New Dakar Lift from OME being installed 10/22 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter DJSH
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I had no clue what you were talking about so I found the press release on the the ARB website. 
Sounds like a cheapier alternative to OME springs.
The followling was copyed from ARB website:
September 2004
Emu Dakar Leaf Springs
Seattle, WA - ARB is introducing a new range of leaf springs called Emu Dakar. An addition to the Old Man Emu range, Emu Dakar springs deliver the performance expected from Old Man Emu, at a fraction of the cost. Upgrading vehicle suspension will dramatically improve a vehicle’s ride and handling regardless of the road surface it’s traveling on. With this in mind, Old Man Emu engineers design fully integrated 4WD suspension systems, each one offering various degrees of comfort, load carrying capabilities and control characteristics, to tailor to individual purposes. As with all products, however, ARB is constantly looking at ways to improve, including value for money. With the introduction of the Emu Dakar range, this issue has been addressed, with more people now able to enjoy the benefits of an upgraded suspension system. Fitting Emu Dakar springs to a vehicle will provide a more comfortable ride, improved handling and load carrying ability as well as extra ride height. The difference will be noticeable whether you’re cruising the highway or heading off road. Currently Emu Dakar is available for a number of vehicles including Toyota LandCruiser (40, 60, 75, 78 & 79 Series). Emu Dakar springs work best when they’re part of a totally integrated system. The complete Old Man Emu range includes coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, bushes, Nitrocharger & LTR shocks, steering stabilizers, greasable shackles and suspension hardware.
The entire Old Man Emu range, including Emu Dakar springs, is available from ARB distributors around the country, along with a selection of other 4WD accessories including bull bars, protection equipment and many other general accessories. For more information, or to obtain high resolution production quality images, please contact: Lisa Wood, ARB USA, Marketing Assistant, lwood@arbusa.com, 206-264-1669 Ext. 1263.
Sounds like a cheapier alternative to OME springs.
The followling was copyed from ARB website:
September 2004
Emu Dakar Leaf Springs
Seattle, WA - ARB is introducing a new range of leaf springs called Emu Dakar. An addition to the Old Man Emu range, Emu Dakar springs deliver the performance expected from Old Man Emu, at a fraction of the cost. Upgrading vehicle suspension will dramatically improve a vehicle’s ride and handling regardless of the road surface it’s traveling on. With this in mind, Old Man Emu engineers design fully integrated 4WD suspension systems, each one offering various degrees of comfort, load carrying capabilities and control characteristics, to tailor to individual purposes. As with all products, however, ARB is constantly looking at ways to improve, including value for money. With the introduction of the Emu Dakar range, this issue has been addressed, with more people now able to enjoy the benefits of an upgraded suspension system. Fitting Emu Dakar springs to a vehicle will provide a more comfortable ride, improved handling and load carrying ability as well as extra ride height. The difference will be noticeable whether you’re cruising the highway or heading off road. Currently Emu Dakar is available for a number of vehicles including Toyota LandCruiser (40, 60, 75, 78 & 79 Series). Emu Dakar springs work best when they’re part of a totally integrated system. The complete Old Man Emu range includes coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, bushes, Nitrocharger & LTR shocks, steering stabilizers, greasable shackles and suspension hardware.
The entire Old Man Emu range, including Emu Dakar springs, is available from ARB distributors around the country, along with a selection of other 4WD accessories including bull bars, protection equipment and many other general accessories. For more information, or to obtain high resolution production quality images, please contact: Lisa Wood, ARB USA, Marketing Assistant, lwood@arbusa.com, 206-264-1669 Ext. 1263.
Last edited:
DJSH said:
How much did you pay for the setup?
they are made in Mayasia........for better or worse, they forgot that little tid bit on the press release 
But ARB doesn't sell crap so I am sure they will be good.
But ARB doesn't sell crap so I am sure they will be good.
I got the press release early. They seem like really nice springs for the money. I dont think the price wil stay low for very long. The idea is to have a 60 series kit OME go for $1700 or so and a Dakkar for around $1300. It is not the same as OME but is claimed to be "just as good" only time will tell. I have 3 sets on order.
dd113 said:
Hmm I can think of a MUCH better use for half the money one of those sets costs......
