ADS Off-Road Racing Shocks - Information, Pictures, & BS Thread

Thanks to all that have posted all their awesome info and experiences regarding ADS. I have read through this whole thread maybe twice trying to get as much info as possible on ADS w/ comparisons to other c/o brands. I had Icon previously on my Tundra but wont go that route again. ADS are without a doubt going on my Tacoma soon.

What I have not found anywhere on the web is a video of someone breaking down their ADS coilovers for a rebuid. There are a few videos showing this with other brands, but not ADS. I realize they (c/o's) are all very similar. However, it would be really cool to have someone post a detailed video for those of us that do plan on rebuilding our own. Since this thread started people have to be getting to that time in which a rebuild is due.

 

I'm one of those people that will be doing my own rebuild when the time comes. Interested in this as well.

 

For sure. I have watched some videos of saw, fox, foa w/ rr, and kings getting rebuilt and it doesn't look too hard. Biggest thing for me is they all vary just enough that It would be nice to see the ADS broke down and see how they vary from the others. I dont even have my ADS yet, but when the time comes I will rebuild them myself.

 

When @riz_atx needs his rebuilt, maybe I can have him on the photography.

 

Is there a general mileage guideline for when to consider rebuilding? I’ve seen all sorts of numbers from 15k miles of “heavy offroad use” all the way up to like 30k-50k+ miles with mixed or predominantly road use.

I just installed my shocks 5k miles ago so I’m going to be good for a while but just curious what parameters people are using for scheduling rebuilds.

 

That would be pretty awesome. I think alot of members on here would be super pumped for a rebuild video or 2. I know I am looking forward to it.

 

The whole process is usually an hour, so pics will prob be better than vid, but I'm sure Sohail wouldn't mind either of them.

 

When they stop doing what they are supposed to.

I talked to one of the big brains from Icon and he said rebuilding a shock is like changing your engine oil, not changing it probably won't hurt but it's cheap insurance. If there are no indications of an issue like a leak or a harsh ride you are fine for a long time. Most companies say 10-20k miles highway and less if you go off-road but depending on how you use them you can stretch that a lot.

 

selling my MT setup which have 2.5in coilovers w/resi and 700lb springs

fyi

 

Yeah I guess shock leaking from a pitted shaft or wiper seal is obvious but I was thinking more along the lines of slow drop in charge pressure or poor performance of the shock fluid from thermal breakdown or something that.

I guess I’ll just play it by ear and see how long I get out of these things.

 

How many miles and where are you located?

 

kc,ks

~30k (2yrs on the truck, mostly street 95%)

 

Any of these aftermarket components come with gators?

 

I bought front ADS extended travel coilovers with 650 pound springs and rear piggyback reservoir shocks.
The rear leaf springs are ARB Old Man Emu Dakar medium duty EL095R and the upper control arms are SPC.
Can't wait for the build to be finished! It was pretty cool meeting you in person. @Bot_Chu
Thank you for the professional service and fast shipping! @HeadStrong Off-Road

 

Nice! I’m going to place an order today through Headstrong similar to yours but little different. ADS ext. travel rr, Icon RXT leaf pack and maybe some Bilstein 5125’s temporarily, due to funds and this stuff adding up real quick. Eventually will get the ADS piggys on the rear. Already have Dirt King UCA’s.

 

Thank you bud! It was a pleasure meeting you in person! If you guys have any questions on the ADS shocks and or need installs let me know

 

What are the fittings and hose ends made of, will they rust?
I'm seeing lots of new install pics, not 1+ year installed pics.

 

They will oxidize. Mine oxidized pretty bad with in the first week of having them on the truck. There wasn't even salt on the road.

Edit for additional info: The threads of the shock body oxidize badly too. Also, the rear lower shock mount rusted within the first 2 weeks.

 

these were on the truck 2 years.

 

I know hydraulic fittings need to be a hardened steel, maybe they could be nickel plated The springs need to be high carbon to retain shape but those could be nickel plated too, then powder coated. There are components and methods outside the norm that would easily solve these rust issues and not raise the price much, especially at this price point.