I know.... I'm sorry.... But I have a suspension question

[MeBe4running]

Well... I currently have and had for the past 2.5 years the Old Man Emu 3" heavy duty front suspension struts and coil overs. The problem is it sits at about 2" now and clicks and clanks when locked and on occasion around town driving too. The weight of the bumper and the winch over time have got to the better of it. The good news is they ARB are standing behind there product and offering me a replacement through 4 wheel parts where I purchased the kit originally.
Though I am starting to question about going with a different setup up front? I know jack squat about suspension apart from the good information shared here on this forum.

The reason for choosing the setup originally was the legendary track record and the minimal maintenance it requires. I considered a full icon setup up front however I feel it requires a fair bit more of upkeep and preventative maintenance. Maybe I'm wrong!?

The other issue I'm facing is the factory headlights. As it sits with a 2" lift it blares light into smaller vehicles in front of me. I know its bad as frequently people are dimming their mirrors and covering their wing mirrors with their hands. This bothers me, a lot. I recall a thread awhile back regrading this issue though it seemed there was no solution. Of course I am stuck in a bind.... I do a lot of night driving and I also offroad frequent. So looking to improve the stance and clearance by improving the front suspension but without blinding those in front of me. Anybody have any suggestions?

Im sorry to be boring you with dribble drabble, but really stuck in a bind as to the best step in moving forward with the front suspension.

Thanks!

 

[FactoryRide]

Have you looked into the Toytec C/Os? They've got a pretty good tract record, and as said by Toytec themselves in a email from them, "The Toytec coilovers are maintenance free, they are designed for the daily driver and mild off road use, they also have lifetime warranty 5100 Bilstein shocks with O.E bushings."

I had emailed the regarding those and the Radflo C/Os. "The Radflo coilovers are not maintenance free and they are intended to be rebuilt/ recharged from time to time, they also have heim joints instead of bushings so that is another wear item and potential noise source that would not be covered under warranty?

But I think the quality of Icon, Radflo, etc would be worth the maintenance required for them.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

After driving Jonseyyys truck with Icon upfront and shrockworks bumper both on the highway and down a mountain I wouldn't consider any other suspension when I upgrade my 5100s. He's had the suspension for some time now so maybe he can chime in on what he thinks his "rebuild" schedule will look like.

I'd like to know about the headlight issue as well...usually every day when I leave work and its dark out I'm behind a little car who dims their mirror and puts their hand up to block the side view mirror from blinding them and I feel a little bad about it.

I know there are bolts to adjust the headlight aiming but is there a set height it should be at from factory? I'm thinking you could use the similar technique as sitting 25ft from your garage door I just don't know how far up the light should be on the door.

 

[MeBe4running]

Have you looked into the Toytec C/Os? They've got a pretty good tract record, and as said by Toytec themselves in a email from them, "The Toytec coilovers are maintenance free, they are designed for the daily driver and mild off road use, they also have lifetime warranty 5100 Bilstein shocks with O.E bushings."

I had emailed the regarding those and the Radflo C/Os. "The Radflo coilovers are not maintenance free and they are intended to be rebuilt/ recharged from time to time, they also have heim joints instead of bushings so that is another wear item and potential noise source that would not be covered under warranty?

But I think the quality of Icon, Radflo, etc would be worth the maintenance required for them.

Thanks buddy. Some good points here. I think I will stay away from the radflo setup as you stated its not the most maintence free setup to run. The Toytec setup have just always seemed the "cheaper" option to me.

I'm thinking Icon might be the way forward though not a fan of there UCA's.

What are you thinking of doing setup wise down the line? I know your running spacers now.

Thanks!

 

[joneseyyy]

After driving Jonseyyys truck with Icon upfront and shrockworks bumper both on the highway and down a mountain I wouldn't consider any other suspension when I upgrade my 5100s. He's had the suspension for some time now so maybe he can chime in on what he thinks his "rebuild" schedule will look like.

