Everything Elka and How They Compare

Unpopular opinion, slap a 1/4" spacer on top of them & you'll be at your 2" of lift. I did this on my standard travel toytecs with no issues at all

 

Before = L 20" & R 20.25"
After = L 21.5" & R 21.75"

I will be calling Elka shortly.

 

Talked to Elka customer service. Max preload for the kit i purchased is 23mm of exposed threads. Thats almost exactly where 10 turns got me. So I won't be able to get more than the current 1.5" of lift. Bummer. 1/2" isn't a deal breaker but I was hoping to get 2".

 

You should be able to do what @TVH475 said. That's what I did with my Dobinsons. HS 1/4" spacers can be found here.

Sounds like you should have gone with the 700lb coil. Just a heads up, these coil springs will settle a bit more overtime...

 

Yeah, 700 lb springs may have been the way to go. But I was concerned about how stiff the ride would be since I haven’t added any weight to the truck. Down the road if it settles too much I will just swap the springs.

 

Stock, your 3rd gen sits an inch higher than previous Tacoma versions. Your truck also came with 700+lbs.force/inch springs from Toyota. Elka has two ranges, one for moderate lift (0-2") the other for 2-3" lift. Sounds like your experience delivered exactly as promised, given the use of softer springs and the 0-2" lift.

 

This was a new experience for me. Thanks for the confirmation. I just wanted to make sure I did everything correct on my part in regards to preload and hadn’t left anything on the table.

 

should absorb the offroad potholes, and washboards nicely.

 

Question- which Dobinsons do you have? I’m guessing not the Adjustable mra’s since you used a spacer. Asking cuz I just picked up mine today....and I can’t find anything on installation videos or even pics.

 

I have the MRA's, but also used the spacer because the threads were at their max, similar to @Lateralus01 I should have gone with the 354 spring, instead of the 352 as seen here

Instructions link: https://exitoffroad.com/instructions/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjVHhuT1vU

Install pics: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...o-bay-area-norcal.640100/page-5#post-23778010

 

Well changed shocks today, got the fronts only from someone who decided they were not going to install them after buying them. I did adjust the preload some but need to read some more to understand this better from what I have.

700lb springs, short drive down the road and can tell there is a noticeable feel to the front end. The OME had just over 70k on them and the 886 springs have well over 100k as I got them used from a local member.

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One thing that I had to do in order for my res bracket to work with my front bumper bracket was adjust it so that I could get it to line up with the mounting holes for sway bar location. (removed from my rig for months now)

 

How hard was your preload to turn? I lifted one tire off the ground had to put serious effort to get a turn in. I stopped because I didn't want to break anything. I did loosen the retaining nut and WD40 the threads first.

 

Like you I had the front tires off the ground. I didn't lube mine and they were quite difficult to turn. I put 10 turns on each and got in my cardio for the day.

 

If no weight really on your truck you should be able to get to 2 inches, doesn't seem right to be stuck at 1.5. I was looking at Elkas, if I ever ordered guess I'll say 2 to 3 inch option.
2nd gen trucks stock are 20 inches centre of hub to fender and 22 inches rear. Your 3rd Gen was sitting a bit low when you started out being at 20 as well.
Accutune figures Tacomas with little to no weight should be running 600lb coils.

 

Now that its been a couple of weeks and I've hit the trails with it a number of times it has settled about a quarter inch. So at the end of the day 23mm (.9 inch) of max preload spec'd by Elka resulted in 1.25 inches of lift not the 2" advertised. So I think you're conclusion of going with the 2-3" option would be appropriate. I would have done the same knowing what i know now.

Let me preface what I am about to say that my only experience with suspension so far is the stock OR set up. But man oh man is this @Elka set up good. It improved the ride everywhere. Within reason, no more brake dive. And its so flat on turns. On road its so planted its night and day. And off road it's so capable and soaks up what before I would have been cringing to hit before. Even a friend of mine who is super difficult to impress remarked at the difference from his experience in the passenger seat.

Overall, I am stoked with my purchase. Yes, I wanted to gain some more lift out of it. That part was disappointing. But the performance more than makes up for the aesthetics.

 

Glad I went with the 2"-3" option! I still have tons on thread left.
Not sure what you mean about aesthetics because you needed some clearance for 33s.

 

Aesthetics meaning that i was hoping to level it with the 1.5"s from the AAL's i installed with the rear Elka's. I'm not running 33's. Kept it OEM size with some Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

 

Hey there TW!

I’m reading over this thread and it’s a little confusing. I’m about to pull the trigger on 2.5 Elkas with 2-3” lift. I have a 2020 Tacoma with factory bumper. Will 650lb be enough for me? Thanks!

 

3rd gen stock spring is 700lbs, I went with it before coming into a sso slimline bumper.

It put me at ~23" front center hub to bottom of wheel well...which I believe is 2.5". The coilover collars are resting at the initial top thread on both side.

Hope this helps.

Edit: if you got with headstrong off-road they have a unique deal (at least when I ordered) with Elka.

 

Thanks. I don’t know what the SSO slimline bumper is but it does help.

I’m planning on getting the Deaver Expedition 2 leaf pack which should put me at 2” with my GFC and bikes? So it sounds like I’ll probably need the 650...

I’m actually purchasing from HS. I’m going to call Elka tomorrow to confirm. Just figured I’d reach out here first.

Thank you