Old Man Emu setups on 1st gens

Kisatchie is a nice place to go camping, not too many trails past dirt roads.

Actually took my profile pic in Kisatchie haha

 

I’m starting to think wheelers may have sent me the wrong leaf springs because for the life of me I can’t seem to install them. Every video I’ve watched seemed to be so plug and play and installed like a breeze. Are there any install threads of this cus YouTube isn’t helping.

 

Does it matter what end of the leaf installs first? The little bolt on the bottom of all the springs that fits into the notch on the axel lines up ok but I’m still about 1.5 inch short from lining up the front bolt.

 

And as you can see the rear is nowhere near lining up right. What am I doing wrong?

 

It does matter which way the leafs are installed but it looks like youve got them in the right direction. iirc I attached the front eyelet first, then shackles, then the rear eyelet.

 

Right I knew I had them facing the right way but wanted to know which side should be done first if it matters. I’ll be trying that tomorrow. Thank you.

 

I don't think the OP has responded to this so I'll chime in.
I think that's a Drifter. They're made in CA near SF.
https://vagabondoutdoors.com/product/the-drifter/

 

Looks like you need to jack up the truck more to create more of a gap between the truck and axle. I did mine a couple months ago and it took some finagling. You just need to find the sweet spot to where you can line everything up. Be extra careful maneuvering your truck and stay clear from underneath it because if it falls theres nothing to stop the frame and body from going all the way to the ground.

 

Same here.

There is a centering pin on the bottom of the leaf set. That will insert into a hole on top of the axle mounting plate. That should put the axle close to where it needs to be. On my passenger side I had to use a ratchet strap to pull the axle forward a little bit to get the front eyelet bolt in. Just make sure that centering pin stays in the mounting bracket hole when its all said and done.

 

You'll need the truck to be pretty high up to stop the axle from interfering with the install.
Attach the front portion of the leaf springs to the frame first. Do Both Sides of the truck at the same time.
Attach the rear shackles to the leaf springs next, leave the bolts loose until the end.
Your axle is off center because it shifted during the process, happens all the time.
After the springs are bolted loosely to the frame and shackles, manhandle that axle until it lines up with the spring bolt and the axle perch center hole. Your shocks should be disconnected, if not, remove them until the end.
GENTLY lower the truck to help seat the springs, and install the U-bolts.
After it's all bolted up, remove the jacks and start tightening everything up. Install the shocks at this point too.

 

If you still have trouble after doing everything that Deathbysnusnu says, try disconnecting the drive shaft. I just installed some Dakars and once I did that the axle moved around WAY EASIER and allowed bolting everything up.

Cheers!

 

883 Springs
Dakar Leaf Packs (Both were +)
Nitrocharger Sport Shocks all around

There are two pictures before, two pictures after with teh stock tire size (31x10.5r15), and then two pics with 33x10.5r15 General Grabber X3s.

Surprisingly I get tire rub on the back wheel well under full flex, even though everything I read said that I should not rub at all with this 3 inch lift and 33x10.5 tires. I get zero rub on the front, even under full flex when offroading, so it was very odd to see my tires on both driver and passenger side rub on the back wheel well when at full flex. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for a bolt that sticks out to hold the plastic trim, as that is what the tire is mostly getting hung up on. You can see where it is rubbing in the very last picture.

 

Anyone else manage to strip the 10mm nut for the oem brake line? It’s already stretched as it is (installed Dakar’s with AAL yesterday) and when I started jacking the front for the front shocks/coils it stretches the brake line even more to the point I’m not comfortable starting the front until I swap it for the extended line. I’m about to have a shop do it

 

Did you strip the 10mm brake line nut while using a line wrench or were you just using a standard box wrench?

 

I had to replace the hard line that connects to the proportioning valve. Only like ~$15 from toyota iirc

 

Just a regular open ended wrench. I forgot line wrenches were a thing that would’ve been nice.

 

I’ll be looking into that

 

Well for the most part she’s all finished! 882s with Dakars+AAL and nitros all around. I got SPC ucas too but can’t install yet because I’m missing a steering knuckle insert which wheelers is aware of. You can imagine how sad I was lol. Felt ok down the street but I’ll do some driving around town tomorrow.

 

How has everyone's alignment been after the lift install? Took mine to a shop known for doing alignments for lifted trucks and they couldn't get the camber in spec (passenger side is 1 degree positive, driver side is close to 3 degree positive). They told me to drive it a few hundred more miles to let it settle (at the time it had only around 200 miles) and then bring it back and they will do the alignment again to see if they can get the camber to meet specs.

They had a Hawkeye Elite alignment machine.

BTW, @Texoma , they were really impressed with your install.

 

I really like the black wheels you have. I've been thinking about switching to 15" black steel wheels, or just painting my stock wheels black.