Ironman Foam Cell Pro

I have been seeing more and more people ordering the Ironman Foam Cell Pro lift but haven't seen a consolidated thread on the product. They are popular in Australia but don't have a strong foothold here in the US. Looks like they are gaining a little bit of traction with the 5th Gen 4Runner crowd. If you have the lift this is the thread to post in.

"A shock typically fades as the internal temperature increases, oil and Nitro-gas emulsify; under consistent use, this can lead to complete failure. Foam Cell technology removes the Nitro-Gas from the equation, filling the shock absorber with oil. More oil equates to increased cooling/dissipation of heat; our foam cell sleeve controls the dampening of the piston. The results are the optimal performance, specifically with heavier vehicles carrying accessories such as front/rear bumpers, winches, rooftop tents, work equipment, or when towing.

Foam cell technology also decreases the strain on the shock by removing the Nitro-gas, this removes internal pressure on the seals and increases the service life of the strut, allowing the Foam Cell Pro's to work at peak performance for much longer than any other suspension out there. When it is time for a service, the Foam Cell Pro shock absorbers are completely rebuildable."

https://www.youtube.com/embed/D-iIQYmWz14

 

These came in

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

 

Ironman lift and UCA's installed. The black 4Runner has the Dobinson IMS lift on it. Our 4Runners rode about the same, mine was slightly softer in the rear(but I have drawers in the rear). We both are running 0-110lbs rear springs. The fronts road similar. Super happy about it, cannot wait to see how it handles the rough dirt roads.

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr
Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

Before
Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

After
Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

 

Final numbers after a week: 3" up front and 3" Rear

Stock/Day of/Week Later
DF: 19.5"/23.5"/22.5"
DR: 21”/24 1/8"/24"
PF: 19.5"/23.5"/22.5"
PR: 21"/24 3/8"/24.25"

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

Got it back from alignment today. Here are the numbers and the recommended numbers from Ironman.

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr
Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr

Here is some comparison pictures of stock vs Ironman

IMG_8699 by redrunner87, on Flickr
Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr
IMG_8711 by redrunner87, on Flickr
IMG_8705 by redrunner87, on Flickr
IMG_8702 by redrunner87, on Flickr
IMG_8715 by redrunner87, on Flickr

 

That’s a super high bumper cut lol

 

Just the way I wanted it.

 

Would you recommend this kit?

 

I’ve been going back and forth the last couple of month between the foam cell and the IMS. I bought Ironmans 2m awning and their matching enclosed room. Both were $100 off so what the heck. Did you purchase them during their recent sale? Did you also receive the free recovery boards?

 

Their standard weight coils come with a really high spring rate, right?

Like 700lbs for the standard weight and +800 for added weight......unless I read that wrong.

If that's correct though, those are some pretty high spring rates.

 

100%. I have no complaints so far.

I did get their recovery boards. Haven't used them yet.

That doesn't sound right. They have 3 different Springs; Standard, Performance and Heavy. I had 700lb springs on my 3rd Gen 4Runner and it doesn't feel as stiff as those.

 

IMG_8784 by Red Runner, on Flickr
IMG_8785 by Red Runner, on Flickr

 

I double checked their website. It says:

Comfort/Standard = 720 lb

Performance and Constant both = 827 lb

I'm surprised their spring rate is so high.

 

Where did you find that? I looked it up and couldn't find it. My rear end is "soft" with Performance Springs. Front end isn't stiff at all

 

Couldn’t be happier with mine

 

https://ironman4x4america.com/perfo...a-4runner-2003-tacoma-2005-lexus-gx470-gx460/

Scroll down. On the right hand side there is the Specifications section. In that section is a box that has spring rate specs.

 

I must rolled right past that. Interesting, it does not feel as stiff as my 700lbs on my 3rd Gen. My 3rd Gen was brutal till I put a full bumper and winch. My front end feels great with the Performance Springs as does my Rear.

 

Ride is definitely former in the front - but it is never harsh. It is just perfect to where the nosedive is gone, body lean in corners is significantly reduced - and, in honesty - this is how they should’ve come from the factory. I am riding on comfort springs. Rear has no noticeable difference to me.
PS: what gets mentioned nowhere enough is just how great their customer service and support are. This and the quality of product is what swayed me to get Ironman over some of the other brands. They’re fairly new to the 4Runner community but if you go to any other forums you will always see the same impressions - great product, backed by great warranty and unmatched customer service and support.

 

I am 95% packed with camping stuff and I lost .5". That is really good, I lost a lot more with stock springs. This things handles weight pretty good.

 

Local 4x4 shop does mainly toyotas and told me to stay away from these. Guessing it's because he's an Icon and Bilstein dealer

 

That could be. The LC guys seems like to like them. They are new to the 4Runner market

 

When I saw that information after ordering mine I had my stomach drop thinking it was going to ride like bricks. I feel like that might be a typo crossing from another platform. My performance springs in the front don't feel anything like 800+ lbs springs. With no extra weight it rides pretty darn nice. The rear performance springs sit a bit too tall without a load, but once I put my trailer on it sits nicely. I either need to raise the front or get some static load over the rear to get the rake I really want.

 

Yeah, it just seems really high compared to everyone else's spring rates for the 4Runner.

Im curious if it's a typo or not. The thing that makes me think it's not a typo is that the standard to heavy duty springs are proportional to one another. I could see one being way out of whack accidentally, but not both.

But peoples reviews are positive so I don't know what to think.

 

I meant to ask them the question when I called them way back when, but totally forgot once we got to talking about other things.

 

I recently installed my Ironman FCP with rear extended sway bar links and JBA UCA. I haven’t decided if the front is still doing the lean or not. Has anyone else had to adjust the front after install?

 

@Hrjaw Looks sick! let me know if you like them!

 

I absolutely love the combination. Rides great, handles great, less nose dive. My only “concern “ is the front doesn’t seem as level as the back, but that may be normal? If I was to do anything different I might go with the stage 2 kit do that it’s all Ironman parts.

 

I’ve intentionally kept a slight front rake to prevent any issues with TSS and also not to look dumb every time I put anything in the back. Leveled look when unloaded is nice - but everything goes out of whack if you tow or when you pack the car for a trip. That’s why the rake was implemented by the engineers - those guys knew what they were doing lol

 

Ah ok that makes sense now! This is why I ask because I don’t always think straight!

 

Though I do think after looking at your pics that your front might be sitting a bit low. What setting did you ask for when you ordered the kit? Also, can you take a measurement from the floor to the bottom of the bumper front and back? ive posted my measurements of before and after in another thread.
Here is a pic of mine as sits now, as well as with tires only - for reference. This is is on FCP stage 2.