in the back?

 

I weighed airbags versus a leaf pack and in the end went with OME Dakars and OME 884 coils.

It's more lift than the 883/AAL by a good bit, but it's so nice with the shell weight. I can haul plenty of weight and it rides great, no bump stop contact, no extreme sagging. Love it.

I loved the AALs until I got the shell. It's a great setup for the money for someone who isn't hauling or towing regularly.

 

Great info. I put in 4 new OME nitro sports, 884s and a 2" AAL on my DCSB 4x4 and am absolutely loving the ride. Got about 2.25 in the front off the bat (2.5 w/trim packer). The only issue is some topping out clunking on bumps at high speed. Seeing that yours settled is promising. I don't want to give up too much lift, but I hope some settling will help with the clunking. But it's not a deal breaker as is.

 

That won't go away, the OME shocks have a built in, internal metal bump stop. When you hear the clunk, that's the shock preventing itself from over compressing.

 

Appears to be topping out rather than bottoming. But honestly can't fully diagnose. Nothing is rubbing though and it drives perfect otherwise.

 

You're right, I had that part backwards.

Anyway, the clunk is a "feature." Goes away with lower speed or with new non OME brand shocks!

 

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p227/Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_(HS05BK-1).html

Sounds like this kit will be right up your alley.

You'll want 887 coil springs to get your front up 3", in the rear you'll want a 2" AAL / Progressive AAL.

Also because you're wanting to get the full 3" out of your lift, you will need new Upper Control Arms which will run you about $450-$500.

Total cost through @HeadStrong Off-Road would be $1,007.99 through their website.



Full disclaimer: I've not personally used any of these components, so this is based solely off of research. I'm sure someone else will chime in with some hands-on recommendations. I'm just trying to point you in the right direction.

 

No problem.

But the reason I pointed you in that direction is because you said, "I'd be willing to spend 1k to get a cheap looks based lift that doesn't break my back."

A spacer lift won't ride well, and you risk damaging your vehicle from using them.

As for Headstrong's selections, in the last drop down menu, the "Deaver AAL" is a single leaf AAL, and the "HS 3-Leaf" is a progressive AAL. Both should offer you about 2" of lift when installed.

 

The 3 leafs are identical.

A single leaf will be stiffer than a 3 leaf, but also stronger.

 

Not a problem. @DCSBFTMFW is a wealth of knowledge and could probably help you much better than I can.

Also @Bluegrass Taco is running that same lift and has been laying down some super helpful posts in regards to that kit.

Edit: to answer your question, the single Deaver AAL will be stiffer.

 

I'm running 885X's/2" Deavers AAL/5100's. Very happy with all of it

 

also, HIGHLY suggest installing u-bolt flip kit while doing rear suspension. Easy to do at the same time, doesn't cost a lot, and nets HUGE benefits in clearance around shock mount area of rear axle.

 

For the assembly fee, you get a NEW "top hat" along with assembly. It's well worth the cost IMHO.

 

The axle bracket used with the factory ubolts hangs down 1.25", the rounded ubolts used with the ubolt flip kit are 0.5" thick. The clearance gained with the flip is 0.75".

 

Those new Ubolts would slide over things that the original brackets would hang on like an arrestor hook on an aircraft carrier! Just 3/4" in "numbers", but far more in real world off roading.

 

I wish i would have done the Ubolt flip when I was throwing on my prog. AAL.

 

It's easy, even easier while you have everything apart. Ubolt flips are quick, inexpensive axle clearance.

 

And neone have a link to these "u-bolt flip kits"?...much appreciated.