Falcon Shocks for Tacoma by TeraFlex - new suspension options for 2016+

I wouldn’t run them with a block as they could be to short. An AAL would be fine since it won’t add any additional droop beyond stock.

 

I spoke with Teraflex and the kit they sell with the 1 1/4 lift blocks comes with longer shocks, So they do sell 2 different length shocks for the rear of the Tacoma. So 8 inch travel and I believe just over 9 inch travel rear shocks.

 

I wonder if you could install a 1.5" AAL instead of the block lift in the rear?

 

I put my truck on the middle setting on the front falcon shocks and did the hammer hangers on the rear and the truck is pretty much level. Maybe 1/2 inch taller in the rear which is about perfect for me. I was thinking of doing the 1.5" AAL but in my case it would have been a little to tall. I'm sure the shocks would work just fine with an AAL.

 

AAL’s don’t change the travel of the leaf pack so yea you could use a stock length shock and be fine with an AAL.

 

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum, but have loved using this site as a resource in the past, so here is my attempt to be helpful.

I've had the Falcon Tow/Haul shocks (the "1 inch Lift" version, set at the 'LEVEL' option in front with the 1.25" lift block in the rear) on my 2018 TRD Off Road since the beginning of September. I bought my truck the end of June, so now that I've gone the same time frame with stock shocks and these performance shocks I feel I can provide a decent perspective on their performance. For a concise one line review, it's my opinion these shocks are great for those wanting a slight lift, great performance and increase ability to 'overland' loaded down with gear in comfort across washboards these are a winner.

The ride with my Falcons are wonderful, I've had them on now with the truck at bare-bones stock (other than the shocks of course), with a Leer shell added on back, and with the shell and 330lbs of armor. The shocks have behaved great in all these scenarios and an improvement over stock, although they can seem a bit too firm with an empty truck for some people. That being said, my wife's friend commented on our truck feeling much better than the Tacoma she test drove the month before, so that's a pretty good sign of the improved ride quality! Not only that but before we got the shocks on our truck my wife had ridden in Falcon's Tacoma (SR5 V6 4x4 33" tires with wider offsets) over some washboards/whoops then in our stock TRD OR and said, "Yeah, we need those shocks!" I also love that these are from a local company for me here it Utah, and we had the chance to check them out before putting them on our truck

On the technical side of the things, the biggest downside of these shocks for me was that you have to do some cutting. You have to not only drill out the rear bolt hole, but in order to run stock wheels if you don't trim the buckets the tires can rub on the shock body under articulation, so mine got trimmed back. However, I found that for me the benefits from them out weighed those downsides. The road manners are superb, the truck is responsive/controlled in corners, doesn't nose dive in braking, and is a comfortable ride around town. I love the tow/haul settings and have used it when hauling stuff around town and down the highway and across the desert & mountains. I do find that the firmest setting is usually over kill for me, but when I had a big concrete pipe in the bed I used the 3rd setting and never felt a bottom out even through big dips (was almost touching the bump stops when loaded up). Having done a trip being fully loaded up in the truck (with people/dogs & gear), and towing my raft with the oem shocks the truck handled like I would have thought, a little squishy in the rear (but not more than expected), and then a couple bottom outs on the road that left something to be desired. Compared that to riding with the Falcons, at the 2nd setting - done with a quick & easy flip of a knob, with a loaded truck and trailer with raft and motorbike, it was a huge improvement. The rear end didn't feel squishy or sway, and I never felt a bottom out, it was awesome!

Off road performance, these shocks really shine on washboard roads for me. I took my truck out on the Pony Express Road through the Great Basin when it was stock and although it did alright, it wasn't very comfortable above 40-50mph over the washboards, especially after a little while. With the Falcons installed, I was cruising 60mph comfortably and pushing 80 in some spots (when clear and safe to do so of course officers and the ride was still good, it never felt like I wasn't in good enough contact with the ground. Having been driving around all over out there growing up (in a 87 Toyota pick-up, a 3rd gen 4Runner, half ton trucks etc) I can say that the Falcon shocks by far have been the best ride. Doing a little bit of wheeling with the Falcons was a pleasant experience as well. The wheel drop off ledges and bumping over obstacles felt good, the clearance under full articulation was good (I'm still running stock wheels and tires, with the mounting buckets trimmed for the tight fit of the reservoir and quick adjust knob). Rocky trails in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges are comfortable rides between high speed and when at a crawl looking for critters.

Over all I have really enjoyed these shocks, so has my wife who regularly drives the truck around town. I think these are great options for those that want an increased performance and aren't seeking to greatly modify their suspension geometry by doing a 3" plus lift. I love them for the increased performance playing on the trails, hauling all my gear on long trips across the desert/mountains, and towing my raft trailer. I've also attached a couple photos showing the shocks mounted, and one of the trimming needed to fit the rear with stock wheels. I think the truck looks pretty good with Falcons on!

 

Wow great review. I’d agree with pretty much most of what your review says. I did some 1 inch wheel spacers instead of trimming my buckets. My front measurement from the floor to fender is pretty much dead on with yours. Thought I would share a problem I had with mine as well. My rear passenger shock started leaking where top cap meets the body. Called teraflex and they sent me a new one which I will receive tomorrow. Hopefully this was just an assembly mistake and not common on these shocks. I will keep this thread updated with any issues I have.

 

Is anyone running these with an aftermarket bumper and winch? I would like to understand how they handle the additional front weight without replacing the coils. With my limited suspension knowledge, it sounds strange.

 

They work just like 5100s and have an adjustable spring seat, if you raise the seat you preload the coil more and in turn raise the ride height. A better solution for shocks like these is a longer spring to accommodate more lift, it’ll be a better ride than a shorter coil with more preload.

 

Thanks! Ok, I get it now. It also sounds like they only want you running stock coils. I'm not looking for a lift, but it sounds like a lift might be a better way to account for the additional weight.

 

any update?

 

They sent me a new shock, charged me $100 deposit until they received the old one. The process took a lot longer than I expected, but it was right around Christmas and new years so I guess it was a bad time. Got my refund and only paid shipping back to them which was $20.00. All the shocks are doing good no issues at this point. I have a few thousand miles on road and about 200+miles Offroad.

 

Glad your issue got fixed. Ive heard good things about their customer service.

 

I ordered this same setup a couple days ago, want to try it out. was going to do the same, with 1" spacers. Are you happy with your setup so far? which brand spacers did you use?

 

Couple things:

- Shocks are doing great. Have had them on since the summer. On and off-road performance is great. Took a road trip in my buddies stock TRDOR and I could definitely tell the difference in ride quality.

- Still have not decided what tire upgrade I will go with, anyone running this setup have any input/ opinions about tire selection on stock wheels?

- Anyone who’s gone the AAL route, what did you go with and how’s the ride?

 

Do you have any idea if the trimming does anything to your warranty? Just received the setup, getting ready to install, but not sure if I should use 1” spacers or new wheels or do the cutting.

 

Installed my Falcon setup this weekend, had an alignment on Sunday, very happy with the results so far. Rides firm, feels good over bumps, etc. On to to tires and wheels next.

 

What setting did you use up front? Any aftermarket bumper? I have them on order but waiting for the CBI front bumper to show up before I install.

 

I don’t have a front Bumper yet, someday, I used the level setting and I think it is perfect for me. Love the stance and the ride. Had these on a Jeep, they are great! Now with this done, ordered wheels today.

 

It looks great. Thanks for the info.