Suspension setups you regret?

I'm doing research on a 2/1 lift for my 2013.

I know there are a ton of suspension threads, but I'm looking for a little different info.

Everybody seems to like the setup they have, but has anyone had a setup they DIDN'T like?

What setup did you regret, and why?

(Performance, Ride Quality, handling, etc)

Edit: also, if you replaced it, what did you go with and how does it compare?

 

I have Bilstein 6112's in front (medium load) and 5100's with B12 heavy load (+400#l springs in back.

My only real complaint with this setup is that the rear is bouncy in some scenarios. I think the 5100's just don't have enough damping for the springs.

Otherwise, the Bilsteins can be harsh on washboards, but this can usually be overcome by driving faster.

 

What setup did you regret, and why?
(Performance, Ride Quality, handling, etc)

OME Nitro -
(Ride Quality) - Too firm if you need a nice slow drive
(Performance, handling) - Excellent handling driving faster on trails and little jumps with compromise in comfort dept.


TRD Pro Fox (Compared to my ELKAs) -
I do not enjoy feeling all the bumps on trails vs ELKAs did a fantastic job absorbing the bumps on trails. To be honest me and Mrs were like "Wow, these shock really absorb the shock". Yes I do understand TRD Pro Fox are like entry level 2.5 body shocks vs ELKAs have 2.5 body + remote res + adjusters.

Ironman Foam Cell Pro -
It is not bad but does an OK job absorbing bumps on pavement. Since its relatively cheap I don't mind much. But back of my mind says should have spend the money for something with good control with adjusters. On easy trails / gravels roads it does a good job.

 

Pro Comp. It was the first lift I ever installed on my Tacoma. It rode like a wooden chair and the shock seals were done after 50,000 miles. The truck barely ever left pavement.

 

3/2 Readylift spacer lift. Loved the look and additional ground clearance but encountered shock overextension off road.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/shock’ing-discovery.26659/

 

Fox suspension on my Tacoma. I went Kings this time.

The Foxes made noise at full droop and the off the shelf setting (supposedly tuned for Tacomas) was too soft.

 

This could turn out to be a very interesting thread. I am always curious to hear other's experiences when it comes to suspension trials and errors.

 

Suspension upgrades are only second to engine oil threads on this forum.

 

Not which tires are the best threads???

 

I think #2 is "Can I run 40's with no lift" (realistically 33's).

But I like the way you think.

I'll list my regerts:
1. Bilstein 5100s - rough ride, provided lift but at the cost of comfort. Cheap as dirt tho.
2. OME Nitrochargers - 2x as much as 5100's with 2x the rougher ride.

 

Yes, that too.

 

This came stock, but I didn't care for it. It self destructs after 50K. What is it? XREAS!
I did upgrade to Fox 2.5 DSCs, and other than the wait, I'm happy with them. Accutune did a great job at getting the tune dialed in. I think the tune is as important as anything else in the equation.

Cheers,
Mike

 

Icon.

Specifically their UCA.

Non stop squealing. Sounded like something was dying under the 4R at low speeds.

New bushings and proper grease and greasing and still was terrible. Bad enough we sold the 4R since I didn't want to deal with it.

 

I regret Bilstein 5100's. They just aren't valved properly for the 5th gen. Too jarring.

I replaced them with Eibach shocks. Same price point and the valving is much better for our trucks. They won't compete with a 2.5" adjustable coilover, but I do believe they are the best bang for your buck.

 

Spacer lift crap, Did them on a FJ Cruiser I had and for the first few days I said "Wow Nice" then I went hard off Road running..... the following weekend I installed Real suspension.

 

Just make sure you do your own research...

My only regret is not going with and "extended travel" rear shock..

 

King 2.5 front and rears and loved it, especially on washboards; this setup was on my 4Runner.

The Fox 2.5 front 2.0 rear were great especially with weight on it; had that on my Tacoma.

Icon 2.0 front and rears, different kind of feel but the sharp drops, bumps, and g outs feel way softer than the above setups I had; have this on my Land Cruiser.

 

I regret going with the Ironman FCP. The quality is great and it rides fine on the road and able to carry all my overlanding/camping stuff when need to, but it doesn’t have that curbside appeal like KINGS. And that green…

I should’ve spent the money and done it it right the first time.

I’ll wait a couple years and swap them out.

 

It's funny, when I was younger Pro Comp was one of the good ones. You had Rancho, Pro Comp, Superlift, Rough Country, etc. Now they're all kind of crap.

 

I agree, the green isn't the best color, unless you want to have some kind of an incredible hulk theme going. In the past. I would have considered the Ironman, but the price had gone up so much now that it's not a value. I noticed that their basic kit is now more money than OME.

 

Wow! That sounds like a terrible experience. I thought Icon is supposed to be high end, but I don't really read a lot of good things about them. Seems like they're good if you want to spend all your time doing maintenance, but if you just want to set it and forget, not so much.

 

Interesting. I was thinking of foxes from my 4Runner, maybe 2.0 because of the price. Maybe I'd be better off getting them from somebody like accutune that can tune them. If they can tune the 2.0s that is.

 

Bilstein was on my list, but I've read a lot of people say that the 5100 is a harsh, especially off road. The 6112s were what I was thinking of, but some people say those are harsh too. I'm thinking a digressive like a Bilstein is probably not for me, because I want more of a soft ride.

 

100%. I think they sat on their names and marketing for decades, never advancing or innovating. Now the only people that buy that stuff is kids who don't know any better and rednecks.

 

What you mentioned about them being harsh on washboards, that's kind of why I'm leaning away from the bilstein's. I guess that's because they're a digressive shock, and I think that digressive is probably not for me. I'm looking for a softer ride.

 

Yeah, if you're building up an old squarebody or OBS Chevy, those are all great kits. For Jeeps & Toyotas, they don't really offer anything good. When I had a jeep, a lot of people made the pro comp mistake with them as well.

 

I am very happy with my Bilstein 6112s with coilovers in the front and 5100s with stock springs in the back.

So far, nobody has posted anything about Elkas here. @Oldtoyotaguy always has great things to say about them.

 

I agree with that about the eibach front struts, they ride good and have great travel. Matched with jba uca and your set

 

Just step up to King. They’re just better.

 

If you check pro comp shocks out on their website, they don't appear to be that old school twin tubes anymore.... they also make a long travel kit for the Tundra. Just saying.