I'm considering swapping my Icon rear for the MetalTech long travel rear. Is anyone running this rear suspension on their 5th gen? Looking for opinions and I have a few questions also. TIA

I'm sure metaltech has this on their 5th gen. Try giving them a ring and see what they have to say. They've been more then helpful everytime I've spoke with them.

I have spoken to MetalTech three times about it, According to them its the best thing since sliced bread. I've also searched the FJCruiser forums for info and have some good reviews there but also concerns about the limited up travel.

I'm hoping for some real world input from some fellow 5er's.

been searching for feedback on this kit myself. have a buddy at work with a '10 TT FJ that is interested.

I figured that's how it would be. They're of course not going to talk bad about their product. But if it's up to standard with their quality then I wouldn't have any worries. As far as I know, they're the only ones with LT on their 5th gen. Only thing else to LT I think I've seen was SoCals truck, but I don't know what he is running in the rear.

Qjake, I think I remember you viewing my thread awhile back when I had my MT rears installed, and you requested updates. Sorry to say, but I still haven't gotten my brake lines on, but they should be going on in about 2 weeks, if friends are free. (finally getting a break from school)

There is this thread on the 120 showcasing the kit pretty nicely, post #17 to be specific.
Metal Tech 4x4 Rear Long Travel Suspension Package - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

I'm running 2.5" Icon Omega Bypass shocks, Icon 2" lift coils, and my custom chrome-moly "Total Chaos Clone" rear links. Not sure how much more rear travel I have but it is definitely more than stock.

I think Metal Tech's rear suspension is pretty slick but it is a bit misleading... I may get crap for saying this but, it's not really a true long travel setup at all, maybe a "longer" travel setup.

Here is a link to the FJ version of the kit:
FJ Cruiser Rear Long Travel Suspension Kit - Stage 2 - Metal Tech 4x4

From their description:
"This shock will allow for a full 11.5" of shock travel which translates into 27.5" of wheel travel (compared to a OME 2" lift that has 20" of wheel travel) without using a sway bar."


In my experience, wheel travel is the measurement of ONE WHEEL, from its lower most position, to its upper most position. For some reason, Metal Tech is claiming 27" of wheel travel which I am assuming they got this number through some sort of addition of both side of the axle traveling up and down, but in reality, the true wheel travel should be just a tad more than the actual shock travel due to the geometry of the rear links and axle.

All of Icons rear shocks are slightly longer than stock i believe, and they can make the droop even longer upon request. I forget the exact numbers for my rear setup, but without the rear swaybar attached I remember I was getting close to 13" of wheel travel, and around 12" with the sway bar attached. I'll look around for the notepad with the exact measurements.

I have been to Metal Tech's shop a number of times. Their FJ and their 5th Gen Trail are both set up with this long travel kit and they have their sway bars taken off. I have seen their 5th Gen on the RTI ramp and it is pretty impressive how much travel it affords. They also suggest running their offset lower links to keep from binding under articulation.

I am running their lower links and I love them. Very high quality and stout to say the least. I was hesitant to run the long travel setup because I wanted slightly more than 2" of lift and I do not know how it would work with the KDSS rear sway bar. Their 5th Gen is not equipped with KDSS so that is a non issue for them.

I have this on order and should have a review posted shortly.

I am running the heavy duty setup and I love it. I started with the normal version which was great if you were running light, but the limited up travel and heavy loads were a bad combo on rough terrain at speed. I'd recommend it all day long.

I just got the stage 5 rear ext travel setup, waiting to get it installed right now.

WarnerD9, how much extra body roll are you getting on the road around corners with just taking off the rear sway bar but not the front?

Hmmm... I'll give you the lawyer answer... It depends. It is most noticeable under heavy braking as the vehicle can now stinkbug and load the front. Generally I don't notice it, however I would not claim that it feels like stock or a sports car. It does affect it but I'm also used to driving off road vehicles without sway bars. If you really plan on using your runner and you're not a race car driver on the streets I'd say go for it. If you want to be a hard core looking 4GroceryRunner the I'd go with something else.

There was a direction correlation between the added wheel travel and my lower jaw.

Haha, too funny. I think I'm going to keep the sway bar on for now, as 95% of my time is spent on the road. I may try it without though... which brings me to my next question: how hard is it to remove/reinstall?

You're still running a front sway bar though, right?

Here are some reasons why you might want to dot he long travel kit.

CruiserFest 2013

Those are some cool shots, the flex on your truck is mighty impressive.
Did you have to do any major modification to your suspension to install those?
Or is it pretty much plug and play?