Old Man Emu Suspension Installed on the 2013 Toyota Tacoma
–UPDATE-
At the advise of Wheeler’s Off Road I went with the 2887 front coil springs even though the charts from ARB listed the 2886 for my application. Lets just say that ARB was right and we removed the lighter rated springs for the correct ones.
The long awaited day finally arrived. When I showed up to the house late on Friday evening one big box and two leaf springs partly wrapped in packaging sat in the garage. I swear I saw the ARB bumper on my Tacoma turn up in a smile when it saw the new addition for the truck. The Old Man Emu Suspension had arrived. The truck build was one step closer to being done. Well almost, first I had to install the suspension.
Lift Kit verses Upgraded Suspension
This isn’t just a simple lift kit. It’s an upgraded suspension designed and built specifically for my Tacoma. Lift kits are designed for one thing, lifting the vehicle to allow the installation of larger tires and typically are cheaper in cost when compared to a complete suspension like that offered by Old Man Emu. Lift kits typically do not improve the handling, or load carrying capacity of the vehicle. In fact many of the cheaper lift kits can cause damage to truck causing undue stress to the other working parts of the suspension.
For my intended use of my Tacoma, I was looking for a suspension that would handle the rough terrain I often travel, handle the increased weight of the truck with the added bumper and skid plates, one that would increase the ride height for better clearance for those rocky trails that lead to the best hunting and fishing spots and be able to haul the loads of gear I carry on my trips. I was also looking for a suspension that would not require extra maintenance.
I had installed an Old Man Emu suspension on the old 95 Tacoma and was very satisfied with its’ performance. So, I began my search there but I also researched several other options before settling on the Old Man Emu set up. Each one I looked at either offered more than I felt I needed in my suspension or appeared to be not much more than a simple lift kit. I did not want lift block on my rear lift springs nor do I intend to run 60 MPH over desert roads and did not see the need for reservoir shocks.
After finally having the money saved for the purchase, I reached out to Wheeler’s Off Road for help in assembling the Old Man Suspension. Wheeler’s was very helpful in helping me decide which coil springs, shocks and rear leaf springs would be best suited to my application. We talked through the added weight, the intended use, tire choices and the smaller additional parts of the truck, all coming together to assemble the perfect suspension for my application.
The Install
I’m not going to go through the step by step process of installing the suspension. I’m sure there are several write ups out there detailing the nuts and bolts of the install. I consider myself and parts changer and not a mechanic and with a basic set of metric wrenches, I was able to swap out the old suspension with the new one in one long day. I did the work myself and completed the job in about 12 hours. I’m sure many of you will say that took way too long, but I took my time and I don’t climb in and out from under the truck as quickly and agile as I once could.
A few things pertaining to the install. First I would strongly suggest that you pay the little extra and get the front struts pre-assembled. This makes the install much easier and safer. I would also suggest you spend some time and give the underside of your truck a good power wash removing as much mud and grime as possible before the install. Nothing is worse than dirt and grime falling into your eyes while working on the truck. Even with a truck that is only 3 years old, several of the bolts were difficult to break loose and a pre-treatment of PB Blaster will greatly help in removing the hardware.
The Parts
My research suggested I install the 886 coil springs in the front of the Tacoma, but at the advise of the tech at Wheeler’s off Road, we went with the 887s with a 1/4″ spacer. He stated that even with the added weight of the ARB front bumper and Warn winch on the front that several times customers have complained about a harsh rough ride with the 886 springs. The 1/4″ spacer was used to keep the truck level matching the height of the rear of the truck. In the rear we went with the Dakar heavy pack because of the weight of the Leer cap on the truck and the amount of gear I typically carry in the truck. I went with the Nitrocharger Sport 4×4 shock absorbers because of their proven durability in the Australia outback. The suspension upgrade included a 3 degree shim for the rear springs and a spacer for the driveshaft carrier bearing to keep the driveshaft alignment in check and eliminate any possible driveline vibration. At the suggestion of a friend who had also installed an Old Man Emu suspension on his Tacoma, I installed WHEELER’S SUPERBUMP BUMPSTOP KIT on both the front and rear of the truck.
The Original front bump stop compared to the Wheeler’s Off Road Super Bump Stop
The rear leaf springs are marked be sure to install them on the correct side
The Cost
The final cost of the suspension including shipping was $1,807.30. There are lift kits on the market that cost less. There are suspension upgrades that cost a whole lot more. But when I compared my needs to what is out there on the market I found that the Old Man Emu Suspension best fit my needs. While it may be cool to have a more expensive suspension with big shinny reservoirs with cute steel braided lines leading to my shocks, and huge travel control arms, I saw it as money not wisely spent. On the other side, a simple lift kit with nothing more than spacers and blocks added to the springs of the truck, while it may have allowed me to add larger tires, would not have improved the ride or capability of the truck.
Final Thoughts
On the first few miles of driving the truck, the suspension felt firmer but not harsh. The Tacoma originally had the sport package from Toyota and I have noticed much less body roll in the turns with the new Old Man Emu suspension. The real test will come in a few weeks once the new tires and rock sliders are delivered and installed and I’m able to take the Tacoma out for its’ first real test on the trails.
