Old Man Emu Rear Suspension & Lift for the Nissan Frontier

The Old Man Emu Dakar Suspension Brings Life Back to My Heavy Nissan FrontierConsider all the weight on the back of this truck:

• an aftermarket steel bumper and tire gate (~100 lbs)
• Eezi-Awn tent (~120 lbs)
• Water tank (~120 lbs when filled)
• Custom storage drawers (~75 lbs)
• Tool box with aux. battery, air compressor, and extras (~80 lbs)
• Total: 500 lbs (approx)

To manage all that extra weight, doesn't it seem reasonable to employ the gusto of proper shocks and load tested leaf springs?

The Old Man Emu Rear Suspension: Dakar Leaf Springs, Nitrocharger Sport Shocks, & Greasable Shackles

• Heavy Load Emu Dakar leaf springs - for ultimate load carrying
• Greasable shackles - for smooth, noise free operation and longevity
• Nitrocharger Sport Shocks - for off-the-shelf vehicle control when loaded and driving on unimproved roads and trails
• Molded and splined spring bushes - perfect mates between the shackle bolts and leaf spring eyes

Of course, I could have just as easily had some custom leaf packs made and fitted some high performance racing shocks.  Slick as can be, but inappropriate for me in terms of my budget and my desired end result.

Most importantly, ARB produces these parts with a philosophy and technology to the engineering, along with a warranty and applaudable customer support.

Details and Features That Inspire Confidence in the Parts That I Bought:

• progressive design that distributes the weight and reduces stress at the leaf ends, ultimately creating a stable and quality ride that'll last for years
• anti-squeak nylon leaf liners
• graphite coating that also keeps the packs noise free
• load tested to ensure a long life
• military wrap on the spring eye provides safety and "back-up" in case the top leaf should break, the military wrap will keep the packs in place and attached to the truck
• flat axle seat area also reduces stress and increases the spring's life
• the tension side of the leaf is shot peened, which also aids in inreasing the life of the springs
• two overload leaves engage primarily when the truck is under a heavy load

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? "Damn, these are nice springs . . ."Well, in my best tradeshow pitchman voice, "AND THAT'S NOT ALL!"  The greasable shakles use heavy, precision milled hardware that reassures me that I'm going to enjoy squeeky free cycling and a smooth ride.

The new Nitrocharger Sport shocks have been lauded for "being like an external reservior shock, but without the reservior."  I can't attest to such a claim, but I'm certainly pleased with them.

What I appreciate most about the Old Man Emu suspension equipment is the common-person sensibility to the design and performance.  I just want something that performs to my needs - as I stated, I could have simply used some racing shocks and customs leaf packs, which would have a serious drool factor, but perform beyond my needs.  Make no mistake, as I wouldn't dare say that the Emu system is merely "good enough."  That's not my position.  Quite different, actually, the Old Man Emu system provides superior ride, load handling, and a fair lift for a reasonable price.

Installed Lift Height: 23.5" (center hub to fender)

Disclosure: I did not receive any of these parts, nor payment of any kind (cash, credit, or other goods), from the manufacturer, distributor, or an outside firm for this review.