The Mid Travel Thread

[MojaveMadMan]

So I can't say I am being original because this thread exists on another forum I will not name haha. But it is truck based and we don't have leaf springs on our rigs so I thought it would be worth having our own!

I have seen a lot of discussion on various threads about what mid travel is and I see more people going this direction over time. So I thought maybe we needed one here so we could talk all things mid travel for 3rd Gen 4runners.

This is my definition of what a true "mid travel" truck is. I am sure others will have various levels of agreement, but all are welcome!

A mid travel set up is a suspension system that is stock width, but is focused on getting the best suspension performance out of this configuration. It is not about how much lift, but more about wheel control through the use of high end shocks and other parts and getting good wheel travel within the limits of our vehicles. In most cases this includes the use of 2.5" diameter shocks but is not limited to.

Lets share what we have, our experiences with it, and build a thread chalked full of good info.

I am just starting mine, and I will share pictures this weekend, but I am not new to this stuff. In the mail and arriving today are 4 King shocks for front and rear. Fronts will be extended travel with 650 springs. Rears are actually from a Tacoma so I need to see how I can make them fit and re-valve for my 4runner. But I got a killer deal so I will make them work. I also run All-Pro UCA's for the extended travel fronts that will go on. In the rear are ToyTec Superflex springs, Sonoran Steel Adjustable panhard bar and bump stop extensions. Other little things include white line LCA poly bushings, Wheelers extended brake lines, and all new Toyota tie rods.

Future plans include hydro bumps front and rear, custom upper and lower links for the rear suspension, and maybe if I get real froggy a bypass in the front...

 

[4x4runner2002]

i have the icon ext travel coil overs in the front with king 14" 650 lb springs paired with icon ucas. I'm also using the 2nd gen tacoma wheelers super bumps up front.
In the rear i have 10" fox 2.0s on shock hoops. Im running the 861 rear coils and have bilstein 9100 bump stops. I have wheelers ext brake lines and heim joint pan hard and upper and lower links.


I enjoy my set up and it handles pretty good. The thing that made the biggest difference was the rear bumpstops. they make the rear end feel bottomless almost.

id really like to add the total chaos secondary shock hoop up front and some hydro bumps up front too. I need limit straps as well.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

i have the icon ext travel coil overs in the front with king 14" 650 lb springs paired with icon ucas. I'm also using the 2nd gen tacoma wheelers super bumps up front.
In the rear i have 10" fox 2.0s on shock hoops. Im running the 861 rear coils and have bilstein 9100 bump stops. I have wheelers ext brake lines and heim joint pan hard and upper and lower links.


I enjoy my set up and it handles pretty good. The thing that made the biggest difference was the rear bumpstops. they make the rear end feel bottomless almost.

id really like to add the total chaos secondary shock hoop up front and some hydro bumps up front too. I need limit straps as well.

How do you like the 861's? My SuperFlex's ride nice, but I think it sits a little higher than I would like... I need to get my new suspension on then I will be trying my 3rd set of coils. Had 7.5 wraps first, then the SF's, who knows what is next...

And ya the hydro bumps make so much of a difference. Most people don't realize, but they are worth every penny and I personally think you get so much bang for your buck on those things. I had some on a Bronco I used to have paired with 5100's and they made that thing ride like a caddy!

 

[4x4runner2002]

How do you like the 861's? My SuperFlex's ride nice, but I think it sits a little higher than I would like... I need to get my new suspension on then I will be trying my 3rd set of coils. Had 7.5 wraps first, then the SF's, who knows what is next...

And ya the hydro bumps make so much of a difference. Most people don't realize, but they are worth every penny and I personally think you get so much bang for your buck on those things. I had some on a Bronco I used to have paired with 5100's and they made that thing ride like a caddy!

the 861s are perfect for me. unloaded I'm about 2" higher in the rear than the front and fully loaded um usually .5" higher in the rear. I also have a cbi swing out bumper with spare tire on there and 10 gallons of gas. I came from some 891s that were all saggy and over used. The 861s also ride fantastic, not harsh and they flex great.

 

[masphx]

I guess mine is mid travel but not sure...

-Icon front Coil 2.5 standard travel. OEM UCA
-Icon Rear 2.5 w/ remote res. OEM 890 Springs.
-Stock bump stops, no diff drop and stock panhard

Dumb question but I can't find it. What is the spring rate of my Icon Coil overs?

Overall I like the set up. Rig feels solid on the road with little body roll. On the dirt I can fly over washboards.

Debating on removing the front sway bar not to make the ride more comfortable on and off road.

 

[MTD]

another forum I will not name haha. But it is truck based

Tacoma world!

I would like my cookie now please :hungry:

 

[turbo8]

TC upper arms with fox 2.5" ext travel remote reservoir shocks and removed the front sway bar.

Icon 2.5" piggy back shocks with ome 906 springs Icon claims these offer more travel and have a bump zone in them.

4runner rides good on and off-road.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Here you go fine sir!

 

[MojaveMadMan]

I guess mine is mid travel but not sure...

-Icon front Coil 2.5 standard travel. OEM UCA
-Icon Rear 2.5 w/ remote res. OEM 890 Springs.
-Stock bump stops, no diff drop and stock panhard

Dumb question but I can't find it. What is the spring rate of my Icon Coil overs?

Overall I like the set up. Rig feels solid on the road with little body roll. On the dirt I can fly over washboards.

Debating on removing the front sway bar not to make the ride more comfortable on and off road.

I have read two things. Either 600 or 650.... From my understanding if you have a plate bumper 650 is ideal, if you have a winch on there too then 700 is the ticket.

