OME vs. All Pro LT vs. Total Chaos LT suspension

[kdiddy]

This is my first post. I just got a 2009 Tacoma TRD Double Cab 4x4, and I'm pondering my suspension options. I want to do an expedition style build (my friend Sinuhe has a tricked out Discovery), and I would love to learn what people think about using a somewhat LT suspension like the All Pro for expedition use. Is it just not as reliable? Too many changes? I know OME is all the rage, but I would love the ability to do a little hauling MMM in the desert every now and then.

I'm either going to go with an ARB or Shrockworks bull bar - would like opinions there too!

 

[Rexsname]

I have the All-Pro suspension on my 2001 Tacoma and have had it on there for about 100,000 miles. I'm hapy with it but would not spend the money on the upper control arms if I had it to do over again

REX

 

[CA-RJ]

Welcome to Expo! I don't think you will use a LT set to it's full potential. It's a lot of money for something you won't really use much. I've pushed my OME setup pretty hard in the desert and not had problems. I'm not jumping or anything like that, but certainly have been able to go fast enough to hang the rear end out and such. I think a regular coil over setup (ICON, Sway-A-Way or Camburg) would work best for you.

 

[Rexsname]

Sorry 'bout the interuption....as I was saying. The upper control arms do not have zerk fittings and sqeak pretty badly. Aside from that I really like the ride and performance.

REX

 

[farrdg]

I have a 2008 Double cab TRD Off road. I set up my suspension for overland travel and towing an Off-Road pop-up tent trailer. I really like the SwayAway 2.5" coil over shocks up front with Old Man Emu Dakar springs in the rear. I just finished putting the OME's on my truck with a heavy duty U-bolt flip kit from RuffStuff. I also added Timbren rear stops to the mix by welding them to the RuffStuff top plates. The ride is great and has worked out well for my intentions!

The rear springs are progressive and and work perfect with the trailer or lots of gear in the bed. They are a fantastic spring and I like the overload leaf capability in comparison to Deaver or Alcan springs. This setup works for me based upon my needs. I did a lot of research on different sites before making this decision. The springs by Deaver or Alcan may be better if you do not tow or need the overload capability. I needed lift, flex, extra weight in the bed, and towing capability so I chose Dakar's for that reason.

I tried to find the middle ground in between the three manufactures and really like the Dakar's.. I am happy with the flex and the ride. The TRD TSB springs sagged after a week and road ruff. They were poor in comparison, the OME Dakar's also improved the road manners 100%. The Taco now drives and off-roads like it should. Worked out perfect for my requirements...

By the way remember to check out the weight of the front bumper and winch that you you select, so that you can put heavy duty springs up front to compensate for the extra weight. I think that OME front springs and shocks may be a better way to go as well. After using the SwayAway's with HEIM joints, I think that the regular rubber or poly bushing shocks do better based upon the extra cushioning that they provide compared to the heim joint. I am still mulling this one around a bit. Just food for thought. Good luck with your build.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

You have a few things to consider...

I know a guy that runs a Long-Travel setup and uses it exclusively for rock crawling type of trails, and it does work well for that. But if you want an all-around truck capable of a little bit of everything, I don't think you would want a LT setup.

#1 - you said you're looking at getting a Shrockworks bumper. If you run a LT setup, you'll need oversized fiberglass fenders, and the Shrockworks bumper won't fit.

#2 - part of back-country wheeling is building the most reliable setup that you can. A long travel setup requires custom length CV axles, so if you get into trouble and break an axle in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of downtown Moab for that matter, you will not be able to find a replacement CV axle.

If you ask me, running a LT setup on a general purpose Off-Road truck (i.e. a truck that won't really be used for desert "prerunner" type wheeling) is just throwing too many variables into the equasion. It's going to be very expensive and require a lot of cutting, and a lot of custom parts. All of that is time and money better spent elsewhere. I think you'd be a lot more satisfied with a setup like this one:

• Icon Extended Travel Coilovers
• Total Chaos Upper Control Arms
• Icon Rear Reservoir Shocks
• Alcan or Deaver full leaf packs

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/05updonahoetacoma.htm

 

[Mr. Leary]

You have a few things to consider...



#2 - part of back-country wheeling is building the most reliable setup that you can. A long travel setup requires custom length CV axles, so if you get into trouble and break an axle in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of downtown Moab for that matter, you will not be able to find a replacement CV axle.




http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/05updonahoetacoma.htm

Agreed. There is plenty of trouble you can get into with both setups, but keeping closer to stock drivetrain components means that you may just be able to get yourself out of said trouble while keeping your "wad" relatively intact.

Good Luck,