OME 883 on a Taco DC?

I'm getting the rear leaf packs on my 09 Tacoma DC replaced courtesy of the TSB. :wings: The stock 3 leaf packs were just too soft for my needs.

Herein lies the challenge. I was perfectly happy with the stock stance; it's my understanding that the TSB springs settle out to about .75" higher than the standard springs. I'm interested in gaining .75-1" in the front to balance things out as well as stiffening up the ride on that end, but I feel a set of coilovers aren't necessary for my application. I don't plan to add a bullbar or winch in the near future. If I do, I'll upgrade the front suspension accordingly then.

After exchanging emails with ARB tech support, I called Slee Off Road about possibly picking up a set of 884 springs and N140S shocks. While ARB felt this would provide about 1" of lift for me, Slee felt otherwise. They get 3" of lift on a Double Cab with the 885, and the 884 is the same rate and only 10mm shorter. If this is the case, the 883 also maintains the same rate of the 885, but is 10mm shorter than the 884 (or 20mm shorter than the 885.) I've also noticed that OME recommends the N139S shock instead of the N140S for the 883.

Is anyone on here (or does anyone know of anyone) running the 883/139S on a Tacoma AC or DC? What variables go into the amount of lift/load handling capabilities of a coil other than the spring rate and length of a coil? The diameter of the spring steel the coil is wound from is also the same amongst the three coils. Would the number of coils (and coincidentally the "tightness" of the wind) affect the capacity, all other parameters being equal? I plan on stopping by Slee next week when I get a chance to pick their brains about this as well.

Sorry for the long post, but thanks in advance for the insight!

Keep in mind the 10mm is at the coil, which is inboard of the wheel by roughly 1/2. So 10mm at the coil will equate to rougly 20mm or say 7/8" at the wheel.

I've set up Tacomas and FJC's with the 883's, 1.5" is more in line with what you'll get.

The 883/884/885 as you note share the same identical coil properties, so spring rate, ride and load capacity don't change proportional to the given height your looking for. I would do the 883 with a spacer personally.

Thanks for the response Kurt. If there's any reason not to buy locally, you're the guy I'll ring!

What's the difference in the N139S and the N140S shocks? Is the N139 just shorter to deal with the shorter spring, or is there a valving difference?

deadbeat son said:

Thanks for the response Kurt. If there's any reason not to buy locally, you're the guy I'll ring!

What's the difference in the N139S and the N140S shocks? Is the N139 just shorter to deal with the shorter spring, or is there a valving difference?

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Good question, I have not done much with the N139S. Lemme look into it and let you know.

deadbeat son said:

What's the difference in the N139S and the N140S shocks? Is the N139 just shorter to deal with the shorter spring, or is there a valving difference?

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Off the top of my head both shocks were designed for the Prado platform, IIRC, and the 139S is for the lighter loads and the 140S is for the heavier loads on the Prado, so I would say with would have to do with the valving more then the length. So with that said, use the 140S if your running a winch bumper, and if your stock up front use the 139S.

Honestly, if you plan on adding some larger tires, why not just go with the tried and true 885/N140S combo up front and get a .5" to 1" lift block for the rear, this would adjust your axle centering point to keep the larger tires centered in your rear wheel well; or a rear aal.

Thanks for the info Will. As for the weight, I'm not running a bumper or winch; I'll just have a set of Slee sliders. OME still shows the 883/139 combo as a light duty application for USDM 4Runners. Since the spring rate is the same between the 885 and the 883, I thought maybe valving would be the same.

I clear the tires I intend to stick with at stock height. Even while working hard offroad, I have no rubbing issues (see photo below.) I'd prefer to maintain as much of the stock geometry as possible and don't want to be bothered by the driveline issues 7/10 lifted Tacomas seem to have to deal with.

Consulted the tech. N139S/N140S share the same collapsed open dimensions (405mm/543mm), so it is purely a valving change wih the N140S being firmer. There really is no need for length change, the IFS front suspension doesn't collapse all the way before hitting the bumpstop with either coil configuration and unless you've added components to get more downtravel, your not going to see any gains their either.

Back to your setup. Your a border case. I think a 883 with a 5mil spacer wold do the trick, then again the 884 sans spacer would likely give you a no rake look with your new rear springs. I looked back through my experieces I've only sold one pair of 883's and one pair of N139S's in the years since those came out... I'm trying to remember what the case was we used those but its far from common. Then again your situation is a bit uncommon too, most are looking to acheive 2+" of lift so there isn't much tech on my end with just trying to level it to match a beefier rear spring. The 883 is spec'd by all reference I glanced at for the Prado (with N140S) and the Hilux with a totally different strut setup. I didn't find any reference to it as a recommended fitting for the gen 2 Tacoma, thats not to say it isn't listed somewhere or won't work. All my Cruisers use OME parts in places they are not supposed too

On thought that comes to mind is the Bilstein 5150 shocks. They have an adjustable lower coil seat, I can't rembmer the increments (I can walk out and look if you like), so you could run it with your stock coils yet get ~1" of lift per say.

The question you need to ask yourself, do you want an increased spring rate yielding a more positive feel and ride up front? If your 100% content with your current ride and handeling, look towards the Bilstein or even a simple strut spacer that leaves your stock coilover 100% as is. If your wanting to change your ride and firm things up, the Old Man Emu coils make absolute sense and you should proceed that direction.

I think this is the Bilstein Kurt mentioned. 5100 Bilstein adjustable, http://www.bilstein.com/offroad.php#5100pre
It has 4 settings:
sotck.
0.75" lift
1.5" lift
~2.2" lift.

slooowr6 said:

I think this is the Bilstein Kurt mentioned. 5100 Bilstein adjustable, http://www.bilstein.com/offroad.php#5100pre
It has 4 settings:
sotck.
0.75" lift
1.5" lift
~2.2" lift.

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You nailed it. I couldn't remember if they had 1/2" increments but it looks like they have 3/4" increments (which is more like 1/4" or 3/8" at the shock). I just installed a set of those on a gen 1 Taco and 4Runner recently and was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. One is using OME coils the other using stock Tundra coils (on a 4Runner)

I can chime in on the 5100's. I have an 08 Access Cab with the TSB rear springs and 5100's all around. My front is set to 1.75" lift. I am very pleased with this setup. It sits level and I don't have any driveline/vibe issues. :sombrero:

I have a build thread on TN if you'd like to see some pics.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249294

Thanks for the information guys. My original plan for the front end was to go with a set of Bilstein 5100s set to 0" with a pair of Eibach springs. Bilstein Tech Support felt the 620lb/in Eibachs would be too stiff for the 5100 and recommended against it. I'm not interested in simply adding additional preload to the stock TRD springs on the truck now.

cruiseroutfit said:

Consulted the tech...If your wanting to change your ride and firm things up, the Old Man Emu coils make absolute sense and you should proceed that direction.

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That is EXACTLY what I'm looking to do; I just hoped I wasn't forging a new path forward and that someone had direct experience with a similar setup. Now I just need to get around to buying the parts and making it happen. Thanks again for the help from Cruiser Outfitters!