OMD 1st Gen leaf mod

This is inspired by the 149 page thead. Thread was locked and I don't seem to see folks doing this. But for $40 for springs and some effort I should be able to get my trucks rear back in shape. Truck is a 2000 Tacoma 4wd. I hauled just over 500 pounds to the scrap yard last Friday and it sat the rear and down 1.5" and bounced off the bump stops several times on the way. Truck sits dead even empty and I don't mind a little rake. So while I was at the scrap yard I came across a 92 Dakota with the bed already removed. I've read that the Dakota springs are good donors for someone like me that isn't interested in a 3" lift but wants to add some weight capacity. It was too easy to remove the springs not to get them. I'm considering swapping the 2nd and 3rd leaf with the 2nd and 3nd Dakota leafs and hoping for 1-1.5" read lift with increased load capacity.

Below is a pic of truck now, 2 pics of stock (flat) springs and last pic of Dakota springs i plan to use.

 

Did this work?

 

I pulled my arm out of wack removing the leaf spring bolts at the junk yard so I've had to take a break from anything strenuous. I'm getting better though and looking forward to getting these on. I'll keep ya posted if your interested.

 

Ya please do. Ordering some leaf springs today most likely, but still curious how that works out for you.

 

OK Tyler, I will. It has been done many times. You can scan through this 149 page thread if you get bored. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...94386/&usg=AFQjCNFrKrEdKY-0oidpcIUnMc0wSsIiNg

 

A little bit of progress. I havery wire brushed and painted the two 2nd leafs. I plan to replace the 2nd leafs from my truck. The leafa off the Dakota are the right length so no cutting required.

I'm hoping to do this on Friday and hoping for a ~1" lift in the rear which will get the rear back to stock height. If needed, I'll swap the 3rd leaf with the Dakota spring too, but I'm doing one step at a time.

 

Tonight I swapped the 2nd spring on the driver side. It's amazing how much more tension the Dakota spring has. If I stand on the single Tacoma spring and bounch up and down, I can easily bounch it to the floor. I can only get the Dakota spring to go 1/2- 2/3 of the way to the floor.

Spring on right is Dakota. I hope to swap the passenger spring tomorrow and see how much lift I get. Hoping for an inch.

 

Got both sides installed this afternoon. I ended up removing the overload which caused the U bolts to be a bit too long. I made some 1/2" long spacers that go between the bottom plate and U bolt nuts to allow the bolts to tighten up.

Replacing on the 2nd leaf with the Dakota 2nd leaf actually yielded 1.25" lift bt because I removed the overload, I lost .70" so I only gained 1/2" of actual lift but also gained a good bit of arch to the springs. The rear is more firm and no doubt gained some load capacity.

I still need to bend the clamps back together but wanted to make sure I'm happy with results first. So far, I'm happy but going to drive it a bit. I also just finished installing 5100's on the rear and am in the middle of adding 5100'a to the front.

 

Rybern, looks good!
Help me understand why the 3rd leaf and overload were op out off this project...was it because of the u- bolts and bottom plate (or however is called the one that links the bilsteins and the spring packs) werent able to fit the wideness of dakotas?
Thx

 

I didn't swap the 3rd leaf because I only wanting to go back to stock height. If I decide to add a little lift, I'll swap the stock 3rd leaf with the Dakota 3rd leafs It's my understanding that the overload doesn't really do anything on these trucks anyway(other that provide 3/4" of lift since that is the thickness of it).

 

Got it
Which tool did you use to pry open the clampy thingys that keeps the springs aligned ? ...and lets say I will use the rest of the dakota pack, underneath the first toyota leaf, how much longer those u bolts should be?

 

I think I just used a large prybar. I recall it being a challenge but doable. You'll have to be careful not to ding the bed of your truck.

I'm pretty sure you won't need longer U bolts. Because I removed the overload, I actually had to make spacers to go between the nuts and plate.

 

I have since swapped a few leads around to gain some lift. My current setup is as follows:
Main leaf is OEM
2nd leafs is OEM
3rd leaf is Dakota
4th leafs is Dakota

This has provided about 1.5- 2" lift and rides great with 5100's.

 

I watched this video earlier today.
https://youtu.be/T3COTdC8D6M

And thought could I do this with my OME Dakar’s?

My Dakars have the AAL but after 50,000 miles of heavy loads and abuse they're Not doing as well anymore.

I found this thread immediately. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like I’m going to be spending some time in junkyards again!

 

Glad the info is useful to someone else. FYI, I have never even had to remove my main leafs.

 

Oh nice!

So you didn’t have to separate the main leaf from the shackle or front hanger?
Just remove the U bolts and centering pin?

 

Correct. Put c-clamps on leafs, remove U bolts, remove center pin, unclamp C-clamps, remove leafs. I've done this at least 3 times in the past 3 years as my direction for the truck has changed a bit and as the leafs settle a little. Having done it 3 times, last time I added a leaf to both sides it only took me 2-3 hours working totally by myself. My truck is pretty much rust free so that certainly helps.

 

I’m glad it’s pretty fast and easy to do.
I sure the first time I try it won’t yield desired results.
Some trial and error will be needed.
Also rust free here. I’m so glad I bought an impact gun!

 

Sounds like you have realistic expectations.

Depending on how many leafs you add, you might need a longer pin through the leafs. Removing the overload can buy you some space. I'm 99% sure a 3/8" bolt works very well and will fit into the line up holes on the axle.

I have air tools but really enjoy using an 18v Dewalt impact on many situations. I break things loose with a breaker bar and use a torque wrench when needed too. Also gotta take care not to "heat up" the nuts with high speed actions from impact drivers.