2014 DCSB Mid Travel Questions

Owing to a group buy, I recently made the decision to begin gathering parts for a mid travel lift. After doing what I consider a fair amount of reading, I'm attempting to gather up a shopping list and had some questions for those in the know:

1) No one that I've seen has complained of any CV issues with their mid travel lifts, but I also haven't seen anyone mention limit straps or lower bump stops. So I guess I'm wondering what the limiting factor is in suspension droop? What is preventing the CV joint from binding and the shock from extending completely?

2) In that same vein; if you are running a limit strap or a lower bump, which one and why? And are you able to reuse stock upper bump stops when running a 33 inch tire? What about rear bumps and limit straps?

3) Speaking of rear suspension, is it necessary to replace the stock leaf pack? Ideally I'm looking to generate a bit more flex back there through a longer shock and run a 33 inch tire for ground clearance, but can't see a need for new rear leafs. I've read a bit about people encountering negative arch and prematurely flattened leaves, but it seemed as though this was a problem on the 2005-2012s, not the 2013 and up?

4) I've heard some people say that R/R Rear shocks are a must, that even moderate desert cruising is enough to heat the fluid up in the back (but not the front). Is this true? I'm primarily doing easy to moderate trail riding, with a bit of desert cruising and some camping / expo style trips.

5) More of a question that is Fox specific, but since I'm asking questions: I'm under the impression the Fox C/Os come with springs pre loaded, but what are these spring rated for? Is it common to switch these spring out when adding a winch / bumper? If so, do the replacement coils pose a problem with UCA clearance?

The following is my initial shopping list. I'm settled on which UCAs and shocks I am getting, mostly I'm concerned that I might leave off something important, or maybe be looking at purchasing something unnecessary. Much of my list comes from the All Pro website because I feel like they have a pretty good handle on how this works. But definitely help me out if you can see or think of a better way.

1) All Pro UCAs
2) Fox 2.5 Factory Series IFP Coil Over
3)Fox 2.0 Factory Series R/R (Rear)
4)All Pro Standard Duty Rear Leafs (?) w/ Bump stops and U Bolt Flip (?)
5) Extended brake lines (front and rear)
6) Long Travel CV Boots (?)
7) Spindle Gussets (?)

Forgive me if these are fairly simple questions, I did my best to search and read over the past year or so. Any insight you guys can provide would be great, thanks!

 

Subd. Just bought a dclb as we'll. Have many of the same questions.

 

Hardly anyone runs aftermarket bumps / straps on mid travel, the UCA will hit the coil and that will limit the down travel, the OEM bump will limit the up travel. I don't think Toyota swapped the leaf packs from 12 to 13 since the leafs have been going flat since 05, if you want a good mid-travel you might as well spend the extra $400 and get a good set. If you plan on doing some-what high speed wheeling, the rear setup I would run R/R, front wouldn't be as necessary but will help, also when you order the shocks - tell the respective vendor what you want to do with them and they will valve them for you, should be free.

Ditch number 6, it won't work for your application. Everything else looks pretty good. Why fox over icon or king? Just curious, also if you plan on doing a winch / bumper combo tell them you want a 650# spring, or maybe even a 700, I'd go 650 first and see how you like the ride.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info. I figured there had to be a catch about limiting droop somewhere, and there it was.

I chose Fox over Icon and King because of price and location. Fox headquarters are close by where I live. Coincidentally, Im picking up a set of PB Rear shocks tomorrow from another TW member. Which wasnt planned. Maybe I'll put a build page together when things get going. Thanks again for your help!

 

On a mid travel set up the long travel boots do help only because you are getting about an inch more of travel which extends the stock boot to the max. So the long travel boot will help the life of your boots. Fox's come standard with 600lbs but you can get a different spring if you want. We all just run the 600lb springs with a steel bumper and winch. I agree with "large" that you never really see Mid Travel set ups with limiting straps, so I wouldn't worry about that. Our Fox's come valved for either a Tacoma or FJ so wouldn't have to worry about that when ordering from us either. Looks like a solid performing setup you are trying to go with here!