Sonoran Steel 1.2 with Radflo Shocks Now?

[RIDEALL]

So I was pricing out different suspension options again and noticed on the 1.2 Kit they now have choice of different Radflo Shocks. 2.0 & 2.5 with & without external reservoirs!!
I was not aware of 3rd Gen Specific shocks from Radflo.
I was originally going to build my own kit utilizing Icon F&R shocks with all the little stuff from SS like panhard bar, Bump Stops, Diff Drop Esc. My only reservation is the cost of Icon (though worth it).
This might change my mind. Is anyone familiar with quality?
Actually better yet if Steve could chime in with some details that are currently lacking on his sight? Like valving? Ride characteristics? Pics?
Would love too here your input.
Anyone else with info or input?
Guess I will email duh!!!

 

[JWaldz]

IIRC, they don't specifically make Radflo CO's for the 3rd gen 4Runners but they make them for 1st gen taco's which is ideally the same. If Steve has gone beyond this and had them valved for us then great, but I doubt it. Radflo makes great quality parts though none the less and I'd suggest them as I would the same with Icon, Sway-A-Way, etc etc... Just comes down to affordability.

 

[The4kbeast]

I saw the same thing, and was going to ask for impressions here, too. Don't feel bad for asking. No one else has any feedback on Radflo?

I remember reading some where on TTORA that one of the companies there was no longer going to offer or recommend their stuff. Can't find a link to it now.

I'd love the Icons, as they came highly recommended. But I don't want to put $3000 into suspension.

 

[sschaefer3]

If Steve has gone beyond this and had them valved for us then great, but I doubt it.

Yes I did. Each single rear shock is between $230.00 and $395.00. These are NOT off the shelf by any means.

Why would we not want to pursue new things? Of course we would.

 

[sschaefer3]

No one else has any feedback on Radflo?

Sure you do. Overland Warehouse. They closed down and Radflow asked me to enter the game. That's all.

Go to Toyota120 and there are a million posts.

This is very high end High Speed Desert stuff. If you live where it snows, don't buy it. Look for something made with nickle plated steel for roads with salt.

 

[RIDEALL]

Thanks for the response Steve.
Exciting for people too have more options and I think Radflo made a great choice in teaming with you.
I Definitely get caught up in all the excitement of new product and the fancy stuff;-)
For my own honest uses the Std Sonoran 1.2 will be more than great and can't wait too make my purchase.
Haven't ever heard a bad thing in regards to performance, longevity, and customer service.
Now some one buy some Radflo from Steve so we can hear your experiences!!!!!

 

[sschaefer3]

Spend the extra money on 2 ARB Air Lockers.....

:naughty:

 

[blue dog]

Do you have pics of the 2.5's with res installed on a 3rd gen. Very interested.
Just pre ran 300 miles of the baja 1000 course on ss 1.2 kit. Actually held up ok even though it was not the ideal suspension setup. In the end, we would stop every now and then to let the shocks cool before they would fade away. Biggest problem is the runner has very little compression travel in the rear, bounced off the bump stops about a million times.
Anyways, how about some prices for 2.5's with res all the way around, hosed in the rear, not piggy back. And can you do a triple tube bypass for the rear, 2 compression, 1 for droop.

 

[sschaefer3]

I will see what I can do. But no triple bypass in the rear. Just a 2.5 and a hose to a can.

 

[blue dog]

I will see what I can do. But no triple bypass in the rear. Just a 2.5 and a hose to a can.

Thanks for the reply. I would be interested in upper control arms as well, but would prefer to retain the oem ball joint, what are my options.
Not really looking to get mucho travel over stock, but just a bit would be ideal.
what about hydro bumps for the rear, what are my options outside of custom fabrication.

 

[sschaefer3]

Hydraulic or Air Bumps would have to be custom fabricated for the rear, Jounce has a kit for the front, it is a grand.

Here is what we have and what we do not have.

I have a 2.0 kit for the 3rd Gen 4Runner it has been tested and I have no reservations selling it. It bolts on and off you go.

Here is what we do not have. Anything above that for the 3rd Gen 4Runner. As the website states, I can get them and I can get you a quote, but that is it.

The 3rd Gen 4Runner is very top heavy, the frame is not anywhere as strong as the 2nd Gen or the 4th Gen-5th Gen, 120 platform. The front coil over mounts are very thin and faced with anything more then a 2.0 I feel could begin to rip off, tear, etc. It is already well documented that if you use the rear cones, and high speed, the upper coil buckets will rip off as well.

