Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2 - ride quality?

Ok, finally found the info. Front springs support additional 200 lbs, and same for the rear springs. That actually works out better for me with the planned weight I’ll be adding over stock.

 

Unless they've changed something, the rear springs are the same as the stage 1.......and stage 1 rear springs are 200lb springs.......which is the same as the stock rear spring rate.

Not sure what the front spring rate is on the stage 2 coilovers, but the stage 1 coils are 600lb. Stock front are around 580lb or so.

 

You havent missed anything. This is correct. I recently picked up the 2.0 and contacted Eibach about the rear springs and they confirmed this very same bit of info.

 

Ok, I guess the reference I had was incorrect. I’ll have to keep an eye on clearance reduction as I add weight.

 

Eibach does offer heavier rear spring rates for their load leveling system.

Maybe that was the confusion?

 

Thanks for the info!

 

I’m pretty sure you’re on to something here. I know of at least one video reviewing this kit in which they use the load-leveling kit, but it’s all sorta rolled up into a review of the 2.0 system. I’ve also seen a few other youtube videos in which they state the 2.0 kit comes with the heavier springs. I was so confused I just about bought a second pair of the exact same spring to install because I worried the included springs were going to give me like 2-3 inches of lift in the rear, because I still stock weight. I called Eibach, mentioned basically all of this and they confirmed the 2.0 kit comes with springs for a stock weight 4runner.

Along these lines though, I’m just a guy on the internet. When in doubt, give Eibach a call. They straightened me out quickly.

 

I called Eibach and spoke with a tech. They said out of the box the stage 2 (e86-82-071-01-22) come set at 2". I then asked if it is recommended to adjust these up to 3" and they said "of course you can" that's what the coil over is designed for. They recommended getting an alignment after adjustments are made and they settle.

https://eibach.com/us/2000/e86-82-071-01-22-TOYOTA-4Runner-pro-truck-coilover-stage-2

Now reading about some saying the stage 2 is firm I would tending to agree but i was blaming the nitto ridge grapplers.

 

I have my stage 2 kit pretty much set to very near out of the box settings, with Cooper at3 4s in a 285 - this is a p-rated tire. My own experience is that the ride is not very firm, but Id say more sure-footed. I found the XREAS to be more firm myself. Could just be that Im coming from a much more firm setup to begin with. Also worth noting I have the remote resi kit. Possible its less firm.

 

Got this confirmed too from the Canadian rep I bought the kit from, a little irritating things aren’t weren’t cut and dry since I will be adding weight to the truck which 200+ lbs would’ve been perfect for. Throwing good money on top of bad irritates, but irritates my wife more … lol.

 

I really wonder what the difference is in the rear shocks(standard eibach vs remote resi).

 

Generally speaking, remote resi's are there to dissipate heat faster than a standard shock by having more oil available, reducing shock fade. They tend to be more useful for fast desert/washboard style offroading as opposed to slower trail crawling situations.

If you're referring to the differences in valving, that's a question for Eibach.

 

I get the point of having remote resi. But that normally comes with extended/long travel shocks. Right? What would be the point when the shock has the same amount of travel as stock.

But, yeah i mainly was talking about valving and if anyone knew the difference

 

IMO, the rear travel of our trucks is already adequate for most and most people would probably rather bolt something on rather than deal with the stuff involved trying to achieve a long travel rear end. "Extended travel" really doesn't offer that much of a gain over standard travel and some companies don't even market that their shocks are "extended travel" even though they are.

I believe, most of the big shock companies also offer a remote resi shock that is standard travel as well.

 

My Eibach pro 2.0 are getting installed this Thursday along with Toyo AT3s in 285. I can’t wait. Going 2.75 inches front. 1.0 in the rear. Can’t wait for Thursday to get here

 

In terms of ride quality, I really could not say because I have no experience with the non-remote resi kit, but Id be somewhat surprised if they were very different.

I think I’ll give Eibach and call and see what they say regarding the valving. I got the -R kit because it was on sale for the cost of the non-resi kit, so I figured what the heck. Im very happy with the overall setup. I probably would have bone for the non-R kit if pricing were a factor. Pretty sure I got a damaged box special.

heck yeah! I hope you love it! I sure do love my setup. It’s like getting a brand new 4runner, which in and of itself is a pretty great experience to have all over again.

 

Someone posted a video on this topic earlier in the thread.

Basically, if you lift say 1", you need a 1" longer shock. When lifting using stock length shocks, the shock is now operating out of its intended trave range. You're effectively driving around with the shock already extended 1" into it's down travel, limiting the available travel, making it more probable that you'll top out the travel of the shock in normal driving. For example, say the shock has 6" of travel. At stock height you have 3" up, 3" down. Lift 1", you have 4" up, 2" down. Ideally you would add 1" of shock length, (and 1" of bumpstop if necessary) to get you back to that 3" down travel and the shock back to operating in the correct range.

