Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

Found this in my iPhone notebook. Should be more helpful than guessing. Second notch on 5100s should be around 3” lift +/-.


5vz weighs 505#
3rz weighs 370#
Difference of 135#

Add bumper-98# and winch-90# for an additional 188#. 188+370=558#.

53# over v6 weight.

881s give a v6 2" of lift.

 

I havent done any of that yet. I had the shop check the LBJ's and they said they pried on them big time and there was no play. The alignment guy said my tie rods had a little play in them but weren't terrible.

Yeah. I think it's just the fact that the shocks are stiffer. I've ridden in friends cars with kings and they're a way better ride overall.

 

Well thats more adjustable coilovers vs stock replacements

 

Doing my first full suspension do-over on my truck from mostly stock parts. Rear has the standard terrible sag and shot springs, overall loose, squeaky ride. Going with OME complete package, Dakar leafs. Debating between 880 and 881 coils, so here's where I stand:

97 6cyl, extra cab, 4x4, no mods or extra weight on the front, no plan to add any soon
Leer shell on the back and a build-out (wooden platform and shelf), with drawers underneath always full of heavy gear, so it's under a constant added ~450lbs in the rear. hauling a dirt bike around on the back every now and then, getting me close to bottom

Would prefer not to have more than ~2" over stock height. Considering taking out a leaf, which would sway me towards the 880s. Hoping for level - 1" max rake

Any beta on which direction to go given the constant back load?

 

I would get the 882 coils, Dakar leafs, and the D43XL add a leaf to deal with your constant weight in the bed of the truck. You'll have about a 3" lift, but the springs will break in over time and settle down. I had the same issues as you with the sagging, poor spring performance, worn out shocks, mediocre stock front coils, squeaky & loose ride and I just straight out bought the complete OME suspension kit since I was frustrated with those ongoing issues. One of the best investments for my truck!

 

Well, I finally got this baby all set up! Full OME lift. 883’s and nitrochargers up front, SPC light racing UCA’s, Dakar’s w/AAL and nitrochargers in the rear. Used the Sky’s off road design axel relocation bracket, 3/4” rear biased. Total Chaos diff drop as well. Desperately needs alignment and extended rear brake line. Method NV302 16x8 wheels with Spydertrax 1.25 spacers, and 285/75/R16 BFG KO2 meats:





Heights before lift, ground to top of wheel well opening:

Driver front: 34 1/2”

Driver rear: 35 5/8”

Passenger front: 34 3/8”

Passenger Rear: 35 1/4”

Pumpkin to ground : 9 1/4”

Transfer case to ground : 11 1/2”

Skid plate to ground: 8 5/8”

Heights after lift, ground to top of wheel well opening:

Driver front: 39”

Driver rear: 41”

Passenger front: 39 3/4”

Passenger Rear: 41 1/4”

Diff Pumpkin to ground : 10 1/2”

Transfer case to ground : 16 1/2”

Skid plate to ground: 13 1/2”

I’d say overall I got about 4.5-5” of lift from a very TIRED 2003 factory suspension and the 2” larger than factory diameter tires. It was a fun project and I learned a lot in the process! There’s definitely a little bit of the “taco lean” and the ass end is a little raked up but I’m hoping that will settle a little bit?

 

It’ll settle over time for sure. If you use your bed any to haul stuff around town or load it down for a trip you will want some empty rake so it’s level when loaded. My Ford sits dead level and when i hook the trailer and crawler up it sags- makes the front light which sucks. Thinking about some air bags or AAL to solve this issue.

Edit: truck looks great BTW!

 

Anyone happen to have hub to fender measurements on a 2WD V6 doublecab with 881s?

 

I got on my
DF 24 1/4" 1/2 " spacer
DP 24 " 3/8 spacer
RD 23 "
RP 23 "

going to install JbA's UCA'S and take off spacers in a few weeks

hope this helps

 

Appreciate that.
I’m at 24 1/4” in the front with 882s, might swap to 881s

 

Really like that grill

 

Thanks ! I wasn’t sure if I would like it but I do for now

 

Hi

I might be the most northerly member on this site living in Yellowknife NT, Canada. Its -37 outside RN. I own a '03 TRD stepside bed. This summer I did:

• OME lift 882's and nitrochargers up front.
• Dakar and nitros in the back.
• Diff drop kit.
• CBI Moab bumber,
• Smitty X20 winch,
• Baja squadron Pro's
• BUSSMAN relay box
• BFG Ko2-285/75/16
• Method 701

Definitely wasnt cheap with shipping, and the install but I really like my ride now. Have some minor rubbing up front, and need a new skid plate. Id like to thank everyone on this site who helped me, and answered questions. Couldnt have done this without it so a big THANK YOU!

 

Welcome to TW! Truck looks awesome! Stepside at that! AND A SUNROOF! Nice!

Very reassuring our trucks can handle your weather (holy hell! -37 wow)

Where is the rubbing up front? Stock Upper Control Arms, right? I wont suggest another upgrade (damn, you've done a ton already!), but SPC UCAs might help with that rubbing, especially if the rubbing is on pinchweld area of the fender splash liner.

 

I’m almost as far north as you but currently it’s 40 and raining with 90mph gusts. Fun stuff.
Nice truck!

 

Thanks! Ya greatest truck ive ever owned. A bit small, but starts at -37 no probs with no plug in but I do plug in when possible.

Rubbing is mostly on driver side, and yes stock upper control arms. Ill look into the SPC's, but realistically wont get to it to the spring (which is most likely your summer ha). Thanks again!

 

OME 883s, Nitros, SPC UCAs, Dakar leaf pack with AAL, General Grabber ATx 265/75/ 16 No rubbing at full crank normal street/parking lot driving. Have not tested any articulation off road ect.

 

how do you like the general grabbers? I have KO2’s and I’m thinking of getting them when they wear out.

 

So I'm original owner and have had a couple sets of ko2s and now my second set of grabbers. The last set of grabbers I got 75K miles and really could have kept going as I was on top of rotation and air pressure. My ko2s I think were more near 60k and they were getting loud as most tires do as they age. Anyway, first impression of grabbers after ko2s is," Wow, these things feel soft and are quiet, they aren't gonna last" Then they go 75k no issues. I did a lot of off- road job site driving back in the day. Building golf courses and running around that kind of site is a good proving ground for truck and tires. I can't tell you enough how many times the big full size trucks were always getting stuck and couldn't go the places I could. So, I'm a fan of the Grabbers over the ko2s mostly for that soft quit ride on the street. They are less expensive but I chose them strictly hoping for a repeat performance.

 

Thanks for the info. Do you run an e rated tire?