They are still expensive, but I would rather go with OME than some of the 'others'. I have never heard anything bad about an OME set-up, while there are many varying opinions about the 'other' lift set-ups. If your going to do it, do it right. If I didn't go OME I would prolly go BDS or SOA.
Can't wait to hear the updates on the intsalls.
David, are the three sets for customers, or are you going to install one on your truck?
Can't wait to hear the updates on the intsalls.
David, are the three sets for customers, or are you going to install one on your truck?
Response from ARB
Hello Brian,
Thank you for your inquiry!
It seems that my Australian counterpart has been more efficient than I anticipated, and has posted the release about a month early so, I apologize that I do not have any printed materials available on the new Emu Dakar line at present.
That said, the only differences between Dakar and standard OME is the manufacturing location, the color and the cost of labor. ARB went to great lengths to find an alternate manufacturer that could produce a leaf spring with the same physical features and performance characteristics as an OME spring, but at a reduced cost. ARB also required that the new manufacturer have current ISO certification and already be servicing OE contracts. This was all accomplished.
When you look at the Dakar spring you will see the famous (and normally expensive) OME flat seats, grease ports, draw-tapered / diamond-cut leaves, loose-lined leaf retainers... the works. And what you can't see in an OME spring is also there, like our special approach to shot-peening and our application-specific spring rates.
With respect to the prices of the original Old Man Emu line, the rates will NOT increase beyond any normal increase that reflects the steel market rise or the exchange rate.
The Emu Dakar leaf springs will be in stock and available in November 2004 and we currently accepting advance orders from ARB distributors that would like to ensure they have the springs available following the SEMA launch.
If you have any further questions, please contact me at your convenience.
Lisa M. Wood
Marketing Assistant
ARB USA: Air Locker, Inc.
20 South Spokane Street
Seattle, WA 98134
t: 206-264-1669 / f: 206-264-1670
lwood@arbusa.com
I talked to her on the phone too. Sounds like the only difference is cost outside of one little piece, and they're created with and preform to the same standards. Sign my ass up and put those Malaysians to work!
Now the question is, do you phase out the Austrailian production completely, or see if the market is willing to pay more for the exact same product out of Aussie land?
Hello Brian,
Thank you for your inquiry!
It seems that my Australian counterpart has been more efficient than I anticipated, and has posted the release about a month early so, I apologize that I do not have any printed materials available on the new Emu Dakar line at present.
That said, the only differences between Dakar and standard OME is the manufacturing location, the color and the cost of labor. ARB went to great lengths to find an alternate manufacturer that could produce a leaf spring with the same physical features and performance characteristics as an OME spring, but at a reduced cost. ARB also required that the new manufacturer have current ISO certification and already be servicing OE contracts. This was all accomplished.
When you look at the Dakar spring you will see the famous (and normally expensive) OME flat seats, grease ports, draw-tapered / diamond-cut leaves, loose-lined leaf retainers... the works. And what you can't see in an OME spring is also there, like our special approach to shot-peening and our application-specific spring rates.
With respect to the prices of the original Old Man Emu line, the rates will NOT increase beyond any normal increase that reflects the steel market rise or the exchange rate.
The Emu Dakar leaf springs will be in stock and available in November 2004 and we currently accepting advance orders from ARB distributors that would like to ensure they have the springs available following the SEMA launch.
If you have any further questions, please contact me at your convenience.
Lisa M. Wood
Marketing Assistant
ARB USA: Air Locker, Inc.
20 South Spokane Street
Seattle, WA 98134
t: 206-264-1669 / f: 206-264-1670
lwood@arbusa.com
I talked to her on the phone too. Sounds like the only difference is cost outside of one little piece, and they're created with and preform to the same standards. Sign my ass up and put those Malaysians to work!
Now the question is, do you phase out the Austrailian production completely, or see if the market is willing to pay more for the exact same product out of Aussie land?
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2003
- Threads
- 144
- Messages
- 2,024
- Location
- Columbia, MO
- Website
- www.tornadoalleycruisers.com
I've run BDS FJ60 springs, and they suck. I've run alcan made fj60 springs, and they kick ass. I know guys who have used ccot's HFS springs, and they work very well. I still see no reason for me to pay lots more for made in malasia ome springs. The $130-$160 per spring price I see posted at man-a-fre is certainly cheaper than the ~$250 (jeez!) a leaf price for made in australia ome stuff...
