Everything Elka and How They Compare

Thought I'd update on this. Removed OEM leafs + Headstrong 3 leaf AAL and replaced with AllPro Expedition springs (shipped with u-bolt flip and bump stops for <$700).

The difference is beyond night and day. I actually enjoy driving my truck now and the Elka shocks actually feel like they're doing their job instead of barely shining the turd that is the Oem springs. I only have a 300 lbs Leer topper on and the ride is definitely stiff, but not at all uncomfortable. It takes mountain curves like it's on rails, handles washboard and blown out dirt like a champ, and the rear flexes like crazy now, I love it.

Everybody can do whatever they want with their money, but I still say if you're gonna spend the money on decent shocks, put some money into your springs as well, otherwise you might as well drive a Lambo with donut tires from a Chevy Cavalier.

Then again, if all you care about is looks, than do whatever makes you truck give you the image you're looking to achieve.

 

Sorry that I missed this. No, I did not get the 2”-3” lift. Mine are the1”to 2”. At purchase I spoke with Elka and if down the road I can get more if I swap the spring for a different model. I just need a turn or 2 (3mm per turn). I do have HS AAL in the rear.

 

Managed to get my 2.0s fitted up with spc arms. Threw an icon AAL and timbren stops on the rear. So far it feels good but haven’t done any fender well clearance work yet.

Question for anyone - did the sway bar relocate bracket give adequate room to the coil? I’m about .5” away which seems close.

 

I have about the same clearance and have had no issues with the coil being rubbed or anything else rubbing

 

I have the relocate kit installed and it's pretty damn close. I can barely stick in finger in-between.
I do have some neoprene shock cover installed over the coils and there's not a mark on them. So I'm assuming they are not rubbing at all.

 

Thanks Dan. Good to know I didn’t screw it up ha. So far pretty impressed with these! Time to make some fender room after the alignment as I’m rubbing in the usual spots.

 

Well I guess you could install it backwards... lol
Are you doing a cab mount chop? Running 33s?

 

No CMC yet. It’s getting alignment tomorrow then I will see what needs to be done. Running 33’s with the fn fx pro wheel. Did you need the chop on yours? I for sure have to pull the fender liner back as it rubs all hell right now lol.

 

No CMC yet. Offroad and alignment shop here said they moved it as much out of the way so I don't need a CMC right now.
But i trimmed quite a bit of plastic on the front and back.

 

I was just reluctant to replace perfectly good and functional leaf springs with new ones that I saw as very expensive. These springs are imported into Canada and a pair of them is around $1500.

Sorry if it wasn't clear, for me it was about increasing the spring rate with an AAL, because that is going to make the truck less comfortable to drive, not more.

My Elka 2.0 parts are in the production queue, which seems to be pretty long. Haven't heard from them for about 5 weeks.

 

Can't say anything about the Elka suspensions for Toyota but the full Elka suspension for my Quad is pretty dang good.

 

The U402s for $200 is a good deal for sure, you can get Icon Rxt leaf packs for around $1000 plus tax here in BC.

 

Good to know. My U402 quote from a BC retailer was $1836.67 which broke down as $1450 (for the springs themselves) + $175.37 (shipping to Ontario) + $211.30 (tax).

 

My sway bar was rubbing against the coil on bumps, probably because the end links are done. Passenger had enough space, driver side was like 1-2mm away.
the biggest downside for me is that due to relocate kit I had to lower my aftermarket skid plate with washers.

Took the sway bar out to see how it feels and I must say I love it! Set low speed compression to stiffest to counter the sway and hi speed to medium-ish. Rides like a dream, sway bar delete only noticeable when you do quick left & right motions.

 

Good to hear your experience, I've been wondering about this as well. With the 700# springs on my truck and no substantial armor other than skids, it definitely seems to have the stiffness to handle removing the sway bar (especially with compression dialed up a bit). Starting to think I may have a new weekend project.

 

I'm running full armor and a winch, so you should be good! Also haven't maxed out preload, so should be fine on trails and articulating CV axles.

 

I'm super excited to be joining the Elka club, having just picked up this setup yesterday. Need a day without other obligations to get everything installed (Icon RXT leaf springs and Element billet UCAs are going on, too).

This review was one of the things that swayed me away from King or Fox and over to Ekla. Looking forward to seeing how these ride! The only thing I noticed is that the bottoms of the boots don't seem to be attached to anything on the rear shocks. The OP says his had a rubber stopper on the shaft that the boot slipped over, but mine don't, and the bottom openings are very large. Are they supposed to just free-float, or am I missing a component to attach them to?

 

Nice! Welcome to the club. My rears came with a zip-tie to secure the bottom of the boot. You can obviously just supply the zip yourself if they didn't come with. Post up once you're installed!

 

Secure the bottom of the boot to what? Directly to the shaft? Yes, it sounds like they did not install the rubber stopper, that the shaft slides through, and the boot is attached to with a ziptie

 

Thank you! And yes, I have the same question as @VE7OSR ... am I supposed to zip tie the bottom of the boot to the machined end piece with the eyelet, or did yours have that rubber stopper piece on the shaft? I ask because the OP's review is for a Tundra setup, and that could be model specific. I tried to search a few different photos, but most websites selling these things don't explain how the boot attaches, and often times, they're just showing a generic photo that doesn't match the actual product I have.