 

[MTD]

Here you go fine sir!

nom, nom, nom!

Now for the task at hand I am working on getting my front set up right now I have Icon 2.5's that are going to be converted to RR and I am looking at getting some Icon UCA's. I may get me some Race Runner jounce bumpstops then or go with a secondary shock setup.

Also as soon as I find a decent welder I will be gusseting my spindles.

 

[4Running Daily]

Front: ADS 2.5" Coilovers with Remote Reservoirs. 14" 650 pound coil. 2nd Gen Wheelers Bumpstops. Camburg Uniball Upper Control Arms. Ride is fantastic.

Rear: Icon 2.5" Shock with Piggyback Reservoirs and Superflex Rear Coils. Plans to link the rear in the near future.

IMG_4796 by 4Running Daily, on Flickr

 

[SCRunner12]

I guess mine is mid travel but not sure...

-Icon front Coil 2.5 standard travel. OEM UCA
-Icon Rear 2.5 w/ remote res. OEM 890 Springs.
-Stock bump stops, no diff drop and stock panhard

Dumb question but I can't find it. What is the spring rate of my Icon Coil overs?

Overall I like the set up. Rig feels solid on the road with little body roll. On the dirt I can fly over washboards.

Debating on removing the front sway bar not to make the ride more comfortable on and off road.

Your Icon's have 13" 650 lb coils. Technically you're not mid travel due to the stock UCA's, but we're not picky here.

I always had my front sway bar on, but took it off when I installed my UCA's and I didn't notice much of a difference on road. I just put it back on because I was going on a long trip with the family, but will be removing it soon. It's much better offroad with it removed.


My set up:
Fox Extended Travel 2.5" CO's and All Pro UCA's
Toytec Superflex and Fox 2.0's (waiting to be installed)

I love the ride, but I really need to work on the rear. It is archaic compared to the front with my current LC Tokico Trekmasters in the back.

A picture because this thread is boring without pictures...

 

[SCRunner12]

Damn I really need to get my 14x650 coils installed soon after looking at my set up and Connor's.

 

[4x4runner2002]

Not the best pics but they are better than nothing

 

[4Running Daily]

Damn I really need to get my 14x650 coils installed soon after looking at my set up and Connor's.

JuanTaco on Tacomaworld has an extra set sitting in his garage. I bet he'd be willing to make you a deal.

 

[TCMach]

Front:
King Extended Travel Coilovers (no resis yet) - 700lb coils
Light Racing UCAS
TC spindle gussets

Rear:
Super lame 9wraps and billies. Getting an upgrade to shock hoops, 10/12" King 2.0s with resis, new rear links with ballistic joints, and raising axle side panhard mount and 861s this summer.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102663750@N03/17245875411" title="Untitled by Tyler Carvell, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8739/17245875411_72c76ef309_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a>

 

[SCRunner12]

JuanTaco on Tacomaworld has an extra set sitting in his garage. I bet he'd be willing to make you a deal.

I recently picked up a set for $100 and are sitting in the garage. Just need to get motivated to pull the CO's off and compress the springs. Might do it in 2 weeks at a NorCal mod day. Thanks for the offer.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Front: ADS 2.5" Coilovers with Remote Reservoirs. 14" 650 pound coil. 2nd Gen Wheelers Bumpstops. Camburg Uniball Upper Control Arms. Ride is fantastic.

Rear: Icon 2.5" Shock with Piggyback Reservoirs and Superflex Rear Coils. Plans to link the rear in the near future.

IMG_4796 by 4Running Daily, on Flickr

4-link with new mounting points? Or just beef up the stock ones?

Your Icon's have 13" 650 lb coils. Technically you're not mid travel due to the stock UCA's, but we're not picky here.

I always had my front sway bar on, but took it off when I installed my UCA's and I didn't notice much of a difference on road. I just put it back on because I was going on a long trip with the family, but will be removing it soon. It's much better offroad with it removed.


My set up:
Fox Extended Travel 2.5" CO's and All Pro UCA's
Toytec Superflex and Fox 2.0's (waiting to be installed)

I love the ride, but I really need to work on the rear. It is archaic compared to the front with my current LC Tokico Trekmasters in the back.

A picture because this thread is boring without pictures...

I currently have the LC stuff too and it is very spungy compared to the firmer feel you get from the larger shocks. Not that it is a bad thing if you are in the rocks all the time...

 

[4Running Daily]

4-link with new mounting points? Or just beef up the stock ones?

New mounting points. A real 4-Link, not the little foot long links we have now.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Loving all the nice set ups!

Got these in the mail today, my mid travel kit is now located on my garage floor. Got all of this for $800 including new springs and shafts.

This is a kit for a 1st Gen Tacoma with a 6" drop down lift kit. All I need to do is swap in the normal length shafts which I have, and chuck the spacers and they will be ready to go.

Gotta order some re-build kits and shock oil. Swap in the kits, shafts and 650# coils and the front will be ready.

Rears are 10.5" stroke. I need to call King and find out what valving is in them and I might adjust that, might leave it depending. These obviously won't bolt into the stock location because they don't have the right top. But that is ok, I am gunna fab up some shock mounts to go outside the frame rails to mount these. A few people are having good success with mounting the rear shocks on the outside the frame so I am excited to get those mounted. Along with a rebuild and maybe re-valving I also plan on adding some hydro bumps to accompany the rear shocks. They will be built into the shock mounts. Probably going to be a couple months until I get fabbing and mounting...

If anyone wants the 14" 600# springs let me know, we can work something out!