Old Man Emu: Questions, Answers & Pictures

Oh dam, you weren't kidding, just went outside to take a look...have a camper and set of clubs in bed, leafs are flat, if not slightly inverted.

Thanks for the help!

 

Yep. I thought so. AAL will be a bandaid fix slightly delaying the inevitable

 

Got a full tube prerunner bumper (around 50-70lbs), double cab, 4x4, and wanna be level. Previously I had 2884 coils and they were perfect height, but now I have a bumper that is much heavier and I’m coming off of icons so I was wondering 2885 coils or 2884? I just wanna be level, only got 5100s and stock leafs in the back

 

Alright guys, I need a little help with an OME lift. I daily drive my truck and like the current ride. I’d like to gain 1-2” of lift for aesthetics, and to make life easier for the offroad camping that I do. However with 40k+ miles, and a bit of weight added, suspension up front is loading and unloading when I’m shifting through the gears or I left off the gas.

The mods I have installed that add weight are full aluminum skids and steel sliders. Potentially in the future if funds allow, I’d like to get a SSO tube bumper and potentially a lighter winch.

I think I’m set on medium dakars. I’m usually unloaded, but frequently have a full bed of camping gear and bike supplies. Are there other options that I’m missing that would make for a decent rear suspension that doesn’t buck around?

For front coils, I’m debating between 887’s and 886’s. I don’t know if my minimal amount of weight currently is enough to soften the 886’s if the front bumper never comes around. As long as things don’t sag too much over time, are the 887’s and firm shocks the preferred answer for a lighter truck with minimal mods?

 

I think it should be pointed out that the term "medium dakars" is sometimes a bit weird. Are you talking about EL111R or EL112R? 112R often goes as medium, but as per spec sheet, for rigs with a constant load of (up to) 650lbs in the rear. I have the EL112R with an RTT, steel bed rack, gear and part of the rock sliders and it doesn't even sag one bit, therefore ends up with quite a lift.
With only camping gear and bike supplies you should be absolutely fine with the 111R pack. I heard 886 with stock weight tend to be very rough, hence, if there's a possibility you won't end up with a bumper+winch anytime soon, I wouldn't recommend.

 

Very good point, my previous research was for part number EL095, "mediums". The new part number that I'm looking are EL111R "mediums". Thanks for the comparison!

As for the fronts, you make a very good point! I currently have no plans for the bumper/winch, so it's probably not a good idea to 'plan' for them by going with 886's up front. Coils are under $200.. if I decide down the road to go that route, I'll pony up the extra to be comfortable.

As far as 888 coils, does anyone have a preference on OME900000 or OME90021?

 

886s should be the only consideration, bumper or not.

I never got much of a good answer before ordering, so I went with the 886 only having added weight from sliders. The only suggestions I could find against 886 was from people that hadn’t run them. Any post where someone was running 886 was positive and just about every post from people running 887/888 for an extended period of time had complains about sagging.

Go with 886 and “mediums” in the rear. Been over a month for me and no regrets.

 

You can read more about how I came my decision as well as results on this thread here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/question-on-ome-coils-886-vs-888.702543/

 

Are you the bun man? I stumbled upon that video last night on yootube, and he seems to have a very similar take on 886's. I'm curious how the soft shocks pair with the 886's! Reading through your thread now and I'll PM you with any questions. Thanks for the input!

 

Haha, no I am not, but I’ve seen his videos on my quest for solutions. Yeah hit me up with any questions.

 

Just got back from the shop getting an estimate, does this sound like a good kit for a fair price?

• Old Man Emu BP51 -- ~$3,500
• Old Man Emu Control Arms -- $548
• Sway Bar Relocation -- ~$40
• Installation of BP51 + Control Arms -- $1,000

The $1,000 installation makes me wish I had car guy friends and/or a garage...

 

Pretty sure you can find someone local to do it cheaper

 

Post in a local thread for your area and see if you can get some help. Might only cost you pizza and beer

 

For what its worth I ran 886 coils with the stiffer shock for about 5 years, steel bumper, steel skidplate, winch and sliders and it never sagged but it also was stiff the entire 5 years. I ditched the winch and swapped in 887 coils, after a few months the front has started to sag, which for me is fine because the steel bumper is gone next and I am going back to stock. I over built from the start and after 5 years of super stiff road trips and washboard roads I am looking forward to a softer ride. Coils are a fairly cheap thing to change out later, adding a small puck to level the truck is even cheaper if the weight is slightly too much.

 

Wish I was still in my old place I would've totally helped out, I currently don't have a garage or driveway. Try the overland group on FB, they seemed like a cool group and had monthly DIY meet ups.

The only time my truck has been to a shop was https://landcruisernw.com/ and they were awesome. Probably still going to be expensive though.

 

Were the leafs sufficient without the camper on the back(Just the steel bumper & tire carrier)?

 

Final damage on the OME lift (without install, still hoping to find a shade tree):



ARB is saying 3-6 month backorder for the kit

 

The cap is an ARE DCU which is made of aluminum and it doesn’t weigh that much. I’d say the leafs were sufficient with the setup in the picture. It only gets bad when I start adding more weight. I know she’s a hefty girl but I thought the Dakars + aal would handle all the weight much better. My initial plan was to have a bed rack and roof top tent in place of the cap along with the bumper and tire carrier.

 

Got it. I have the EL095R’s without the AAL and it’s a pretty stiff ride. I don’t have any additional weight in the bed though. I’m wondering if what I have would be enough for a high clearance steel bumper with tire carrier.

 

It may be, but if not you always have the option of doing the AAL.