Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

So I'm trying to pull a leaf from my cs019r pack. Theblift is so high and it rises like a brick.

I read to remove the third from top, but this leaf has these u shaped pieces that prevent the leaves from swiveling. There is one on the front side of he leaf and one on the rear side. Here is a pic of the piece. They're riveted into he leaf itself. Removing an overload probably won't help w the ride quality.

What do you guys think? Can I forgo these u shaped pieces? Maybe I'll just add some to the pack after I remove this third leaf?

 

Keep the one with the U shaped retainers. You need that to keep them aligned.
Just remove the very bottom leaf, that will drop it quite a bit.

 

Not reading through 130 pages, but have a question.

What's the general consensus when choosing Nitrochargers vs. Bilstein 5100 with the 882 coils (3" lift)

Which would you rather have and why?

 

I ended up taking that one out so only one retainer at the moment. I'll see if I can find some online. Which leaf are you saying to take out? The bottom most overload spring?

 

yes. You have the same pack I do. The bottom leaf is thicker and short and doesn't flex at all. Removing that one will drop it 3/4" right off the bat and a bit more as the leaves above flatten out.

 

I went with the Nitrochargers on mine. The reason is that I thought they were slightly more durable than the Bilsteins. So far I have been happy. OME is built for rough use and out here in Wyoming after one winter with the sand on the roads and the sand blasting the shocks have taken I am happy. So far, so good. After looking at the condition of my Noitrochragers I am really happy I didn't go with the King's or some other really expensive set up that doesn't have a completely sealed shaft. Just looking at the outside of my Nitrochargers tells me that I'd be either rebuilding or replacing Kings or anything else if I had bought those. Besides, for my DD and mild off-roading something like King's would have been overkill. I've never owned Bilsteins so my opinion is lop-sided but I am really happy with my Nitrochrgers. Bilsteins may be just as good but I can't offer an opinion on them.

 

So the four cylinder can tow... Lol

 

I really like your setup. I'm thinking of doing the exact sa me thing. Does the truck sit pretty level? I want very little rake. On yours, it looks like there isn't any rake at all

 

Now that everything has settled, there is a slight rake, the front may be 1/2" lower max. I'll try and get an updated picture soon

 

Something came in the mail today for me.





Thanks Wheeler's Off-road.

 

Nice! Just installed my kit last month.


Word of caution…was not able to get the forward eyelet bolt out. Had to cut it off. Replacement bolt was not part of kit. Check that it spins freely before you pull the truck apart.


Also ordered a diff drop, but did not install it because the truck runs vibration free at all speeds.

 

Has anyone relocated the rear shocks with this kit? My springs droop around 2" lower than the shocks have downtravel. Seems fine day to day but I think the shocks top out of I hit a speed bump too fast or get the trucks ass end into the air at all.

I saw boxrocket has relocated and am just wondering if I may see some other examples before I order parts and get my cousin involved.

 

Several of us have, lot's of different thought as to what might work best. I think the main thing is getting the full range of travel out of the rear with no binding or bottoming/topping out.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bretts-average-build-thread.305098/page-32#post-13056472

 

Just finished this up. Nitrochargers, 881s, dakars.

 

I noticed the same thing when I installed the dakars on my '04 DC 4x4 last month. The leaf pack drooped a couple inches below max shock extension. Understand this means I'm not get max articulation... however... my concern right now is shock damage. I don't recall reading about any OME shocks being damaged due to over extending (under normal use). Anybody?

 

Yep, it will get damaged over time. Mine did.
The rear shocks are burly as hell, but OME dropped the ball on the useable length imo. Never should have been marketed for a 3" lift in stock location.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback.

They are burly. Couldn't reinstall my firestone airbags because the mount hit the thicker shock. Will have to relocate the airbag slightly to the left. Will also have to use daystar cradles. Wonder if a limiting strap will work?

I could see how blasting down rampart range road could hammer the shocks, but we are not gifted with such fine roads here at the VA coast.

 

You could run a limit strap, but you would be limiting truck performance in favor of a shock. If you set the truck on the ground and leave the shock disconnected, you'll see it only has a couple inches of down travel to work with. Most driveway's will have that shock limiting out as you leave for work.
If it helps any, it was the driver side that went bad, and it was within the first year of install and my wheeling with the truck at that time was very limited due to other factors. Most of my travels during that time were on county roads with potholes and washboards, and that ultimately did the damage.

 

So my $1500 suspension kit has degraded my trucks ability to even leave my driveway? Too funny. Guess I'll add that to my "to-do" list. Somewhere around item 48...

 

For those running dakars, is anyone else's parking brake cable contacting the springs? If so, have you found a fix?

Note - I'm also running an axle relocate plate. I'm sure the added thickness has something to do with it.

The brake still works fine. There is very little tension in the cable being caused by this, but I still don't like it.