Should I upgrade 650# to 700# coils?

[joshoowa]

Hey guys, I'm having an internal debate with myself and would like your input on this matter. I'm about to rebuild my Icon extended travel shocks and came across a thought that maybe I should go up to 700# springs.

The current configuration on the rig as follows:
Shrockworks Front Bumper - 137#
Shrockworks Sliders - 90#
Shrockworks Rear bumper w/o swing out - 100#? (not listed on their site)
TRD Pro Skid Plate - 25-30#
Gobi roof rack - 70#
Light bar - 5-10#

Total: ~437# added to vehicle

Per Coilover Spring Rates for Toyota Tacoma & 4Runner | AccuTune Off-Road I would need 700# coils if i had additional weight of #600 added to the vehicle.

I don't plan to add any additional armor, winch, etc for the foreseeable future. My coilover preload is 1.75" exposed threads, per Icon you should not exceed 2.13", so I'm reasonably below that threshold. The overall city/hwy ride isn't bad either but I'm that ever lasting conundrum of what ifs. Should I go 700# or stick with the 650#?

 

[blksubykid]

Im running 650lbs springs up and i have about the same or even a bit more weight up front than you. I think youll be fine unless you start adding more accessories (ie winch, larger or dual batteries). 700lbs would most likely be too stiff and abit jarring for your current setup.

know anyone around you running 700lb springs? if so, ask for a ride in their rig.

 

[Xtremluck]

Hey guys, I'm having an internal debate with myself and would like your input on this matter. I'm about to rebuild my Icon extended travel shocks and came across a thought that maybe I should go up to 700# springs.

The current configuration on the rig as follows:
Shrockworks Front Bumper - 137#
Shrockworks Sliders - 90#
Shrockworks Rear bumper w/o swing out - 100#? (not listed on their site)
TRD Pro Skid Plate - 25-30#
Gobi roof rack - 70#
Light bar - 5-10#

Total: ~437# added to vehicle

Per Coilover Spring Rates for Toyota Tacoma & 4Runner | AccuTune Off-Road I would need 700# coils if i had additional weight of #600 added to the vehicle.

I don't plan to add any additional armor, winch, etc for the foreseeable future. My coilover preload is 1.75" exposed threads, per Icon you should not exceed 2.13", so I'm reasonably below that threshold. The overall city/hwy ride isn't bad either but I'm that ever lasting conundrum of what ifs. Should I go 700# or stick with the 650#?

I have a much heavier setup than you and I am running 650lb springs. I know a lot of folks are running 700s (Including myself previously) however after speaking to a few off road suspension experts I was convinced to switch to a softer setup. I'm so happy I did because the ride quality is night and day better offroad. 700# springs are overkill for almost any 5th gen 4runner application outside of an ARB Bumper with a 10K winch, dual batteries, compressor and full steel armor.

 

[ryguytheman]

I'm running 700 lb springs up front, and I've been very happy with it. But based on what I've seen from others, you'll get mixed reviews. Seems like the sweet spot would be right in the middle for a lot of folks.

It's quite a bit stiffer than stock, but that's honestly been a very good thing for me as far as driveablility. Stock suspension with all of my weight made highway driving through the mountains a scary experience. So much better now.

 

[aceee]

I'm on 650# up front and only have a lo pro with winch which combined is about the same weight as your full bumper. Also have sliders, gobi rack, rear tire carrier with a 35. Depending on your weight in your rear, those are the springs you should replace. Fronts are fine

 

[El Dusty]

Should I go 700# or stick with the 650#?

I have a very similar but slightly lighter setup than you (aluminum front bumper) and Im running 700lbs springs. I will be switching to 650s when I have my shocks re-built here over the winter most likely.

The ride on the highway and city is fine. But offroad it feels like the front end wants to jump out from underneath the vehicle when the springs are decompressing. When I know either front tire will be dropping or rolling over a big obstacle I really have to slow down or risk a fairly violent decompression / compression event. Im assuming this is due to the lack of weight up front.

For reference I bought Toytec Aluma 2.5s and they came w/700lbs. I should have researched these more before grabbing them during the sale...

 

[comtn4x4]

First off I agree with [MENTION=258844]blksubykid[/MENTION], find someone with 700# coils to take a ride with. I think that would be the most insightful thing you could do to eliminate some of the guessing.



For me I have been very happy with my 700# coils. However, my front end (And my whole rig) is probably bit heavier than yours. I had my same front end weight with a Toytec Boss setup with 650# coils before I switched to my current front end suspension. On the 650# coils I had the preload cranked up so much to keep the height the same that it destroyed the ride quality completely. Very harsh and uncontrolled rebound. With the 700# Radflo setup it rides great on and off road. All that being said, going from an old tired Toytec setup to a Radflo setup isn't much of an apples to apples comparision. Maybe I'd be ok with 650# coils. Really hard to know. Like [MENTION=233036]ryguytheman[/MENTION] said maybe something in the middle would be better. I'd probably also look at a custom tune for your specific setup on your Icons if your rebuilding them anyway.

 

[fbksurferjoe]

700# springs with a hybrid steel bumper, winch and dual battery. Prinsu rack and steel sliders. I think they are perfect. Also I removed the front sway bar recently which only made the ride feel even better.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

 

[Akkording]

How about a #650 in a 14 inch length spring? I'm running the King springs in that spec. I think Fox has that option as well.
My experience driving around Houston it has good highway manners and wouldn't be as jarring around some of our rough side roads

I've seen quite a few 2nd gen Tacomas with Icons happy with 14inch 650s as well.