 

My setup is being installed Thursday. Eibach pro stage 2 and Toyo AT3s. Can’t wait

 

I just spoke with Kevin over at Eibach. The remote reservoir rear shocks are a linear-valved shock, whereas the non-resi shocks are digressive-valved. So, the differences are arguably quite large here. He didnt get into the technical nitty gritty details beyond that. He did mention that the non-resi kits will likely deliver a better experience if you have something like a rooftop tent, lots of extra weight, and/or towing. The resi kit would be better for all kinds of off-roading applications, from challenges requiring articulation, to soaking up washboard terrain at speed. You could theoretically improve the remote-resi kit for extra weight with a stiffer spring, but you’re also stiffening up the ride. Kevin had the remote resi shocks on his own 4runner, and it was used in development of the kit they now sell.

Im guessing this means the two diff kits have pretty different feeling rides.
*edited to fix gramma.*

 

Looks like I'm going to have to try out the remote resi. Shocks. I wanted these shocks when eibach released them.

Thanks for getting the info!

 

Im interested to hear your opinion if you go this route. I would not describe the ride as being overly firm, but certainly compliant. I really enjoy the way it’s soft, up to a point. XREAS was certainly a bit more road-friendly in that it kept the vehicle reasonably flat. I feel it’s a lot more “truck-like” in the sense i no longer have that “flatness.” It bumps and sways a little more, but it’s also softer, and smoother. I really love this kit paired with these less aggressive tires. Couldnt be happier. I hope you find it to be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

That's great info about the reservoir shocks, thanks for posting. That's good news for me, I would definitely want a linear shock over a digressive. This was kind of what I was expecting, I had watched a video on the Shock Surplus YouTube channel where they had switched out the standard shocks for resis on a Ranger, and the owner remarked that they felt a lot better and more composed over washboard and desert type terrain, which tracks with the information that you got from the manufacturer.

 

I'm not sure what the exact ratio of shock travel to wheel travel is for the rear, but for the front end the shocks travel roughly half the distance of the wheel travel. So the shocks don't have to be 1" longer to give you 1" of extra travel.

Often times you'll see rear shocks (like Bilstein 5100s) that cover you from no lift up to 2" of lift. They are giving you a little more down travel but not an extra 2" of down travel. The reason for this is the shock still needs to be the limiting factor of your suspension. If it wasn't, you'd be stretching brake lines, maxing panhard bar, links and you could potentially unseat the rear coils.

 

@nimby I'm not going to say that there's no ratio, but since the front and rear suspensions work so differently, I don't think it's as much of a factor in the rear.

Personally, I think it's suspect that Bilstein and others offer the same shock from 0 to 2" lift, seems a little one size fits all. Obviously there's going to be difference in how a stock vehicle and one that's lifted 2" is going to perform.

Here's a video about Toyota rear shocks that talks about the importance of proper rear shock length. Somebody actually posted this earlier in this thread, that's how I found it. Apologies if it was you, lol.

https://youtu.be/s2RAS_PjFw8

 

I spoke to eibach in the past regarding their standard shocks and travel. Eibach rears are not extended travel so they don't over extended factory brake lines and oem rear coils.

Stage 2 owners... have any of you turned down the coilovers to only 1.5" lift?

 

Yes. I did it.

 

Interesting video and thanks for re-posting it.

I'll have to dig into this a little bit and think about it. What I'm not getting at the moment is how you loose 2" of up travel by lifting 2" with 33's.

But I get how you would loose down travel with a 2" lift and stock length shocks. That makes total sense.

I'm curious about the shaft length of the shocks they recommend with a 2" lift vs Bilstein 5100 vs the stock shock.

 

My takeaway about the loss of uptravel is that to keep the larger tires from rubbing the inner fender on full compression, a 2" bumpstop extension is required. I don't know if 2" is scientific, or just a round number example he was using.

The only thing I found a little confusing about the video was that he first showed a too short shock that was damaged from topping out too much because it was limiting travel, then goes on to say the shock is supposed to limit travel.

Ext brake hoses are relatively cheap, and I wouldn't worry too much about the coil unseating. I'd rather not have the shock as my limiting strap.

 

If you’re going with 2.75” in the front did you get a pair of UCA’s as well? Right now my front is set to 2”, and I got the Ironman UCAs after, so once installed I’ll dial up the front to 2.5-2.75. On the tires, what load rating are young with, C or E?

 

Are you running oem rear springs?