Which OME Dakar leaf can be removed?

I just installed 880 coilovers on my 1st Gen Tacoma and love the front lift I got, about 1.5 inches. I installed the Dakar Leaf Pack (EL122R-P) and Nitrocharger Sports and now I'm sitting at about 2.5 inch. I wanted better springs than the toyota leaf springs but I didn't think I would have a 3 inch rake, Id like more of a 1 inch rake.

Before:

After:


To fix this it seems like I have a few options.

1. Lift the front more, get 881 or 882 coils. I don't really want to do this as I like the ride height of the 880s.
2. Re-install the OEM Toyota leaf springs and call it a day, should be about level there. Will these work fine with the Nitrocharger Sports? I want to keep those on the truck.
3. Remove Overload leaf and/or 2nd leaf from the bottom (according to OME, the 2nd from the bottom can be removed for light load, which is what I have at this time.
4. Buy another leafpack that is better than the OEM Toyota pack that will keep me within a 1inch rake of the lift I got with the 880 coilovers.

What do you all suggest? My only concern with option 2 is that I will be sitting level and get a bro lean when I load the back up for camping trips.

Option 3 seems like the option I would prefer the most if I could lose and inch or more buy removing leaf springs from the pack. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Which leaves would I remove to lose an inch or more of lift I gained by putting these springs on? How much lift should I expect to lose by removing a leaf or two? I searched around here a bit and didn't see anyone showing before and after measurements or pics. All help is greatly appreciated.

 

I had to remove 1 overload and 2nd leaf. Which resulted in height drop, better ride quality.

BUT. They axle wrap like crazy now.

 

Oh yeah, I did come across your posts in my tacomaworld search before I posted this thread. Do you know how much height drop you got? Is axle wrap bad for the vehicle, I'm not familiar with it beyond a google search. Would you recommend removing the Dakar pack and reinstalling the OEM leaf pack? Or are you happier with your setup now with the axle wrap?

 

I went from over 4 inches of rear lift to about 3. I have the heavys as I used to have a camper shell.

Axle wrap is normal to a certain extent with any leaf pack, bur mine is to the point where when I put the truck in drive, the pinion spins almost a full revolution before the leaf pack is loaded.

Dakars are great for what they are designed to do in full capacity, but when you mess with them it changes how they act.

I personally am looking for a new leaf pack for my needs.

In hindsight I shouldve ran a small block with the factory leafs and saved up for a quality pack.

 

Right on man - thanks for the insight. I'm kind of leaning towards putting the OEM leaf springs back on and trying to sell my basically new Dakar set. I eventually do want a camper shell but I don't really want the 2.5" lift I got. I can try removing the the second from bottom that they recommend for light load duty.

Did you take your leaf pack off of the truck before removing the leaves?

 

Yes I did. Took about 15 minutes per side to remove and dissasemble, I used a lift and a transmission jack so it was easier.

Im not an expert by any means but I am just letting you know my experience with my truck with dakar leafs.

Taking a leaf out may work for you, Ive just never liked them.

I will say when I had the full pack I could load my bed to the max and it would ride like a dream and barely squat. Hence, thats what they are designed for.

 

Thanks again for the advice - I've found this thread where i'm continuing my suspension progress discussion: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/old-man-emu-setups-on-1st-gens.141055/page-262#post-27751109

 

I’m about to remove the one at the very bottom cus its still a lil bouncy