Help me decide: Radflo 2.0 or Toytec

[HOJeepster]

Yeah yeah yeah...I've read and read and read...I know all the facts, I just can't come to a decision.

This is for a 2006 Sport V8 daily driver, 90% highway/city use, the other 10% will be for light/moderate Jeep trails. Looking for a 3/2 lift, low maintenance.

Ideally trying to spend less, but also want the right set up for my driving style.

Would you go with...

1. Radflo 2.0 with Light Racing UCA's for $1,900 Radflo 2.0" 03-Current 4Runner Suspension Kit

2. Bilstein 5100 w/ Height Adjusted CO's with Light Racing UCA's for $1,359 3" Lift W/ Bilstein 5100 Height Adj Coilovers FJ/4Runner - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

I've read great things about the Radflo's except for the commom 'clunking' sounds. I've read Bilsteins are simple and low maintainence with no clunking issues. Again, mostly highway driving, looking for a 3/2 lift for 275/65/18 tires.

Chime in! What would you go with. I want to pull the trigger this week.

 

[noobshooter]

I had a similar dilemma. I went with the Radflo's 2.0. Then I upgraded to the Radflo 2.5" when I decided to add a CBI front bumper. I have no regrets, and would go with Radflo if I had to do it again.

 

[Gerdo]

The Radflos are rebuildable. But you aren't going to rebuild them till they start leaking.
The Toytec/Bilsteins are not rebuildable but if they leak, replace them under their lifetime warranty.
I have Radflos on my Xterra and they are nice. I have Bilsteins on my 4runner and they are nice too.

I'm sure that the Radflos would be better for high speed desert racing AND if you can and do tune them for the vehicle.

 

[ebg18t]

Radflo is specifically valved for the specific spring rates. Bilstein's are used with all kinds of spring rates generically.

 

[HOJeepster]

Typical responses...shoot. I guess I'll let the wallet decide.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Typical responses...shoot. I guess I'll let the wallet decide.

Were you expecting something other than other users' opinions or "insert what I run here" type responses? Ha

For your demands, either would fit the bill. If the wallet factor is that big of a deal, just go with the cheapest. As others/yourself have already said, no worries about rebuilding and replacing if the Toytecs go out. On other hand, the Radflos are tried and true as well. If I were you and really wanted coilovers, I would be deciding b/w the actual Toytec coilovers and the 2.0 Radflos.

I will also add that I have ran the Bilstein 5100s and have since upgraded to a (used) set of 2.5" DR (old Icon) C/Os. I should have gone this way in the beginning. I love being able to quickly adjust my ride height and fine tune the driver's lean. As with anything else, its all up to you and how much you're willing to spend.

 

[HOJeepster]

Yeah...I think the Radflos are the way to go afterall. I just worry about the 'clunking' sounds i've read about, that's it.

Thanks for the responses, i'll post pics once i pull the trigger

 

[Pitbull410]

From your original post it sounded like you just wanted to do a lift and bigger tires mostly for the look and MAYBE, if you ever needed/wanted to, drive a little offroad(since it is your DD). Just curious as to what reasons you decided to go with the much more expensive suspension choice. I know in the near future I will be finding myself in the same predicament as yourself. Thanks.

 

[HOJeepster]

Well...I guess I'm the type of person you likes the good stuff. I've read great things about the Radflos, and since I'll be moving to Colorado next week, I'm sure I'll get off roading more often.

I think the Bilsteins would be fine for my needs, but looking at the Toytec ultimate it really is just the Bilsteins 5100 with an adjusted plate. For a $150 more, I can go with the Radflos...that's my reasoning.

 

[ebg18t]

Yeah...I think the Radflos are the way to go afterall. I just worry about the 'clunking' sounds i've read about, that's it.

Thanks for the responses, i'll post pics once i pull the trigger

Just a question, did you look at the Fox or Icon options when looking at the higher end coilovers? Or just the radflo since toytec sells them? I ask as I have run OME, Bilstein and now Fox. Completely different level of suspension.

