Ishock Mid Travel Review

To the best of my knowledge, I'm the first guy on tacomaworld to install the Ishock kit, and I couldn't be happier. I have posted this review in another thread, but I wanted to start one specific to my install.

First point to note is that the coils are delivered set at a generic preload. They're gonna be different depending on the truck model you install them on. Naturally they'll lift a 4cyl reg cab at the factory preload setting than they will a 6cyl DC. I believe mine lifted right around 2" at the factor setting on my V6 DCSB.

Darren from Ishock said that these coils will handle up to the full 3" of lift regardless of the Taco model, so that's important for everyone to remember. Depending on your truck, you'll need to adjust the preload more than the factory setting.

So far, no vibes. Knock on wood, hoping they don't show up.

I've never rode in a taco with icons, kings, or any other mid or long travel kit installed, so my only comparison is stock and my 5100's. I loved the stiffer feel of my 5100's over the stock. Stock is just way to soft, the 5100's made it feel like a truck. But with the trd springs set at the 1.75 setting, it was tad harsh over bumpy roads. Wow is all I can say after this install. The truck drives like a dream, and it has a great feel on the road. Bumps were much smoother than the 5100's and reminded me more of the stock feel where it didn't beat you around and shake your truck all over. I even ran over a set of railroad tracks that I normally sort of braced for, just didn't realize I did it until today. Completely smooth over the tracks, it completely caught me off guard.

Overall, I'm completely pumped about the kit. No offroading yet, but on the pavement, worth every penny. Super improvement over the 5100's, no regrets at all.

To me, one of my favorite parts is the look of the kit. The coils and uca's look great. I didn't realize how crappy the stock uca's were until I saw them off the truck. These uca's are very robust, especially compared to stock. The rear shocks look sick on the truck, I call it an inverted design, and the body is polished and just pops on the truck. The coils look great as well. They have a nice look that's not too over the top.

My truck is my daily driver, I need something that's going to perform on the road, and be there when I want to play around in the mud. Long travel isn't right for me, I'm just not gonna DD something that heavily modified. For me, this is the perfect kit. Naturally, these are my initial impressions on day 1. I'll keep following up with my impressions as I get more miles on the truck.

I'm extremely satisfied with everything. Quality, ride, service and support. And I won't leave out the guys at DSM, awesome service as always. You won't go wrong dealing with those guys.

Current setup in the rear is tsb plus 1" block. My current front setup has the preload set with about 3.5" of thread showing between the bottom of the spring seat. I'm running 265/70/17 Falken Rocky Mountain ATS's on ATX Artillery 17x9's, -12mm offset.

I drove from Charlotte down to Charleston SC today after work, and man, my truck has never felt more comfortable on the highway. It's just a completely different truck than it was with the billy's. The ride was great. Only thing left for me to do is put it through the paces offroad, and Uwharrie may be coming up soon!

 

And of course, PICS! Click on them to view larger.

 

^FTMFW!

 

Nice review... I wonder if it would ride any better/worse with the add a leaf instead. Truck is looking good.

 

What's the difference?

I thought it was coilovers and uca's, wouldn't that be mid travel?

 

It's not the money deal when it comes to the rear. With the tsb installed and a 1" block, it got the lift where I wanted it to be. It's something I can upgrade later, but I'm happy with it for now.

I'm not worried about issues with a 1" block. If it was 3" or larger, I'd have went another route. It's fine for me and my uses. But I'm never really done modding, so a new 2" leaf pack is something I can pull off down the road.

There is an option with the kit to get a 1.5" AAL for no additional cost. If I didn't have the tsb installed, I'd have went that route. So just be aware that is an option with the kit if you want to go that way.

 

In Action!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruMOWhTfVhg&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TxBaIs7U9s&feature=channel&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWLNGf0Z2Co&feature=channel&list=UL

 

Looks really good

 

Thanks!

 

Thats pretty ballsy to be one of the first to try out a new set up.

I had the cheap spacers on top for a while, I hated the ride and it caused vibes in my front diff, which resulted in a new front diff from Toyota(warranted) but they made me remove the spacers and blocks and I was informed that they wouldn't give me another one if I put the spacers back in.

I really want the lift but I'm afraid of the vibes showing up. The RCD drop bracket lift wouldn't have this problem and its almost the same price. This kit runs for $1600 and the RCD is $1800, I don't mind cutting into the crossmember its just that I would have to buy new tires with the RCD as the stocks would look way to small with that lift, which would adds to the cost of the whole project. Going crazy trying to figure out what route to take. Damn me and my first world problems.

Prerunner guys have it so easy. I'm a Journeyman Auto Tech. I'm cursed with an inability to ignore vibes, hums.

I want to go the ishock route and pay the $5 extra to throw in the fox shocks but i'm to much of a chicken as I fear the vibes.

A few guys have gone this far, invested a lot of money and then switched to RCD.

YIKES

 

Also, your truck looks awesome man.

 

Thanks man, I don't know much about the drop bracket lifts. I wanted to lift my truck and gain usable travel. The ride is so much better than stock and the billy's, so that's a huge plus.

If you're looking to get the truck way up in the air, I can see where it's a good way to go and eliminate the vibes. So far, knock on wood, no vibes with my truck. I'm not saying they won't show up, just good so far.

I'm still loving the kit, and I don't think you'll be disappointed with it. I wouldn't spend the extra jack on the fox shocks either. It's not much more for the rear, but I think it's an extra $250 for the front maybe?

 

Yooo, truck looks good Brian! Still liking the kit?

I got a present on my doorstep yesterday, once it gets painted and installed I'll share it with you

 

cool wheels

 

What did you get? My guess is a grill.

 

And yeah, still loving the kit!

 

Keep posting updates truck looks good op

 

Well, for 1600 & probably most of 1700 shipped it should give ya wood and all that compared to 5100s/LR/AAL setup with SR5 coils because that setup is about 1000 shipped which is night and day better than TRD bilstein/stock setup which is also night and better than base tokicos/stock setup. Not sure what is so much better vs. the 5100s other than the preload of TRD coils being harsh offroad. I had both sets of oem coils on the 5100s I had and there was nothing crazy harsh about 5100s set at 2.5 with the SR5 coils. It was AC not DC tho, not that that particularly matters. For the money I would do the 5100/LR/AAL with linear SR5 coil setup over again. To each their own. Always appreciate new info & alternatives tho. And wouldn't 6" be considered mid-travel? Never considered 2.5-3" lift a mid-travel setup myself but OK, call it what you will. Not doubting the review and can imagine it is more compliant offroad but for the money and the experience I had with the 5100s, I'd spend the extra coin saved on rims or some other mods..............looks good tho, enjoy.