New OME Dakar Leaf Pack Review

Hey guys,

I installed a full OME lift with the heavy Dakar leaf pack and Total Chaos upper control arms.

Here's what I installed:

• Front suspension
  • OME 886 coils (OME2886)
  • OME 90000 firm struts (OME90000)
  • OME front trim spacer 5mm (OME95PF5) on driver side
  • @HeadStrong Off-Road strut assembly (coil isolators, bushings, washers, and strut mount)
  • @TOTAL CHAOS upper control arms (96504)
  • Mixedmetalwork Cab mount chop
  • Hammered and sealed pinch welds
  • Trimmed fender liners and fender flares
  • Remolded fender liners
• Rear suspension
  • OME 60091 nitrocharger sport rear shocks (OME60091)
  • OME dakar heavy duty leaf pack (ARBEL096R)
  • OME U-bolts (OMEU53B)
  • OME driveshaft spacer (OMEFK29)
  • @HeadStrong Off-Road leaf spring and shackle bushing kit (FBK05TAC)
• Wheels/tires
  • 5x 17x8.5 4.3" BS -11 @SCSPerformance dark bronze F5 wheels
  • 5x 285/70R17/C BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires
  • 27x M12x1.5 extended thread spline @SCSPerformance black lug nuts

Approximate measurements (probably not super precise). Note: I had decent sagging while running stock suspension for two years with a @SouthernStyleOffRoad hybrid bumper and winch in the front, @SOS CONCEPTS sliders, RCI Metalworks front skid plate, and a camper shell and bed drawers in the rear (that was eventually replaced with a @KB Voodoo mid-height bed rack with a Freespirit Recreation high country series roof top tent).

• Measured from the center of hub to the bottom of the fender
  • Before
    • Front: Driver Side 20" / Passenger Side 20"
    • Rear: Driver Side 20.25" / Passenger Side 20"
  • After
    • Front: Driver Side 22" / Passenger Side 22"
    • Rear: Driver Side 24" / Passenger Side 24"
• Measured from the ground to the bottom of the fender
  • Before
    • Front: Driver Side 34.25" / Passenger Side 34.5"
    • Rear: Driver Side 35" / Passenger Side 34.75"
  • After
    • Front: Driver Side 38.25" / Passenger Side 38.25"
    • Rear: Driver Side 39.75" / Passenger Side 39.25"

I have a ton of info and pictures of the lift install process in this post.

A few photos

 

Have 5100s all around with 885s that will be replaced by 886s next week (bumper, Westin heavy brushguard and skid plate being replaced by Mobtown front plate bumper w/grill hoop &Smittybuilt winch)/rear plate bumper. Did a single Deaver AAL but further inspection shows that the leaf pack is worn the F out (nearly flat). I’m looking at Dakar medium load and wonder if the 5100s will work with the added lift? Any recommendations welcomed.

 

I had some bad squeaks, lubed everything. Power washed the packs and lubed again. Nothing would make the squeaks go away. Upon further inspection, the leaf retainers where offset and rubbing the side of the leaf pack. Some hammering them corrected it and no more squeaks!! My next thought is why would these things be off so bad that they squeaked like a rabid mouse in a cheese factory!!

 

Just installed mine this weekend and thought I’d pass my experience along for benefit of others

I made mistake to bolt up the rear shackle end first and then spent an hour and two bent drift pins trying to get front eye to line up to frame. Finally gave up and unbolted the rear shackle end. I found that by pulling the shackle out of the shackle cup and outboard 2”, the front bolt went in with no trouble. Shackle end dropped back in the cup with minimal effort although I needed a large C Clamp to help pull it down until holes aligned. To be fully honest. I left the shocks attached to keep axle from fully dropping down so probably only needed the C Clamp because spring was not fully uncompressed.

Driven 100 miles already and no vibrations.

 

Thanks to @EatSleepTacos for the recommendation on sumo springs. The 610-40 fit the Dakar HD pack perfect (about 1/2" clearance) and my ride is so much better than stock bumps and the toytec block. I had plenty of shock travel so I don't know why it came with the suspension. Paired with wheelers bumps on the front and it feels like a whole new truck.

