Suspension Dilemma - Ironman Nitro Stage 2 kit vs. Elka 2.0 IFP's w/ Toytec Rear Coils/Camburg UCA

OK, so I have a 2020 TRD ORP that I'm starting the real mods on, and I jumped on a sale a while back and bought an Ironman Nitro (not the Foam Cells) Stage 2 lift (3"/2") with the Pro Forge UCAs and performance load springs. Ended up now also getting in trade a set of F/R Elka 2.0 IFP shocks (2-3" lift, 700lb front coilovers). Now I'm not sure which one I should install - I've heard exceptional things about Elka's quality (primarily their higher end stuff with the resi's, etc., but assume that is much the same for their "entry level" 2.0 IFPs). I'd still have to buy some rear lift springs for the Elka's, and probably the Camburg ball-joint UCAs to complete that kit. My rig is a daily driver when I do have to drive - no regular commute, but I do have to drive extended highway distances to customer sites, etc. It'll definitely also be used weekends and throughout the year for trail riding and overlanding-type travel/camping, driving hunting property, etc. (no rock-crawling). I'll be going to 285's with whatever I end up installing. I bought the Ironmans after riding in some other rigs that have them, and liked the ride and the performance on and off-road. No experience with the Elka's, but they're rebuildable and their rep is solid. Anyone have advice one way or the other? Open to suggestions for springs and UCA's if I end up going with the Elkas as well. Thanks!

 

Are you going to add armor? 700lb springs in the front, total overkill for stock weight. They’re too completely different setups though. If you want an incredibly plush ride, go elkas. I’m sure ironmans ride great as well, but you can’t compare the quality from shocks to coilovers. I would suggest going with a 600lb spring rate in the front though, definitely not 700lb unless you plan on adding a bumper and maybe a winch. I have SPC UCA’s, they’re popular, they’re great so I recommend them but there’s plenty of other options. Uniball UCA’s seem to require quite a bit of maintenance.
If money isn’t an issue, elka would be the way to go.

 

Thanks for the input! That’s a great point - I forgot to mention that I do have sliders installed currently and a low-pro bumper ordered (which will have a 10k winch) and a hitch-mounted RIGD swingout tire mount out back. Also have a full roof rack on order. That’s about it for heavy stuff to account for other than MAYBE a second battery setup and typical camping/travel cargo, etc.. No plans for a drawer system or RTT in this vehicle.

 

Both Elka and IronMan come with really heavy springs for our stock trucks. Elka's come from the factory with 700lb coils unless you specify you want something different. Ironman are the same and their heavy duty front coils go up to 800lb.

I suspect it's because their shock valving is soft.

I second going with the Elka's but make sure to ask Elka what spring rate they suggest for your added weight.

 

Great feedback so far - keep it coming! The Ironman kit says on the specs that it's "long travel", and I pulled the specs from the Elka website to try to compare them to the Ironmans (understanding that they're two completely different designs, etc.) to see if one fits my needs and use case better than the other. I can't seem to figure out if the Elka 2.0 kit is actually an extended travel kit - I kind of just assumed so as it's listed as a 2"-3" kit, so I'd assume it would be a longer-travel than OEM with an aftermarket spring in the rear. The coilovers seem to already be set at 2.5" preload from factory:

https://www.elkasuspension.com/prod...20-non-kdss-2-in-to-3-in-lift/?c=72e1ba2726d6

And the Elka coilovers I have are in fact the 700lb springs - if I end up going with the Elkas, with the softer valving and the extra weight that's going on the front with the coming bumper/winch, trying to figure out if that's going to be just about right?

 

I have the following set-up:
- Banshee Hefty front bumper with 9500lb synthetic rope winch
- Full sliders with top plate
- C4 Rear diff skid
- Full M.O.R.E. skid set aluminum
- Artec aluminum gas tank skid

For the suspension, I have stage 3 Ironman 4x4 FoamPro with heavy duty (600lb) front springs and medium rear springs. I TOTALLY agree with the above that front heavy springs are overkill if you don't have full iron front bumper. My ride is a bit bumpy without my trail gear or without min 3 in the car. If I would do it again, I would go medium front springs.

 

With my experience with ELKA 2.5DC they ask about the weight you carry, UCA, Tire size etc when you order. My 4x4 shop placed the order so they would have specified the front spring rate they want as I specified "I want bet on road comfort" to my 4x4 shop. For the rear springs 4x4 shop with give you rear springs as ELKA do not come with rear springs (from what I saw on my order). If you are working with a 4x4 shop tell them to order lighter springs. Else they might assume that it is for high speed trail runs and jumps.
If you go with ELKA 2.5DC you are recommended to have brake line extension as well.

(Sorry no personal experience about ELKA 2.0)

 

Nice - that Hefty Banshee is the same bumper I have on order. I did look up the specs on the "Performance Load 0-110 lbs additional payload" front springs on the coilovers I have, and you're right, the spring rate is that same 720lbf/in. They didn't have anything lighter when I ordered, so I guess I now justified a full bumper on the front and steel skids all around? Haha! I may end up just waiting to put the lift on (whichever one I end up going with) until after I get the bumper and winch installed given that the spring rates are over 700lb for both sets of coilovers. That sounds like it'd be a rough ride, and would not yield true lifted height anyway without those installed - although that brings up one of the key differences in the Ironmans and the Elkas - the Ironman coilovers are not preload adjustable, and the Elkas are.

 

My setup is not by any means a rough ride, it is more like a truck ride than it was OEM and it took about 1month for the springs to settle.
The ride is very stable while riding trails at AOAA, Roush Creek or Wolf Den and has no pitch while braking and no roll while taking sharp exits at increased speed.

I forgot to mention that I do have a Baja rear ladder and SSO full rack (now removed) where I added every 3x1 cross barr possible. All that adds another +150lb or so to the overall weight. With the rack the ride is not that bumpy but the mpg takes about 2m/gal hit.