I'd like to know about the headlight issue as well...usually every day when I leave work and its dark out I'm behind a little car who dims their mirror and puts their hand up to block the side view mirror from blinding them and I feel a little bad about it.

I know there are bolts to adjust the headlight aiming but is there a set height it should be at from factory? I'm thinking you could use the similar technique as sitting 25ft from your garage door I just don't know how far up the light should be on the door.

I have had the Icon setup for 18 months and ~40k miles with no issues and have not yet needed a rebuild. With the extra weight of the bumper, winch, skids, and dual batteries I did crank a little more preload in them than what they came with. Next time I get an alignment I'll probably add a bit more, just out of personal preference.

I think the setup rides really well and handles the weight OK for my needs. The only time I feel like I want more out of the front end is pushing a little faster on hybrid fire road/trails with washes and g-outs where I'll use the full front travel and rub the tires in the tops of the wheel wells. That however is not a knock on the coilovers, more an indicator I should run air bumps or bypasses to better control the last 2-3" of uptravel.

 

[MeBe4running]

After driving Jonseyyys truck with Icon upfront and shrockworks bumper both on the highway and down a mountain I wouldn't consider any other suspension when I upgrade my 5100s. He's had the suspension for some time now so maybe he can chime in on what he thinks his "rebuild" schedule will look like.

I'd like to know about the headlight issue as well...usually every day when I leave work and its dark out I'm behind a little car who dims their mirror and puts their hand up to block the side view mirror from blinding them and I feel a little bad about it.

I know there are bolts to adjust the headlight aiming but is there a set height it should be at from factory? I'm thinking you could use the similar technique as sitting 25ft from your garage door I just don't know how far up the light should be on the door.

Thanks! I didn't know are factory headlights could be adjusted!? Maybe Harper might chime in here.....

 

[FactoryRide]

Thanks buddy. Some good points here. I think I will stay away from the radflo setup as you stated its not the most maintence free setup to run. The Toytec setup have just always seemed the "cheaper" option to me.

I'm thinking Icon might be the way forward though not a fan of there UCA's.

What are you thinking of doing setup wise down the line? I know your running spacers now.

Thanks!

I understand exactly what you mean. I always feel like that would do exactly what I need it to, but I don't think I would be truly happy until I had Icons. I eventually plan to have Icon extended travel C/Os with piggyback resis, TC UCAs, and I'm thinking about doing Metaltechs LT rear kit. Not sure how that would work with KDSS

Oh and here is the headlight thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/63007-headlight-aiming.html#post527781

 

[MeBe4running]

I have had the Icon setup for 18 months and ~40k miles with no issues and have not yet needed a rebuild. With the extra weight of the bumper, winch, skids, and dual batteries I did crank a little more preload in them than what they came with. Next time I get an alignment I'll probably add a bit more, just out of personal preference.

I think the setup rides really well and handles the weight OK for my needs. The only time I feel like I want more out of the front end is pushing a little faster on hybrid fire road/trails with washes and g-outs where I'll use the full front travel and rub the tires in the tops of the wheel wells. That however is not a knock on the coilovers, more an indicator I should run air bumps or bypasses to better control the last 2-3" of uptravel.

Perfect.... This gives me a great visual as I have very similar setup. Thank you Joneseyy!

 

[mgrande]

If you have a bumper and winch I would get #700 coils on whatever setup you go with.

 

[Jono.ful]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/63007-headlight-aiming.html#post527781

 

[BigredTEX]

Thanks! I didn't know are factory headlights could be adjusted!? Maybe Harper might chime in here.....

The headlights are easily adjustable. All it takes is a garage door and a phillips screwdriver. Set the height to your liking.

I too have the OME setup. Which spring did you go with up front? Have you seen the sag since you installed the bumper and winch or when you installed them? It may be as simple as going with a stronger spring option if you are not already running the strongest spring.

