New OME Dakar Leaf Pack Review

New OME Dakar part numbers released. Please see new write up:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-newest-ome-dakar-leaf-packs.671911/

 

I am now looking to upgrade my rear leafs as I tow a 19ft fiberglass bass boat every week and the stock leafs are just not cutting it (sagging and bottoming out). After reading the first page, it states that OME updated that both sets of springs are spec'ed to net about 2 inches of lift on a 3rd gen. But the in the review/description it says that the light/medium duty would be preferable for those who do not want as much lift. Can someone help clarify whether both are yielding the same amount of lift? Or are they yielding more with the heavy and less with the light/medium.

Preferably I am not looking to lift my truck that much. I do have 6112 up front to help raise it so the truck isn't rear end high. I also daily my truck with no additional weight 6 days a week. I am currently considering the Heavy duty and removing one for the overload springs. Could this be a viable solution to my saggy stock springs and desire to not achieve maximum lift?

 

@HeadStrong Off-Road if we swap the bushings with your supplies kit. My question is on lubrications. What do you recommend? Do we live all of the bushings or just the inner metal sleeve.

 

did you use some sort of double sided tape to keep in place or is it just held together from pressure between the springs when tightened down?

 

No I didn’t. The center pin and leafs held about 90% of the length. I left it a little long not knowing how much of each spring would come in contact with the one below it. On a note and I learned this the hard way..: if you use the liners make sure you put them with the outside edges pointing down. This is so the water can falloff. If you put it with the edges facing up they hold water in the gap against each leaf and then rust... I primed and painted mine also as I had them apart anyway.

 

good to know, i appreciate it. do you think its worth it to have a separate primer vs the all-in-one paint/primer combos?

 

I did the separate primer/paint because I had it on hand. The leafs are going to take rocks etc regardless. I plan on touching up end of season before winter where I live...

 

i am purchasing the b110 shocks for the rear as well, i don't plan to run much more than 300lb in the rear fully loaded. i DD the truck with an empty bed so i don't want a heavy super stiff leaf pack. which leaf pack would you recommend to purchase to run the b110 safely?

 

did you have to buy extended u bolts for the 95r's?

 

Which leaf can be removed to make HD into medium?

 

I'm chasing a noise, that originally I thought was from my front end but now I'm not so sure.

I've had my Dakar's for two years now, but this noise is new, within the last six months, and has gotten worse since I added more weight in the back. Here is a video of the noise. It's a dull thud that happens at low speeds when I turn the wheel vigorously. If you told me I had a small bowling ball on top of my skid plate that rolls back and forth I wouldn't be surprised. Everything on my front end is tight, greased, and not worn. My truck was at Toyota two weeks ago and I asked the tech to give everything on the front a look, and he said everything looks to be okay.

Now I'm starting to suspect the noise is from my rear suspension. I had my wife drive the truck and I walked along side of it, and it sure sounds like it's coming from the rear. My thinking is the second leaf contacting the shackle. I didn't always have the noise, but as the springs wore and sagged the contact got worse, and got really bad after I added my new bumper and swingout. For those who've had the 2nd leaf contact the shackle, does it make a noise? Any chance it sounds anything like this? In the video the noise is more pronounced in the second half. It sounds like a heartbeat in a sonogram (at least in the video).

 

Old post i know, but you must cut a few inches off the spring that contacts the shackle or it will eventually wear through and tear.

 

pictures are taken with truck on level ground. that leaf that goes deep into the shackle is what I have to cut right?

 

IIRC its the second leaf down, obviously dont touch the very top one connecting the pack to the shackle. I Tried to bob mine, didnt work but stopped most of my rub besides heavy flexing. I will be doing rago shackle hangers soon and will cut it. Most people cut halfway into the anti squeak pad. Or do what this guy did.

 

Yeah I shit canned the Dakars in favor of Deavers for a number of reasons.

 

Question - I want to soften the ride on my 15' tacoma. I originally set it up to haul my Vagabond Drifter, but I sold it last year because my family out grew out. I have Bilstein 6112 up front on the middle setting and bilstein 5100 with OME HD Dakar in the rear. Its got a stink bug look now and its obviously a much stiffer ride. I was told I can take out the 3rd leaf to make it like the medium duty dakars. During my research I've seen people advocate taking the 3rd leaf out of the medium duty as well. Should take out the 3rd leaf or 3rd and fourth or 3rd and one of the overload springs too...? No sure exactly what I should do to soften and level the truck. Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

Taking out the additional leaf will drop the rear slightly but I didn't notice any difference in ride quality. I prefer a rake personally so I can use it like a truck. The biggest difference in ride quality for me was to pull the sway bar. My 6112s felt plenty firm still but much less road feedback. It still towed and drove fine.

 

I removed the 3rd leaf off the OME Dakar HD pack and turned in into the medium duty like Headstrong said. I definitely noticed an improvement in ride quality and feel. Its a much better ride now plus a slightly lower rearend - I like the stance.