Diff between OME and Dakkar springs? (1 Viewer)

[Roberto]

I am getting ready to purchase the deluxe Heavy 40 series kit and trying to figure out the diff between getting the OME(made in AUS) and Dakkar(made in Malasia)? besides price is their any diff that anyone knows of? I am awaiting a quote from Man A Free if they subtract the price of Dakkar springs and add the price of OME. Also, does a shackle reversal help ride quality? I am only wanting to go 2-2.5" in lift which is what this kit does and was wondering if the shackle reversal adds even more lift in which I dont want?

thanks
Rob

 

[Downey]

I can't answer about the OME or other springs because we only sell Downeys, but I do have an opinion on the shackle reversal kits. They do get credit for solving a small problem that they actually have very little to do with, BUT they do cause two bigger problems:
(a) they are a rigid immovable object hanging down 1.5" lower than your stock front spring shackles, lots of fun in off road terrain.
(b) they cause front drive shaft slip yoke to "close" during suspension bottoming. This could ( and has ) resulted in cracked transfer-cases.

 

[cruiseronly.com]

springs

i have used both on many projects. they both are great, i like the new dekar and the price difference. i would not do the shackle rev. if you have tight steering with new spring bushings you will get a great ride. if you do the rev you will need to run extended shackles in the rear and will get abought 4" of lift total. good luck

 

[lostmarbles]

Hi Rob

I understand both are marketed by the same Australian-based company and that "Old Man Emu" is their "heavy duty" brand while "Dakkar" is their "light/ordinary duty" brand. (But I could be wrong about the same company being behind both.)

So if you have a winch, roof rack, thick/heavy aftermarket bumper etc (lots of weight increase over standard) and/or treat your vehicle rough - I'd go the OME way. Otherwise I think you're better off with Dakkar.

I have a set of new OME springs and antireversal shackles etc that I've decided not to fit at all because I reckon they're over-engineered for me. I'm sticking with my original springs now (that I'm basically just cleaning up, painting, and rebushing.)



Just re-read your post and I see that you're going for a lift. That directs you more towards the OME springs I reckon. (Because the dakkar are more suited to people with "restoring tendencies".)

 

[Roberto]

Thank you fellas, I will probably go with the OME without going with shackle reversal, I am only wanting to go with 2-2.5" lift which is what these springs will give me and only going with 33x9.5x16 tires. I Have the HFS frt bumper and plan on getting a winch and roof rack with RTT so Heavy will be good for me. Plan on doing alot of light expedition camping stuff and pulling my CDN M101 trailer with load as well.

Rob

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

My understanding is that *all* the OME leaf springs sold in the North America now are their "Dakar" line, which are made in Malaysia. I don't think OME makes any leaf springs in Australia any longer.

The "Dakar" line is suppose to be made to the same specifications as the prior production OME springs manufactured in Oz.

Having run both late 1990s era Aussie-made OME leaf springs, and more recently some of the new Malay-made Dakar springs I would have to say they are basically equivalent.

Regards,

Alan

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I am getting ready to purchase the deluxe Heavy 40 series kit and trying to figure out the diff between getting the OME(made in AUS) and Dakkar(made in Malasia)? besides price is their any diff that anyone knows of? I am awaiting a quote from Man A Free if they subtract the price of Dakkar springs and add the price of OME. Also, does a shackle reversal help ride quality? I am only wanting to go 2-2.5" in lift which is what this kit does and was wondering if the shackle reversal adds even more lift in which I dont want?

thanks
Rob

 

[RockDoc]

Here's a thread from the 60s section you'll want to read. Kurt's post (#42) will be informative.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/201928-arb-dakar-spring-problems.html

I have Dakar's on my 62 and love them, but I am going to be switching out my bushings (MAF to OME) and doing something to fix the sleeve inserts in place, as I have a good case of sleeve-sliding, and "popping" going a year into having them. If you go the Dakar route, I would make sure these 2 factors (bushings and "fixed" inserts) are correct at install.

 

[FJ40 MNTCRZR]

I put the dakars on my 40, they do come in the heavy version, i have alot of weight in the rear and a winch up front, no sag or anything, the ride is excellent. just make sure you do the complete kit, new bushings, shackles and greasable pins. it gave me about 3-1/2 in the back before they settled, now right at almost 3''. i have 33x12.5 15's all around and no rubbing issues either..

Good Luck ...

 

[lostmarbles]

Hi All:..My understanding is that *all* the OME leaf springs sold in the North America now are their "Dakar" line, which are made in Malaysia. I don't think OME makes any leaf springs in Australia any longer....The "Dakar" line is suppose to be made to the same specifications as the prior production OME springs manufactured in Oz....Having run both late 1990s era Aussie-made OME leaf springs, and more recently some of the new Malay-made Dakar springs I would have to say they are basically equivalent. ...Regards,..Alan..---

That explains a lot for me.

I based what I said on an advert I saw a few years ago (not sure exactly how many years) in an Australian magazine. Then, I suspect they were marketing only the "lighter" version with the "dakar" branding.

The "old man emu" springs I was referring to have yellow plastic "slip inserts" (can't remember what they call them) between the spring leaves whereas the 'dakkar" ones did not.

Then the "dakar" springs were marketed as a "budget alternative".

