Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

I've got an 18 ACLB TRD-OR that I'm trying to figure out the lift for. I'm looking to get 2-2.5" all around, enough to get me a little extra clearance and fit 275/70/17s or maybe 285/70/17s. Daily driver/weekend warrior camping rig.

What is stumping me is the weight. I've got a shell on the back full time that I'm going to put a sleeping platform in, then I'll throw in the camping gear on the weekends. No extra hardware in the front, other than maybe a second battery on the driver's side - ~50lbs.

Trying to find the balance so I'm not rubbing when I'm loaded down on some dodgy road.

#1 - Deciding between 5100s with 885/887s or full OME in the front. If I go OME, it sounds like the 90021 w/ 885s or 887s would be the way to go? Sounds like the 90000s or 886s are overkill without a bumper/winch/etc in front.
#2 - The back is the big puzzle. With the shell on all the time and the platform in the back most of the time a single leaf doesn't sound like it'll cut it, so the option is 3 leaf AAL (maybe with the stock overload still in?) or just going Dakkar HD. Concerned that the Dakkar HD will push the lift high enough to need to replace the UCAs if I don't have anything but the shell on the back.

So yeah, noob here. Reading a lot. Any input is appreciated!

 

IMO - skip the 3leaf AAL, even with the overload left in you'll eventually be switching it out for a full pack.
UCA's should not be needed if you stay in the 2-2.5" range with the front.
If your worried about rake with the HD Dakars you can always remove the leaf to make it a MD pack and even remove another leaf to reduce lift height. But I think with the shell and platform (assuming drawers as well) you're going to need a full pack and I would start with HD Dakars (or something similar)and go from there. Equipment weight adds up really fast and even though your not planning for any more weight (or mods) it happens anyway. It's just the evolution of building a camping rig.
Hope this helps, this has been my experience FWIW.

 

how common is the sway bar relocation with 886 90000 and dakars leaf?

 

most just delete the swaybar

 

Those are stiff springs. I never put the bar back on after installing them. Just remember to run over fluffy instead of swerving if the situation arises.

 

So I've looked through the forums, talked to Wheeler's and HS and still not sure what I need so last option is to post on something that has probably already been talked on. Im lifting a '17 DCSB OR and I'm running a leer shell and will be installing frontrunner racks along with RTT which I plan on getting the HD leaf pack that comes with the OME kit. My question is in about a month or 2. I'll be putting a Slimline bumper along with a winch and maybe skids. I will be running 265/75/16s. Which springs should I go with to look level with the weight in the back and not be tall enough for UCA replacement?

 

Thanks, that's helpful.

 

886s but you might not be able to get the alignment numbers you want until after you install your items up front.

 

So if it I go with the SSO slim bumper which supposedly is only 40lbs over OEM and no winch what springs should I go with 888 or 887s?

 

Hey all, new member here looking for some advice from you more experienced folk.

I bought a 2004 2.7l regular cab 4wd last year with 120k on it. Currently has 130k and has been rock solid so far. However, my suspension is still stock and starting to show its age. The ride is decent, but my rear leafs are flat at best and I feel my truck sits slightly lower than other similar tacos I see around.

Here she is this morning:









I don't do any crazy wheeling as I have open diffs and this is my DD, but I do live in Colorado and take it on trails occasionally so better offroad performance would be nice. I'm looking to get around 2 inches of lift all around, with some better support for the topper. I haven't done much suspension work but I like learning(especially if it means keeping costs down). The job looks very doable from what I've researched.

I'm thinking OME all around. Dakar leafs, shackles, nitro shocks front and rear, and 881's. That should give me the 2 inches I'm looking for, without being so much that I need to worry about UCAs or anything.

Will the cs046a/b leafs fit a regular cab? I know they fit xtra and dbl cabs, but can't find anything verifying they fit the regular cabs.
Will 881's be too harsh with a 4cyl? I'd rather have a slightly stiffer ride than not getting enough lift in the front.
Should I add an extra leaf for the added weight of the topper?
Is the extended rear brake line necessary with this setup?

Any other considerations? I'm looking to keep the cost around $1000-1500.

 

If you don't want to get UCAs, 885s.

 

Could be 884... But I'm sure your're measuring right.

 

Hi all!

I'm looking for your opinions since I'm new to suspension mods. I really appreciate any help!