 

[jdkilroy]

Yeah yeah yeah...I've read and read and read...I know all the facts, I just can't come to a decision.

Don't know what you decided but I ran the Radflo 2.5 for several months before adding front and rear bumpers. I loved it. Absolutely no complaints. Yes, you feel more of the little stuff but definitely not in a negative way. More like you feel connected to the machine you are operating. However... when you dive into that deep pothole and you grit your teeth expecting the worst... the suspension just sucks it up and you carry on wondering what the hell just happened. Very cool, and you can't help but grin the first few times it happens. If you are going to spend the cash on the 2.0... my feeling would be, just go for the 2.5 and be done with it.

 

[HOJeepster]

Thanks...I've considered that, but it's all a slippery slope. Next thing you know I'll have front and rear bumpers...don't need that haha.

I looked at the Icon Stage 1...I've heard good things, just a little more expensive and the Radflo's from Metal Tech are custom tuned for the 4runner. I think the 2.0 will be perfect for my city/highway use and exploration of SW Colorado trails.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Thanks...I've considered that, but it's all a slippery slope. Next thing you know I'll have front and rear bumpers...don't need that haha.

I looked at the Icon Stage 1...I've heard good things, just a little more expensive and the Radflo's from Metal Tech are custom tuned for the 4runner. I think the 2.0 will be perfect for my city/highway use and exploration of SW Colorado trails.

Heck, even joining this website was the start of my slippery slope. Ha If you are 100% certain you won't be running any/much extra weight in the future, stop looking now and just order the 2.0s. The more I look, the more I want to spend.

I bought my used 2.5" just because I found a decent deal on them and had a buyer lined up for my Bilstien 5100s. Even though I may never fully "need" them, I like knowing that they're there just in case I ever do (for my wallet's sake, hopefully no time soon:biggrin1. Also, I wanted to save myself from any future "wondering"/buyer's remorse on if I should've just went with the 2.5s for a little more $$$.

 

[HOJeepster]

Just wanted to follow up on this post. I ended up going with Radflo. Had some issues with the rear shocks from Day 1. Said and done, I think the Toytec Ultimate lift kit would have sufficed and been cheaper. I probably wouldn't run this Radflo kit again. I didn't get the front end lift I wanted without it being too stiff and clunky, and I had to get the rear radflo shocks rebuilt due to a claimed 'installation error' per Radflo. Overall, not overly impressed with the quality of the Radflos.

 

[Duck'n]

Timely follow up post by you! I am currently weighing the options between Icon and Radflo front coilovers. I was leaning heavily toward the Radflo since I can save about $200 on their ext travel CO's vs. the Icon ext travels. Maybe I should keep researching (like I don't read up on this stuff daily anyway!). I would love to hear more about the rough, clunky ride when you adjusted them up to get the lift you wanted. I really want to get a full 3" out of whatever I buy so I can get rid of the rake I have now. If you prefer, shoot me a PM so we don't start a pissin contest over brands! eace:

 

[HOJeepster]

I'll make my opinion public, as I know others are probably curious before pulling the trigger on a kit. Basically, I researched a ton regarding the right lift kit for my truck. After all the research, I believe the Radflo 2.0 kit was going to be the superior kit on and off road. I was expecting a full 3 inch lift in front and 2+ in the rear, will maintaining a 'plush' ride. After installing, I was more or less instantly disappointed in the ride quality as well as lift height. It was just as high as my Daystar kit, yet now I was $1,800 poorer and the ride quality was noticeably downgraded. I was getting major clunking in the front and rear, overall ride was slightly harsh. After some trouble shooting, we rechecked the install and everything looked fine. After offroading the first time, the rear clunk got significantly worse. When I shook the body of the car, you could see the rear shock body moving away from the shock tower, clearly something was broke. After talking to Mike at Radflo, he suggested the shocks were installed incorrectly and therefore the shock pins/towers were busted. Having hired a technician to do the install for me and not being able to validate this presumption, I ended up having to buy new Bilstein 5100's as 'replacements' while sending in my Radflo shocks infor a diagnosis. Come to find out, the shocks had no nitro charge and the shock towers were busted...$150 in repair later, I now have the rear shocks sitting in the garage. Not impressed, considering the replacement Bilsteins costs just as much as the repair of the Radflo's and ride quality is comparable.

