Brand new (stock) leaf springs don't look right.

Take that crap out of there

 

I will be contacting dorman on Monday. Like I said before, these are new springs. The bed has been empty of everything besides the old springs since I put them on. When I got them they were still in their original packaging and didn't have a single scuff on them; they also appeared to have plenty of arch before I put them on there.

I'm questioning if I really want to go through the hassle of uninstalling and returning them or if I just want to rebuild/ AAL to them, I have been without a truck for far too long in the past couple months

 

I would take them back, even with an AAL those will wear quicker than a decent leaf pack.

And to think I was about to buy leaves from Dorman, not anymore!

 

OP, for reference, here are stock leafs with 100k miles with a cap and rubber bed mat in the bed full time, and they have more arch than your "new" set. Note how the bottom leaf above the overload leaf does not have a double bow in it like your does.

 

Yeah I'm returning them now (through Amazon) I think I'm just going to throw out a few hundred extra and get some from wheelers or something. Wish I had done that in the first place, as now I'm going to be without my truck for another few weeks, I just need to get it back together before it starts snowing.

I know there is a lot of debate about this, but would I be better off with drakars? Does anyone offer lift springs with free shipping? Does tacoma world get a discount at anyplace that sells lift springs?

Or is anyone on here selling lift springs used? I would pay shipping if the price is reasonable

 

I doubt you'll get free shipping anywhere. They are too heavy and awkard.

With a 96 your options may be a bit more limited. Go look at Wheelers site, and you'll see that 1st gen leafs come in two different styles: 95-97, and 98-04. Dakars are made for 95-97, but not all vendors stocks them. Might be special order.

I have a 5-pack from Wheelers (1.5 inch lift new) on now, and after 4 years/40k miles, it is sagging a bit (at about 3/4 inch lift now), but that is with a cap, bed mat, and a hitch added, and not that I'm towing, I'm finding that they arent' quite up to the task for my needs. But depending on how you use your truck and your typical loads, they may work for you.

I am switching to Dakars now because they can handle my load needs better.

If you talk to Dan (or anyone) at Wheelers, they can talk you through this and help you make an informed decision for your needs. It isn't cheap and it isn't easy, so take you time and talk to them.

Alternatively, this guy will build you a custom pack and drive it to South Dakota for the reasonable price of one six-pack of shitty beer.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/194386-tacoma-spring-refurbishing.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/member.php?u=19185



edited for innacuracies

 

Well I'm looking at the wheelers 5 leaf pack, the website lists them as a set, so is it $450 for both springs? What has shipping come out to for other people who have bought them?

 

Yes for both. I think shipping you will find to be in the $75 range

 

You'll be able to return them after painting them??

 

I will be able to return them with paint, they said there might be a 15% restocking few, so I'm just going to rattle can them back to black and see if I can get away with that

 

sorry for the double post here, but i just saw Toyotec had OME Dakars for the 95.5-97 for sale for less than wheelers has their 5 leaf pack for. although I'm not really sure I want a whole 3" of lift I could remove a leaf from that and get it for cheaper, plus Toyotec offers us a discount (is it 10%?)

what kind of lift could I expect if I were to get these: http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/OME-CS019R-Dakar-Leaf-Pack-955-97-Tacoma_p_207.html

and I remove the leaf they instruct you to remove for less lift? also what kind of shocks would I need? I see wheelers has a set of billys 5125's for $150 (if they're in stock)

 

I put dormans on my 96 not too long ago, they look nothing like that. $80'ish for the pair. Ebay. Those do look a lot like the junk i pulled off it...

 

So there are vendors on Amazon that offer free shipping on the Dakar leafs. You just have to search the cs-019r part number. $160.99 each and free shipping. I have them on my 97 and a set of custom length 5100s to match. The ome shocks are to short as are any stock length shocks. Check out down south motorsports for the 5100s. Or look at my build.

 

Good finds, I edited my earlier post.

Don't you mean OEM shocks are too short, not OME?

 

Nope. OME nitrocharger shocks are like 1/2" to 1" too short. I messed up a set and sent them in for replacement then swapped them out with the 5100 or whatever the custom length 5100 is. Now when I did custom, I added even more travel because I added shackles.

But straight up, the OME (old man emu) shocks are too short.

 

Another note with buying the leafs through Amazon is you have to order the bushings separate. Get the part # from the ome catalog and search it in Amazon. They are like $40 ish.

 

Thanks everyone, sent my old (new) springs back today, and ordered some dakars, I plan on running them -1 leaf, so around 2.5-3" of lift, what shock will work with this setup?

 

Then why are they spec'd for this application by ARB? And what OME shock is sized for Dakars if it is not the ones the specify?

1998-04
http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaTacoma.pdf

MEDIUM LOAD SPRING 2.25" 2 CS046RA/B2
NITROCHARGER SPORT SHOCK *60065/60062
NITROCHARGER SHOCK *N85/N94

 

I was thinking nitro charger, but it might be that they are spec'd for the newer model springs which you put at 2.25" and the 95-97 springs give 2.5-3.5" of lift.

Would I be safe with a nitro charger?

 

Yeah, I also specified 95 for a tech sheet, but it pulled up the same sheet for 98-04 (and second gens). It did not list the CS019R. So not sure. You should call ARB tech support. Their site is not too helpful on detailed spec. Cruiser Outfitters also knows their stuff..
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/sus_Tacoma.html