Radflo 2.0 Coilover + Daystar 1" Spacer

[HOJeepster]

I was thinking about how to make my ride somewhat smoother, since I have my Radfo coilovers cranked up they create a lot of clunky noises.

Is it possible to lower the coilovers, therefore lowing the preload, and then add a 1" daystar spacer to gain back the 1 inch of lift? The idea would be to regain the plushness of the coilover at a lower setting but gaining the height by adding the spacer?

Is that possible? Anyone advise against?

I realize the entire point of having adjustable coilovers is to adjust the height as desired, however, with the Radflos' the higher you lift the stiffer and louder they get.

I've looked into switching from a 13" inch spring to a 14 inch spring, but then I've heard issues with 'stroke' come into play.
http://www.daystarweb.com/productdet...?productID=547

 

[Troymclure]

I was thinking about how to make my ride somewhat smoother, since I have my Radfo coilovers cranked up they create a lot of clunky noises.

Is it possible to lower the coilovers, therefore lowing the preload, and then add a 1" daystar spacer to gain back the 1 inch of lift? The idea would be to regain the plushness of the coilover at a lower setting but gaining the height by adding the spacer?

Is that possible? Anyone advise against?

I realize the entire point of having adjustable coilovers is to adjust the height as desired, however, with the Radflos' the higher you lift the stiffer and louder they get.

I've looked into switching from a 13" inch spring to a 14 inch spring, but then I've heard issues with 'stroke' come into play.
http://www.daystarweb.com/productdet...?productID=547

I have actually done this, except I used a 1/2'' spacer. It does work slightly, but it gave me too much downtravel and all the balljoints would bind at full droop and the upper arm would be incredibly close if not touching the spring. And they use a 14'' spring to begin with so switching springs with the same rate will do nothing.

The only way to soften the ride is to get them revalved, or run a softer spring. The preload does not affect the stiffness of the spring whatsoever, just where it is mounted. I hated how loud and stiff mine felt, and I thought it was because of the preload, but it turns out Radflo uses a very odd combination of valving shims in the shock, which provides the rough ride.

My best recommendation would be to get them revalved by someone who knows what they're doing (I wouldn't even try to get it done through radflo, they gave me the runaround saying they set them up perfect and just to swap springs, and ending up sending me to another company called PRG products.) Greg at PRG set them up with a very simple, tried and true valving and did it for $60, showing me every step and why he did it, so I can do it by myself in the future. Now, they ride is so much better, I was completely in shock.

Also, the clunking you hear is from this little shim they use in the shock that is metal and doesn't quite work. When I had mine revalved, they replaced this spacer with a plastic one and now they are silent.

 

[HOJeepster]

I have actually done this, except I used a 1/2'' spacer. It does work slightly, but it gave me too much downtravel and all the balljoints would bind at full droop and the upper arm would be incredibly close if not touching the spring. And they use a 14'' spring to begin with so switching springs with the same rate will do nothing.

The only way to soften the ride is to get them revalved, or run a softer spring. The preload does not affect the stiffness of the spring whatsoever, just where it is mounted. I hated how loud and stiff mine felt, and I thought it was because of the preload, but it turns out Radflo uses a very odd combination of valving shims in the shock, which provides the rough ride.

My best recommendation would be to get them revalved by someone who knows what they're doing (I wouldn't even try to get it done through radflo, they gave me the runaround saying they set them up perfect and just to swap springs, and ending up sending me to another company called PRG products.) Greg at PRG set them up with a very simple, tried and true valving and did it for $60, showing me every step and why he did it, so I can do it by myself in the future. Now, they ride is so much better, I was completely in shock.

Also, the clunking you hear is from this little shim they use in the shock that is metal and doesn't quite work. When I had mine revalved, they replaced this spacer with a plastic one and now they are silent.

I'm so glad to hear someone else with my same Radflo 'clunking' issues...good lord. You would think a $2k mod would make the ride nicer, not worse. Sometimes my truck sounds like a Pioneer wagon when it gets cold, the coilovers just clank clank clunk. I really would NEVER do business with Radflo again.

 

[LTDSC]

you alone have steered me away from Radflo when i was going to be buying suspension parts. I have seen coilovers with the top shims to take off some preload and ride better at a height it "should" be at. I know the lift kits for FJs have a coilover kit that just essentially is a big spacer. I know its a little different because the drop brackets but still.

 

[Troymclure]

I'm so glad to hear someone else with my same Radflo 'clunking' issues...good lord. You would think a $2k mod would make the ride nicer, not worse. Sometimes my truck sounds like a Pioneer wagon when it gets cold, the coilovers just clank clank clunk. I really would NEVER do business with Radflo again.

Yeah its so much nicer without the noise. I was really pissed off when they wouldn't even revalve mine. Never buying from them again, they were straight up rude to me on the phone. Im sure other places would actually appreciate my purchase, and be willing to do anything to help me be satisfied with my product.

 

[HOJeepster]

Thanks, I contacted PRG for advice on making the Crapflo's into Radflos.

 

[HOJeepster]

you alone have steered me away from Radflo when i was going to be buying suspension parts. I have seen coilovers with the top shims to take off some preload and ride better at a height it "should" be at. I know the lift kits for FJs have a coilover kit that just essentially is a big spacer. I know its a little different because the drop brackets but still.

Yes! My mission is accomplishedarty: haha. I just want to share my experience, since I too spend months and months reading other people's opinions on how amazing Radflo's were. I just wanted to share my experience with how loud and clanky they are. As well as the rear shock issue I had regarding the loss of nitro charges upon installation.

 

[HOJeepster]

Yeah its so much nicer without the noise. I was really pissed off when they wouldn't even revalve mine. Never buying from them again, they were straight up rude to me on the phone. Im sure other places would actually appreciate my purchase, and be willing to do anything to help me be satisfied with my product.

Agreed, I had to speak to Mike and Glenn over at Radflo several times regarding a reoccuring issue with my rear Radlo's always losing their nitro charge upon installation. They kept claiming it was 'user error' blah blah.

Either way, I think user's should know that some people have good experiences with products, and others do not.

 

[Troymclure]

Agreed, I had to speak to Mike and Glenn over at Radflo several times regarding a reoccuring issue with my rear Radlo's always losing their nitro charge upon installation. They kept claiming it was 'user error' blah blah.

Either way, I think user's should know that some people have good experiences with products, and others do not.

Yeah definitely. I like them now they dont make noise and are revalved, but off the shelf they were crappy for sure. Knowing what I know now, I wouldnt have bought them, and would have bought something that performed as expected right away, not after having to get them worked on.

 

[CajunRunnerRN]

I had just noticed yals thread. Had already purchased my extended travel 2.0 radflo's. So far I don't hear any clunking. Was looking into doing the spacer thing and that's hows I came upon yals thread. Will defiantly keep in mind the revalving thing. I have the 650lb springs. Its stiff but not unbearable. So revalving it helped with the ride?