DIY OME Install

Thinking of buying an OME kit(front and rear) from Headstrong and doing the install myself, both to save costs and to gain some hands on experience working on my truck. I would have the struct assembled by them so I won't need to screw around with the springs.

As someone with basically no mechanical experience am I biting off more than I can chew with this? From the videos I've seen it looks pretty straightforward but I am worried to make some mistake and have my vehicle fail me out in the middle of nowhere. What is the consensus? Is this something somebody like me can take on without much risk to the vehicle?

Also since I don't have space for the install I am thinking to rent out a bay at a DIY mechanics shop nearby, anyone have experience with these places?

 

I was sorta in the same boat as you. If I had the space and tools I probably would have tackled the job myself but I don’t have either so I had a shop install my lift.

 

You can do it, I did mine without much mechanical experience, the most I did was change oil. I also rented a BAY with lift and all tools needed.

It is fairly easy if you prepare and learn all the steps first and follow them, use proper tools. If you are going to use AIR TOOLS, make sure the SOCKET you are using is the proper 6 PT. socket and not the 12 PT, I made a mistake on 1 bolt and ruined it which cost me more time.

Are you replacing UCA?

 

Replacing the UCA (the damn through bolt) and doing the rear leafs will take the most time. Front and rear shocks/struts are easy peasy.

 

Just did this lift install yesterday very strait forward would help if you have help!! Front UCA bolts are a B@tch use a big set of pliers to bend inner fender becareful with wires behind that lip make sure you push the two push pins in and remove bolt on driver side under hood to tap bolt out. Pass side just have two push tabs and becareful not to grab wire with your pliers both sides. While you have driver side part go ahead and do your ECGS install pretty straight forward. Rear you need to pry bracket where bottom shock mounts to axle those rubber grommets make it tough to align hole to install bolt. Found it easier to leave back part of leaf spring loose where it mounts to truck for last. That way u can line up the pin on bottom of leaf spring with axle. If you need any advice or help just let me know. I did the lift by myself and was first time putting a suspension lift on. The videos from wheelers offroad helped tremendously!!

 

Do you have a link to the videos?

 

Don’t know how to do links!! Go to google and type in “ome install tacoma” one video is 8:00 minutes for front and other is 12:00 minutes for back!

 

The videos are from lowrangeoffroad not wheelers offroad!! Sorry

 

Here are the links to the Lowrange Offroad. Watch these before you decide on tackling this job yourself.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-install-a-old-man-emu-lift-on-tacoma-video.483146/

 

I would say this is easily doable. I didn’t have much experience at all and tackled this. I would HIGHLY recommend just buying new UCA bolts and cutting off the stock bolt. It is a big time PITA to remove. Lots of bending and then some wires and stuff are in the way once the metal is bent. That was the hardest part of the whole install.
Give yourself plenty of time, have a second set of hands if possible and get dirty