ADS Shocks

[Jon_H]

After numerous searches I haven't turned up a lot of info specific to ADS and 5th Gen 4Runners. There is a bunch of info on the Tacoma and Tundra forums and a few threads here specific to the 3rd Gen, but I know there are 5th Gens running with ADS. I've reached out to ADS and Headstrong to get some information, but was hoping to hear from some actual owners. From what I've read and what I hear they seem to be great.

I'm really trying to decide between Kings and ADS. I live in the rust belt and from what I've read the ADS seem to hold up better to the elements, but having a tough time confirming this since I've seen mixed reviews (primarily on Tacoma World) Obviously, being vigilant and proactive will prevent corrosion.

If you're running ADS:

• Why did you go with them over other brands?
• What spring rates are you running up front?
• Which springs did you run in the rear?
• Would you recommend/would you buy again?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

My buddy runs a set on his 4th gen. There was massive delays after ordering but he finally got them and they seem to work fine.

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

Like you I did lengthy research into ADS after surfing the Tundra Forum and seeing how much people were raving about them. I had originally planned on going with Kings for my upcoming build but ADS were so highly recommended that I decided to go that route to try something a little different from the normal King/Icon/Fox. I had full Icons on my last 4Runner that I really liked. The group buy pushed me over the edge.

I have the utmost faith that ADS will fit my needs and will last through Colorado winters with a little TLC but at this time I can’t give you feedback.

 

[honda250xtitan]

They're a small company in Tuscon, i've never heard a bad thing about them. They know their stuff.

 

[Jon_H]

Like you I did lengthy research into ADS after surfing the Tundra Forum and seeing how much people were raving about them. I had originally planned on going with Kings for my upcoming build but ADS were so highly recommended that I decided to go that route to try something a little different from the normal King/Icon/Fox. I had full Icons on my last 4Runner that I really liked. The group buy pushed me over the edge.

I have the utmost faith that ADS will fit my needs and will last through Colorado winters with a little TLC but at this time I can’t give you feedback.

Thanks for your feedback! What options did you go with on your order? What rear springs will you be running.

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

Thanks for your feedback! What options did you go with on your order? What rear springs will you be running.

Went with remote resi’s front and rear without adjusters. After looking at a ton of spring and suspension options I think my build will go with Dobinsons 505 rear springs at 1.5” lift. I plan to set the fronts to around 2.25” so I’ll have a very slight rake but with the back loaded or a trailer loaded it won’t sag too noticeably.

Also plan on finishing up the suspension with Dobinsons UCA’s, upper and lower rear control arms, panhard bar, and Durobump bumpstops when they finally release their new stops for under 2” lifts.

 

[Jon_H]

Went with remote resi’s front and rear without adjusters. After looking at a ton of spring and suspension options I think my build will go with Dobinsons 505 rear springs at 1.5” lift. I plan to set the fronts to around 2.25” so I’ll have a very slight rake but with the back loaded or a trailer loaded it won’t sag too noticeably.

Also plan on finishing up the suspension with Dobinsons UCA’s, upper and lower rear control arms, panhard bar, and Durobump bumpstops when they finally release their new stops for under 2” lifts.

Nice! Did you go 650lb or 700lb spring rate up front? ADS suggested 700lb for me but I’m not sure.

 

[rayofsi]

i have ads remote resi and adjusters. went with 650 in front, wished i went 700. wheelers t12 in the rear. went with these based on the advertising on their own website.

I'm not sure how the front resi bracket is nowadays. but when i got mine. it was cope-sawed and jagged. resi kept pulling out towards the wheel because the bracket was weak.. changed to king brackets.

can't say for sure i'd do it again. i've had mine one for maybe 15k miles or more now. my 4runner rides great. my only current comparison is my ford raptor on fox3.0s, which rides much rougher then my 4runner.

 

[Jon_H]

i have ads remote resi and adjusters. went with 650 in front, wished i went 700. wheelers t12 in the rear. went with these based on the advertising on their own website.

I'm not sure how the front resi bracket is nowadays. but when i got mine. it was cope-sawed and jagged. resi kept pulling out towards the wheel because the bracket was weak.. changed to king brackets.

can't say for sure i'd do it again. i've had mine one for maybe 15k miles or more now. my 4runner rides great. my only current comparison is my ford raptor on fox3.0s, which rides much rougher then my 4runner.

This is good to know. I see you're in NYC, how have they held up to corrosion?

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

I'm not sure how the front resi bracket is nowadays. but when i got mine. it was cope-sawed and jagged. resi kept pulling out towards the wheel because the bracket was weak.. changed to king brackets.

When did you buy them? Just curious if they have updated the design or materials since your purchase.

 

[rayofsi]

delivered to me 4/2018.

holding up ok for now. needs a good cleaning.

 

[JSparky]

I've worked with ADS for years, they are fantastic. They know how to calculate spring rates so assuming you have your vehicle info correct I'd go with what they recommend.

Running 2.5 with resi rear from them, night and day improvement over my previous Radflo with OW valving. Also did a custom stroke length for me to maximize down travel with 2" bump stop extensions.

Need to swap my fronts over now too. They put my custom rears together in a few weeks earlier this year. I run them on two other vehicles and they're just all around beautiful shocks. They are a smaller shop and don't keep a lot of built product on the shelves, it's all pretty much built to order, but also all race grade.. no cheaper consumer level products like what the majority of Fox, King, and Icon are (you can get their race stuff, but it'll cost more).

Hope that helps. I know there's some folks running around with ADS on total chaos long travel, maybe they'll chime in.

For what it's worth, I'd stick with ADS or King for both quality and customer service reasons.. too many negative reports on followup service with Fox and Icon.

Edit: added some photos from my build and realized I didn't answer your initial questions.

I found ADS through Slee. I have Slee's suspension on my Cruiser and they use ADS to build their shocks. After my experience with them decided to use ADS on other vehicles moving forward. My front coilovers are still Radflo 2.5's with 700lb coils. Rear coils are I believe Dobinsons 701v (whatever their new heaviest progressive is).





ADS SHOCKS VS. OTHER BRANDS – ADS Racing Shocks

 

[Jon_H]

Super helpful, I shot you a PM about your rear shocks. Hoping we can get some other owners to chime in

 

[Peripateo]

I have a 2018 TRD. About 18 months ago I upgraded suspension. Used a company in Houston that builds a lot of Jeeps and desert race vehicles to do my suspension work.
They highly recommended ADS so i went with it. It wasn’t any cheaper than Kings if I recall but I couldn’t be more happy. On road and off.
I have the 2.5 inch w reservoirs front and rear.
Total Chaos UCAs. For springs I’m using the Icon heavy spring (I forget its formal name) and 285/75 KO2s
I have built my 4Runner up quite a bit as an Overland/Adventure truck and thus carry a lot of extra weight. On road and off it handles and drives great. I recommend.

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

Nice! Did you go 650lb or 700lb spring rate up front? ADS suggested 700lb for me but I’m not sure.

I went with the manufacturers recommendation which was 650lb springs in front. I don’t have any extra weight in the front end and don’t plan on adding any so I think it will work just fine.

 

[Ryan at Eibach]

We've dealt with ADS for years and they make a nice shock and can tune the heck out of suspension.