Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

I will be returning calls here in about 30 minutes. Depending on order and how long each one takes I may get back to you today or possibly tomorrow morning.

 

@stronghammer you would suggest the AAL correct?

 

I do recommend it. With my camper shell and an rtt I began to sag in the back, the aal brought it right back to level where I wanted it and it rides great.

 

So is that the dakar with the toyota tsb aal or a different version of it?

 

Ome makes a Dakar specific aal.

 

is the bolt on the standard pack long enough to accommodate the added leaf?

 

I believe I read that it was.

 

It is. With extra.

 

As mentioned it is long enough but if you ever need to add a center pin collar for an axle shim it will not be long enough. Below are my Dakar packs with the

$81 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl aal, center pin collar and longer pins. I bought an axle shim kit from Headstrong which came with longer pins, collar and 3* shim. Sorry for the crappy iPhone picture.

 

Great info man thanks! what exactly is the axle shim kit for and how much weight to you carry around on a daily basis? ive been told mixed reviews that the AAL will be too much for my daily 300ish lbs and others say it will be just right...

 

The axle shims go between the bottom of the leaf pack and the axle. They help fix driveline angles.

Right now I only have a cap and sleeping platform in the back but I put the

$81 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl aal in in preparation for my CBI rear bumper and dual swing out (like yours for tire, fuel and jack). Next year the cap comes off and I add a CBI overland bed rack, RTT, ARB fridge plus other gear for camping etc.

The camping gear and RTT won't be in/on all the time but everything else will most likely stay in. I may have been okay with just the Dakar pack but I hate bro lean and I didn't want to do it again.

Edit- oh yeah, my truck rides great right now with the weight I have and know it will only get better with more weight once it's back there.

 

I have a HC bumper, canopy, RTT, and drawers. I ran straight Dakar's for the last year or so, and at first they were okay, but after a couple months, they were bottoming out a lot, and sitting pretty low. I put in the AAL + super bumps, and the ride is considerably better, and my truck is riding at a decent height now. I still bottom out, but not nearly as often, and it is much softer with the superbumps. I think my only options now are to either cut weight somehow, or add airbags. I'm happy with the ride for now though, but I do wish I could put a second AAL in (CAN I?!?!).

I also swapped from my saggy 887's to 886's and the ride is much much better. with the combo of stiffer springs and coils, my truck no longer feels like it's going to roll in the corners. Damping is where I'm lacking now, but that's a different thread...

 

thanks for the insight... guess i'll be throwing in the AAL just to be safe... and if I don't like the ride I can always take it out... but with the steel dual swing rear bumper and the campershell plus accessories I have a feeling i'll be good

 

Can anyone advise on a OME kit for me?

I would like to get a 2" lift all around.

Stock truck with Leer topper.

Thinking 887 coils and light duty Dakar pack.

Any feedback greatly appreciated

 

attached are the used dakars I'll be picking up when I get back... can anyone tell if these have the AAL already or is it the standard pack?

 

No, the standard pack is a 5+2. 2 overload and 5 leaf.

 

thanks I think what im going to do to save some money is throw these on as is and see how it handles my weight in the rear... then I can always add the extra leaf if needed... but im right around 300 steady load with the steel rear bumper dual swing arm, full size spare, jerry cans and camper shell

 

Not a bad idea. I would wager you will end up putting it in though.

 

The 2

$81 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl leafs are cheap (although you may need to spend more on longer u-bolts and center pins too) and I agree, you'll probably end up putting the aal in and it will be MUCH easier now before you install the packs. I had this same dilemma and decided that it would be easier for me to just put the aal in before the packs got installed. I'm a bit ass high now (hate bro lean as mentioned earlier) but once the CBI crap goes on and then eventually the extra fuel, jack, RTT, camping gear, water, shovel/axe, etc, etc I know for sure that I'll be able to carry it all. I have seen a lot of guys here start with just the Dakar pack but they eventually add the aal because all the stuff they carry adds up fast.

 

do you know where the AAL goes in the pack? i'll probably just get the extra leaf and extended pins while im at it...