The Lake Tahoe region experienced the biggest winter in 50 years in 2023, resulting in snowpack that lasted all through the summer in some areas. The heavy precipitation wiped out roads, but it also generated spectacular wildflowers throughout the summer. What better conditions could you ask for when testing Old Man Emu’s new MT-64 shocks? We loaded up ARB’s 2022 Toyota Tacoma, outfitted not only with the new MT64 shocks, but loads of ARB products including their bumpers, air locker, air compressor, drawers, Base Rack, Linx… well you get the idea. This Tacoma has it all!

The MT64 shock absorbers fit between the classic Nitrocharger and premium BP-51 in Old Man Emu’s lineup. What does MT64 stand for? The “MT” means “monotube” and 64 is the piston diameter in millimeters. Contrast this with the BP51 that is a bypass shock with a 51mm piston. The two shocks actually have the same outer diameter, but the BP51 has a smaller piston to accommodate internal bypass tubes that make the shock position sensitive in addition to being velocity sensitive. The MT-64 uses a similar piston design to the Nitrocharger, and while it lacks the remote reservoirs of the BP-51, the large volume of the MT-64 allows for plenty of fluid volume to resist fading over long washboard roads. And like every Old Man Emu shock, the MT-64 is factory tuned to your specific vehicle.

You don’t need a heavily modified vehicle to explore this area, but a supple suspension and the ability to air down your tires when you leave the pavement and air them back up with a compressor at the end of the trail are highly recommended. ARB’s Tacoma, outfitted with a Twin Air compressor and MT-64 shock absorbers, fit the bill on all counts. By the end of the trip we had witnessed breathtaking views, camped out under the Perseid meteor shower, and racked up hundreds of miles on the new suspension. The only question remaining was “When can we place an order for our own set of MT-64s?”

Chapters-
Intro- 0:00
ARB Edition Tacoma- 0:58
What Does MT-64 Stand For- 1:34
What Sets The MT-64 Apart- 2:14
Lobdel Lake- 2:56
Impressions On The Trail- 3:50
Sweetwater Range- 5:42
Complete Old Man Emu Suspension- 6:26
Final Thoughts- 7:15