Pretty disappointed in how rusted my Toytec Ultimate Suspension is

[STX4Runner]

That's pretty bad. Have you been visiting coastal areas and getting saltwater on them? You mentioned snow, but I can't imagine Columbia, SC gets more than one snow of an inch or two a year, and I also can't imagine SC puts down any appreciable amount of salt or chemicals on the roads. Aside from significantly more rain (which shouldn't matter), your climate is probably pretty similar to mine and I have almost no rust under the vehicle after 6 years of ownership.

 

[jrandom]

That Amsoil stuff seems like it would help out a lot. Does it really leave an amber'ish color on the shocks though?? Just slapped these 5160's on and I would like to keep them as fresh as possible for as long as possible...

It does but it is pretty subtle depending on how thick or how many coats you apply, it does wear off so it is a good indicator letting you know it is not longer there. If it were clear you wouldn’t know until you saw corrosion develop.

 

[crazi160]

on a side note. I bought my liftkit and hid kit through Toytec and I will say their customer service is pretty disappointing.

The liftkit itself was fine but the HID H11 plug and play kit had one bulb that was flickering and broken in the first month. I called them to ask them to replace it and the customer rep seemed annoyed that be handling the call. On top of that, when he finally did send me a replacement bulb, it was the wrong color (was suppose to be a 5k and received a 6k).

I am about to get a working kit from xenon depot as I am tired of the HID issues as I have replaced the bulbs on both sides probably a total of 4 times since purchase, so I can see where you are coming from about them not wanting to help with the corrosion issue. Hope you figure something out because I would be mad personally losing 1800 dollars on something like that.

 

[12Bravo4R]

...their customer service is pretty disappointing.

Agreed. Just look at how long Ive been waiting for them to answer my question in their Vendor-Sponsor section:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/toytec-lifts/249676-icon-uniball-uca-caps.html

Nor have they answered any of my emails asking the same question.

.

How about some input here?

 

[Trixx]

It just seems like they could find better materials to hold up to corrosion a bit better. I have a degree in welding technology, numerous inspection certs, and work as Quality Manager on billion dollar industrial construction projects, so I have a pretty good grasp on metals, corrosion, etc. I just can’t foresee this being considered acceptable for a product that is obviously exposed to the elements.

Like someone else said, at least I won’t have to worry about rebuilding them... they’ll be getting replaced.

As asked above - they have been to the beach once (just the sand, no water) I did spend some time up North this winter but not the whole winter. My previous truck spent a whole winter in PA and a lot of time in IA and wasn’t remotely close to this bad. I also washed it religiously with water when I was up there.

 

[ScarfaceT4R]

I thought the Bilsteins have rustproof plating, is that not right?

Yea Bilstein says its a zinc plated finish, but all this talk about rock chips and sand blasting under there is really freaking me out! I guess I live in such a drout stricken part of the world that I shouldn't worry about rust though..

 

[calcrc]

Ouch OP that really sux balls. I have the OME coils and shocks and the yellow is getting rusty but yours is overkill :/

For the price you paid its bad, I had my bilsteins for 2 years and they are better looking than both your set up and mine !

I also live up north where they spray salt on the roads like popcorn at the movies.

Well now peeps on the forum will know not to buy that crap anymore.

Good luck and do a major oil spray-o-Thon all over that rust.

I think you got a bad batch or they frucking left your order outside in the rain or in a salt barrel for a couple of months before shipping it to you. Seriously I would freak the bruck out and call a manager or someone and make a complaint.

 

[daytonaviolet]

since your not removing any of the items anytime soon, why not shoot a few layers of Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear General Purpose Spray Paint. works well for the car show folks.

 

[calcrc]

unfortunately it is normal.

There's a lot of very unhappy ford raptor owners because the fox shocks they use rust like a demon in short order. I'm not aware of any shock manufacturers that will provide support for corrosion. Anything exposed in the wheel well will get a nasty salt bath and rust very quickly. The zinc plating to inhibit rust gets sandblasted off very quickly because of the location.

NO it is NOT Normal its really bad and it sux. People here have both Cheaper and more Expensive setups and it is not even close to his pictures. I have been looking at his pics and I almost want to cry.

