Which Dakar leaf pack?

I wanted to get some input from fellow Tacoma owners. I'm about to pull the trigger on getting a new OME suspension with full Dakar leaf pack. Question to you all is should I get the medium duty or heavy duty? I do about 80% road 20% off road driving. I plan on getting a steel rear bumper, skid plates and probably a bed rack and tent at some point. I know the heavy is for 600 constant load, I was under the impression that it was more for people towing or hauling heavy things constantly. Would I be happy with the medium duty or would it sag too much with the few weighted extras I plan on adding. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

 

For anything thats not and empty bed, get the heavy duty, worst case you think its too stiff you can pull a leaf.

 

Sound reasoning both of you. HD it is. Thanks!

 

Yeah get the HD. You can always pull a leaf and keep it on standby. If you go medium you can always add one also just have to wait for shipping!
I’d personally pull the leaf before you put them on if your going to wait a while for a bumper and what not.

 

I had the HDs without any weight in the back with the ome shocks it’s was rough. I usually run around empty bed just typical home project type of stuff. Anyhow I put king rear shocks and it smoothed it right out night/day difference over the ome.
But pulling the 3rd leaf is way smarter as stated imho.

 

HD Dakars

 

Thats what I was thinking, just pull the leaf from the start and save it for later.

 

How soon do you plan on getting the bumper and tent? I went with the HD route, removed a leaf to make it the MD prior to install. My bed is empty most of the time and the ride is complete shit. Weight helps a little bit. Looking at Deavers or Icon RXT

 

I had HD Dakars. Did a show event at the local 5.11 for their overland product line. Was running an empty bed, topper, RTT and high clearance swing out bumper and the leafs were flat.

Running 1k rated deavers now and I'm much happier.

 

I'm not impressed with these new Dakars. None of my friends are that have them. They're decent, but I think the quality has dropped with this new line. Definitely get HD if anything.

My next set will be Deaver.

 

So Im now reading a bunch of negative reviews on the Dakars and some hate on OME in general. Super bummed cause I thought these were great mid range lift kits. If I swap out the leaf packs and still use OME shocks would I be happier? Should I scrap fhe whole idea and go with another brand? Wheelers has a whole kit of fox shocks, add a leafs, UCAs and extended brake lines for like 2500$, would that be a better route? The OME setup with Dakars, UCA, and extended brake lines is $2000. I thought AAL was generally not as good as replacing a whole pack.

 

Doing front bumper at same time but holding off on rear and rack till probably next Black Friday. Spending too much money this year haha

 

As someone that has upgraded their rear suspension 6 times, think ahead about where you want your build to go; it will save you pain and frustration in the long run. Buy once cry once

 

I'm not sure about any general ARB hate. I ran their OME shocks for awhile. A very solid, inexpensive upgrade. I wouldn't be too discouraged from getting them. They're a great entry point.

It's just these new Dakars seem like a downgrade - as compared to their old line. Make no mistake, anything is 100x better than running the stock leaf pack. AAL's will do nothing to increase your capacity. And it's not like the Dakars are super expensive. Deavers are supposedly the premier brand, but they're also like ~$900. Don't get the Allpro packs - they're trash.

idk man, it's not a bad plan you have. For the price you're getting good shit. Once you start talking about Fox and Deaver things start getting a whole lot more expensive. It's just a shame that OME seems to have decided to switch suppliers for their Dakars, because the old Dakars were bomb proof.

 

I have Bilsteins and the Dakar leafs and regret it all, I'll be going fox and kings with a different leaf pack in the future. What are you looking for in your ride? Are you mostly street with occasional offroad?

 

Definitely mostly street with going offroad couple times a month. I know Fox and Kings are great but they come with that hefty price tag. Maybe Ill get OME for now and upgrade a few years down the line.

 

Thanks, I think I'll stick with my original plan and see how I feel.

 

"Baller" rear suspension:





12" RR Kings
Stage III Deavers
BAMF hangers
BAMF shock relocation
DIY custom crossbrace

 

Christ! Super beefy haha

 

If you can (magically) avoid the mental slippery slope of constantly needing to upgrade, OME will serve all of your offroad needs.