INSTALLING NEW LEAF SPRINGS - Dakars on my Toyota Tacoma

The leaf springs on my 1996 Toyota Tacoma(Bessie) were awful. Changed them out with some OME Dakar Leafs.
Don't have time to do things? Why not work in the middle of the night? I know the answer to that question.
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[@edwinoliveras8221]

Thanks for the video my friend. When you mentioned you started this proyect at 10:00 pm, I realized I have a ' night owl' brother out thee in the world, since I start most of my proyects late at night also. Trust me, you are not wasting your time , since a video like this is a big help for the rest of us. Thanks !! Your friend from Puerto Rico ...Edwin

[@commex_1575]

does leaf spring requires Shock absorber also? wierd question bt confused

[@ADVENTURE_HP]

Hey i have a 97 tacoma and i want to lift it a little like 1.5 to 2 inches in the rear would these springs do that or is it more. Thanks

[@alexvasquez8884]

Where did you got the new ones that you installed ?

[@trevg476]

Did the new leaf packs ride better than the factory ones?

[@SafetyDang]

Great video. Make more!

[@ngkm2]

Thanks for taking your time to make this video. I'm about to do my front suspension soon. May I ask what video editing software you are using? Also is it for beginners or advance and of course is it free or costly? Thanks

[@SeanHodgins]

I use Premiere Pro. I have the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, and being a student makes it $30 a month.

[@rubenr.8974]

What are the torque specs ... doing this today

[@lifeisgood070]

How does it handle weight with the darkars? How long until it settled? Looks beastly. Got an 03 I've been wanting to do so bad for so long. Never quite sure of which parts front / rear and if I'll get stuck solo. Been looking to help someone else do an install on tacoma world so I know what i'm getting into xD.

[@SeanHodgins]

They haven't really settled at all, but it rides great. As for weight, I'm not sure, but when my bed is loaded more than I would like(like a full truck full of wood), the leafs handle amazingly. Helping someone first is definitely a great idea!

[@mr.nobody8815]

How has those springs held up for ya, since then?

[@GenericUsaCitizen]

im going to be putting the same leaf springs on my truck. can you link me to the other parts you used (shackles, ubolts, bushing ect.) please

[@SeanHodgins]

I won't give you the exact parts because the leafs actually changed from 96-97 to 98 and beyond, and I don't know what truck you have. However I got them from wheelers off-road, and they will help you get everything you need.

[@jimdiane100]

My 1992 toy needs new leaf springs, mind letting me know what it cost in parts? and where did you get them from? I'm also in ontario thanx jim

[@SeanHodgins]

I got them from Wheelers Off Road in the states. It was about 700US including shipping for the leafs, then I bought some shocks in Canada for about $150.

[@jimdiane100]

thanx

[@rclayton80]

Dam, those old springs looked far better then what my 2nd gen 2013 had stock, the 2nd gen springs are a joke.

[@isaaclashbrook1787]

famous last words “should be easy”

[@SeanHodgins]

😂

[@6e5a4d3g2b1e]

what kind of rims and tire size? Thanks

[@SeanHodgins]

BFG T/A KOs at 285/75/16 - the rims are Pro Comp 7069s

[@MT_hikerTom]

you said you torqued everything down... What torque(s) did you set your wrench to for the different bolts?

[@SeanHodgins]

I can't remember.. The new leafs(or the ubolts) came with some install instructions. I think it was 80ft/lb - then retorque after 500 miles for the u-bolts. For the hangers, I'm not sure.

[@MT_hikerTom]

cool; thanks.

[@newellbutch]

Could you give a little more specific information on the springs. They look very heavy duty.

[@azorianification]

Those are the Old Man Emu DAKARs.

[@deepocean3603]

Great video! Thanks!

[@SeanHodgins]

Thank you!

[@austinphillips9496]

Hi Sean. I know this is an old video but im going to ask this question since its really hard to find people with this exact leaf pack. Im assuming you have a 3 inch lift in the front to fit those 285 tires. Is the truck level with this leaf pack or close to level at least? Ive heard some people get an excess of 6 inches of lift with these old man emu cs019r leaf spring packs. which leave most people wanting to remove a leaf. Any insight would be much appreciated as i have the same leaf packs waiting to be installed because of my fear of excessive lift in the rear.

[@SeanHodgins]

Hey! I no longer have the truck, so I can't do any measurements. However, here are some pictures before and after the leafs. imgur.com/a/6NmbwuK you're right, believe the truck already had a full 2-3" lift with the old leafs and upper ball joints, and it definitely went up another 2-3" with the Dakars in the rear. I didn't mind the rake because hauling heavy stuff felt really good. I also didn't drive it enough to let them settle at all, but I don't imagine there would be much settling. I had to get the extended shocks as well (which I didn't show in the video). - Jump on the discord if you have more questions. discord.gg/nhB42bFh

[@austinphillips9496]

@@SeanHodgins Thank you for your speedy reply! The after photo definitely doesnt look too raked out. youre the man!

