Upgrade existing suspension or redo?

[Seatown]

Currently running 5100 on all corners with daystar spacers in the rear, fronts set to 2.5". Alignment needs help so LR UCAs are going in. Figured I'd do a proper upgrade at the same time to get more out of my 4Runner. My two options are:

1. Add the toytec coil over to my existing 5100 to give me essentially the Ultimate kit and then add superflex to the rears and ditch the spacers. Total cost: just under $1000 with UCAs

2. Boss kit - I'm all about ride quality and this one seems to have the best out of the two. Total cost: just under $1700 with UCAs. Could sell my 5100 lift for $200 to offset the cost making it a $500 difference between option 1

What would you do? Is the Boss kit really that much better than the Ultimate? Not interested an any other kit so please keep the discussion between these two.

*prices include shipping

 

[WTERUNNER]

Currently running 5100 on all corners with daystar spacers in the rear, fronts set to 2.5". Alignment needs help so LR UCAs are going in. Figured I'd do a proper upgrade at the same time to get more out of my 4Runner. My two options are:

1. Add the toytec coil over to my existing 5100 to give me essentially the Ultimate kit and then add superflex to the rears and ditch the spacers. Total cost: just under $1000 with UCAs

2. Boss kit - I'm all about ride quality and this one seems to have the best out of the two. Total cost: just under $1700 with UCAs. Could sell my 5100 lift for $200 to offset the cost making it a $500 difference between option 1

What would you do? Is the Boss kit really that much better than the Ultimate? Not interested an any other kit so please keep the discussion between these two.

*prices include shipping

Boss Kit, hands down. Had it on my FJ and loved it.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Boss kit, sell 5100s, get UCAs but I wouldn't get LR UCAs. Chinese made, hit or miss on quality.

 

[Seatown]

I thought the consensus was that's Light Racing finally got their sh*t together with their latest version? Anybody having problems with the newest iteration?

I'm leaning towards the BOSS kit too, the sales pitch of better ride comfort with great articulation is selling me.

 

[Kotrin]

I've ran the LR UCA's on my last 2 vehicles. I did hardcore(fast and stupid ) sand racing on my Tacoma and now I do pretty heavy exploration with my 4Runner. I run the BOSS and been fairly happy. I have zero regrets with my LR UCA's or my kit. Had I had more ...cash laying around I would have gone to a Stage 5 or more Icon, but I am concerned with the Icon with KDSS that it will essentially wash out. My thought is in about another 85k miles (@100k). I'll remove the KDSS and install the Icon Stage X.

But sorry I got off subject, I would do the boss with LR UCA's. If you want a different UCA, go Icon or TC. Known a few people who have had issues with TC, but than again, anything can happen (unless you buy ICON). Yet to see a ICON in person that's had an issue... that's just what I've seen personally.

 

[Seatown]

I've ran the LR UCA's on my last 2 vehicles. I did hardcore(fast and stupid ) sand racing on my Tacoma and now I do pretty heavy exploration with my 4Runner. I run the BOSS and been fairly happy. I have zero regrets with my LR UCA's or my kit. Had I had more ...cash laying around I would have gone to a Stage 5 or more Icon, but I am concerned with the Icon with KDSS that it will essentially wash out. My thought is in about another 85k miles (@100k). I'll remove the KDSS and install the Icon Stage X.

But sorry I got off subject, I would do the boss with LR UCA's. If you want a different UCA, go Icon. Known a few people who have had issues with TC, but that's just what I've seen personally. Personally all i've known where I live and who I wheel/off road with have had no issues with LR UCA's (could be luck of the PNW)..lol

Thanks Kotrin. I had LR UCAs on my last Tacoma too for about 10k miles before I sold it. Not nearly the paces you put yours thru. How's the on road ride quality with the Boss? Potholes? I'll be on the lookout for you around town

 

[joneseyyy]

Personally, I wouldn't gamble on a company that has a history of not having their sh*t together having it together now without bona-fide evidence of a new, tested design. Spend a couple hundred extra on UCAs that have next to zero history of failure (Total Chaos, etc.). Being stranded once will cost you more.

