I’m trying to better plan my suspension upgrade from my current 6112/5100 combo to a +3.5” Total Chaos long travel kit. That much I know I want to do…

The need vs want debate comes into play when deciding on the secondary bypass shock. It’s obvious that it’s better with it than without, but it is also adds a significant amount of cost from both a material and a labor cost standpoint. I would like to have it, but not quite sure if I actually NEED it. I know I could always add it later, but it also increases the overall project cost because I would have to stack the labor to uninstall, and also have the primary shocks sent back to King to re-valve them.

What I do (and want to do) with the truck:

• Cruise the deserts.
• Drive in the dunes
• Trails (like Anza Borrego & SoCal deserts)
• Light rock crawling

What I don’t do with the truck:

• Race it
• Jump it
• Drive overly aggressive intentionally creating a dangerous situation where an accident is likely.

What I want from +3.5 Long Travel

• Increased track width / stability
• More travel
• Larger safety envelope at speed
• Better overhead for bottom out conditions because I do bottom out (and ride the bump stops) often.
• More adjustability (simple adjustable valving which is standard on more high end RR shocks)

My concerns adding a secondary bypass:

• Added cost of parts and maintenance
• Tuning – more settings, more adjustments, generally requires more experience to do it right.
• Having the front over-built to the point the rear can’t keep up

Really fighting with this one… can anyone offer some insight into what to expect when a secondary? I like the idea of having a bump zone, better stability without a sway bar (at least that what I am told), but I am concerned I am just going to get caught up in constantly tuning it vs actually enjoying the truck.

Not sure how good and capable a single adjustable King RR shock is. I have a 6112, it’s been great, but it leaves a lot to be desired when you start pushing it a little harder, and I don’t think I am really driving too far from conservative.

The added savings could help walk me into a Marlin Crawler Taco Box which would only help with reducing the chance of breaking parts when crawling or doing trails with aggressive articulation. Really going for a jack of all trades, master of non-type build here. Good solid all-purpose off-road driver.

Can't speak from personal experience on the +3.5" Kit, but I absolutely love my +2" Total Chaos Race Kit. I didn't want to have to worry about fiberglass and different front and rear width, so decided with the 2".

I bought it with the intention of later adding a secondary shock, but since then have never found myself wishing I had it. Maybe eventually I will add it, but I remain happy with my single set of Kings. Had my kit for a few years now.

Also, if you are going LT and push the truck, you will definitely want to beef up some other parts while you are at it. I have gusseted motor mounts (ripped the old ones out of the frame), shock towers, spindles, cam tabs, etc...

Check it out; brand new as of yesterday.

Marlin Crawler's New Rock Crawling Long Travel IFS Suspension System (#RCLT)

For serious use, that marlin kit is going to be a game changer.

Holy mother of god!

It’s not often procrastinating works in my favor… thanks a bunch for this post.

Just when I thought I had it down, you show me this. You sir have thrown the proverbial wrench into the works.

While rock crawling wasn’t my primary focus, it seems to fit my build methodology very well and the advantages are pretty awesome for a general purpose build when you consider the +3.5 TL kit really is more of a desert focused / race thing. I only hope the pricing is within my budget… plus the requirement for a new steering rack on the +2.75 kit. The fitment of the larger tires and clearance gains have me pretty excited.

It also seems relatively bolt on… I don’t weld, which was my other concern with secondary bypass on the Total Chaos kit. I can probably knock this out myself again as I did the first time around but I wouldn’t mind working with Rock Solid Toys after a conversation with them last month about some build ideas. I really need a front bumper built.

Ill be keeping a close eye on this one, and be rooting for the KOH 4Runner to finish. Really exciting stuff. Keeping my fingers crossed on the pricing or at least hope for some incentives for early adopters.

At this point I am glad I didn’t make the TC LT kit purchase in December which was my original plan.

I am in the same boat. I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on my front end yet. Moving everything forward is a big selling point for me.

Wow, I’m not an avid off-roader/rock crawler, but damn that’s a cool system! I’d almost like to do that “just because”!

Damn it, my work's firewall is blocking the link above