Ironman 4x4 Suspension Mega-Thread

Huge freaking shout out to @Ironman4x4America for proving that top notch, customer-first service still exists in the world. Check arrived today to cover the tank replacement.

Y'all have earned a customer (and an ambassador) for life. I might even quit talking crap about the Incredible Hulk logo when I recommend the lift kits to people.

 

I have been currently running the Ironman4x4 stage 2 foam cell pro for a year and half with the 2.5" medium coils, they were sold out of the 3" at the time I purchased. I personally like the ride but I have an infant son and at times I feel like maybe softening up my ride would be beneficial for him. I see that the 3" spring rate is 104lbs less than the 2.5" coil, has anyone ran both springs before? or have any input on how my ride would be if I made the switch? I don't want the amount of lift I got with the 2.5" to change either, moving to the 3" would be purely to make the ride feel softer. The Ironman4x4 customer service guy, Bubba, said I could just adjust the preload accordingly to keep the same height I currently have.

 

I had the same coils you do, the 827# or B ones and recently swapped to the 720# A coils. I think the ride is better but I did my maths wrong and started with too much preload. I’m still trying to get it where I want but sitting at 23.5” or so in the front. Mine was originally stock at 21” center where to fender. I think with the heavier coils I was at 23” or so. That’s about where I want to get but will have to adjust again. The ride is better with them but with my E rated tires it’s still bumpy/stiff.
If you’re in Hawaii, shipping might be a pain it maybe you can find someone here that might have the A coils to sell, if you don’t mind them used. If you want new, reach out to their Instagram account and ask if they have any discounts, or leave the item you want in your cart while logged into your account.

 

Do you have measurements/pictures of how much you adjusted your preload down? I also just switched from E rated tires to C rated too but will go back to E rated once my son gets older.

Yeah, I reached out to Ironman for shipping quote and I do that too,leave in the cart thing too to get discounts from a variety of websites. Shipping is always a pain for Hawai'i but that's expected unless there are dealers for offroad products here already. I sometimes just ship it to my friend in Cali and he ships it for me (usually a lot cheaper). I'm okay with used ones too, doesn't have to be new, so I'll be on the lookout.

 

I don’t think I have any pictures of measuring them but what I should have done was start at the same place as the B springs. I think I was anticipating them being compressed more with the added weight I had… or now that I think about it, I should have adjusted them lower to start out with since they are different heights.
I have a few commutes to do but I’m going to drop them another 1/4-1/2”. I’ll measure what they currently are next time I go out.

this pic was after I installed but before my first adjustment so they are much heigher here.

 

I got around to adjusting them again today. From spring seat bottom to mid bolt I went from 8.5” to 8.25” on the drivers side and 8.25 to 8” on the passengers. Or pretty close to those measurements. I’ll update the height of the truck after I drive around for it to settle.
Takes a little less than an hour to adjust. I had bought the IM tool but with the spring under preload I could not get enough umph without a breaker bar. I have nothing thatll fit it right now.

 

thanks for the new info. I just measured where my preload is at on driver and passenger side. That's where IM placed them upon assembly.

 

That does not look bad with those springs. They are about 1/3” shorter than the springs I have on now.
You could try removing more preload to see if it softens the ride up for you. I’m not sure what height your trying to keep, or at least don’t see it right now.
Took me under an hour with interruptions from my kid lol.

 

Once I get the 3" springs, Ideally would like to keep it about 2.5" of lift. Its currently around 2.5"-2.65"

 

Did you end up getting the springs?

 

I did get a used pair from ohcaltexscar but haven't put them on yet. Hopefully sometime next week.

 

Make sure not to set them too high to start like I did lol. I’d say probably drop those rings about 1/4” and see how that is.

 

Anybody do an oil change with Ironman skids on their truck? I had to remove my skids before taking it to Toyota for my free maintenance. Didn’t want to hassle the service techs with my plates.

 

Lol, that’s the only (well one of them) that I didn’t go with the IM skids. Having the panel was important since I have free lifetime oil changes from the dealer and didn’t want the extra hassle.

Did you ever get those springs swapped?

 

Nah. Been too busy or wet up here. Been doing electrical, water tank and bumper mods.

 

Theoretically, I just have to take off the front skid to access the filter. There is a small hole at the oil drain plug but I think the Toyota techs would be annoyed by any hindrance. I already have to hand them the lock key socket for the lug nuts.
I bought a fumoto valve kit that may make things cleaner and easier in the long run.

 

So this may be random but I have been looking at upgrading my leaf pack to the Ironman leaf packs for my 2008 dbl cab 4x4. I have a fiberglass topper constantly on my truck i believe weighs between 100-200lbs and often a few things in the bed but nothing crazy. with that my current springs are flat. I tow a 3000lb travel trailer and when I put that on my leafs go negative. the weight distribution helps bring them back up a decent amount but would like to replace the leafs. question is do I need the heavy duty ones? I tow maybe 15 times a year. Or can I get the medium duty 0-440lbs and with the WDH will that be better? I assume that would be ideal when not towing just curious. Also how much lift do you get with these packs? The less the better for me. Just want to make sure it wont sit super high when I only have the topper and nothing in the bed. Was planning on pairing with 5100s in the rear. Any other things I would need? Thank you!

https://ironman4x4america.com/rear-...-load-0-440lbs-suited-for-2005-toyota-tacoma/

 

Please see this post: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ironman-4x4-leaf-pack-thread.746930/#post-26594278

 

Sounds like I definitely don't need the Heavy duty pack.

 

No I doubt you’d need the HDs, I have a cap and a bin of tools in the back all the time with the 440’s and no problems.
I towed a trailer up to Colorado a while back, it was only 2000lbs but pretty close considering. I didn’t have issues with it, rode well and didn’t even come close to pushing them negative.