The bottom line is this vehicle is a very poor choice for a go fast baja vehicle. What this truck is amazing at is hauling all your equipment down the Rubicon. Running the trails in Moab. Exploring Colorado and even Rock Crawling in Arizona.

We have a bolt on 2.0 kit, I will get the photos, that is what we have to ship in a box.

The shop can custom build a better truck and we have done so. I just sold my 1990 Desert High Speed truck as we are making room for more new projects. It has Bilstein 7100's custom valved front and rear, King Air Bumps up front and Jounce out back. It goes fast.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...uck-ultimate-adventre-vehicle-built-hilt.html

Finally to Blue Dog, the black Tokico shocks work considerably better then the 5100's in the rear. We did offer an A version, but now everyone gets the A version as it is so much better. Less bling, but more zing.

 

[MountainBiker]

We have a bolt on 2.0 kit, I will get the photos, that is what we have to ship in a box.

Any photos yet? Thanks!

 

[04rnr]

So I was pricing out different suspension options again and noticed on the 1.2 Kit they now have choice of different Radflo Shocks. 2.0 & 2.5 with & without external reservoirs!!
I was not aware of 3rd Gen Specific shocks from Radflo.
I was originally going to build my own kit utilizing Icon F&R shocks with all the little stuff from SS like panhard bar, Bump Stops, Diff Drop Esc. My only reservation is the cost of Icon (though worth it).
This might change my mind. Is anyone familiar with quality?
Actually better yet if Steve could chime in with some details that are currently lacking on his sight? Like valving? Ride characteristics? Pics?
Would love too here your input.
Anyone else with info or input?
Guess I will email duh!!!

sonoran steel ound: you said sonoran steel ound:
please do your research, he has been know to flat out curse customers out, for asking questions. very bad bad customer service, dont research him just on this forum, look at the other forums.

 

[theizzardking]

I saw the same thing, and was going to ask for impressions here, too. Don't feel bad for asking. No one else has any feedback on Radflo?

I remember reading some where on TTORA that one of the companies there was no longer going to offer or recommend their stuff. Can't find a link to it now.

I'd love the Icons, as they came highly recommended. But I don't want to put $3000 into suspension.

i love my rad flo's and this thread is right in line when i got mine through nirto gear and axle who was also contacted by radflo to get something done on the 4runners, i know carl there worked with one of the guys at radflo to basically custom valve my front shocks for my setup or planned setup, i can say they kill it for washboards and going fast on the FS roads , i can try and get some flex pics next time i'm out....so far all i got is a pic of them on my rig after about 5 months and a few overland ralleys ...oh and CRAZY amount of adjustment...sooo many threads to raise it up

 

[BrianSD_42]

I have a SS 1.2 kit and I really recommend the adjustable Bilstiens in the front and Toyota LC shocks in the rear.

If you have any questions just call Steve directly. IMO, the customer service (eg call and ask questions) partly justifies the price he charges.

 

[FrankM23]

I have a SS 1.2 kit and I really recommend the adjustable Bilstiens in the front and Toyota LC shocks in the rear.

If you have any questions just call Steve directly. IMO, the customer service (eg call and ask questions) partly justifies the price he charges.

I agree with this. i've been getting help from him the past couple of months regarding my 4x4 conversion and he's been nothing but patient and helpful. i believe he's going to start having bilstein 5160's in the rear as an option for any future buyers

 

[BrianSD_42]

Yeah and while the bilstiens are great for the front they are not necessarily an upgrade over LC shocks in the rear. He told me so many people request the bilstiens in the rear he is prob going to offer them in the future but in his opinion the LC in rear are much better match for most users. I have LC in rear and they are great.

 

[FrankM23]

yeah i bought mine used and it came with bilsteins. i'm curious how the 5160's would be. super pricey though.

 

[hrt4me]

The 3rd Gen 4Runner is very top heavy, the frame is not anywhere as strong as the 2nd Gen nor the 4th Gen-5th Gen, 120 platform. The front coil over mounts are very thin, and faced with anything more than a 2.0, I feel could begin to rip off, tear, etc. It is already well documented that if you use the rear cones, and at high speed, then the upper coil buckets will rip off as well.

The bottom line is this vehicle is a very poor choice for a go-fast Baja vehicle. What this truck is amazing at is hauling all your equipment down the Rubicon. Running the trails in Moab. Exploring Colorado and even Rock Crawling in Arizona.

thanks!

 

[AZTOY]

Sonoran Steel and Steve have always provided great service to me. He emailed and called me when I was asking questions on this forum regarding a problem I was having. Besides one response on this thread, I have seen nothing but positive comments regarding SS.