Ironman 4x4 Foam Cell Pro

Because for the price, there are plenty of other shocks that can give me that same benefit without that price tag. Also, because the other shocks have been real world tested for years now. These are rather new to market (not new, just newer). So I'd have more trust in the shocks that have years of history behind them

 

I mean they’ve been around 60 years?

 

I’m just curious cause I’m considering purchasing, with their sale and a local dealer also offering 20% off on install. It’s a tempting offer.

 

Yeah but haven't been used like the monotubs have been. At least not in the market we are into.

 

I do my own installs, so that wouldnt temp me. But what's the out the door price they are offering for everything?

 

My buddy runs a shop and installs a lot of these kits. They’re super beefy. If you are interested in a set I bet he can drop ship them, he gets a great discount on Ironman stuff

 

I’m in a field that is busier than normal due to the pandemic and don’t have time to do the install myself. Waiting to hear on a price, but feel like if I can help a small business out and get a good deal than I might do it.
From what I can tell, worst case scenario they’re as good as Bilstein shocks. Best case they’re better than that. Maybe I’m wrong.

 

What shop I’d you don’t mind? I see your in Bend. How’s life over there?

 

The Fit Garage. We’re all really close buddies and they do great work. Absolute Toyota nuts. Life would be better if I wasn’t at home and could enjoy Bend but it is what it is! I’ve been here around a year or so now and love it here. Cheap beer right now is the only plus

 

So out the door(w/alignment) a stage 2 kit and a set of traction boards is under $2500.

 

They debunked the myth that once you get a foam shock hot, the foam degrades and it's ruined. Their testing indicated no such failure. What other topics were you hoping they'd debunk or explain further?

As far as I can tell, their secret sauce with the foam is being able to fit in way more shock oil than a gas-pressurized monotube or twin-tube, since they don't have to leave room for the gas charge. From the few volume (mLs) disclosures that I've seen, they are fitting in about as much in their smoothbody shock as a 2.5" monotube with reservoir. That's pretty impressive.

 

https://youtu.be/GfGAx600T9s

 

And because they don't have the nitro charge, more oil is in contact with the shock body. Combine that with the larger shock body and you have better cooling efficiency than most twin tube and monotube shocks without a resi.

Also, because they're twin tube, the internals are under less pressure and don't require the tight tolerances of monotubes. @Haslefre got serious mileage out if his shocks. Then you add on the fact that they're rebuild-able adds further value.

Right now, the kit with UCA's, Leaf Packs and Foam Cell Pros is priced the same as my Buddy's Fox 2.5/2.0 kit with AAL's and no UCA. Edit: The actually lower!

All for a shock that it probably better suited for what most drivers need for the money. I love me some external resi monotubes, but unless they're extended travel and on a truck I'm willing to drive fast, they are massively overkill and would run well north of $3k if paired with leaf packs and UCA's.

I do wish there was more impartial, in depth technical analysis out there, but that's an issue that plagues all shocks as it is.

 

I'd also like to see more user reviews -- only one way to make that happen... The 20% off sale right now on full kits is really tempting.

Also, how are you figuring on a Fox 2.5/2.0 kit (shocks only!!) coming under the $2000 of the Stage 2 Foam Cell Pro (w/ leaf pack replacement, UCA)? I'm seeing the Fox kit go for almost $3000 on Headstrong right now.

Edit: that price was for the Fox 2.5/2.5 kit, my bad.

 

I had meant the Ironman kit was coming under the Foxes! (Edit: I don't know what I mesnt, I'm tired) The 2.5/2.0 with AAL is just shy of $2k and that makes the Foamcell Pros a steal.

I just want the most capable suspension without breaking the bank and wanted leaf packs for work. The Foamcell Pros seem to fit that bill for me.

 

They didnt debunk any myth. The put one shock on a machine that cycled it till it hit a certain temperature that they selected. Then cut it open and showed you the foam.

Let's go over how a legitimate test should go.

You take multiple shocks and cycle them all at a high rate. Multiple foam cell shocks and multiple monotube shock and multiple twin tubes.

You cycle till the mono or twin tube would usually fail or hit that failure temperature.

You then take all shocks and disassemble showing the internals. At which point you would ALSO show what the internals and foam would look like on a brand new shock and compare.

They didnt do any of that. They showed you a piece of foam. Foam that we have no idea is still good. No idea what the injec foam is supposed to look like new. They also didnt explain any of the components so we have no idea what it should look like new in there. For all we know that shock could have been destroyed.

 

And this is why you can never believe anything on the internet.
I have been trying to find more folks who have them and have used them for a while. That to me will tell us more than what the company demonstrates.
Just like fog lights; I remember the marketing on a well known company was not at all accurate. Returned those fogs and got another companies.
Just won’t be able to that with a suspension upgrade.

 

How long did you have the foam cells for?
To me, the pricing I’ve been quoted places the foam cell at the same price point as a billstein performance shock series. So as long as they’re as good as that, I don’t mind taking the chance.

 

This is a good video, but you see that video a few pages back, where someone posted and the Bilstein guy was showing you a clear open view demo of how the shock works and how the gas and oil operate. That is a great example of what a company who really wants you to know how their product works. To this day, I haven't seen that for foam cell. I have no idea besides what's explained and some CGI of the concept of foam cell as to how it works and why its supposedly better.