First post and question

[STAGE 2]

Howdy all. My name is Stage 2 and I'm a toyota addict. :wings:

I'm looking to get a new taco (SR5 extended cab) for a weekend truck/camping vehicle. I don't want anything crazy as I plan on getting one of thoses super cool adventure trailers to handle most of my gear needs. What I do want is a little bit more ground clearance and a beefier truck.

To that end, what I'm looking to do is box the frame, and upgrade the suspension. I'm familiar with old man emu's products and would like to go this route as it seems the easiest. I have several reservations however. First, I'd like to keep the stock stance. From what I've seen the dakar leaf pack gives a severe rake. Second, there are several people on other forums who have experienced vibrations from installing the OME suspension. Unnecessary rattles and things like that really annoy me and I don't think I could handle a new truck doing that.


So with all that out of the way, heres my question(s). Is vibration inevitable with the OME suspension? If so, what other options do I have (other than spacers and cheap fixes) for a quality 1" lift?

Thanks.

 

[Photog]

You could use the TRD Tundra springs in the front, and an extra leaf in the rear (not Add-A-Leaf).

Are you speaking of a new Taco, or the smaller ones?

 

[STAGE 2]

2007 or later.

 

[HMR]

and an extra leaf in the rear (not Add-A-Leaf).

What's wrong with the Add a Leaf? Did you have a bad experience?

 

[DaktariEd]

Stage2,
Welcome to ExPo.
I haven't the foggiest idea about your question, but just wanted to say "Hi" and "Welcome." :wavey:
Enjoy the forum. :jumping:
It's pretty unique and populated by some very experienced people who are willing to share what they know. I'm always learning stuff here...

 

[Dave]

Hello and welcome to the ExPo!

I can't speak for the newer style Tacomas with OME, but I do run an OME suspension on my 2002. The forward rake you speak of is a reality when empty, however, when loaded it does sit perfectly level. The ride quality is great both loaded and unloaded. In my opinion, the ride is firmer and body roll decreases with the OME suspension.

As for vibrations, I have not experienced any increase in any vibrations since I went with the OME suspension.

I've had the suspension for over a year now and I really have no complaints. I use my truck as a daily driver and the weekend escape vehicle.

 

[Overland Hadley]

What's wrong with the Add a Leaf? Did you have a bad experience?

+1

 

[Overland Hadley]

Also, Welcome to the Portal STAGE2!

 

[STAGE 2]

Glad to be here guys. You folks seem like a right nice lot.

As for the question, there's got to be someone here with an 05+ thats running the OME suspension package. In fact, if I recall correctly from my extensive lurking here, the host of this forum had recently tricked out a white taco with ARB suspension and a matching bullbar.

 

[ArmyTaco]

Welcome. THe best advise I can give you is check out www.TTORA.com
There is a wide range of knowledge and everything possible has been covered there. Join up and most of all SEARCH. Everything you need to know is there and there is alot of information to be had.

Also what kind of budget are you looking at? From my experience with my previous Taco don't skimp on suspension. Go with full springs all around. No blocks/spacers and it just does not cut it and you wil be redoing it later. Call Alcan Springs and tell them what you want to do with the truck and they can build you a spring made for what YOU want. THey are a little more than Dakars but not much considering you get what you need.

With the front if you don't plan on running a winch/bumper OME is fine. But once you add weight to the springs(especialy ones made for 1-1.5lift) they will sag. If Bumper /winch is in future go with some adj. Coilovers. A nice set of SAW's can be adjusted to what you want and will ride extremely well and can take the weight of Bumper/winch. They are also rebuildable. There are more expensive CO out there but unless you are doing desert running there is really no need to spend the $$$ on the other ones. I had SAW's and absolutely loved them. They bolt in with 4 bolts and easily adjusted. But got check out TTORA and there are tons and tons of topics about this exact question and expieriences from people running spacers and blocks to full out LT Suspension with everything in between. Good luck.

 

[p1michaud]

Suspension upgrades

First off, welcome aboard! :wings:

In fact, if I recall correctly from my extensive lurking here, the host of this forum had recently tricked out a white taco with ARB suspension and a matching bullbar.

