The Iron man suspension thread
- Thread starter Smokeshow69
- Start date
So, I too did the Ironman Nitro Gas 2" Comfort or Stock load setup with front and back shocks and coils. I'm super happy with the look and the ride. I got at least 3" out of them, but I think that's because I was still on the original shocks/coils. I also put new 2018 T4R wheels on which had a slightly taller than stock tire.
The only drawbacks, or heads-up, I'd put out there is that you might have to replace your CV axles if they're still original and you may want to look at upgrading your UCAs. I replaced one CV axle right away since it started oozing goop during the suspension install. I'll probably replace the other soon. I mention the UCAs because I've noticed that it doesn't drive as straight as it used to. I'm still on the OEM UCAs and yes, I got it aligned right after the suspension install, but they couldn't get the caster into normal spec. They said it's still safe and fine to drive, but won't feel the same. They're right, it doesn't feel the same. Feels like it wants to drift at freeway speeds. From what I'm reading, aftermarket UCAs will fix this. I'm considering the Ironman4x4 UCAs, but that's gonna be after I save a few bucks. Before/after pic attached.
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02RunnerAZ
New member
Looks Great
I was going back and forth on get the FCP or the Nitro, talked to John at Ironman for about 30 minutes today trying to sort it out, he was torn too. this thread helped me make the decision to go with Nitro. Good info on the UCAs I might just grab a pair with the kit.
your truck is looking great.
I was going back and forth on get the FCP or the Nitro, talked to John at Ironman for about 30 minutes today trying to sort it out, he was torn too. this thread helped me make the decision to go with Nitro. Good info on the UCAs I might just grab a pair with the kit.
your truck is looking great.
02RunnerAZ
New member
I thought the 0-660lbs is the softer set up, the constant load is 660-and up isn't it?
Bundutrailer
Member
How are the suspension holding up, how many miles offroad?
Bundutrailer
Member
Another bump, how are the Ironman foam cells performing on the 4th gens? Ride comfort with those with non constant load springs?
2004 Sport Edition V8 Ironman Nitros and UCAs
As the title states, I recently got the Ironman 4x4 Nitro Shocks, Performance lift springs (2.5 in front, 2 in rear) to level my '04 V8. Been on the truck for a few weeks and so far LOVING the ride. I have the forged UCAs too, and what a difference from the stock UCAs!
I had Bilstein 4600s for about 6 months with some soft rear springs and 1.5 inch spacers on the spring perches in the rear. This setup is much stiffer, yet rides like a cloud. I drive a windy (twists and turns, not air windy haha) road to work and back everyday. The new springs and shocks have improved the ride around turns so significantly that I am actually getting better fuel economy on the drive since I don't have to brake so much through corners and floor it back up hill.
As far as off-roading goes, the ride is so much softer (even than the Bilsteins, which I though rode really well already). The new UCAs allow better down-travel and articulation in the front - something I was suffering with on the old arms. I have a rutted out hill that I go watch sunset with the girlfriend on. With the stock UCAs, I was having all sorts of ATRAC input and ABS kicking goin up that hill. Now, the correct ball joint angle allows the front wheels to articulate down enough to completely eliminate the ATRAC kicks!
Happy to answer any questions! So far super pleased with the ride quality on and off-road.
As the title states, I recently got the Ironman 4x4 Nitro Shocks, Performance lift springs (2.5 in front, 2 in rear) to level my '04 V8. Been on the truck for a few weeks and so far LOVING the ride. I have the forged UCAs too, and what a difference from the stock UCAs!
I had Bilstein 4600s for about 6 months with some soft rear springs and 1.5 inch spacers on the spring perches in the rear. This setup is much stiffer, yet rides like a cloud. I drive a windy (twists and turns, not air windy haha) road to work and back everyday. The new springs and shocks have improved the ride around turns so significantly that I am actually getting better fuel economy on the drive since I don't have to brake so much through corners and floor it back up hill.
As far as off-roading goes, the ride is so much softer (even than the Bilsteins, which I though rode really well already). The new UCAs allow better down-travel and articulation in the front - something I was suffering with on the old arms. I have a rutted out hill that I go watch sunset with the girlfriend on. With the stock UCAs, I was having all sorts of ATRAC input and ABS kicking goin up that hill. Now, the correct ball joint angle allows the front wheels to articulate down enough to completely eliminate the ATRAC kicks!
Happy to answer any questions! So far super pleased with the ride quality on and off-road.
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Smokeshow69
New member
Did you perhaps talk to John at Metaltec ? He was super helpful to me with my decision making! I am at 190k and still love these. No leaks or performance issues at all! I am glad i went with the slightly heavier spring rate because i did quite a bit of towing with the runner... the springs help up well! Those UCAs look really nice!
Bundutrailer
Member
Had a friend get foam cell pros with the softest spring but was too firm unladed, seems the softest requires 400lbs constant at the back to be comfy. He removed the Ironman springs and put the softest Dobinsons and solved the issue.
