The Mid Travel Thread

[JWaldz]

I may be wrong but that looks like a 2nd Gen Tacoma/4th Gen 4runner front. Not saying you couldn't do it with ours too.

I think the picture is a 2nd gen but he makes kits for 1st and 2nd gens (3rd and 4th gen 4Runner). I remember when he first started making the kit. It was for a 1st gen Taco.


Edit: I think you referring to a different post, and not mine

 

[TCMach]

This pic is off a 2nd gen taco but they make them for the 1st gen.

I may be wrong but that looks like a 2nd Gen Tacoma/4th Gen 4runner front. Not saying you couldn't do it with ours too.

Yep..
Another thing about Air shocks is that if you do blow a seal or something. Your riding bumpstops all the way home. If you blow a seal on your coilover you atleast have the spring to keep you up.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

So many choices... Got parts for a full rebuild on the Sway Aways headed my way. Probably gunna run all the king stuff, Sway Aways will more than likely be for sale soon for $800. They will be good as new with new lower rod ends and bearings, seals, oil and new 650 springs if anyone is interested!

 

[TCMach]

Those the ones you bagged off tacomaworld? I got there too late haha

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Those the ones you bagged off tacomaworld? I got there too late haha

They are haha. I was going to sell my Kings and run these, but I decided to go with the kings instead because they are a set of 4. Also because I can't pin down what the rear OEM replacement shocks are for (not Tacoma or 4Runner)... So I am just going to make custom mounts and run them in the rear.

The Sway Aways are in good shape mechanically but they do need more parts than what was listed on the TW add. The rod ends are chewed up and the bearings are bad. So I am going to replace all of that stuff with new ones. One shock needs a new shaft, new alignment spacers on the bottom and then do a full rebuild on them. By the time I put these parts on and spend a few hours rebuilding I will more than likely break even on the exchange...

 

[GSPRunner]

I've got King Coilovers(14" 650lb springs), Total Chaos UCAs and Radflo 2.5 Resi's and 8 wraps in the rear. Barely driven the truck for months as it's been sitting torn apart forever but I'll finally get to take her out for the holiday weekend to see how she performs. Can't wait!

 

[TCMach]

They are haha. I was going to sell my Kings and run these, but I decided to go with the kings instead because they are a set of 4. Also because I can't pin down what the rear OEM replacement shocks are for (not Tacoma or 4Runner)... So I am just going to make custom mounts and run them in the rear.

The Sway Aways are in good shape mechanically but they do need more parts than what was listed on the TW add. The rod ends are chewed up and the bearings are bad. So I am going to replace all of that stuff with new ones. One shock needs a new shaft, new alignment spacers on the bottom and then do a full rebuild on them. By the time I put these parts on and spend a few hours rebuilding I will more than likely break even on the exchange...

I imagine those rear OEM replacements are just a certain travel length with a comp adjuster and welded loop. I know they make oem replacements for stock travel and thats all they are really. Add some custom valving and a stem top and you got yourself an oem replacement haha.

Damn that much in parts? I thought shafts and misalignment spacers were pretty cheap? I know my king rebuild kits cost me 25 each and a gallon of shock oil was 50. It all adds up I suppose.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

I imagine those rear OEM replacements are just a certain travel length with a comp adjuster and welded loop. I know they make oem replacements for stock travel and thats all they are really. Add some custom valving and a stem top and you got yourself an oem replacement haha.

Damn that much in parts? I thought shafts and misalignment spacers were pretty cheap? I know my king rebuild kits cost me 25 each and a gallon of shock oil was 50. It all adds up I suppose.

Rod ends with bearings and snap rings are $65 each, shafts are $65 each, spacers are $7 each, etc... plus shipping and time and my materials like lock tight, oil, special tools... It adds up. But the cool thing is these will literally be like brand new shocks for whoever ends up using them. That is why I love these kinds of shock, every single part is readily available and replaceable. So they are always a good investment for the lifetime of your vehicle.

For the rears; I have read a few horror stories from people about cracking or completely ripping off the coil bucket/shock mount in the factory position. And I know I will drive even harder with these shocks installed. So I really want to move the shock outward outside the frame so that I can try and avoid this issue. Plus shocks always work better when vertical, and mounted closest to the wheel. I keep toying around with wanting to get hydro bumps too... I know I want them but I am not sure if I will drop the cash yet. Maybe the right used pair will come my way... haha

 

[TCMach]

So they are always a good investment for the lifetime of your vehicle.

For the rears; I have read a few horror stories from people about cracking or completely ripping off the coil bucket/shock mount in the factory position. And I know I will drive even harder with these shocks installed. So I really want to move the shock outward outside the frame so that I can try and avoid this issue. Plus shocks always work better when vertical, and mounted closest to the wheel. I keep toying around with wanting to get hydro bumps too... I know I want them but I am not sure if I will drop the cash yet. Maybe the right used pair will come my way... haha

That bold part is so true. I wish I had that kind of forethought when I first started building my truck.