 

[MeBe4running]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/63007-headlight-aiming.html#post527781

Good find! I missed this thread somehow. Thanks Jono.ful!

 

[Okki]

If you have a bumper and winch I would get #700 coils on whatever setup you go with.

^^this^^ or at the very least call the guys at Icon, or Brandon at Metal Tech and talk through your weight and usage. In a quick conversation with both at the FJ summit they recommended 650 or 700 springs based on my assumption to end up with full SW skids, a SW bumper and a winch.

I would be leaning towards the 700 in order to cover any long term settling.

As you know I'm saving up for the Icon stage 6, but keep wondering about their UCA's vs the Total Chaos. Visually the icon setup is stunning, but the heim joint seems to be a possible weak point. as far as maintenance goes, I believe Harper7 just uses some Driglide on his suspension setup every so often and that's about it.

Keep us posted!

Okki

 

[MeBe4running]

The headlights are easily adjustable. All it takes is a garage door and a phillips screwdriver. Set the height to your liking.

I too have the OME setup. Which spring did you go with up front? Have you seen the sag since you installed the bumper and winch or when you installed them? It may be as simple as going with a stronger spring option if you are not already running the strongest spring.

The spring was the 2887 which is rated if I recall correctly for 200 pounds plus and said to be suited for the weight of a winch and bull bar. The "sag" has been caused more likely by the overall weight than wear however it's a good half inch since install.

 

[philsey]

How to aim headlights

The adjustment screw location was posted, here's how to align them.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...m-your-headlights-after-lift.html#post1216972

 

[MeBe4running]

^^this^^ or at the very least call the guys at Icon, or Brandon at Metal Tech and talk through your weight and usage. In a quick conversation with both at the FJ summit they recommended 650 or 700 springs based on my assumption to end up with full SW skids, a SW bumper and a winch.

I would be leaning towards the 700 in order to cover any long term settling.

As you know I'm saving up for the Icon stage 6, but keep wondering about their UCA's vs the Total Chaos. Visually the icon setup is stunning, but the heim joint seems to be a possible weak point. as far as maintenance goes, I believe Harper7 just uses some Driglide on his suspension setup every so often and that's about it.

Keep us posted!

Okki

That a good point. I will give them both a call even if it's just for comparison reasons. I agree with you on Icons UCA and I have heard some story's of that "possible weak point". This is GREAT brainstorming , thanks all!

 

[Okki]

58450 - 2003 - Current Toyota 4Runner Tubular Uniball Upper Control Arm System

I guess the boys listened....

not quite as sexy as these:

but half the price....

Okki

EDIT: Just checked the Total Chaos site and they offer both a heim and non-heim version of their UCA's. So it seems you could stay with Icon for all components at this time regardless of your position on heim joints.

 

[flying fuzz]

Well... I currently have and had for the past 2.5 years the Old Man Emu 3" heavy duty front suspension struts and coil overs. The problem is it sits at about 2" now and clicks and clanks when locked and on occasion around town driving too. The weight of the bumper and the winch over time have got to the better of it. The good news is they ARB are standing behind there product and offering me a replacement through 4 wheel parts where I purchased the kit originally.
Though I am starting to question about going with a different setup up front? I know jack squat about suspension apart from the good information shared here on this forum.

The reason for choosing the setup originally was the legendary track record and the minimal maintenance it requires.

Just curious since I have the same setup, minus the front end accessories (for now) what is ARB's stance as to the cause of the issue? and by replacement are you talking full shocks and springs or just a partial credit? I was in the same boat as I didn't want to deal with C/O but 2.5 years is far to fast for a suspension to wear out.

Thanks for the post and input!

 

[1000MPH]

FWIW I find it easier to aim headlights on a dark street.

 

[Jono.ful]

Ugh. I get it, forged is stronger, but the tubular style look soooo much better IMO. I almost don't want to put my TC's on because they look so pretty sitting on their shelf in the garage