3rd Gens running king/ADS/bp51

Yeah, for some the compression adjustments will just be a set it and forget it type deal.

For "expo" type use, however, they're incredible. The ability to dampen based on your changing loadout is very, very nice. I for one know that the settings I use for carrying my roof top tent, gear, and 1,000,000lb cooler ride like garbage when all that stuff is removed from the equation.

I don't really mess with the front much... the front of my vehicle typically weighs the same.

 

This discussion makes be lean toward ADS. The only thing keeping me on a limb is that King is such reputable company and I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon. As for the bp51 it is the cheaper option and has rebound adjusters.

I think what really seals the deal for me is what Marie told me about how ADS designed the shocks to be digressive for rebound and progressive for compression. While I could set that up myself on the bp51 I think I'd rather let somebody who knows more about it do it for me. It's alot to take in really. ADS is winning for me now but the bp51 is certainly more economical and I'm not totally sure I would be able to tell the difference.

 

For sure. When the BP-51 was released I was a HATER. A 51mm piston on a setup they want to compete with the big boys? What were they thinking?

Then I got my hands on a set and realized that if they had used a 2.5" piston the diameter of the shock would be well over 3" once they added their bypass chambers.

Like I said before, these little bastards blow my Icons out of the water and I was very, very happy with those.

 

That's probably as true of words as I've seen on here.

 

I almost view the bp51 (and maybe wrongfully so) as an overlanding suspension and not really a suspension made to go fast down a dirt/desert road. Can you comment on their high-speed performance?

 

I haven't had them on anything but rough forest service roads so far. That's really all we've got for go-fast off-road stuff here in WA.

In that setting, however, way smoother (thanks bypasses) and more stable than my Icon setup. My wife wouldn't drive my 4Runner on FS roads. Has asked to drive the GX on multiple occasions when we're out and about now. VERY confidence inspring. Typically I am at the front of the pack and waiting for everyone to catch up when I get to a turn.

Whoops, jumps, etc I cannot comment on. Don't have that stuff around here.

 

Hm that's interesting. I was under the impression no one had managed to create such a shock yet. Opposite profiles for compression and rebound. Cool.

You wouldn't be able to dial that in with the adjusters on the BP-51s though. The adjusters control the amount of damping force across the whole profile. You can't adjust from digressive to progressive. You can only adjust more or less.

I'm on Kings less adjusters because I don't need them. As Alex discussed adjusters are very useful if you have a need for them but most people don't. Main uses being significantly altering the weight of your ride or significantly altering the terrain you drive over and wanting to get over it as fast as possible.

The "stock" configuration of adjuster less shocks is optimally set up for the stock configuration of the vehicle they are intended for and mixed road/offroad use. That's exactly what I wanted/needed so I didn't get adjusters.

 

That actually makes alot of sense to me. I can see how vehicle specific valving is most accurate without adjusters. I'm this close to purchasing the ADS kit with dakars. Just undecided on my uca right now.

Anyone have opinions on light racing vs fabtech vs total chaos uca's?

 

I went with SPC, why? Endurance and simplicity. I wanted a long lasting UCA and balljoint that I could rely on in the field. It's also affordable. Can also look into JBA offroad

Uniballs are great but exposed to elements are not as long lasting. These are most associated to racing.

 

Sold. Big reason I like ADS is their improved element resistance.

 

Is it an acceptable practice to powder Coat uca's? I would love them to match the ADS coils. Or my truck.

 

Not sure, I've never seen them powdered but I dont see why not as long as you can still fit the bushings and balljoint in. Could always Rustoleum them to match

 

Do you think light racing are acceptable to extended travel kings/ADS? Or is a uniball the safer bet. From what I've read light racing uca's actually have better vertical articulation than total chaos?

 

Yes, the extended travel is only about 1/2" - 3/4." This is accomplished by removing the shaft spacer.

 

The BP51s do look pretty cool for what it is worth....lol.

 

Do I need to send my ADS shocks into ADS themselves to be rebuilt or can my shop do it? Shop is worried about me choosing them over kings based on rebuild opportunity.

 

Bp51s are pretty unique. I was in love with them for a while after release.

 

If your shop can rebuild kings then they can rebuild ADS. They are very similar

 

Here you go OP...some light reading on guys who have ADS installed on their trucks. Mine are sitting in my garage until I can find a clear weekend to get them on.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ads-off-road-racing-shocks-information-pictures.341630/

 

I've read every post before I added ADS to the poll . I'm sold on every portion besides rebuild/repair. King is so widely accepted and has vendors everywhere. And I'm not a fan of the silver coil.. Saw orange in a thread but I'm not sure that's much better.