 

[Seatown]

Personally, I wouldn't gamble on a company that has a history of not having their sh*t together having it together now without bona-fide evidence of a new, tested design. Spend a couple hundred extra on UCAs that have next to zero history of failure (Total Chaos, etc.). Being stranded once will cost you more.

You make a solid point joneseyyy

 

[Kotrin]

Personally, I wouldn't gamble on a company that has a history of not having their sh*t together having it together now without bona-fide evidence of a new, tested design. Spend a couple hundred extra on UCAs that have next to zero history of failure (Total Chaos, etc.). Being stranded once will cost you more.

I know what your saying and I contacted the company after I started reading people's problems with them. I was really nervous at first because I was about to go on a long trip and start my summer of craziness. No issues at all and won't change them till I do a complete new lift.

I've known a few who had issues with the TC, not sure if it was a fluke or what. I've yet to see anyone ever with ICON issues. I have a buddy who's got about 70k now on his ICON UCA's and he doesn't even really service/take care of them, lol.

If I had to do it again, I would hold off on the BOSS and buy a Icon Stage 2. It's only about 400 or so more and group buy can save ya even more. If you want to wait till the PNW/SAR event Duco is putting on at the end of this month, i'll be there and you can check mine out.

I have no regrets with my purchase and have/would do more exploration trips like I do by myself with out hesitation.

My hesitation on the Icon is that I feel you should either go all in or not at all. One of the reason's I got my Toytec Boss Ultimate is because I got it at such a deal that I could pass it up. Paid around 1700 for all the components..

 

[joneseyyy]

I know what your saying and I contacted the company after I started reading people's problems with them. I was really nervous at first because I was about to go on a long trip and start my summer of craziness. No issues at all and won't change them till I do a complete new lift.

I've known a few who had issues with the TC, not sure if it was a fluke or what. I've yet to see anyone ever with ICON issues. I have a buddy who's got about 70k now on his ICON UCA's and he doesn't even really service/take care of them, lol.

If I had to do it again, I would hold off on the BOSS and buy a Icon Stage 2. It's only about 400 or so more and group buy can save ya even more. If you want to wait till the PNW/SAR event Duco is putting on at the end of this month, i'll be there and you can check mine out.

I have no regrets with my purchase and have/would do more exploration trips like I do by myself with out hesitation.

My hesitation on the Icon is that I feel you should either go all in or not at all. One of the reason's I got my Toytec Boss Ultimate is because I got it at such a deal that I could pass it up. Paid around 1700 for all the components..

I've had Icon issues, but really only on the service side. For turn-key, standard solutions, they are good to go, but if you need service, or have a not-quite-turn-key request, my experience was less than pleasant.

I do think that Icon has positioned themselves extremely well for most folks looking for turn-key solutions, but Fox, King, FOA, and others make really top-notch stuff for our trucks and should get a look.

 

[Kotrin]

I've had Icon issues, but really only on the service side. For turn-key, standard solutions, they are good to go, but if you need service, or have a not-quite-turn-key request, my experience was less than pleasant.

I do think that Icon has positioned themselves extremely well for most folks looking for turn-key solutions, but Fox, King, FOA, and others make really top-notch stuff for our trucks and should get a look.

Good to know. I've been debating on my next step as i actually think I could benefit from a resevior shock setup. My last 4 trips out I tend to drive fast occasionally and the suspension is pretty well getting a work out. Though in all honesty I doubt I did anything to them as I wasn't doing no 100 miles continously at over 20 mph, more like 10 minutes of it at tops before taking it easy.

I've been looking for a LT setup but haven't really seen a lot except on trucks. I know a few of the members around here have them, but I want to see one in person/ride in it . Only reason I thought of going all out high end Icon was after reading Gadget's build thread...

