Help wanted picking a suspension kit! (Ironman4x4/Bilstein/OME)

I'm in between Bilstein, Ironman4x4, and OME. I want to do a 2"-2.5" lift and will be doing light weekend off-roading but nothing crazy. Most driving will be on road but definitely every weekend in the mountains or snowy roads in the winter. I am unsure what route I want to go because I know I won't be doing anything crazy but I also don't want to limit myself. I am between these 3 kits and I'm just curious what suggestions people may have or things to think about with buying a kit. I have heard tons of great things about buying from headstrong off-road and the Bilstein/OME kits but haven't heard much about Ironmax4x4 until recently doing some research and seeing them have a sale. Lift is going on a 2014 double cab short bed tacoma 4x4.

https://ironman4x4america.com/foam-cell-pro-suspension-kit-suited-for-2005-toyota-tacoma-stage-2/

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p186/Performance_Bilstein_6112/5160_Kit_(HS05BK-2).html

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p201/Complete_Old_Man_Emu_Kit_w/_Dakar_Leaf_Pack_-_05-15_Tacoma_(OME0515TACO-DAKAR).html

Thanks!

 

Start with taking care of the issues with the stock foundation. You don't say what tire size you plan on going with. Most people start with a mild lift then keep upgrading as time goes by. But they end up having to re-do a number of items. Before making your decision read up on what JD Fabrication does. www.jdfabrication.com

 

Sorry I should’ve stated I’m wanting to run 17” method wheels with 270/75/17 Falken wildpeak Atw3. I’m just not sure what would be the best option as far as lift for my needs. I will read up on the link thank you!

 

Primarily about the lower control pivots.

 

Honestly not sure what you’re referring to or trying to get at.

 

I would call Headstrong themselves to give you a better recommendation. That being said, my vote would be 6112/5160 with a new dakar leaf pack

 

Here is my review of the foam cell pro on a 3rd gen and @oakcity has the nitrogen version on his 2nd gen and can probably help out too. I can ask any other questions you might have too. There is also another large thread, linked in my review as well.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ironman-foam-cell-pro-review.687891/

 

thank you, I will check it out. I am interested because the whole kit seems great but it’s just not a brand I’ve ever heard of so it makes me lean towards the bilstein but I did see an installation video of the foam cell and they looked really high quality. I heard the leaf packs were more solid than the dakar as well. I’m just wondering if my money is better spent in bilsteins for reliability. The foam sounded a little gimmicky but maybe it’s not. How is the on road/off-road performance and have you had any reliability issues with them?

 

Been trying to get in contact with them and see what they may suggest and pricing. I’ll definitely have to get an answer back before I make a decision.

 

Ive not gotten it off road yet but have heard from some others that have taken it off road and really liked it. One reason I bought them is the ability to rebuild them, if needed.
So far, the ride has been pretty great. I have mine set to the top end, about 3” in the front and it might be slightly stiff but nothing bad. I’ve thought about lowering it .5” but don’t really need to yet. I can compare it to anything other then stock, but of course, like any other kit, it outperforms it.
Ironman has been in business for a while but the following so far has been on other vehicles but Tacoma applications are gaining traction. I was looking at the Billy’s and Eibach when I decided on these. Price, rebuilding, adjustability and the full leaf packs sold me on this set after reading reviews. I don’t think you can really go wrong with what you’re looking at though.

 

• MODEL-Second Generation Tacoma
• WIDER PER SIDE- 0"
• TIRE SIZE RECOMMENDED- 31"-35"
• WHEEL TRAVEL- Dependent on suspension kit
• TIRES PUSHED FORWARD- 0.25" to 1"
• PARTS INCLUDED- Left and right lower arm pivots, front cross bar, skid plate with diff sump, cross bar tab gussets, frame fill plates, custom alignment cams with machined grade 8 bolts, lower arm spacers and all skid plate hardware

