Anybody running Elka 2.0 shocks/coilovers?

Mav Coat them beauties!

 

I did a little google search and this is what I found about ToyTec and Radflo:

Toytec/Radflo - Toytec worked with Radflo to modify standard coils and shocks to their specs specific to the Toyota trucks
2.5” diameter shock body

Toytec Boss - same except with Eibach
2” diameter shock body

So, ToyTec uses parts from other manufacturers. They don’t make their own shocks at all.

 

I understand that, I just found it interesting that the elka and Toytec (Radflo) 2.0 appear almost identical minus the color difference. I would think elka’s products would be slightly more unique. Who knows could just be a coincidence?

 

They do look eerily similar.

 

The 2.5's look the same as well. Interesting.......

 

The only difference is Toytec doesn't offer a compression adjuster on their remote reservoir 2.5's. The 2.5 Elkas are offered with a very nice hi-speed/low-speed compression adjuster. And I'm sure there's valving differences between the two. I don't know if they're made in the same facility or not but they sure look like they share the same design.

 

I think they are too similar to not be from the same builder. Different specific valving and options does makes sense, a way to draw a certain audience.

 

@09TRDSport4x4 , Did you get a chance to install these Elka shocks by chance?

I'm considering them as an upgrade to the stock off-road Bilsteins coupled with new leaf packs to manage having a 300 lb camper always on the truck. (Considering just air bags as an option too.)

Curious what you think of them for daily driving and forest roads vs the Bilsteins that you had? I'm also considering those but these look a bit nicer. Thanks!

 

Just get toytec, they are literally identical. I know a couple people who installed elka and the bushings blew out within weeks. They ended up buying kings after a few months of fighting with elka. At least toytec should have better customer service for the same product

Edit: didn't see the pictures comparing the two are right above this post haha

 

I got the Elka 2.0s and SPC UCAs installed over the weekend. These things are a major upgrade over the 2" block lift!
Looking forward to see how they perform and last through the winter and offroad.
Now I need to get some shock boots to protect them from our stupid winter...


(I cranked them up wayyyy too high. They are much lower now lol)








Before: TOP
After: BOTTOM

(Not the best side-by-side comparison...)

 

Nice! Yeah, the units themselves look great. Hoping as well that they'll hold up to the winters well.

Trying to justify the costs to myself over just airbags right now lol. Might end up riding on the stock shocks with bags until they're shot and then upgrade.

 

Have the rears installed but am still working on replacing the power steering rack before the new coilovers go in and the truck gets back on the road...

I fully expect my ride to be “softer” when I’m done, especially in the back given I removed the overload leaf from my AAL setup.

Will definitely post updates (here or in my build thread) once the truck is drivable again.

 

Marie is awesome. Finally got my 2.5” Elka’s with DK Ball UCA.

 

I bought a set of

$607 SPC 25470 Upper Control Arm for Toyota Tacoma - Pair

SPC 25470 UCAs already, looking hard at Elka 2.0 because my application is 95% on-road, 5% forestry/hydro roads.

If I install the pictured kit without touching the stock rear leaf packs, will my front end be 2" higher than the rear? Because that is going to look pretty weird.

I think Elka made a typo in the parts list, they say 2.5 but it is a 2.0 kit.

 

Yeah it looks like they made a typo.
If you don't want to lift the back, then you should look at the Elka 2.0 (0"-2" lift) package.
You should have a little bit of rake on your truck. Your back end should sit about 1" higher than the front.

 

Okay, I have to confess that I am as confused as a baby in a topless bar although I have spent many hours reading threads and watching Filthy Motorsports videos.

I do not really want to increase the step-in height of my truck because it will cause an additional expense to provide a step for my wife. I think that raising a truck that is not off-roaded is just going to increase effective drag without any functional benefit.

I was looking at a 2" lift simply because I thought I would have more stroke which would help with speed bumps. I am not sure if this is actually correct. I also thought if I wanted to add front/rear bumpers later, I could do that very easily since I can adjust the front preload to compensate for the extra weight.

I am starting to think I should just sell the SPC UCAs and buy the 0-2" kit. I would set it to the stock height.

 

Now I don't want to be providing incorrect information but these are my 2 cents:

• SPS UCAs optimize tire alignment and wheel travel for a lifted truck. Therefore I don't think they are mandatory for you. It won't hurt anything but it might be a "waste".
• I'm not sure you will notice much of a difference in ride quality on a fire road between a stock height Tacoma with Elkas and 3" lifted Tacoma with Elkas.
• I have read a lot that changing to a different spring is the best way to keep the front end of your truck higher to compensate for the added weight. It seems like adjusting the ride height / preload (with a lighter spring) to compensate for the added weight will really stiffen the ride.

Now @HeadStrong Off-Road is a great source of information on suspension. They are a US distributor of Elka.
Krave Automotive will help you out as well! They were great help for me and that is where I got my Elka's. They are based out of Calgary.

 

The speed humps in my neighbourhood are about 12 cm high. So if the ELka 0-2" shock has about that much up travel stroke, it will do the job.

I was thinking that if 50 mm of lift is the threshold at which you need UCAs, I would install them to be safe since I might want to start at 50 mm with the expectation of settling lower with future bumper weight on the front and rear. Pretty sure I will end up going 0-2" and selling the SPC UCAs as you say.

The Elka springs look linear, so I think they would not create a stiffer ride no matter the preload.

I have a feeling you are 100% right on just picking the right spring (600 650 700) in the first place and I should probably do the bumpers and the suspension at the exact same time.

 

Krave told me every Elka setup up is kinda "custom" so they are ordered from the factory and shipped to any address.
Hopefully you find a setup that suits your needs!

 

@Mountain I was able to confirm with Elka that they produce the Toytec assemblies under contract.

Elka will produce parts to customer specification in the case of Headstrong, Krave, Toytec but they will not vary their design for a retail customer dealing with them directly.

Krave can make modifications like using a 13" spring instead of a 14" spring. Kyle has at least 15 years of practical knowledge on Toyota platforms, and he has engineering support so I would have confidence that if you describe your application accurately and honestly, you will get a system that meets requirements.