Chef,
You just haven't had the ownership experience of OME in a 60. I loved mine, but I also paid like $1436 for the setup vs. the more common 16-1800. If I were to build another 60, I would go Coils with a similar setup to an 80 series. The suspension rides so nice on the highway with coils and it flexes so much on the trail it is almost like cheating. For $700 you can buy the coils and shocks for an 80. The money you save can buy a lot of the steel to make your control arms etc....
You just haven't had the ownership experience of OME in a 60. I loved mine, but I also paid like $1436 for the setup vs. the more common 16-1800. If I were to build another 60, I would go Coils with a similar setup to an 80 series. The suspension rides so nice on the highway with coils and it flexes so much on the trail it is almost like cheating. For $700 you can buy the coils and shocks for an 80. The money you save can buy a lot of the steel to make your control arms etc....
thorvald
.......
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2002
- Threads
- 108
- Messages
- 1,569
- Location
- on the ice, wyoming
- Website
- www.pointyhatdesigns.com
gineric,
is there a good writeup somewhere on whats involved in changing a 60 to coil setup?
is there a good writeup somewhere on whats involved in changing a 60 to coil setup?
Chef said:
Alcan quoted me $200 per corner for standard springs for my 60. Soooo.. $800 without shackles, pins, shocks, sway bar extender, new U bolts, and steering damper. What would a kit like this come in at??? Less than $1500??
Mike S
- Thread starter
- #15
Dropped of the 60 this morning and saw the parts of the kit. The only other kit I have seen is the the BDS and this kit was much much nicer. There were more springs in the pack, the finishing was perfect, the grease fittings were there, shocks and bushings looked stout and yellow 
Anyway, I am excited to have it finished. My before and after shots will be a little weak, because I did not take a before picture this morning.
Stay tuned.
Anyway, I am excited to have it finished. My before and after shots will be a little weak, because I did not take a before picture this morning. Stay tuned.
Jumping in on this thread. As I am looking into a lift myself. So fart I have it narrowed down to SOA, OME, or Alcan. But havent completely ruled out the others. I talked to alcan yesterday and the quote for my FJ62 was not $200 per spring pack, so I am not sure who you talked to b/f.
Only ? I seem to have, with the alcan's you can get up to 6" of lift for the same price. I want to run 35's but where do I get the other accesories to run 5 or 5.5" lift springs?
Only ? I seem to have, with the alcan's you can get up to 6" of lift for the same price. I want to run 35's but where do I get the other accesories to run 5 or 5.5" lift springs?
Exiled
SILVER Star
I subscribe to "Australia 4x4 Monthly" and ARB has a big spread on the Dakar lift on it. My guess is that the rising price of steel and the rising cost of labor in Oz is pricing the current OME springs out of the market, so ARB is responding with a new entry. The Aussie ad does specify that they're made in Malaysia, I don't think this is a plot from ARB but rather a calculated business decision.
We'll see how they hold up. Judging from their past experience, I suspect they'll do just fine and will now give some of the cheaper, less-efficient kits a run for the money, which OME simply wasn't doing anymore.
We'll see how they hold up. Judging from their past experience, I suspect they'll do just fine and will now give some of the cheaper, less-efficient kits a run for the money, which OME simply wasn't doing anymore.
- Thread starter
- #18
New Lift Pics
I have only driven on pavement, but the ride is drastically improved and I can only described it as "spongy". It absorbs the ruts in the road well, but the new tires like to pull me all over. Anyway, the only comparison I have is to BDS. I had the BDS on for a bit, but eventually had it removed when they could not figure out why the driveshaft was moving forward. The test I did on both suspension was to jump on the back bumper to see how much movement there was, DAKAR is great, BDS would not move with 2 people jumping on the bumper. If you are in Portland and woudl like to see the lift firsthand just send me a PM.
I have only driven on pavement, but the ride is drastically improved and I can only described it as "spongy". It absorbs the ruts in the road well, but the new tires like to pull me all over. Anyway, the only comparison I have is to BDS. I had the BDS on for a bit, but eventually had it removed when they could not figure out why the driveshaft was moving forward. The test I did on both suspension was to jump on the back bumper to see how much movement there was, DAKAR is great, BDS would not move with 2 people jumping on the bumper. If you are in Portland and woudl like to see the lift firsthand just send me a PM.
DJSH said:
How much did you pay for the lift (parts)?
Thanks