So perhaps my advice is "dated"

 

[brooklyn]

shackle reversal

Wow, for years I have only read about sprung over with shackle reversal being the ultimate modifications. Is the shackle reversal falling out of favor!

I am presently doing a OME/sprung under/reverse shackle as I want only about 2.5" of lift. I was sprung over, but was too high for my tastes.

 

[Roberto]

Thank you fellas, the info on the bushings was great. My delimma now is that there is no problem switching all the components to OME from Man-A-Fre. Their OME deluxe kit comes with all Man-A-Fre spring bushings, greasable shackles, and greasable pins, they told me it would be approx $100 more to subtract the man-a-free bushings, pins, and shackles with the OME if I wanted? that would put the total deluxe kit @ $1265 and then shipping, I have shopped around and have found this to be the cheapest. One thing Man-A-Free told me was that their Shackles are much thicker than the OME, can anyone confirm this and give me advise on whether or not I should just go with their shackles or keep the OME? I am thinking OME has held up to alot of test so thicker might not be needed? Man-A-Fre also told me that OME springs are no longer made that they all are Dakkar?

Thanks
Rob

 

[bsevans]

I run the OME heavy with the Heavy shocks. I have the greasable 4 Plus shackles and pins. The 4 Plus hardware is stronger than the OME. I run a winch and HD bumper in the front that weigh a total of 145 lbs. I have a 22 gallon aux tank (6 lbs per gallon plus 30 lbs for the tank and skid plate ~160 lbs) in the rear and a Stout Engineering rear bumper that weighs 135 lbs. I also have a roof rack (maybe 45 lbs) and a custom made skid plate fabricated from 3/8" steel plate that weighs 85 lbs. The OME heavy springs have an additional leaf in each pack. I'm very happy with the setup and ride.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

"Lost," I don't know anything about the history of the "Dakar" line of OME springs sold elsewhere in the world, just the ones being currently sold in North America.

I've run a set of the original Aussie-made OME springs for more then ten years now with excellent results. Went to purchase a pair of 60 Series rear springs to swap for the 40 Series (for a longer wheelbase and more wheel travel) and discovered that all the OME leaf spring part numbers had changed!

Regards,

Alan

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That explains a lot for me.

I based what I said on an advert I saw a few years ago (not sure exactly how many years) in an Australian magazine. Then, I suspect they were marketing only the "lighter" version with the "dakar" branding.

The "old man emu" springs I was referring to have yellow plastic "slip inserts" (can't remember what they call them) between the spring leaves whereas the 'dakkar" ones did not.

Then the "dakar" springs were marketed as a "budget alternative".

So perhaps my advice is "dated"

 

[lostmarbles]

Hi All:....."Lost," I don't know anything about the history of the "Dakar" line of OME springs sold elsewhere in the world, just the ones being currently sold in North America. ..I've run a set of the original Aussie-made OME springs for more then ten years now with excellent results. Went to purchase a pair of 60 Series rear springs to swap for the 40 Series (for a longer wheelbase and more wheel travel) and discovered that all the OME leaf spring part numbers had changed! Regards,Alan-------

Thanks Alan.

Manufacturing has been really hit hard in this part of the world because we obviously can't compete in that area with "Asia".

NZ has just now signed a free-trade agreement with China too so that should kill off any last remnants of "kiwi manufacturing" (except perhaps those enterprises that have found "niche markets" for specialist "intelligent products").

And Australia and NZ are never too far apart in their policies.

At least no-one can compete with NZ agriculture because it is the climate here (grass generally grows here ALL year round) that gives us an advantage that cheaper labour costs can't overcome!

And Australia has its massive mining wealth that carries it through hard times!

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

My understanding is that it is not just the cost of labor involved; in the case of Australia the high wages in the mining industry means a lack of skilled labor for manufacturing items like bull bars, and so on.

Regards,

Alan

 

[KY Longhunter]

Have you checked TPI4x4

Roberto,

Check out TPI4x4. You might save a little on shipping (TN).

TPI4x4

that is where I got my Dakar Springs, OME bushings & Greasable Pins and anti-reverse shackles.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I'm pretty sure they discontinued the Aussie OME and switched to the Dakars only, period. The Dakars are still very good though in my opinion. Cheaper and no real noticeable loss of quality as far as I can tell.

 

[Pete]

Roberto,

Check out TPI4x4. You might save a little on shipping (TN).

TPI4x4

that is where I got my Dakar Springs, OME bushings & Greasable Pins and anti-reverse shackles.

Roberto,

I'll echo what the others have said about the Dakars having replaced the OMEs in the USA as I was told a couple of years ago and read someplace that I don't remember.

I also got my Dakar springs with Black Diamond shocks, poly bushings, greasable anti-inverse shackles, greasable frame pins, and new U-bolts from TPI 4x4 for less than a $1000 delivered, about 2 years ago. Granted, it was during their holiday sale which is usually in December. I'll second KY's recommendation to try TPI: they know their business, will not rip you off, and best of all they're not in Kalifornia! And by the way, my Dakar springs had the yellow interleaf pads that you mentioned came on the OMEs.

No affiliation with TPI except being a satisfied customer....

Pete in Illinois

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I recommend the complete Old Man Emy setup, the Old Man Emu shocks compliment and are designed for these springs. There is nothing like and Old Man Emu setup. My personal recommendation is Cruiser Outfitters in Utah for a source.