Need advice on fat bobs coilovers

That definitely helps, my front struts are so fucked that anything other than what I am currently running would be an upgrade lol I am going to place an order soon and will definitely let you guys know how it turns out

 

They don't give much info on the site about them.

What strut are they built around?
Whats the spring quality?
What's everything made of?
Worst case its stainless and it starts to show signa of wear fast?
I would give them a call and ask or shoot them a e-mail before ordering and ask
They should know it is there product with there name on it.
That's what I would do anyways. Research.

 

Those are 5100s just re done. Nothing special about them really. If you gonna spend that much money, save up 200 more and get yourself some 2.0 SAWs

 

If it was me, here are the questions I would want answers to before buying:

Who makes and assembles the shock? I really doubt it is Fat Bobs that does this.

Is shock part of the kit based on the Bilstien 5100? Similar to the Toytec Ultimate kit is?

Is it a 2" diameter shock body?

What brand of coil spring is used? What is its spring rate?

For $500, they would be the least expensive adjustable CO that I have seen. The Toytec Ultimates, which look very similar and are based on a 5100 shock are selling for 50% higher.

 

So many brand shocks are being made oversees (China, Taiwan) these days I would find out what it is first

 

I emailed Fat Bob's asking all of the necessary questions and will post their reply when I get it.

 

I have first hand experience...

Dont, just fucking dont.


Mine lasted approximately 15-20k, before they leaked like a bastard. The coil they used had way to high of a spring rate, and my tires cupped like a mofo. I rotated every 3k and couldnt stay ahead of them.

They use some sort of "in-house" brand of shock. Idk who they are made by, but they sucked hard. They wore out way to fast, leaked like a sieve, and the bushing in hte bottom shock eyelet that attaches to the LCA, distorted and flattened out as fast as possible. I probably would have been better off with monroe or some other crap from autozone/oriellys

They also have a "warrenty" but its worthless...

 

Uh..

Spring rate has nothing to do with your tires cupping. Your air pressure and alignment was probably off.

 

A failing lower bushing could very well create unusual wear issues.

 

yea. Usually something else related to it. Not spring rates though..that doesn't affect that at all..

 

Some shocks as they fail get stiffer and stiffer. May seem like a too high spring rate and would deform the bushing in the process because nothing else is able to absorb the shock.

 

Hmmm..but wouldn't that be the shock failing not the spring rate maki it stiffer? The coils main job is to hold up the truck..

 

Hard to say really. Spring rate could overpower the shock causing the failure.

I've heard similar grumblings about 620# eibachs overpowering OME nitrochargers.

 

Didn't even know you could put eibachs on nitros haha

But I guess..don't really see that as a cause of cupping though directly..

 

Reading around the jeep/ford/dodge forums, I think they use either Rough Country or Skyjacker shocks with BDS springs. Basically, no.

OP, spend the extra money:

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/ToyTec-BOSS-Coil-Overs-955-04-Taco-96-02-4RUN_p_994.html

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/ToyTec-Coil-Overs-955-04-Taco-96-02-4RUN_p_355.html

Or for the cheapest option:

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/ToytecEibach-front-coil-lift-springs_p_14.html
+
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Front-Bilstein-Height-adjustable-5100-shocks_p_146.html

 

So, what did you find out?
Did you try them or go some other route?

Some of the Tundra guys seem to like them.
There's a couple of pictures too, if you register.
http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tundra-suspension-talk/250834-fat-bobs-adjustable-coilovers-3.html

 

X2, if you're going to go through the trouble of removing the shock yourself but don't want the hassle of using a spring compressor, take the shocks to Les Schwab if one is near you. They will swap out the shocks while you wait for $25.00 per side. That way you can sit there and watch info commercials on their TV set and eat stale popcorn.

When its all done and you've road tested them for awhile, you can give us a performance report.

 

I have run these Fat Bobs on my 02 for about 6 months now. I have had great success with them. I took my truck out on the elk hunt a week after having them installed, and put them to the test. They performed very well. I would definitely recommend them.

Great option !!

 

Can someone who who likes Fat Boobs post a picture of them for us to see?

 

Do you have any pictures of your truck?