MrGainzz
New member
Same here. I was going with Bilsteins 6112/5160 but then realized I would still upgrade it to a higher end kit eventually,so why not do it right the first time and I decided to bite the bullets.
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The Elka suspension thread
- Thread starter MrGainzz
- Start date
Same here. I was going with Bilsteins 6112/5160 but then realized I would still upgrade it to a higher end kit eventually,so why not do it right the first time and I decided to bite the bullets.
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MrGainzz
New member
Yup since that’s what they recommended for 1.5” lift.
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CoolMax
New member
So are BFGs but it seems that people prefer other tires.
MunchyBugs
New member
So how does it ride?
Whytey
New member
I had a local shop to me order the Elka with DC with the proper sized bushings pressed in for a 4th gen. They do not offer these for a 4th gen (yet?).
I was very wary of putting a 700# spring up front with not bumper, winch, or even dual battery. And I believe the 700# coil is a 13”. Wanting more lift then the advertised 1.5”-2” I had the shop install a 14” x 650# eibach spring.
I netted about 2.5” over my old Daystar spacer lift. I was concerned about over lifting these shocks as they list 1.5”-2” of lift. But I have had no problems with them. I like the adjustability of the compression on them as well. You can go to both extremes of soft and firm.
I was very wary of putting a 700# spring up front with not bumper, winch, or even dual battery. And I believe the 700# coil is a 13”. Wanting more lift then the advertised 1.5”-2” I had the shop install a 14” x 650# eibach spring.
I netted about 2.5” over my old Daystar spacer lift. I was concerned about over lifting these shocks as they list 1.5”-2” of lift. But I have had no problems with them. I like the adjustability of the compression on them as well. You can go to both extremes of soft and firm.
04rnr
New member
Woow really? King was once a new company also. I'm running the elka 2.5 remote resin on my 4th gen and I'm 100% happy. They are great on the street and just kill it rock crawling, i dont do high speed desert racing so no need for to go with king or icons.
BTW, those "professional" dont pay for their shit out of their pockets, and ain't given a choice, on what suspension or tires they run on their rigs..HUGE difference
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LionRunner
New member
I was thinking the same and contacted my 4x4 shop to upgrade my lift from OME to Kings. I told them this time I want the best regardless the price tag. My 4x4 shop recommended ELKA over Kings. The reason to order ELKA was as per my shop King only give mid speed adjust ability so it will give comfort at a certain speed only. Vs ELKA you can adjust both low speed and high speed. I wanted absolute best this time so ordered ELKA.
The shop said its a 6-8week wait and hopefully the $$$ and wait time is worth. Until then I'm searching what others think about them.
ryguytheman
Member
I have the Toytec Aluma coilovers, which Elka builds. They are the same thing as yours but with different branding (from what I understand), I just didn't opt for the resis.
Mine have 700 lb springs, but I have a bumper and winch up front (and some other minor stuff like a compressor). Even with the weight, they are pretty firm. Feels fine for me, but you may be in for a bit of a surprise, it won't plush on a stock runner.
Edit: Annnnd, I just realized that the OP is pretty old. :doh:
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57buick
New member
I was thinking the same and contacted my 4x4 shop to upgrade my lift from OME to Kings. I told them this time I want the best regardless the price tag. My 4x4 shop recommended ELKA over Kings. The reason to order ELKA was as per my shop King only give mid speed adjust ability so it will give comfort at a certain speed only. Vs ELKA you can adjust both low speed and high speed. I wanted absolute best this time so ordered ELKA.
The shop said its a 6-8week wait and hopefully the $$$ and wait time is worth. Until then I'm searching what others think about them.
Not sure why they would say that? Thats exactly what made KING the best for the last 40 years was that they could be built anyway you wanted with adjustability, they are pretty much the ones that invented the adjustability of offroad shocks. They can build them anyway you want
Jono.ful
New member
King's race shocks are completely different from their oem replacement shocks that everyone runs. The Kings you'll find on 4r's do not have the range of adjustment that their race shocks do. Have a look at the performance race section of their website.
The King oem series is still a super nice shock, but to suggest that an average 4r owner is going to get a King built any way they want, or that the oem series is the same as the ones used in offroad racing is ridiculous.
honda250xtitan
New member
you can call King and order them how you want. i agree, they don't have dual speed adjustability like Fox or Elka tho.
They're (Fox, King, Icon, Elka, Sway Away, Toytec) all the same minus valve stacks and o-rings they prefer. and they're overkill for 99% of 4runner owners.
Jono.ful
New member
Sure, you can call King, and sure they can built whatever you want, but you'll still be limited to a 3" body coilover of a particular length because of the suspension geometry. If you want to do a secondary shock with external bypass, you definitely get a few more options for the front end, but even still, you WILL NOT get the same performance from even a $10k 3" front end setup that you will from their full-on 4" bore, legit LT race stuff.
Argue all you want, but you can't stuff 10lbs of shit into a 5lb bag, and you will eventually hit the limits of what you can do without serious cutting and welding.
Finslayer83
New member
honda250xtitan
New member
no sh1t sherlock....hows the elka that much better using stock pivot locations and uppers/lowers:zoom:
SnoRnR
New member
I’m looking at Elka but considering the 2.5 shocks without reservoir. I have a fair bit of weight on the rig and wanting 285/70/17 tyres. I’m trying to avoid the 2.5 resi as the price.
The Elka site states that the non resi shocks are for road use and light off-road.
I’ll be doing mainly overland travel and hope to hit some trials down in Moab, Colorado, Death Valley and California. Nothing too crazy.
Would 2.5 be fine or should I stump up the extra for the resi? I want non adjustable if I do as I doubt I would ever adjust them. Trying to keep costs down as I’ve spent a ton already.
Got a bumper and winch going on too.
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The Elka site states that the non resi shocks are for road use and light off-road.
I’ll be doing mainly overland travel and hope to hit some trials down in Moab, Colorado, Death Valley and California. Nothing too crazy.
Would 2.5 be fine or should I stump up the extra for the resi? I want non adjustable if I do as I doubt I would ever adjust them. Trying to keep costs down as I’ve spent a ton already.
Got a bumper and winch going on too.
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nimby
New member
If you're looking to save money, get the Toytec Boss Aluma Series. Exact same shocks with different branding. Elka makes them.
Resi's will help keep the oil cooler in your shocks, helping to reduce shock fade. If you offroad over fast sections or for extended lengths of time, resi's will be beneficial. If you don't, don't worry about getting them.