Close, ARB USA was nice enough to hand the keys over to some very lucky individuals from this forum so that they could test drive it and report on performance. The Tacoma in question was outfitted by ARB USA with all their latest gear.

To that end, what I'm looking to do is box the frame...

I'm currious as to why you feel boxing the frame would be necessary? This requires quite a bit of work. If you will occasionally towing a trailer this is not necessary IMO. If you plan on constantly loading and pulling with the Tacoma that is anothe story, however I would consider anohter vehicle to meet those needs.

...and upgrade the suspension.

If so, what other options do I have (other than spacers and cheap fixes) for a quality 1" lift?

Unfortunately you can't use the words spacers or cheap in the same sentence as quality. Go with quality coilovers up front and replacement leaf packs for the rear and you will be happy. It will cost more up front, but in the long run it will be better. To quote the Dude: "Buy the best, cry once..."

Regards,
P

 

[Streakerfreak]

Welcome. THe best advise I can give you is check out www.TTORA.com
There is a wide range of knowledge and everything possible has been covered there. Join up and most of all SEARCH. Everything you need to know is there and there is alot of information to be had.

But got check out TTORA and there are tons and tons of topics about this exact question and expieriences from people running spacers and blocks to full out LT Suspension with everything in between. Good luck.

But don't stay there too long. It's much nicer over here.

 

[Schattenjager]

:jumping: Welcome to the best adventure forum in webdom!

If you take a look at my signature you will see my mods on an 05. I had three shops check the frame and they said it could be boxed and they would be happy to take my money for it, but it was not necessary. Just an FYI.

I lowered the carrier a little to vanquish the subtle vibs I got at take off from the 3" lift. Otherwise the truck rides GREAT and if given the option of a brand new truck, this would be my very first mod all over again. I have a topper, so I cannot answer your rake question as I had none. But with the topper, my tubby 100 pound German Shepherd and his gear, it never sags either.

The IFS of these Tacomas is a major limitation. As soon as I get a trailer built and have the $ - I am going to do a single axle swap. It's a lot of money, but these new Tacomas are the perfect size and have the right equipment level that I would rather mod it some more than to give all I love up for something else. - All this from an ex-Land Rover guy.

Cheers!

 

[crawler#976]

We have an '05 Tacoma setup with the DeMello/Donahoe Stage 1 kit. The 2.50 inch increase in ride height is more than made up for in the stability of the Donahoe coilovers. In fact, the truck handles more like a sports car now than it ever did with the stock suspension. On dirt, the combination of Bilstein 5100 rear shocks and Deaver add-a-leaves have eliminated the chatter and tendency for the rear to get loose on washboard roads. The front end sucks up bumps with ease - exactly what you'd expect from a coilover bread for and tested in the Baja 1000.

There is no vibration in the drive train with the D/D setup.

IMO, boxing the frame is a waste of time and money. Spend the $$$ on other improvements.

As far as "easy" goes, installing the coilovers and AAL took me 4 hours at a leisurely pace. I do have air tools which helps, but none the less, it's beyond easy...

Mark

 

[taco chaser]

:jumping: Welcome to the best adventure forum in webdom!

If you take a look at my signature you will see my mods on an 05. I had three shops check the frame and they said it could be boxed and they would be happy to take my money for it, but it was not necessary. Just an FYI.

I lowered the carrier a little to vanquish the subtle vibs I got at take off from the 3" lift. Otherwise the truck rides GREAT and if given the option of a brand new truck, this would be my very first mod all over again. I have a topper, so I cannot answer your rake question as I had none. But with the topper, my tubby 100 pound German Shepherd and his gear, it never sags either.

The IFS of these Tacomas is a major limitation. As soon as I get a trailer built and have the $ - I am going to do a single axle swap. It's a lot of money, but these new Tacomas are the perfect size and have the right equipment level that I would rather mod it some more than to give all I love up for something else. - All this from an ex-Land Rover guy.

Cheers!

Let me know how the straight axle swap goes, I'm going to be doing a solid axle swap on an 06 Tacoma by spring time if all goes well.