Coilover/Shock?UCAs

jstim

jstim

New member
Coilover/Shock/UCAs

Originally I was going back and forth between the SS 1.2 and the Toytec Boss. So here is my question for you guys, because there are as many different lift setups as there are people on this forum and I have realized that a box lift isnt essentially the best....best Coilover/UCA setup. I have been looking at lots of everybodys setups, checking signatures, scrubbing build threads and reviews.

Fox (883-02-023) or Icon Coilover (58615)

with

Total Choas, Built Right, or Icon UCA

Oh...and if anyone has any info the Icon 2.5 rear shocks (IVD 57700) if the will fit the 3" lift or should I just wait for the Fox rears to come out?

Everyones got opinions, and experiences with different companies customer relations, longevity...trying to weigh all this in.
 
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The big question is what is your intended use? And also what is your budget?

If your not gunna go crazy, drive fast, or do long runs with a rig full of gear, then I would stick with a bilstein based kit. The SS kits are built just right to give you want you need and a smooth riding truck that can handle moderate trails and be decent on the road with a more stock vehicle than a weighted down heavily modified rig. Plus they are cheaper, and don't require an UCA. You could get a UCA if you really wanted to, but I would just spend the money on new quality ball joints from Toyota and be done with it.

If you want to go over the deep end, better be ready to shell out the money!!! King and Icon offer the 2.5" option all around, Fox doesn't offer them for the rear and who knows when they will actually make them... Plus if I remember correctly fox does not offer an extended travel shock while King and Icon do. I personally like the Kings, they will sell directly to the customer from the factory, and they have good customer service. You will be able to use a 3" lift in the rear with either of these shocks.

Check out this build for good info on the kings. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/169746-patios-2000-4runner-buildup.html

For UCA's a lot of people will be fan boys and debate that this brand is better than that and all those things... Honestly 99% of 4runner users will not notice the difference in ride or allignment by using any of the big brands (Camburg, Total Chaos, Icon). I would stay clear of Light Racing arms if you go this route because the big upgrade you want from an UCA (besides alignment) is the Uni-Ball joint, a ball joint on a heavy use rig is a little weak if you ask me. I would buy from the 3 listed above, and just get the ones you can get the best price on. They all work great, they are all strong, and they all will allow you to get the proper allignment with the shocks you were interested in. Also don't be afraid of a used pair, you can get replacement busings and uni-balls at a decent price, so if you find a good set, get um!

Really, all the brands you listed in any combination will work fine. If you are a heavy user there are some differences to discuss and look out for, but for the average user who goes out once every couple months they all work great. Stick with the main brands discussed above and they will all work in any combination really. I am saving for the big stuff now, I am going King on all four corners, Camburg arms because they are the cheapest, and OME coils in the rear...
 
Well the Fox kit is like $1500 for just the front coil overs and nothing else.

I've seen quite a few pics and the Fox kit looks like it is 1.5" of lift on the front not 2.5" like the SS 1.2 kit. So that is worth thinking about.
 
Fox/King/Icon are all fully adjustable, they can be any amount of lift you want... at least the adjustable coilovers I think he is talking about are.
 
I know people recommend the billy kit, but after I have seen the more recent failures with these kits I would stay away from them personally.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/171618-bilstein-5100-failure-warranty-issue-help.html

I have 2.5 Donahoe/Icon Coilovers in the front and the ride quality is unbelievable. I would really have a tough time going back to anything else. As for the rear I have not been blessed with the opportunity to pick up a set of Icon's yet. I am on the prowl for a used set though to match my fronts. I am currently running OME 891's (I want to go to 862's though because I have a lot of weight in my truck) with Rough country 20114 which for the price is actually a very good shock, for now that is....

So basically my recommendation is that if you can swing it I would go for the full quality suspension setup. I am not running UCA's right now, but as soon as my upper ball joints I will be swapping in SPC Light Racing UCA's.
 