 

[Trixx]

since your not removing any of the items anytime soon, why not shoot a few layers of Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear General Purpose Spray Paint. works well for the car show folks.

I already ordered some things mentioned in this thread. I’ll be giving them a good brushing/lube and eventually rattle canning the reservoirs and replacing the nuts on top.

 

[Trixx]

Seriously I would freak the bruck out and call a manager or someone and make a complaint.

I gave them every chance to make it right. I told them if they would do something to make it right (I was either looking for a partial refund or discounted replacement) I would consider it a one off issue and keep it to myself and appreciate them making it right. They refused, despite my patience in letting them decide, so I want to make sure everyone else is aware of this issue. Zero chance I would’ve bought these if I saw a picture like this after less than a year.

They claimed that they thought “car wash chemicals” removed the protective coatings lol. Except that 99% of the time I wash the vehicle I do the self wash with zero chemicals (just water). So there is that..

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - I've found that a lot of raw steel I've bought in the last couple years from chinese origins has rusted at an abnormally fast rate. I'm not sure what they're selling as A36, but it isn't the same as what comes from Japan or USA factories. My bet is that the raw product is some alloy that's prone to corrosion. Hell, some Japanese and European mild steel is more corrosion resistant than Chinese "stainless" steel products. Mostly it's just outright fraud in labeling a product as something it's not.

 

[Trixx]

FWIW - I've found that a lot of raw steel I've bought in the last couple years from chinese origins has rusted at an abnormally fast rate. I'm not sure what they're selling as A36, but it isn't the same as what comes from Japan or USA factories. My bet is that the raw product is some alloy that's prone to corrosion. Hell, some Japanese and European mild steel is more corrosion resistant than Chinese "stainless" steel products. Mostly it's just outright fraud in labeling a product as something it's not.

Most projects I work purchase mass amounts of steel from all over the world. There’s usually a list of countries on the ban list for buying materials - China is usually on there.

 

[TexasBock]

Sucks man but thanks for posting this. Researching lifts now and this one was on my list.

Not anymore.

 

[chmura]

This is why I only will buy Icon or King.

Toytec stuff is cheaply made IMO.

My icons are 4 years old and no rust on them. Your rust is bad and probably can not adjust them anymore.

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

OP - dont even waste another buck buying products to resist corrosion.

That Toyshit suspension is destined for the trash at this point. The corrosion is god awful, and it's just a matter of time til then.

Anything you spray on there will just insulate the product, which will cause it to have problems dissipating the heat, which is the basic need of shocks.

Hopefully you can show Toytec this thread and teach them how customer service works.

 

[RCFJ]

[MENTION=144960]TOYTEC[/MENTION]

Im surprised Toytec would not help you out, they generally have had good customer service in the past. This is not a normal rate of corrosion. Could you imagine if he was in the NE it would have rusted right off his truck.

 

[RedSled]

I installed these Toytec top of the line ($1850) coilovers last summer. They were rusting out pretty bad by December, and even worse now. I do live where there is snow but I rinse the vehicle weekly, very thoroughly. It’s never seen mud beyond a gravel road or driveway.

Here’s a couple pictures. Seems to be way worse than what I would consider acceptable. I saved hard to buy my 2017 4Runner and it’s an otherwise nearly mint vehicle and I’ve put a lot into it.

The condition of this suspension is a bit embarrassing to me. Toytec stated this is normal and will not do anything about it. If I knew this was to be expected after 9 months I would’ve gone another route.

Thoughts?

I would post this on every off road site i could find, that is not normal.

 

[Jesse1983]

wow, that's ugly. I had their CO's on my 2010 for like 5 years and they looked great when I took them off. I'll be buying CO's in a month or so and Toytec are now off my list as well.

 

[ToyTec Lifts]

Agreed. Just look at how long Ive been waiting for them to answer my question in their Vendor-Sponsor section:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/toytec-lifts/249676-icon-uniball-uca-caps.html

Nor have they answered any of my emails asking the same question.



How about some input here?

What email address did you send it to?

That forum section is probably the worst place to ask a question about an Icon product and expect a response. You can call us at anytime M-F, 8-5 mountain time.... 303.255.4959 ext 108
I'll be more than happy to answer any questions.