Shock’ing Discovery

Sorry if I already posted this video, but it’s exactly what my initial problem was.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s2RAS_PjFw8

 

my wife wanted steps immediately on ours, she loves my sliders.

 

Removed the skid plates and took some measurements with the current lift and 285’s.

All measurements are referenced to the floor.

Front driver fender- 38”
Front passenger fender- 38”
Rear driver fender- 38.75”
Rear passenger fender- 39.75”?

Lowest part of front skid plate- 12”
Bottom of front bumper- 20.5”

Average bottom of N-Fab steps- 15-16”.
Top of steps- 17”.

Average of bottom of frame- 16”.

Now I will have a documented reference to compare to the new setup.

A few random pictures showing floor to bottom of door sill. Both upper ball joint boots are not wet but look like they have seeped some grease. I’m gonna have them checked out just to be safe.

 

Curious as to which lift you got from Ironman. I’m Considering their 2.5 front and 2 in the back nitro system. Did that end up being level ? Would you say it rides as good if not better than stock? Any advice or insight you have would be greatly appreciated

thanks

 

I can’t recommend their nitro suspension. I recommend other brands for nitro suspension. I can’t say anything about the nitro suspension from experience but from my readings/research they are okay but other manufacturers would be better. I have the stage 3 foam cell pro and that is what they are mostly known for. Anyways I got the stiffest springs they offer and I purchased the 2.5” front and 2” rear. Best of luck with your purchase.

 

Looks like the measurements look good. No lean. Diff drop to correct the cv angles. I guess Toyota dealerships are using that kit because its really good.

Here's my measurements with ELKA 2.5DC + KO2 285s if that has any value to anyone for reference. I do have sliders and every skid possible.
Sorry I measured in "cm"s for more accuracy.

 

Here’s a few pictures of the current configuration, lift and 285’s. If all goes well tomorrow, I will post pictures with spacer lift removed and 265’s installed.

 

FYI, measure from fender lip to center of wheel hub to get the actual suspension height numbers.

Measuring from the ground also includes height of tires as well.

12" under the skidplate is impressive. Mine is stock height on 265's and only has 7.5" under the front RCI skidplate.

My AWD Volvo wagon has more.

 

285 70 17s are the absolute fire on the 4r

 

Yes they are and I’m gonna have a nice set for sale tomorrow.

 

Measured wheel center hub to fenders.

Front passenger/driver- 23”

Rear driver- 23.5”

Rear passenger- 24.5”.

I suspect my garage floor isn’t level which is why the rear measurements are off by 1”. Or it’s the Toyota lean everyone talks about. I never really noticed it, so it doesn’t bother me.

 

Toyota lean...could always throw a shim/spacer on top of the springs(at the low corner)

 

I’m done with shims and spacers!

Let her lean.

 

Man I feel like the doctor just removed a tumor from my back.
Happy, happy.

The spacers are off and the 265’s are on. So far alignment and tire balance feels great, both city and highway. The ride is about the same as before but some bumps feel a bit sharper, but still a soft ride. Steering feels a little easier. Cruise and regular driving, it doesn’t seem like the transmission is hunting for gears as much. I could resist driving over a few curbs to see how the rear end behaved. So far the big thump from the rear shocks topping out is gone!

Now depending on loading I have 3-4” of shock down travel in the back. I took measurements and will post later.

I’m so done reading about shocks, lifts, BMC, springs, diff drops and all that other B.S.

 

Congrats!

 

Congrats! The new Nitto’s are looking good!

 

Yes, I really like them. This was an expensive lesson, but now I know what it’s like to have a 3/2 lift. Wasn’t all bad, I enjoyed the higher clearance and the 285’s look really cool, but watching my wife and mom struggle to get in and out of the car, well, it just wasn’t worth it. Plus my CV joints are completely straight and the factory bump stops look like they are plenty close to help out if needed.

I was concerned about the N-Fab steps hanging to low but I’ve got 12-13” clearance on the front steps and about 14” on the back steps. If I encounter a 12” boulder on the trail, I’m going around it, lift or no lift.

Took the wife for a ride and I could tell she was much happier.

 

Ok, so here’s my measurements after the spacer lift/285 removal.

Front skid plate clearance is just shy of 10” which is what Toyota specs list.

I didn’t jack up the car tonight but I measured the rear shock length at 20.5”. Remember full extension is 23.5”, so with the back end empty, that’s 3” of down travel. When I had all of the tires in the back (lots of weight) the truck sat level, so my guess is that would yield 4” down travel. I think the stock rear shock travel is +- 8” maybe a bit more. I jumped a few curbs on the way home and no more loud bangs from the back.

Front fenders to floor is 35”. So I lost 3” in the front.

Rear fenders to floor, driver 36.5” and passenger 37.5”, so lost 2” in the back.

Wheel hubs to fenders, lost 3” in the front and 2” in the back.

Bottom of front bumper to floor is now 17.5”, was 20.5”.

So basically all the math checks out, 3” in the front and 2” in the back.

It will take some more driving to really tell if there’s an appreciable difference in handling. Body roll and nose dive is still there but that’s to be expected with the stock shocks.

Maybe this weekend I can hit a couple of my regular trails to see how it feels. It should be about the same except that rear shock clunk should be gone!

For the stuff I do I think it will serve me well and Nitto RG’s will definitely get the job done. I feel a lot better about this setup knowing I’m not putting additional strain or wear on the suspension and drive train.

 

I wish I was near by to show you how the stock shocks extends the last bit without much control vs Bilstien5100 until the full extension it is very controlled. That is why with stock shocks you get that top out feeling pretty bad.

Try to go on a rocky trail where the tires climb on a rock and drop. That is where I felt scared with stock shocks as it compress a little too much to my taste so i have to modulate brakes.

Also changing tires may not give you exact difference of with and without lift.

 

Sounds like you made the right decision for you (and the fam) and you can always upgrade the shocks in the future, without a lift. It’s a win win for you right now.

 

If I recall correctly from the Tinkerer's videos, this is due to the 5100 being a monotube shock rather than the twin tube design of the stock shocks. He noted that the internal design of the monotube allows the piston to travel to the bottom of the shock body, while the twin tube does not.

This is why I think Bilstein shocks for lifted applications appear the same physical length as the stockers.

 

That’s a good explanation why aftermarket shocks would have an edge over OEM shocks.

 

What are the long bolts with spacers for?

 

Diff drop

 

Let's see more pictures of your 4r with the 265s. I bet you gained like 2 mpg?

 

Actually getting more like 40 mpg. I’ve been on the Prius forums bragging.

I’m out now, will take some better pictures. I’m very surprised how much better it drives now. The steering feels like I went from no power steering with the lift and 285’s to power steering. The 4R now feels more sportier. Just feels like it takes much less effort to drive. Definitely will be better for a long trip. The lift and 285’s must have been putting more of a load on the steering.

 

Here’s a few pictures. I like it. It drives so much better. Also, the cruise control doesn’t hunt for gears as much. Same with regular driving, it doesn’t want to downshift as much on hills. I’m glad I tried the 285’s but the 265’s are definitely a better driving experience.

I may have to have them tweak the alignment a little. On city roads it feels like a small pull to the right. Highway seems ok. Also, sometimes when I shift from park to reverse I get a quick beep. Gonna put a few more miles on it this week before I pass final judgment.

 

^^ man that still looks great.

Is it factory tint or darker?

 

Factory tint. Dealership did the front side windows when I bought it.

 

White makes it look darker....

Any skid plate plans now that you lowered it?