I want outboarded rear shocks real bad, just dont trust my welding to get the job done. Speaking of hydro bumps. There is a set of FOA 2" hydros with cans for 280 on my local craigslist. Only used for mock up. Really want to snag them but I've read good and bad on FOA stuff

 

[MojaveMadMan]

That bold part is so true. I wish I had that kind of forethought when I first started building my truck.

I want outboarded rear shocks real bad, just dont trust my welding to get the job done. Speaking of hydro bumps. There is a set of FOA 2" hydros with cans for 280 on my local craigslist. Only used for mock up. Really want to snag them but I've read good and bad on FOA stuff

I may or may not be planning to see if I can make a bolt on shock mount and bump can mount for 3rd gens that will let you bolt on an off the shelf 10" travel 2.5" king shock... Haha. But I haven't formalized anything yet and it's just an idea at this point. Nobody makes anything like this and I think it would be a cool add on for many folks. One for 2.5's and one for 2.0's... I don't have a lot of time on my hands though so we will see if it happens.

 

[Jedrattle]

I'm getting ready to stuff 2.5x12's in the rear outside of the frame. I changed the lower shock end to the shortest one Fox makes. I'm going to start working on it tomorrow. I want to see how you make either one bolt on.

 

[1985taylor1925]

So of all these coilovers (king, fox, icon, camburg), do any of them use actual progressive coils? Or are they all single rated

 

[A.Wilson013]

So of all these coilovers (king, fox, icon, camburg), do any of them use actual progressive coils? Or are they all single rated

The coils are linear, but the valving is either digressive (icon) or progressive (king). I am not sure as to the valving on the other brands.

 

[absalom]

The question I have is ... digressive or progressive?

 

[A.Wilson013]

The question I have is ... digressive or progressive?

Just here to stir the pot aren't you?? haha

I cannot tell the difference, but King fanboys will praise the progressive, and Icon fanboys will worship the digressive.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

I'm getting ready to stuff 2.5x12's in the rear outside of the frame. I changed the lower shock end to the shortest one Fox makes. I'm going to start working on it tomorrow.

Please share some pics!

The question I have is ... digressive or progressive?

In my opinion 99% of people will never notice the difference. I know I can't tell. I had Icons on an 02 Tacoma years ago and they rode great. My friend has Kings on his F150 and I like to call it the Desert Cadillac haha. I tell people all the time that you can't lose with any of the big 4 brands. So get ones that match your budget and have features you like (adjustable valving, remote reservoirs, wheel travel or color) and run them. I like used stuff so I usually go with the best deal I find, that's it haha.

 

[hinnjh]

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

 

[snivilous]

The coils are linear, but the valving is either digressive (icon) or progressive (king). I am not sure as to the valving on the other brands.

I think most onroad shocks (Bilstein and Icon) are digressive since it gives better road feedback but if you hit a pot hole will soften up for it, and most offroad shocks (Kings, SAW, Fox) are progressive since you want the suspension to stiffen if you hit something hard.

With that said I've never noticed a big difference, though never had two setups identical back to back. Rode in an Icon setup Tacoma and it rode like absolute shit, the Bilsteins I used to run felt great, the SAW setup I've ridden in felt great, the FOAs I have feel fine, etc.

 

[MTD]

I think most onroad shocks (Bilstein and Icon) are digressive since it gives better road feedback but if you hit a pot hole will soften up for it, and most offroad shocks (Kings, SAW, Fox) are progressive since you want the suspension to stiffen if you hit something hard.

With that said I've never noticed a big difference, though never had two setups identical back to back. Rode in an Icon setup Tacoma and it rode like absolute shit, the Bilsteins I used to run felt great, the SAW setup I've ridden in felt great, the FOAs I have feel fine, etc.

That's funny cause I love my Icons and they ride awesome offroad and pretty nice on road too. At low speed they may be a bit harsh, but the radflo setup I have ridden with is pretty much the same way.

Also there isn't a set way certain brands do things. Any brand can build you a progressive or digressive shock its just how you spec the valving.

 

[snivilous]

That's funny cause I love my Icons and they ride awesome offroad and pretty nice on road too. At low speed they may be a bit harsh, but the radflo setup I have ridden with is pretty much the same way.

Also there isn't a set way certain brands do things. Any brand can build you a progressive or digressive shock its just how you spec the valving.

Yea, like I said everything is pretty apples to oranges unless you have two shocks setup identical back to back. Obviously you can modify your valving stack so it'll soften/stiffen at higher velocities, but from what I understand the piston design is what determines if a shock is progressive or digressive, it's not a function of the valving (at least as far as terminology is concerned). I may be wrong though...