 

[Seatown]

Been looking at the icon stage 2 for the additional travel...definitely sick. It's more like $750 more than the Boss/LR combo on Toytecs website. I'm sure metal tech has it cheaper, it's just more than I'd like to spend. Today's my birthday and I'm kind of riding the justification train today by treating myself to a new lift.

Do you have yours cranked up to 3"?

 

[hearno]

Been looking at the icon stage 2 for the additional travel...definitely sick. It's more like $750 more than the Boss/LR combo on Toytecs website. I'm sure metal tech has it cheaper, it's just more than I'd like to spend. Today's my birthday and I'm kind of riding the justification train today by treating myself to a new lift.

Do you have yours cranked up to 3"?

Get in on the group buy... it's a really good deal.

 

[Kotrin]

Been looking at the icon stage 2 for the additional travel...definitely sick. It's more like $750 more than the Boss/LR combo on Toytecs website. I'm sure metal tech has it cheaper, it's just more than I'd like to spend. Today's my birthday and I'm kind of riding the justification train today by treating myself to a new lift.

Do you have yours cranked up to 3"?

Mine?

 

[Seatown]

Mine?

Yup. Does it ride stiffer the higher its cranked? I've never had a coil over suspension, just trying to learn before the install.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Yup. Does it ride stiffer the higher its cranked?

That's what she...said? :drum:

 

[Kotrin]

Yup. Does it ride stiffer the higher its cranked? I've never had a coil over suspension, just trying to learn before the install.

Yeah, but I needed to crank it as I have a lot of extra weight. Before I added anything though it rode really well, but I knew it would have to stiffen up as I find my sweet spot. Over all its not bad speed bumps are rough, but then I have yet to ever be in a vehicle that doesn't glide over them, one reason I want to ride in a long travel or icon before I purchase. .lol

 

[AFdude]

Personally, I wouldn't gamble on a company that has a history of not having their sh*t together having it together now without bona-fide evidence of a new, tested design. Spend a couple hundred extra on UCAs that have next to zero history of failure (Total Chaos, etc.). Being stranded once will cost you more.

I couldn't agree more. I had went with some Fabtech UCA's on my FJ as a cheaper alternative to TC, Icon and alike. The Fabtech UCA's were new for their FJ lineup at the time so the price was right. A month into driving on the setup I hit a small pothole at 40mph. The bolt holding the spindle to the ball joint snapped and I was sent uncontrollably into oncoming traffic, (left UCA) luckily avoiding collision with cars or property. I came to a stop having almost crapped my pants and lucky enough to walk away with some minor damage to the tire, suspension, and brake lines.

Lesson learned. Go with the tried and true products. Even with all tech data, torque values, and a sound install, you may not be able to avoid workmanship or design flaws. We went back and fourth with Fabtech on torque values and bolt qualities (chinese made)... You really get what you pay for with suspension components. I swapped out the Fabtech's with TC. Zero problems after that. I even made sure to put the TC's on my 4RT.

As for Fabtech, they were fair enough to issue a refund. I know they have a cult following in the Tacoma community and I figured I would give them a try on their new product.

Also, FWIW I like my Toytech Ultimate setup for now. It has held up to anything I threw at the FJ, which had Fox 2.5 CO's and Remote Res with roughly the same ride quality. If you plan on adding a lot of weight later in bumpers you may want to plan your suspension accordingly.

 

[4R Play]

FWIW, Icon lists their kits as "long travel" but when I got their compression/extension specs from them (had to call them as they don't seem to have them listed anywhere) they are about 0.5-0.8" shorter than the Fox I was comparing to. And Fox doesn't label theirs LT. I found I was able to make a comparable kit with the Fox for a bit cheaper than the Icon kits (TC UCA, OME springs, etc). And with Fox you get the progressive valving vs degressive.
I'm sure pros and cons with either. Figure out what you need, what you want, read reviews and you'll be happy. Definitely more than one option that'll work well.

 

[Kotrin]

I know your not going to want to hear this...but I found what I'll be doing as soon as its paid off...