New suspension is ordered

I have ordered an old man emu complete suspension kit, hardware, and everything else I need to replace all the suspension on my taco from wheelers off-road. I’m really excited. This will be the first major project at getting this truck built the way I like it. My question for you, good people of Tacoma world: What would be some advice and personal experience you could tell me that would help speed up, improve, or just in general be helpful to know when I install everything?
Pics are of the stock current suspension components at 326,8 hundred and something odd miles.

 

Spray everything with PBblaster, wd40, Kroil,etc from now till everything arrives.

 

Awwwwwwwww Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

@kosher what set up did you go with and did you get uca’s?

 

Went with 883 coils. Going to be putting bumper and winch up front so went ahead and got the heavier coil now with the Dakar pack on the back greasable shackles. The works.

 

And I have not yet ordered uca’s Still trying to decide on those.

 

@kosherDILL, you look relatively rust free under there, but that doesn't really mean too much... The U-bolts and forward leaf/shackle bolts could be seized, so the PB blaster is a great idea.

That said: depending on what hardware you got with your order, you could probably get away with the tried and true for removing the old leaf springs. You'd new u-bolts and shackles for this to work.

Other than that just take your time. No need to rush this! Properly support your truck. Go get some 6 ton jack stands from Harbor Freight if you need to, they're cheap - but not crappy, and well worth it.

Lay everything out next to the truck and go through all the pieces and match them up to existing parts to make sure you have everything. SUCKS to get it all torn apart and realize you need another part (at this point you bum a ride or walk to parts store, lol).

You can rent a torque wrench if you don't have one, usually for free from auto parts stores, to make sure you get the torque specs right.

 

I made sure to get all the good stuff as far as hardware goes. New greasable shackles and all the mounting bolts and bushings. I’m definetly going to need more wd40. And harbor freight jackstands don’t sound like too bad of an idea. Thanks!

 

There's a whole discussion here somewhere about supporting a vehicle. Search around for it. There's really good ideas in there, and examples of how NOT to do it, lol...

The 6 ton jacks aren't really for the weight, but for their height. You need extra height to be able to support the rear of the frame. You might still need some extra height though, so you can either jack up the pumpkin then remove the wheels, then set the frame down on the jack stands, or use some wood blocks to make the jacks higher (read that thread I mentioned), or I believe the 12 ton jacks are high enough outright.

Good luck!!

 

The height is going to be what I fight the most. I’ll have to find that thread. Thanks!

 

I used a pair of 3 ton stands, but I made a riser by taking three pieces of a 2"x10" and nailing them on top of each other. Worked perfectly and I didnt have the stands at their highest position which is what I wanted. I also recommend a saw-zall and at least 3 of the Diablo cobalt thick metal blades from homedepot. They're expensive at $10 each but worth it when you realize how fast you were able to get everything apart.

 

Fortunately I’m right down the road from a Home Depot. Ive heard the diablos are good blades. Cost isn’t as much of an issue if it gets the job done well. I’ve got some cut up 4x4 posts I’ve used with the jack and stands before. And I figured between my sawzall and grinder with cut off wheel I’d get through whatever I needed to eventually. I need to look into some better jack stands though that’s for sure.

 

I put the same suspension kit on my 98 Tacoma about 2.5 years ago, I love it. The guys at wheelers told me it would put a 2-3 inch lift on my truck but after putting it on, it raised the truck like 5 inches. Not a complaint, just an unexpected observation. Has anyone else had the same thing happen to them when they put on the OME kit?

 

Measuring actual lift will be hard to tell for me. I don’t think the previous owner ever changed suspension. I’m pretty sure the shocks, Springs, and leaf packs are all factory original. By the time the install is over I’ll probably think there has been a lot of lift added judging by how bad the truck is currently sagging

 

Yeah I didn't think about the sag, that makes more sense

 

Itl be interesting to see how much I gain from how it sits currently. I just won’t have a good guideline for going from stock height to old man emu.

 

You sure about that??

That's more than I've ever heard of someone getting with the OME kits. You start running into some serious CV (if you're 4x4) and alignment issues going past 3 inches.