Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable Shocks

[G8RB8_12SR5]

So I'm relatively new (ok very new) to the forum. I'm also a novice in terms of having never done my own lift (had only cars before my first T4R) but I understand most of the parts and how to turn a wrench. That said, after much searching I couldn't find an answer in the forums to the purpose of having adjustable shocks or just going with something non-adjustable like OME (besides price being a common comparative indicator).

What is the advantage to having adjustable shocks? Or is it more personal preference? I figure just lift it 2.5" or 3" lift and leave it that way and accept the fact that it'll never fit in most garages when I'm done with it anyway, but if there's a major performance factor that makes adjustable worth having I'd be interested in seeing what angle that offers. Thanks in advance, and if I seem to have missed a thread that talks about this I apologize.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

What is the advantage to having adjustable shocks?
Are you talking height adjustable or compression/rebound adjustable? If it is height then well you can adjust the height. Only the fronts are height adjustable on the coilover kits. The rear if you want more height you would need new springs.

Or is it more personal preference? Brand is personal preference, actually getting adjustable or not is preference too.

I figure just lift it 2.5" or 3" lift and leave it that way and accept the fact that it'll never fit in most garages I still fit in my garage with a lift and snowboard rack on top when I'm done with it anyway, but if there's a major performance factor that makes adjustable worth having I'd be interested in seeing what angle that offers. Thanks in advance, and if I seem to have missed a thread that talks about this I apologize.

If you go with a true coilover it will be valved specifically for our vehicle. Plus with the height adjustability you will be able to add more weight, ie a bumper and winch, and just crank the fronts up to adjust. Icon, Overland Warehouse, King are all good examples of coilovers, which there are probably others. The shock bodies come in different sizes to depending on your needs, ie a 2.0 kit or 2.5 kit which is the diameter of the shock. I am sure someone with a lot more information will chime in and correct me or add some more.

 

[philsey]

I have no use for a lift, but I did not care for the softness of the stock shocks (brake dive mostly), nor did I particularly care for the rake of the stock vehicle.

So Bilstein 5100s helped both my issues: 1) they are more firm, reducing/not eliminating dive, plus 2) the fronts can be adjusted, ~1" in my case, to level it out.

 

[Intruder]

Plus with the height adjustability you will be able to add more weight, ie a bumper and winch, and just crank the fronts up to adjust.

Yup. If you're going to add weight just measure the height to the bottom of the fender before you add it then afterwards crank up the height on your coilovers to get back to that height.

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

If you go with a true coilover it will be valved specifically for our vehicle. Plus with the height adjustability you will be able to add more weight, ie a bumper and winch, and just crank the fronts up to adjust. Icon, Overland Warehouse, King are all good examples of coilovers, which there are probably others. The shock bodies come in different sizes to depending on your needs, ie a 2.0 kit or 2.5 kit which is the diameter of the shock. I am sure someone with a lot more information will chime in and correct me or add some more.

Ahh ok, thanks for that tidbit. Eventually I plan on doing the bumper and winch so that's definitely good info and I'd rather not buy twice because it's slightly cheaper for the non adjustable at the beginning. Appreciate the help. :thanks: