Are kings/Icon/Fox really worth it?

I couldn't decide so I went Kings and Fox

 

Like everyone said, if you really needed them you wouldn't even consider a bilstein shock. That being said, bilstein is a high quality product and is perfect for weekend warriors and plenty capable too. You won't be competing and winning any offroad competitions but for the occasional weekend trip they are a huge step up from stock. I would just be careful of shock fade because they have no cooling features for the fronts.

 

To say the least I have learned a lot through this website and am a little more versed in the ways of taco-bro language. I feel pretty novice looking back at my original post. As a weekend warrior and mostly sticking to pavement, they have worked fine.

I have come to find the bilstein 6112's are definitely a step above stock, but when you max out the clips to give it maximum lift, it makes the front end pretty stiff. I feel kings or foxes would have given me the lift I wanted with a better ride. Overall for parts and labor, the lift was 2k or so. I am now regretting not just shelling out the bit extra for the kings. I live on the coast so rust is a bit of a factor so an exposed shock may not be ideal, but as long as you take care of your stuff by cleaning then it wouldn't be that much of a problem. The 6112's are enclosed which is nice.

 

Live and learn

 

This may sound idiotic to more versed taco-bros, but would removing the sway bar improve the suspension stiffness at all?

 

Longevity wise, my Fox's fixed the fade issue I had when doing one of the 40 mile logging roads I do. Let's me maintain about another 20mph safely.

 

No worries man we all start somewhere. Just have to start researching and asking questions and soon you'll know your truck and its options better than your wife

 

Plenty of folks have ditched the sway bar with no negative effects other than increased body roll, but it wouldn't fix your stiff springs. The reason they are so stiff is probably because there's too much preload (spacers or higher clips settings). This makes it hard for the shock to dampen the rebound on the spring.

 

Yes the pre-load on my 6112's is maxed out. Was trying to achieve near 3" of lift.

 

What clip setting did you use? And what type of spring?

 

And Homie, try learning to do your own repairs and mods. I always say, the Tacoma game gets expensive when you need other people to do your mods. What you spent in labor could certainly pay for tools that you'd definitely reuse over and over. Plus you get the added bonus of helping other bros out too!

 

If you have to ask probably not what you need. Drive a truck with either King’s or Fox’s and you will see why there is a 2-3k price difference. Another cost effect upgrade for you would be to purchase a used set of stock Pro fox shocks. May not be height adjustable but will definitely ride better over the bilsteins.

 

I second that, but I personally don't like the pro fox line. Had them on a 2009 Wrangler and they were just too stiff to tolerate on the road. Offroad was a different story, but i spent about 70 percent of my time on pavement so I wasn't a fan.

 

I thought it was too tough to decide, so I went with custom tuned Icons and custom tune King 10" 2.5dia resi shocks. Rides like a cloud, lands jumps pretty decent too.

20170316_160617 by Zane, on Flickr

0520181715 by Zane, on Flickr

0526181831_HDR by Zane, on Flickr

 

Came with 6 notches. Was on 5th and rubbed a bit with 17x9 -12mm 4.5 backspace rims so I bumped it to the top notch. I believe the spring that comes with the shocks is 600lbs. Didn't measure before hand but advertised as ~2.5 of lift.

I didn't have my own garage at the time of purchasing the lift. That is one thing i'm learning as I get older which is, buy tools because you will use them over and over in the future and don't be the dick that keeps asking to borrow.

Now that I have a house and garage i have the space to work on it. Slowly building up my tool collection.

 

Welcome to offroad springs lol. They are all a bit stiff. But the top notch is far too much preload without any bumper weight... I'm surprised your shock hasn't blown up yet. I'd recommend popping it down a bit. You may have better luck on the 4th or 3rd notch from the bottom. If you need more lift you would do better with the 1/2" billet spacer toytec sells. Not sure what you have on your front end but those springs you have are taller than stock, and some of those clip settings are to be used in conjunction with a stock spring. On the 5100 shock, there are 4 settings. With lift coils you shouldn't exceed the second clip. However, you can use the 3rd and 4th clip if you're running a stock height spring. Just food for thought.

 

Are you going to trim those ubolts at the bottom? Looks like they might get hung up on trail obstacles.

 

Yes it’s on my never ending list of stuff to do

 

I knew her