 

Has anyone seen a detailed install post for adding the EL46XL to the EL095R pack? I have gotten a ton of information from all the threads but wanted to know if there is a comprehensive walk through covering all the tips and pain points. Also, does anyone know if the Leaf Pack "has to" be completely removed from the truck to install or can it be done while still bolted onto the truck?

 

I can try to dig around for a thread when I get time but I'll share tips from my experience.

Remove the leaf pack. While you technically can do it with the top leaf still attached, it's a lot easier to do it off the truck. Depending on how much thread you have leaf on the center pin, you'll need to clamp the pack.

The leaf kit I got came with the outer friction plates but not the center shim plate. I had to buy that after I realized the packs had center shim plates. I don't know if it has to be there but it seems to be the way they were designed.

Watch your brake lines when removing the pack.

Use a paint pen (or similar) to reference all parts that go back together. This helped me ensure everything went back together properly. For example, I marked a line from the axle through the shim plate and up the back sides of the leaf packs and a line up one side of each leaf pack.

Otherwise it is a straightforward install. I took the time to clean and lube the pack while it was apart. I do one side at a time so you can reference things in case they get out of order.

 

Thank you sir! I have the new extended center pins, my EL46XL came with the anti-friction pads, and I have gotten the additional spacer plates that go between each leaf.
Haven't gotten the grease yet but saw where others have used the "Super Lube" or "Fluid Film". Probably go with either one and I am assuming you just apply to all contact points on the leafs. With that being said, I can see how just removing the whole pack is probably the way to go. Just installed the EL095R two weekends ago and didn't want to have to fully remove them again..

 

I used a high temp/waterproof grease and they are silent. I use superlube on on the poly though.

I've been close to learning expensive lessons working on suspension near brake lines and and wires. That's why removing the pack is my preferred way.

 

Thanks for the help!

 

6 months ago I added a 3 leaf AAL to the stock springs with original springs still on the truck. 2 weeks ago I replaced the entire spring pack with the HD Dakars. From my experience, adding the AAL with springs still on truck was a heck lot easier. You may need to jack truck up higher to allow for the spring pack to expand when you remove the center bolt and a 8” C Clamp helps here to slowly release the energy, and as noted by others, keep an eye on your brake lines when lowering the axle. I think the main difference was the weight of the Dakar approaching 50 plus lbs per side and doing a solo act to maneuver that in place when working in cramped space versus weight of a adding a couple leafs one by one.

 

I've installed both Dakar AAL and AAL meant for a stock pack. Two different animals. I found with the dakars (off truck) I can just kneel on them, undo the center pin, add the AAL, kneel on them, and put the center pin back in. I only weight 165 lbs as well. That to me is 100x easier than doing it on the truck.

 

Agree assembling these on ground with is easy. Took mine apart to paint and the disassembly and reassembly was easiest part. I already own a clamp so used the tools I had.

I weight less than 165 so My challenge was getting these lifted up over the axle and sliding into position without help. If I were to do it again, I’d be tempted to remove center pin and install piecemeal. Many ways to skin a cat and everyone needs to choose what’s way best for them.

Disclaimer - No cats were “skinned” in the making of this post

 

Yeah they can certainly be hard to wrestle into place. I find it easier to put them in upside down, and rotate them around into place.

 

Hey Dakar fans .. a question please

Looking at a used , very good condition Dakar medium pack that has the extra Aal

Current set up 3 leaf Icon aal with Kings. And a topper . Approx lift is 1.3in in rear

32in tires
2.25in lift in front

I really just want 2in total lift in rear.

Anyone set up some Dakars for just 2-2.25in if lift.

Removing the extra aal and possibly one of the overload leafs ?

Any recommendations welcome

 

I have OME Dakar #CS047R with the top OL leaf removed. Gives me just about 2".
Will be putting an AAL in this summer, just to get a little rake and firmness.
Have 6112s on the 4th setting in the front.

 

Give it time. Haha

 

Thanks for that. Appreciate the help

 

Question, I have the HD EL096R Dakar pack and am wondering if I add an extra

$81 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL leaf, where would the extra leaf go placement wise in the stack?

My current leafs sag under my rear weight. They have that wonderful W shape.

Thanks

 

When you take your pack apart, you'll notice one of the leafs (I believe 3rd leaf down) is the exact same size as the AAL. Just add it on top of that so they're right next to each other. I have the same set up.