Ome Kit For 05 Tacoma: Opinions Please!

[Dave Bennett]

I am considering this suspension kit for my 05 Tacoma and would like your opinions as to it's quality etc. I know many here are familiar with OME so please comment. Will 885's be sufficent for my truck with an ARB and a winch up front? There are no 05 Tacoma specific coils yet, and this is a REALLY good deal IMO. Besides, if it's good enough for Ivan, it's probably good enough for me :bowdown:

This was posted by Valkyrie over on TTORA:

"You asked, so here's the deal:

Most people know from this: LINK that the 4th Generation 4Runner shares a similar suspension with the Toyota Prado. What many may not know is that the 2005+ Tacoma shares a similar suspension to the 4th Generation 4Runner. Therefore, by default, front suspension components are interchangeable with the 2005 Tacoma as far as fit is concerned.

Since the Prado is heavier and proportioned differently than the 4th Generation 4Runner, there are differences between the proper applications of aftermarket (specifically OME) components to the lighter 2005+ Tacoma.

Here's the good news! The OME Prado set-up has been successfully adapted to the new Tacoma. The clearance between the coilover and the swaybar is tight, so care must be taken during installation to ensure there is no interference. All I can tell you to expect is that the resulting lift should be a minimum of 2"; it will vary from truck to truck based on engine & cab configurations. The parts used for the front are:

OME884 Front Coil Springs
(OME885 Heavy Springs for d-cabs and/or aftermarket bumper)
N140S Front Struts

Now for the rear: the lowest cost option is an AAL. The FTS-205 long AAL will result in about 2.0-2.5” of rear lift. Unfortunately, this will make the stock shocks inadequate, and they will act as your droop stops, making them susceptible to damage and prone to early failure. I have found that the OME shocks designed for the FJ80 are a great swap. They are 24.18” open, 14.43" closed for 9.75” of travel. I have personally tested these shocks in conjunction with the FTS-205 long AAL and they do great on the trail.

The shocks available for the rear are available with 2 different valving settings: a firm (N74E) and a comfort (N71E). Firm would be recommended for those who regularly carry a load or prefer a positive feel. The only modifications necessary to run these shocks is to widen the lower shock mount.

We have heard of no issues requiring the use of an exhaust hanger or adjusting the brake system.

We are now offering the complete set-up as an introductory special for only $650 shipped!!!

Please, if you have any questions email us directly at info@trdparts4u.com for a prompt reply. We may not be able to reply to posts in a timely manner. If you would like just the front components so you can outsource your rear leafs please contact us directly.

Thank you for your continued support!

*This lift is being offered based on research by users and innovators. Neither us nor ARB USA makes any recommendations or warranty on the applicability of Prado components on 4th Generation 4Runners or 2005+ Tacomas. We make no warranty as to applicability. Kit comes unassembled. Our lawyers make us say all that.
**shipping rate for CONUS only.

Your first and foremost source for OME and ARB products.

__________________
Best Regards, Chris

Member and Proud Sponsor of TTORA and TLCA

www.toyotapartsales.com
www.trdparts4u.com

President of Toyota Trail Riders
Vice President of Texas TTORA"

 

[UncleChris]

Devils advocate here, I have heard nothing but good things about Valkyrie and Toyota of Dallas, so I am not trying to bash them.

The truck that is posted in there is Toyota of Dallas' truck. As I understand the thread, Ivan was there for an event and was given that truck to drive for a day. I do not know if he spec'd the truck.

I talked to Jim Jackson@ARB last fall about a OME lift specifically for the 2k5 Tacos. He gave me specs on them and told me that it would be available in January. He didn't mention anything about the Prado components.

That being said.......

Once I decided to put the ARB + winch on, I went with the hoes. They are easily adjustable and ride very well. I currently have a Wheeler's AAL which I am planning to replace at some point with a full leaf. Maybe the OME heavy when they come out. When that happens, I only need to crank my hoes up

TOD's rear setup does sound attractive. My Wheeler's AAL is ~1.5"(Wheeler's said ~2" on a stock rig)after install, that is with the shell, sliders, tools, etc. The Fabtech will probably give you more height.

Using the FJ80 rear shocks might need some mods(Valkyrie mentions the rear mount mods.) They sound like they would be compatible with a higher lift full leaf pack.

As for the front, are these adjustable? Do you have to use a spring compressor(ouch, hate those things)????. Although adding spacers to the front of the Tacoma is really not that difficult, so maybe the adjustability is not that much of an issue. Also remember that the ARB weighs ~125lbs, and if you put a winch on that is ~80 lbs, which will bring down your front end.Brought my front end down ~1" with the stock springs.

I had OME on my Cherokee and loved it, it was a great setup both on-road and off-road.

My recommendation is if cost no object and you plan on migrating to a full leaf in the future, get Hoes up front and use TOD's Fabtech combo in the rear.

If cost is an object and you plan on upgrading to full rear leafs in the future consider the SAWS.

If you want about 1.5-2" of lift and are happy with that, then the TOD package would be a good choice.

My 2cents, hope that helps.....

 

[flyingwil]

Chris King knows his stuff and I would trust him. If you are heart set on the OME go for what Chris tells you. However, I think that you might be better off with some 'hoes, the coil overs will offer you more flexibility with the lift, and offer a better ride. They will also benefit your rig by being rebuild-able in the future if that is ever needed. I have never heard of anyone with quality coil overs complain about them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

OK, here is take...

According to ARB, they will have a true 05' Taco suspension out in the next 6-12 weeks. They are currently working on it and hope to start production shortly. Thats springs, shocks and leafs matched for the vehicle. 80 Rear shocks have to be valved heavier than a light pickup needs in the rear, mabey not...

 

[Dave Bennett]

OK, here is take...

According to ARB, they will have a true 05' Taco suspension out in the next 6-12 weeks. They are currently working on it and hope to start production shortly. Thats springs, shocks and leafs matched for the vehicle. 80 Rear shocks have to be valved heavier than a light pickup needs in the rear, mabey not...

Perhaps I should wait then...

 

[UncleChris]

Perhaps I should wait then...

If you are set on an OME lift, I would.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

The actual company that first put 05 Tacoma OME lifts in is SLEE OFFROAD.
This is also true of the 03-05 4Runner- I know this b/c it was me and a friend that were the first.

If you need a lift, Slee is the place to get it.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The actual company that first put 05 Tacoma OME lifts in is SLEE OFFROAD...

I'de bet ARB in Seattle put one on first

But you can't really call it a 05' Taco lift... OME sure doesn't. The parts people are using seem to work fine (just like the OME stuff we were using for TALL 80's way before OME offered J springs).. but we quickly found that the stuff OME engineers for the application fit & worked better.

Nothing wrong with innovating parts to fit... but when an actual kit is a few months out, I would probably wait myself.

 

[ErrinV]

I've been reading all the threads on TTORA about the OME kit that people are using right now. It sounds ok, but I'm planning on waiting for the final kit from ARB myself. I don't know that I need the travel of the coilovers so I think the OME kit will do just fine.

Errin