Kennethz101
Junior Member
Are there any issues with the stage 2 UCA's rubbing against the 5th gen ORP wheels? I plan on sticking with the stock wheels for now
DoctorPopcorn
New member
I know this is a late reply, and I'm not running the ORP wheels, but no rubbing for me with the 5th gen SR5 snowflakes with 255/80/17 WildPeaks. I know being a skinny 33" makes a difference, and I'm not sure the backspacing difference between the snowflakes and the ORP wheels.
Ironman4x4America
New member
Let us know if you have any questions. We're now a Forum Sponsor at T4R and will be contributing to the community as well as sharing product release information, event invitations, and sales promotions.
:cheers:
:cheers:
That looks great! I am looking to order this lift right now and was initially going to order the 3" fronts and 2" rear, but your pics have me second guessing the 3" fronts and going for the 2.5". I have a 2005 Limited V8 with 148,000 on the factory X-REAS suspension that is pretty much shot, haha!
I'll be getting the UCAs also plan on running 287/70-17s on TRD PRO wheels.
I'll be getting the UCAs also plan on running 287/70-17s on TRD PRO wheels.
How long should I expect to wait for the stage 2 nitro gas lift package for a V8 2006 4runner if I placed my order today?
truckmike26
New member
Ironman products are a shitty imitation trying to piggyback on the success of ARB products. Lot's of shoddy quality control issues, its "distributors" are these hole-in-the-wall, "fab" shops in the rural areas run by young guys with huge beards and filthy fingernails. Zero customer support. I even phoned its head office in Australia long-distance and the woman on the phone brushed me off saying her manager said I need to deal with my local "distributor". Stay away.
ace4aday
Member
Trigger Pulled
I decided to give the stage 2 FCP kit a try and ordered it. Four days later and the coil-overs and UCLs just arrived FedEx. I'm local to them, but dang that was fast. Hopefully, the rear components are in transit.
I went with the 2.5"/2" lift and performance springs all around.
I decided to give the stage 2 FCP kit a try and ordered it. Four days later and the coil-overs and UCLs just arrived FedEx. I'm local to them, but dang that was fast. Hopefully, the rear components are in transit.
I went with the 2.5"/2" lift and performance springs all around.
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Ironman4x4America
New member
Opinions will vary... Our customer service is highly rated! If you had a bad experience with one of our retailers, give our U.S. customer service a call so we can address it please. Calling Australia about a problem you had here is like phoning the Tahara Plant in Japan because the guy at your dealership's beard was too long and his fingernails were too dirty for you. We are a 60+ year old Australian company, older than ARB! And, my beard is medium-length and I have super clean fingernails when I'm not playing in the mud. Get your facts straight before you post, Bud.
I had a GREAT experience with Ironman's support. I bought their NitroGas setup for my 07 T4R and decided to install it myself even though I'd never done any such mechanical work on my car before - never even changed my own oil! I got stuck a couple times and called Ironman support and received great help every time. They even suggested a FaceTime call with me so they could see what the issue was that I was having. THAT'S GREAT SUPPORT! I'm pretty sure the guy who helped me is the same guy who responded to this post from Ironman. I don't want to "out" his name, but he's a good dude and I fully envy his beard! Can't speak for his fingernails tho...he never Wags his finger at me.
I'll definitely buy from Ironman again when the time comes. I know I still need their UCAs and I'd love to get my hands on an awning some day.
truckmike26
New member
Opinions do vary, especially from someone who sells the brand and a self-proclaimed 4Runner "noob".
Some facts:
Defective leaf spring -- intermediate leaf cut too long into and made loud bangs as it contacted the spring clip during compression and extension. Multiple online inquiries for a replacement spring (because there are no distributors in Canada since) and nothing, nada, zip. Not here in North America nor Australia, did anyone respond at all.
Incorrect parts shipped from Ironman4x4America -- Toyota trucks vary from year to year based on where they're sold in the world. $300 USD in rear leaf spring bushings intended for an earlier model Hilux were the wrong parts for my Canada-spec (or North America-spec) Pickup/Hilux. The guy on the phone insisted these were the correct parts despite telling him a dozen times they don't fit. 20 percent re-stocking fee? From Toronto to Oregon? Yeah, it wasn't worth it.
Trying to make lemon-aid from lemons, four of the Ironman green polyurethane leaf spring bushings did fit the lower shackle spring mounts so I used them with brand new genuine Toyota bolts, nuts, washers, shackle kits from the Toyota dealer, all torqued to spec with the truck on the ground as per the Toyota factory service manual that I bought from the Toyota dealer in 1996 shortly after buying this 1994 Toyota Pickup. Those green bushings cracked within a few days of installing them.
Some more facts: my '94 Pickup, that I've owned for 26 years, isn't some LS-swapped, straight-axle-swapped, snorkeled, dented trail truck. It's a stock 3VZ-E automatic Pickup.
Just for some more facts, I Google-Map searched "Ironman4x4America" and there's only this place in Oregon that sells Ironman products for the whole 500,000,000+ populated continent.
Ironman is really going to make a dent in ARB sales.
