Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

I have not relocated them, instead I called Icon and got shocks that allow my full droop. Down side is they collapse to 14.9" so I will have purchased wheeler super bumps, and stacked the spacers they sell to limit my uptravel by an 1 1/8"...it has been a bit of a shit show with them as every technical support rep has given me different info. The shocks I have need different bushings and twice I have tried to get the right size bushings for my first gen, I hope today the person I spoke with was correct, I will find out tomorrow. Icon has hired some gems in their technical department, they don't know their own product.

 

882s up front is a bit too stiff on a 2WD. The bumper has added next to no weight on the front since I don't have a winch yet. With my upcoming 4WD conversion I should have better ride quality on the front end.

 

Current suspension is Monroe quick struts in the front and original leafpack with helwig helper springs in the rear and Monroe rear shocks. Put the Monroe stuff on about a year ago after my Bilstein 5100s died. The quick struts are terrible in that they blow through their travel way too easy and don't seem to have much motion control.

Rig is a daily driver, but I also use it to cut firewood, camp, and run around on rocky roads. No plans for winch, aftermarket bumper or anything like that. I don't carry much weight on a daily basis.

I'm not really interested in a lift, but an inch or so is fine.

Given the above, do you think this setup below would suit my needs?:

-880 springs in front with ome shocks
-Dakar leafpack with 3rd leaf removed and ome shocks.

Thanks!

 

Ok guys, I have read thru about 100 pages of setup's, looked thru several build threads that are similar to what I have, and have price checked and compared different websites offering the OME lift for my truck which is a 2004 Ext Cab(146,xxx miles), TRD, 3.4L V6, ARB Bumper, Warn M800 w/steel cable, Leer Camper Shell, no sliders, no skids, stock bumper, on 265/75/16 BFG KO2's. My goal is to run 255/85/16 and I know about the pinch weld mod is inevitable. Seems like Wheelers Off Road offers different components from what others offer. I don't think I want to pay the extra for shipping. I am looking to purchase and have installation done at Mule Expedition Outfitters here in WA.

Here's what I came up with:
- 883 coils (to handle weight in front, apparently the 882's settle 1/2")
- Nitrocharger Sport shock's all around
- Dakar Leafs (still uncertain if I should do the AAL or not, and if I do, I read that I will need longer U-bolts....thoughts??)
- Trim pack
- BPV bracket
- Exhaust relocator

Do I need the OME greasable shackles or are stock fine? Any benefits to these other than being able to grease them(would have to purchase bushing kits to replace everything correct??)
Do I need the longer stainless brake lines?
Do I need the diff drop kit?? (have read lots of mixed reviews on this matter)
Do I need to upgrade the UCA's (its an extra $400/500 for the SPC) I've read mixed reviews saying stocks uca's will work, but tire wear and alignments suck forever without upgrading.

I have attached a thumbnail photo of how its sits currently.

 

I am about to put 882s with nitrocharges on the my 02 quad cab prerunner. What kind of lift did you get in the front? any alignment issues. Is the "stiff ride" on highway as well? Thanx for the feedback.

 

if I had any more weight up front Id be rubbing like a mfer though...like when I have 4 people in the truck...but I really don't find them stiff at all.

 

I definitely have more lift than the 2.75" the 882s are supposed to give me but I didn't measure before and after. Alignment was messed up after and I ended up getting SPC upper control arms. Highway driving is fine from my experience but a pothole filled downtown and backroads can really suck.

 

You’re probably too high. 882s give like 3.5” of lift. They’re not meant for prerunners with no weight. They’re designed for 4wds with lots of front end weight.

 

I'm planning on having the 4WD conversion done by August + winch on my ARB. Still might not have enough weight after that but it will be a start.

 

What kinda investment goes into a 4x4 conversion for that truck?

 

Nice you are looking to do basically the same as me. Do you keep more gear in the bed like a camping bed and storage set up? I have that and a topper and am planning to add more so I'm probably going to get the AAL. Figure I can take it out if it's just too rough. And have it handy if I end up adding even more. I'm also thinking of putting a water tank under the bed in the spare tire place. I figure it's a good opportunity to do the u bolt flip kit and add fresh bumpstops.
The greasable shackle kit is fine not necessary. It's on my truck from the last time an ome was done ten years ago. No one greased it. And now it's seized like any other shackle lol. But I like grease guns and firmly believe in greasing everything. Supposedly eliminates squeaking when flexing. You will have to get the OME bushings no matter what because their eyes are not OEM spec.

I was on wheelers about to order yesterday when I saw the UCA option for 400. Now I'm redebating but am leaning towards it. Restores some travel, makes alignment no issue. Stronger. Why not. Ugh. Yaya more $$$ but might as well be done right.

Yeah their kit requires shipping which sucks. But for the price, they still came in under the other places I could find including having them set up the strut assembly and AAL. And the kit includes all the other parts you listed and the greasable shackle. Pretty decent. I talked on the phone and they were able to discount since I don't need the brake line (already have it) and was able to swap in the u bolt flip kit for an extra 50 since they'd remove the regular ubolts. Plus their customer support is phenomenal.

I suppose that was all kinda a shout out to the folks at Wheelers. I have no affiliation with them I'm just some guy trying to figure out how to do things to my truck.

Good luck in your swap! Maybe we will be doing it at the same time and can help each other through the BS haha

 

Yeah you should look into adding some preload spacers into the strut assembly. That's quite high for their setup...

 

Someone has parts listed in classifieds, 1500 i think

 

I bought an entire 4WD 4Runner for $400. Should be under $1K.

 

Does the preload spacer reduce lift. I was planning on putting in the 882's on my prerunner so I wouldn't have to do 881 with top spacer to achieve the 3". I also don't have the $$ for uca's right now. This shit is making my eye twitch.

 

I do keep gear in the bed, but not all the time, because tweakers....We live in a very Meth filled area of rural WA, so everything is either locked up kind of, or kept inside the house. I have a couple pairs of Quickfists bolted to the inside rail of my camper shell for a shovel and axe. I can filter water, and don't need to turn my Tacoma into a camel with a water tank, so I am not concerned about utilizing that spare tire space just yet. Just need to alleviate the suspension as it is just flat and very very unhappy. I will eventually get a rear bumper with swingout on there to keep the spare tire full time, but then that is another topic.

I guess I could just order the kit from Wheelers and have it shipped, but I feel like I can just save that shipment cost towards installation at Mule Expo Outfitters. 98% positive I am going to go ahead the with SPC UCA's while they are in there, and save money on labor there as well. I mean, why not right? Good to know about the bushing kits. I kind of figured they were necessary anyways. Not really familiar with the U Bolt flip kit......Fresh bumpstops is a good call. Didnt think about that. I should just get a new truck, lol.

 

Having the 255/85r16 on right now, I'm wondering if I'd be able to fit 285/75r16 in, or will I start running into issues? Debating between the BFG km2 or the nitto trail grapplers. Anyone have experience with this in conjunction with their ome setups?

 

285s are a bit shorter than 255s. With enough backspacing you should be able to run them. May have to trim some plastic.

 

I've been debating which tire to get with my lift and from what I have read and researched, I think I will go with the 255/85/16 over the 285/75/16 because of several factors: weight, cost, and fitment. Thoughts or opinions on the Hankook Dynapro MT, or the Cooper ST Maxx??

 

I’m kinda leaning towards figuring out which 17” I’d need to get the Nitto ridge grapplers in their 255/80/17 size. Since my car is DD but still want to perform well off-road