If you are going to spend the money on uppers I would buy light racing uppers. People have been having the uppers come apart while driving on the road. I'll see if I can find the article for you. Just go with Camburgs uppers because they are the best bang for your buck for unit all uppers
 
PhdNPrerunners said:
If you are going to spend the money on uppers I wouldn't buy light racing uppers. People have been having the uppers come apart while driving on the road. I'll see if I can find the article for you. Just go with Camburgs uppers because they are the best bang for your buck for unit all uppers
Click to expand...

Wouldn't? I would be interested in reading the article if you could dig it up :)
 
The FOX coilover part number he has listed is the extended travel model. I have them on my 4runner right now and LOVE them. I've had Donahoe's, SS 1.2 (Tundra/5100), 5100/Eibach and older SAW 2.0's on my 4runner and the Hoe's and FOX's are my favorite. I actually like the FOX's more since they are progressive coilover and thus a better on street ride than my Hoe's since they are digressive. Also the 600lb coil is nice for a DD. I highly recommend them over the Tundra/5100 set up that comes with the SS1.2 kit since I have a lot less body roll, much more room to adjust right height (easier) and outperform them in all aspects. Granted the FOX's are cheap, but IMO they are well worth it. Icon's are awesome as well and a lot people love them. I had no issues with mine, so either choice is great.
 
It's not that uniball uppers come apart like a manufacturer defect but more so they need to be installed and maintained properly, meaning any bolt can come loose...

In my opinion the main reason for uca's is to gain back caster (most after marker uppers have caster built in) to which point light racing uppers are a decent upper for the price.

One thing to note with uniball design uppers like total chaos, the uniball is exposed to the elements and will need to be maintained. A squeaky uniball on the trail just sucks...
 
Uni-ball maintenance is super easy. Teflon spray after washes and before you hit the trail and they will stay quite. Like anything, proper maintenance is key.
 
Thanks for all the info. A little personal insight from a few places goes a long way around this forum.

I will look into the King shock/coilover setup, and do some price comparison.

I figure between the faster runs down the fire breaks, and the slower through the trails its going to have to do pretty much everything, and I will make it my DD too. Since I am not in the states right now it affords me the oppertunity to save and just get the most out of whatever I do end up with. I am however still thinking of ordering the SS rear parts, just everything minus the shocks. I have read from quite a few that the setup in particular helps keep the rear more under control.

Oh, and [MENTION=93512]MojaveMadMan[/MENTION] you have just given me shock envy with Patios 2000 build....:nod:
 
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This is going to sound like the typical recommending what I have, but ...

I have Fox 2.5 C/Os. They ARE extended travel. They DO adjust up to 3"+ of lift.

I cannot give real ride performance feedback yet (still waiting on my bumpers before installing everything), but I have owned and run Icons. Here's what I like from the initial look...

1. Zinc coating. My Icons discolored / tarnished pretty fast.

2. Double adjustment collar (locking collar) versus the nylon set screw on the Icons.

3. HUGE reservoirs. Much bigger than what you will find on King or Icon.

What I liked better about Icon...

1. Nitro steel shaft.

2. Easy vehicle specific installation.


I would like to get 2.5 rears with resis. For now, I'm going to run LC shocks with Superflex coils. If I were to buy 2.5 rears tomorrow, it would most likely be Icon unless I found a Fox alternative that would bolt on with proper travel specs.
 
[MENTION=108791]SL28[/MENTION] I guess thats part of the bonus of getting to wait. I was looking at the Fox Racing website, and they have vehicle specific rear shocks that are apparently being worked on? It just says coming soon next to them. I like the resis on the IVDs and the Kings though. I am definately keeping my ear to the dirt to see what happens as/when Fox releases those shocks.

Edit:

Found these Fox 2.0 rears (980-24-675) today for 260 a pr on Toytec. I am guessing no one has heard of them or has any experience with them?
 
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