I have a 17 TRD Sport 4x4 with:

• Front
  • Southern Style OffRoad slimline hybrid bumper (steel)
  • Smittybilt X20 9.5k winch (synthetic)
  • RCI Metalworks front skid (steel)
• Rear
  • SOS Concepts sliders (steel)
  • ARE V-series topper (may replace with Go Fast or Vagabond Outdoors camper down the road)
  • Bed drawers (aluminum) with 3/4" plywood platform filled out with various camping gear
• Wheels/tires
  • Wheels: 17" diameter, 7" wide, +4mm offset, 4.16" backspacing (Toyota OEM 17 4Runner TRD Pro)
  • Tires: LT265/70R17 (BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 load range C)

I'm currently considering:

• OME OMETAC16HKSB lift kit
  • OME2886 coils and OME90021 soft ride struts pre-assembled (with OME95PF5 front trim spacer for drivers side lean)
  • OME60091 nitrocharger sport rear shocks
  • Dakar EL096R heavy duty leaf pack (with OMESB108 bushings and OMEU53A extended length u-bolts)
  • OMEFK29 carrier bearing drop kit
  • SPC Light Racing 25470 upper control arms

Questions:

• Do you agree that the 886 coils and heavy duty Dakar leaf pack are the best choices for the additional weight on my truck?
• I've been leaning towards the 90021 soft ride struts versus the more rigid 90000 to try to maintain some on-road performance while maintaining capability off-road. Does anyone have any experience with the pairing of 886/90021 or am I better off with the 886/90000?
• I've gone back and forth on doing the UCAs. I'd prefer to do it all at once but am hesitant on the extra cost. Are they a no-brainer or am I okay without them?
• I'd like to maintain a small amount of rake while being close to level with the added weight I have. Would any small spacers be needed on top of the coils in addition to the trim spacer for the drivers side?
• I'm considering upgrading to LT285/70R17 KO2 load range C tires down the road. I'm assuming I'd need a CMC. Do you think I'd have any other issues with the 4Runner Pro wheels based off their offset/backspacing? I may keep the tire size I have but I don't want it to look too silly once I lift it.

Thanks!

Photos for reference:

 

OME experts, I recently had ome struts with 885's installed on my 2nd gen Tacoma and after about a week I've noticed a clicking and clanking sound when going over small bumps at low speeds. I've read a few different possibilities that it could be from different threads but figured I'd ask on here. Thanks for any leads

 

• The answer to your first question is yes.
• I would go with billy 5100's over the OME's, but I'm biased since the billies have been nothing but great since I put them on. The OME struts are known to give a clunking sound over bumps which is why I decided on the 5100's from the outset.
• I would definitely get the UCA's. They're pricey, but well worth it. You're right on the line of being okay without them.
• The 885's paired with Dakar's will give you about a 0.5" of rake. If you want more than that, add the
  $81 D29XL Leaf Spring
  D29XL leaf to the pack before install.
• I believe the Pro wheels have the same backspacing as the stock sport rims, but I'm not 100% confident on this one.

 

Yup, well-known issue. The culprit is the OME shocks. If it bothers you enough I would swap them out for 5100's.

 

1. 868 coils are going to be recommended if you are going to have a heavy-duty bumper in the front. The heavy-duty leaf pack will only be really beneficial if you consistently carry over 600 pounds in the rear at all times. If you had a bed rack or had some type of Overland build, that might be necessary but it will give you a huge rake in back if you're not caring consistent weight and the rear even though you will have the aftermarket bumper in the rear.
2. I would go with the 90021's regardless. For the same price it will be a softer ride on the road and you won't see much difference off-road.
3. the upper control arms are a necessity if you are going to have anything over a 2-2.5 inch lift in the front which you most likely will have with the 90021/886 commendation. You want to be able to have a good articulation with the upper control arms especially for off-road and to make sure that your alignment stays true. A lot of people like the light racing upper control arms, a lot of other people do like the JBA UCA's with the moog ball joints for a decent price point.
4. What actually are you carrying in the rear to level off the rake with the heavy-duty leaf pack? A lot of people do have the 1/4 spacer in the front left coil to help eliminate some of the taco lean.
5. after the upgrade with this lift , you should be able to fit a 285/70R17 without a problem but you may have to trim just to make sure that you are not getting any rubbing. I am not sure about the 4runner Pro wheels but I am assuming that they're going to be the same as the Tacoma wheels since it is built upon the same platform. If necessary you can always dial it down to a 275.

 

Could be OSBGC. Other possibilities include sway bar interference.

 

I picked up some used CS047R springs for my 06, it has the additional spring (8 total leafs) I carry motorcycles (800lbs worth) pretty consistently & also have 0lbs in the bed all the time, should I remove one of the 3rd springs (3 & 4th leaf look the same) I also have ICON 2.0 resi in the rear which i think will support the lift provided.. Thanks for the help.

(stock recall springs currently)

 

@pwalnut i dont recommend the soft struts with the 886 coil. With that higher spring rate the soft struts wont be able to dampen out and you will have a bouncier ride. Pair the 886 with the regular nitrochargers. Also i recommend that instead if the carrier bearing drop kit you install a 3 degree shim with the 96R leaf springs.