As far as the fronts, yes, they do create a small 'clunk' during slow speed operations. In order to 'soften' up the ride, I lowered the coilovers to about a 2.25 lift. Sure, it rides smoother, but now I'm not getting the lift I was hoping for.

I know others have good things to say about their Radflo kits...that's why I bought mine, but at the end of the day, I don't think the Radflo kit is a reliable design that provides a 'plush' ride I was looking for. Again, I'm sure others swear by their Radflos, I'm just sharing my opinion. I did my research, and think it's a fair assessment.

Overall synopsis. I would not purchase the Radflo kit again. It does not provide that overall 'plushness' I was looking for on and offroad. It does drive better offroad as far as control, but as a whole, the Radflo kit comes off as a little unrefined compared to what I had hoped I read about by others.

I hope this insight helps others find the kit they are looking for.

 

[superman3043]

You're the 2nd person within the last week to post about ditching Radfo rear shocks for Bilstiens (Jediwebdude was the other). That's pretty disappointing. The guys I wheel with run Radflo's but they have the 2.5 shocks and they're really nice. One is running 2.5 rear Radflo shocks and the other is running Icon 2.0 VS's. After having 2.5" coilovers up front, especially with all my added weight, I really couldn't imagine ever having 2.0 shock bodies up front. They just don't seem substantial enough to me.

That sucks man. Hope you find something you're happy with.

 

[HOJeepster]

What is most disappointing is the response from Radflo, that these shocks are 'race' shocks and have to be installed differently since they are rebuildable. My question is, if they are 'race' shocks, then why/how should they break during a simple installation by a qualified Toyota mechanic? Seems like a poor design if you ask me.

I'll be sticking with the Bilsteins for now. I do have my freshly rebuilt Radflo shocks sitting in boxes if anyone wants to buy them!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I must say that I also am somewhat disappointed in Radflo. I ran the OW 2.0 setup and had the clunking issues. My clunking was pretty bad, so I sent them in to Radflo to be inspected. The guys at Radflo were friendly enough, but I was also told "install error" which I find extremely hard to believe. It was stiff, but I always attributed that to the fact that I had them adjusted for 3.5" lift and had very little down-travel. I switched the OW 2.0 for Icon 2.5 extended travel and couldn't be happier. The Icons are much smoother with the same lift height and are completely noise free. I feel the Icon's are far superior. Before I got the Icon's, I did praise the Radflo's but I guess you can say I didn't know any better. They were "good" but don't compare to Icon in my experience.

I've read nothing but good on the Toytec kit. The 5100's are solid shocks so I see no reason this kit wouldn't be great for a stock weight rig. If you're adding weight then the Icon would be a better choice.

 

[04rnr]

I must say that I also am somewhat disappointed in Radflo. I ran the OW 2.0 setup and had the clunking issues. My clunking was pretty bad, so I sent them in to Radflo to be inspected. The guys at Radflo were friendly enough, but I was also told "install error" which I find extremely hard to believe. It was stiff, but I always attributed that to the fact that I had them adjusted for 3.5" lift and had very little down-travel. I switched the OW 2.0 for Icon 2.5 extended travel and couldn't be happier. The Icons are much smoother with the same lift height and are completely noise free. I feel the Icon's are far superior. Before I got the Icon's, I did praise the Radflo's but I guess you can say I didn't know any better. They were "good" but don't compare to Icon in my experience.

I've read nothing but good on the Toytec kit. The 5100's are solid shocks so I see no reason this kit wouldn't be great for a stock weight rig. If you're adding weight then the Icon would be a better choice.

so many have the "clunking issues" with radflo, just read on any other the other off road forums, Ive ran toytecs stuff on two rigs now, both with aftermarket bumpers and winch, zero issues. You will never, get me to buy anything other than toytec, ever....