Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

^I don't know how I didn't tear my boot while installing. Wasn't paying attention when disconnection the swaybar from the frame and got it jammed in the suspension pushing into the boot. took a good tug and a busted knuckle to get it out.

 

Possible you tore it, but the clamp on the outer portion of the boot has been known to fail. Mine failed two months ago, slinging grease just as you described. The dealership replaced it under warranty.

 

Not necessarily torn but mine puts out a little grease before too. The clamps really aren't tight. Toyota replaced it and no more leak.

 

So reporting back after 10,000 miles.

The ride still sucks…Pretty harsh… Hard jolts that almost tear the wheel out your hands if you hit bumps or potholes.

The AAL needs to come out as it is overkill and lifts the back up higher than the front anyway and I don't ever put weight in the bed….That should help a little bit.

Might also be the 10ply tires as they are heavy stiff beasts and way too much for a light truck like Taco.

At this point i'm wishing I would have not lifted it and just ran 265's

Any Ideas ?

Better shocks up front ? Coilovers ? UCA/LCA ?

 

Take the lift off

 

Coilovers should ride a little smoother but it will still be stiffer than stock, especially if you are going for a full 3" of lift

 

I would have already done that but I hear so many people say "ride is so much better that stock " after they have put a lift on their truck. If a crappy ride is the only answer than I guess that is where i'm headed.

 

What tire pressure you running?

 

Some people prefer a stiffer than stock ride , my 10 plys ride pretty stiff too

 

Try driving another truck with the OME shocks. I think the 5100's are a tad stiff with the OME coils. You can just switch back to 1.75" of lift with the stock coils and 5100's with 265's. My 285 fit without rubbing lock to lock (on road) with the 5100's set at 1.75".

 

35psi

 

OME lift on both of my truck rides a lot better. stiffer? yes. bounce off the road? no!

Whats your alignment looking like.

 

Good question ...I just looked at the report from the install.


Caster looks out of spec.
Left -0.1 Min 1.1 - Max 2.6
Right 0.4 Min 1.1 - Max 2.6

Steering Axis Inclination Also looks off side to side

Left 17.0 Min 11.2 - Max 12.7
Right 11.2 Min 11.2 - Max 12.7

Maybe when I Remove the AAL out of the back I will get the alignment done again and make sure there are not bent or warn parts.

 

Well then I would suggest a Prius. Lol

In all seriousness OME is a stiff ride. I've been in a few trucks that have them and they all bucked the rear around. Still a great kit, just not for everyone. Going back to stock is the cheapest route. Otherwise its new suspension time.

 

hahahah…. not going the prius route

I'm not sure the "new suspension" route is the answer because I don't what set up would eliminate the issue. It might just be what it is …A lifted truck. My FJ rides like a dream but then again independent rear suspension vs. the axle.

Thanks for the help guys. I will report back after the AAL is gone and alignment is verified.

 

Single AAl's are the harshest for sure so that will help a ton.

 

A heads-up to anyone considering an OME lift: I had one installed on my 2012 Tacoma about 12 months ago. I live in Alberta and drive it on the road 99% of the time. The finish on the parts didn't last through a partial Alberta winter. The leaf springs and rear shocks look like they've been at the bottom of a very salty ocean for a very long time, more rust than paint left. The lift kit looks great when first installed but I don't think it is fit for service in anything but a desert climate.

The attached picture was taken 9 months after installation.

 

My shocks look like that but it's been almost 3 years , and my Dakars are totally rusty but then so is the frame

 

X2 , have a look under any vehicle in Canada

 

Almost 27k (two winters) on mine and they only show a few splotches of surface rust. Road salt is the beast we battle.