Old Man Emu Leaf Springs Sagging...

I'm reaching out for help because I've been quite frustrated with the quality and durability of the Old Man Emu Dakar Leaf Springs. I decided to purchase the Dakar springs because they are known as the best for my application (Overlanding), although was very disappointed in the product when I got INSTANT sag and inverting of the springs right after installation. I have a rooftop tent and after-market bumper and was certain the Dakars were more than sufficient, but my stock springs (20 years old) performed much better than the brand-new Dakars.

I obviously spent a considerably higher price for a "premium" product. I would like some other people's opinions on the Dakar springs. If you aren't using Dakars, what are you using? I have a lot of weight in the back and not much clearance and I can feel it on and off-road. Let's hear what you guys got!

 

Man I’m guess that makes my decision on not going with them. I’ve had a couple of guys recommend General Spring in Kansas. They say the ride better than stock and the heavy duty gives about 1.5-1.75 inches in lift. With the added weight of a tool box and camper. And I have both. And plan to add a few more accessories. Plus I haul a lot of stuff in my trailer. They are 179.00 per side.

 

You have to add their extra leaf to the Dakars to get better load carrying performance from the Dakars. Mine were installed over 15 years ago and right away experienced pretty much the same as you. So this doesn't sound like anything new to me.

The Dakars are a pretty flat leaf pack, not as bad as the factory leaf pack, but similar in that way. I originally ran stock leafs with an Alcan aal. When I switched to the Dakars, just my camper shell and a few tools dropped the rear more than it did with the stock/aal combo. So I added the OME extra leaf. That was sufficient for my load(s).

I do think the Dakar leaf packs are good quality, and a huge improvement in suspension travel over stock. Mine have held up well. I no longer have a shell and usually no load, so have considered removing the extra leaf to reduce the stink bug stance just a little.

 

How much weight are you running, @hershel? A lot more than your canopy, RTT, and bumper?

I have ARB springs on front and rear of the Gen 1 DC I have now, modestly loaded with a canopy only most of the time. I’ve had it filled with moderately heavy loads and while the springs were slightly deflected they weren’t bowed like yours.

On my first Gen 1 DC I had ARB front and custom-made Alcan rear springs from Grand Junction CO. I was perfectly happy with ride and load carrying for about ten years, but they weren't a lot different from my ARBs in my use case.

I’m sure Alcan could put together any leaf pack you needed.

 

ARB recommends their AAL for vehicles carrying an extra 220lbs+ as a constant load.

You need the AAL.

 

Thanks for the insight! I'm glad to hear you had a pretty similar situation and just adding a leaf solved the problem.

 

My tent is around 200 lbs and the shell is another 150 lbs, I think the bulk of the weight comes from my bumper and spare tire which I'm guessing is around 500 lbs total.

 

I'll check it out! Is there a specific model number or are the AALs universal?

 

You might need to frankenpack it with x2 AALs lol. I would just call ARB Support and see what they recommend.

 

Someone with more experience can chime in here, but my understanding of General Spring is that they’re a quality “discount” brand. Not premium. OME are premium. OEM are premium. OEM sag because these trucks were built for play more than work. The springs weren’t designed to carry heavy weight, so they sag easy. They were meant for off-road play.

General Spring aren’t as good quality as OEM or OME, but are an affordable, ‘decent enough’ replacement. I have the HD General Spring leafs, so I’m not knocking them. I’ve been happy with them. But I see them as decent, lower-quality springs for those of us on a tighter budget.

 

A little pricey, but a sure fire solution is to give Deaver a call and have them make up a custom leaf pack for your truck. On the 2nd/3rd gen the U402 Stage1/2/3 are perfect for heavy loads and maintaining some spring arch, but for a 1st gen you're gonna need something custom I think since the J59 pack isn't designed for handling extra weight. I've got the same amount of weight as you and my U402 Stage II haven't changed or sagged a bit over the last 3 years.

 

Am I missing something? Didn’t see any bump stops. With no bump stops the springs will be over flexed

 

These threads on dakars are a dime a dozen. I guess they used to make good springs 15 or 20 years ago and are still riding high on a reputation from days of old, but they are unfortunately not up to the same quality. OME fanboys are gonna hate, but Dakars are absolute garbage these days.

Alcan and Deaver would be my top recommendation. Or archive springs.

 

@Tacoma SS



I know you already sent it on the deavers but in case you had any doubt about your decison, this is just one of many of these threads on dakars

 

Agreeing with above, I recommend that you look into Deavers.
They will be more expensive but have been well worth it for me
And you can specify for any lift height and load.
I can load 500lbs in the rear and the deflection is from 1-2 inches.
I had them add a leaf to the driver's side because I have the stock fuel tank on that side.
I understand that they mostly design for racing vehicles.

 

In addition to the MIA bump stops observation, aren't bilsteins supposed to be installed with the lettering/text in the upright position and not upside down?

 

I bought OME when I built my truck out thinking that they were the best. Mine sagged right away, I added the AAL and they still sagged and the ride was awful.

spent the money on a custom set from Alcan and never looked back. They ride like a dream and are custom made for the weight I carry. Turnaround time was a few weeks and they are made in the USA.

 

you are WAY overweight without the AAL. My 1st gen DCSB with a 300lb camper and full size spare in stock position was ok without the AAL, so I held off on installing it. 6 months later things had settled and was lower than I wanted so I installed them and it was good with additional fridge, tools, etc gear in the bed. I didn’t have a heavy bumper or anything though.

good eye, I glanced past that, but yes this is super important.

yep, the correct orientation as you state also keeps the seal lubricated from what I’ve heard.

 

Definitely not a 'premium' product my dude; they're the cheapest aftermarket set you can buy.

You're also not using any bumpstops (terrible idea). I don't see the AAL either; the pack you're running is meant for stock weight as they offer an AAL to support more payload.

With that much weight I would've gone custom Alcan or Deaver as they'll flex much better, feel a lot more comfortable, and handle the weight you need.

 

Might also want to extend that BPV with a bracket, take some of the work off the front brakes.