Medium duty vs Heavy duty OME Dakar Leafs

I run the Mediums, 2" unless you run with the bed loaded alot heavy, 2.75" are too much and need bed weight or else the ride is going to be not as good. I run a 265/75r16 spare underneath and BA steel bumper in the rear and the ride is good on the Mediums.

 

My HD Dakar + Overload leaf has not squeaked since March/April 2018. Per advise here from TW, I sprayed it with PLENTY of fluid films. Before that I had the factory leaf + AAL and it squeaked WAY WAY TOO MUCH even going slow on a mild speed bump/hump.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-ome-dakar-leaf-pack-review.489540/page-26#post-17829890

 

Is this the thread to ask about converting from heavy duty to medium? recently bought my truck and it came with HD OME leafs. i desperately want to get rid of the stiff ride.. if i find medium is too soft in the future when fully loaded, ill go with air bags. until then, i dislike the "thunk!" going over every single speed bump. I have Bilsteins 5100's all the way around.

 

You can remove a leaf from the HD 96r to make a Med 95r yes.

 

great, so i can do it, but do people know how to? tools, equipment needed, maybe some photos. is there an existing thread that i havent found yet?

 

@Wheeler's Off-Road Inc you know how many leafs are in the MD, HD, and XHD versions of Dakars you sell?

 

i have medium dakar’s and they started squeaking after 4 months. i sprayed silicone lubricant in between every leaf and bushings. then jump up and down on the tailgate to work it in. That seems to get rid of the squeaks for a few months.

 

Can do! Those would be starting with 6 leafs and going to 8 leafs. Which includes the overloads.

 

HD leaf pack gave me 4 inches of lift in the rear. I have about 300 pounds in the rear from the gfc and bike rack, another couple hundred when it’s loaded with gear. This should settle out a bit, also putting in the bilstein 6112/5160 combo next week.

 

Post pics please. Looks great

 

ELO95R here (medium ) I have the Bilstein 6112s up front maxed out and didn’t like that the front was about 3/4” higher than the rear . So got the AAL and much better . I now have a half inch rake which is great . Obviously suspension is stiff but not so much it’s annoying . No squeaks ,I spray down the whole leaf pack with Krown rust prevention twice a year .

 

I have HD leafs, 888s, nitrocharger shocks. Back is loaded with topper, drawer system, tools, camping gear, and bike rack. The ride I think is perfect. Not harsh for me but I could see some people wanting it more cushy. Feels more like a truck. I do have some light squeaks but nothing serious. Pic is post install, did not make measurements from stock.

 

I’m about to install MD dakars. 6112 on highest clip and 5160 rear. Are you guys using the cb drop kit or pinion shims with the Daraks?

 

Have you done this yet? I'm basically just waiting on the 6112/5160s to be back in stock to order them. Curious of the on road ride quality you get from that top clip.

 

Run the older CS model with 2 leafs removed, rides maybe an inch over stock with a steel rear bumper/tonnuea cover/tote of gear. Rides great, the factory Bilsteins I still have don't like the heavy 33s though lol.

 

I just installed the MD Dakar leaf packs in my driveway. Don’t let the YouTube videos of guys in brand brand new 3rd gens fool you. That install took some muscle. No more bro lean. Huge improvement in ride quality at the top clip. Now I just have to fix my CV axle boots that are ripping. .

 

What leaf is the leaf that gets removed to convert hd to medium? One reads overload, one reads 3 down….