• This is a ground breaking kit now offered from JD Fabrications for the 2005-2015 Tacoma 4x4 and prerunner. The idea behind this kit came from a number of issues that the Tacoma is plagued with once you start adding lift and bigger tires. As lift is added to the suspension the truck looses caster, to the point of not being able to align the truck properly. The old solution was to add an aftermarket upper control arm to correct caster however this also pushes the tire rearward reducing the tire clearance with the cab and body mount. Anything larger than a 31” tire rubs on the cab mount and the solution in the past was to cut the cab mount and weld in a filler plate. The other issues with the Tacoma are the factory lower control arm tabs are stamped out of thin metal that is prone to bending when the truck is used off-road and the factory alignment cams get knocked out of alignment regularly. This lower arm pivot kit tackles all the issues above in style.
• The JD kit consists of new laser cut ¼” lower arm tabs that are welded to 1 ½” .188 tubing. Once the factory lower control arm tabs are cut off the frame the new cradle uses 4 locating tabs which line up with factory holes in the stock cross members. The locating tabs take all the guess work out of the install and align the new cradle in the perfect position on the frame. Once the cradle is bolted to the frame the ¼” arm tabs are welded to the frame and you’re good to go.
• The magic is in the new lower arm tab spacing as they are 1” wider than the factory mounts. Machined 6061 aluminum spacer pucks are installed with the lower arm and the lower control can be pushed forward at 1/4” increments all the way 1” At a full one 1” forward we were able to have full tire clearance for a 33” tire all the way through the travel with no cutting of the body mount or firewall/pinch seam. By pushing the lower arm forward 1” we were able to gain back the caster lost from the lift and the truck aligned to factory spec with the arm in the center of the adjustment range thus eliminating any side load on the bushings.
• Another trick feature of this kit is the custom laser cut alignment cams. We have eliminated the factory cams in place of ¾” and 9/16” grade 8 bolts. Once the truck is aligned there are holes in the tops of the cams that can be match drilled into the lower arm tabs allowing you to bolt the cams in place thus eliminating the ability to knock the truck out of alignment.
• All if this is then topped off with a custom high clearance, flat bottom 3/16” aluminum skid plate that has a custom bolt on steel diff skid plate.
• If you are after the one stop solution to all of the Tacoma’s short comings this is it. This kit is compatible with all long travel kits as well. After all why spend all that money on heavy duty, fancy long travel kits only to bolt it on to the weak stock frame mounts? If you are serious about your Tacoma and use it in the dirt this is a must have kit. Run the lower kit by its self and tie it into your existing off-road bumper or pair it with our “trophy truck style” bumper for the total package.
• This kit must be installed by a qualified professional only, cutting, grinding and extensive welding are required.

TWEETTWEET ON TWITTER PIN ITPIN ON PINTEREST
BACK TO GEN 2 TACOMA 05 TO 15 6-LUG

• Instagram

© 2020, JD Fabrication Powered by Shopify

 

This sounds like a good product but I’m not doing anything crazy just wanting to get a 2”-2.5” lift and about 32” tires which I’ve read up on and haven’t heard of any rubbing issues. I haven’t heard of people having a hard time with alignment doing something like this either. I’m not wanting anything crazy with my truck just a nice looking lift that i can take off-roading. I do appreciate the suggestion but this is not really what the question is about.

 

I’m really thinking about going this route since it looks like I’d spend about the same for bilstein and OME maybe more but this kit seems much more complete. Do you know how much it would cost to rebuild them if you had to? And did you go the Stage 1 or 2? I think that’s just the UCA’s right? Not sure if I should get them or not and save $400. Thanks for the reply.

 

I went with the stage 1, I’m planning on JBA or SPC uppers, when I get to the point if I need them. If your staying under 3” you probably won’t but it depends on your tire size and wheels. JBAs are 400 something I think and you can get SPCs for a great deal at Headstrong if you reach out to them here.
The rebuild kit was under 40 plus whatever the fluid costs. I’m not sure the nitrogen are rebuiladable though, I didn’t even look into those.
I’m happy with the kit I bought and I installed them myself. The kit included sway bar spacer and carrier bearing spacers. I only used the sway bar. Didn’t have any new vibrations either.

 

hmm I’m not sure I would want the upper control arms for another $400 then. I don’t see myself going above 2.5” and like you said I could purchase different UCA’s from headstrong. I want to run falken wildpeak atw3 270/75/17. I shouldn’t have any issues with rubbing maybe minor plastic trimming right? If you were to go back would you still buy this kit or look into something form headstrong off-road?

 

I'd still go with this kit and still just the stage 1. I would have let them put the coils together rather than get it done myself but thats about it lol. I don't think you'll have much issue running those tires but just be sure to search more on here. I only have limited knowledge and don't want to give you any wrong info. I'm planning on 255/85/16 Cooper ST Maxx with BR6 wheels that have -12 offset, just for comparison. I'd suggest save the money till you know you need it. Every truck is different so YMMV but this should give you a great starting point!

 

i appreciate it, there is a guy on hear called Coloradohoozier and he has same tire size and stage 1 foam cell so I may message him and see how it went for him. I may just go stage 1 but I want to understand why getting UCA’s are worth it or important or if it won’t be useful to me.

 

That makes sense. It could go either way with the truck. The UCAs can help get your alignment when you want it to be with the lift/wheels/tire set up. There are some really good threads on them and I’ll see if I can find the one I read.
The only thing about the JBA is you’ll have red UCA with green springs. If I do end up with them at some point, I’m going to plasti dip those green to be a close match lol.
Good luck!

 

yeah I’m not sure what I’ll do I need to learn how important or unimportant for my setup they are. I am pretty bummed they don’t come with a black spring because the green won’t look good with my Grey Tacoma and bronze wheels.