[@r6erik]

Hey good video budday!

[@jackproznick2652]

Great video. Did you have any issue lining up the pin on the new leaf with the hole in the axle plate?

[@SeanHodgins]

Thanks! I don't remember exactly I was pretty tired by that point, haha, but I think they weren't too difficult to get in place.

[@Xs395]

Good production quality.

[@SeanHodgins]

Thanks!

[@bobbakian7369]

Nice editing dude.

[@SeanHodgins]

Thanks Bob!

[@gnarlybrodude]

Did all that hardware @5:09 come with the leafs? If it was purchased separately, hook it up with a link!

[@katietichi2914]

I was hoping for the same thing I am installing these on saturday and afraid I am making a huge mistake not just ordering all the hardware

[@alexvasquez8884]

Bro where did you get those parts from ?

[@SeanHodgins]

I really can't remember now, but it might have been wheelers off road.

[@codywomack1710]

hey man. i think you are not supposed to fully torque the end bolts without the full weight on the truck. awesome production value as well.

[@SeanHodgins]

Shackle side? Or the front? Thanks, I'll loosen and retorque them. Need to retorque the ubolts soon too.

[@codywomack1710]

+SeanHodgins the back side with the shackle for sure, since it moves

[@wiskeymagic]

Badass

[@bslturtle]

DUDE, SAFETY GLASSES!

[@SeanHodgins]

You're not wrong.. I get caught up in the moment sometimes. I wear them almost all the time now.

[@chuckstanley4744]

I have a 1993 toyota 4x4 pickup extra cab and need to put leaf springs on. Thank you the shop wanted to charge me 1500 dollars and I said ill just take it home.

[@dangerousfandango5943]

The omu Dakar for our year truck is cheaper. I bought them for my 86 4x4. You have to buy their yellow bushing kit.. the OEM or red energy suspensions ones wont work.. trust me I have the ES just sitting after thought itll work.

[@experiencedwitness2575]

Lighting, but and bolt sizes etc.

[@SeanHodgins]

Who loves rust?

[@jakedoesvids]

SeanHodgins weight reduction

[@SeanHodgins]

I should have.. But the truck rides so much better now, and even better with some weight. No noise, and much more stable hitting bumps on the highway. The truck would shimmy when going over crazy bumps before but that is gone now. I think it was from axle twist which I was hoping these leafs would remove, and they did!

[@nokithecat]

Need to spray some wax oil anti rust spray under there. (O.o)

[@bryansnell]

First off, great vid!!! My leaf spring hanger bolts (front and rear) are frozen like yours were. I know I can get new shackles for the rear and they come with new bolts, but what did you use for the front hanger bolts (frame mount side)? I have done a bunch of searches and can't locate replacements or even what size they are so I can get from a hardware store.

[@SeanHodgins]

Hey thanks!,I got new "Main Eye Bolts" from Wheelers Offroad(where I got my springs) because I knew I was going to have to cut mine out. These are them wheelersoffroad.com/product/toyota/tacoma/1995-5-2004-tacoma-4x4-and-prerunner/suspension-steering-and-chassis/miscellaneous-suspension-parts/toyota-spring-main-eye-bolt-kit/

[@scottshowen]

Overall how long did it take you to do the job?

[@SeanHodgins]

Hmm, maybe 4 hours all in? I can't remember exactly, but I wasn't rushing. Fighting with the rust took most of the time, that and trying not to drop heavy stuff on me. Might be a 2-3 hour job if you don't have rust. Its essentially, remove the wheels, remove 6 nuts/bolts, reinstall. You also need to factor a installing an extended brake line, bleed brakes and install longer shocks if you don't already have those on.

[@scottshowen]

I was just thinking about OEM replacement. Mine isn't lifted at all. I just put new rear shocks on and noticed how bad the springs were.

[@Leo363615]

car videos=nice

[@SeanHodgins]

Thanks!

[@abdullllh]

🖒🖒🖒🖒

[@ramboollie8115]

Air tools are great

[@SeanHodgins]

They are, but I was working in my friends shop with no air...

[@damkayaker]

Those Dakar springs look like top quality stuff. They don't make springs for Chevy though?

[@SeanHodgins]

They are pretty great. Honestly I don't know if they make them for Chevy or not.

[@yodiig9504]

Bro where do you live? Your truck is so rusted underneath

[@SeanHodgins]

Southern Ontario Canada. We litter the streets with salt in the winter.

[@yodiig9504]

@@SeanHodgins ah ok understandable, I’m here in Texas that’s why I was so shocked abt the rust haha. Clean truck tho👍

[@SOLDADITO76]

The old overload spring was installed the wrong way, there supposed to arch upwards. Could be the reason why your leaf spring was broke.

[@Dikismally]

Did I see some pro comp 69's? I run those. So sexy

[@thetigergod]

wtf u should to get a new one

[@catlady8324]

That rust bucket needs a junkyard!

[@David_a_journeyman_curmudgeon]

You watch your mouth! first gen Tacos are the best trucks ever produced.