Blind shock tests

Looks just like failures of the front coilovers that have a spacer lift installed.

 

Dampers with an internal secondary stage/piston are where it’s at.

 

Just wanted to say thank you for making the videos. I'm struggling to understand all the components and kits to fit my wants/needs, and the shop I went to seemed extraordinarily expensive ($1400 labor for an Icon stage 2? Pass...), but this has been helpful to have a comparison and explore options instead of just "X" is the best because it's what they have.

I get people complaining about what they wish the videos included, but I don't see anyone else putting a video out. Just a thank you.

 

Saw the videos for the first time today. I was convinced I needed Fox 2.5 DSC's but now thinking Bilstein 8112's. I like soft and want more cadillac in my life - I'm getting old.

I'm curious about all this revalving talk. How many people have actually had their shocks revalved? I'm not sure some random wrench at the local motorsports/offroad shop knows WTF they're doing to tune a damping curve. I would fully expect the valving from the manufacturer to be their version of the ideal ride.

 

Knowing what I know now and I did it backwards as most ppl do. I got 8112s and 8100s now. I love them. However I would recommend 1st installing hammer hangers and a good leaf pack from the likes of deaver or icon rxt to firm up the frame and allowing the suspension to work as it’s intended rather than trying to soften up toward a more Cadillac type ride by simply upgrading shocks. Just my opinion and 2 cents

 

We custom tune every new shock that leaves our shop (free).

100% agree, don't trust just anyone that tosses out the tuning word as a selling point on their site. There is a lot that goes into properly revalving a shock for a specific application.

Valving from the manufacture is a "good enough" tune. For the engineers the tune is good enough for the most common user. It's nearly impossible to have one shock that fits everyones needs. Ride quality is subjective, so what you may like as a Cadillac may be too soft for someone else. We've spent a ton of time developing our tunes and have been pretty successful doing it. Revalving a shock can really make a big difference in ride quality. If you have any specific tuning questions, let us know!

 

Same here. I just recently ordered 6112/5160's and I'm heavily considering removing the sway bar when I install them.

 

been there, done that…it was OK in the city but I had to swerve to avoid a crash on the freeway and the lack of a sway bar was terrifying.
The risk vs reward wasn’t worth it for me.

*I do have 255 pizza cutters which might have been a factor too

 

I have eibach 2.0 coilovers and removing the bar made it ride a better both on and off road. I'm completely happy with it. If I had the extra cash I'd love to do the hammer hangers on the rear. I've read they improve the ride more than anything else you could do to the truck.

 

Nice videos. Well done! I’ve been running Icon 2.5” which I’m very impressed with. Fantastic combo of on road and off road with the 650lb spring. Your assessment of them seemed pretty spot on. I even had a set of Donahoe coil overs on my ‘06 Taco, not sure many even remember them though.

 

I have 285s and I've tested swerving quite a few times at different speeds and so far it doesn't seem to have sway at higher speeds. It does when barely moving in a parking lot. I will say I've hit quite a few animals in my lifetime. I was always told better to plow into them than try to swerve around them.

 

interesting, I guess that justifies me buying an extra set of wider wheels/tires haha for safety!

 

It took me years before I finally caved to the way of the TW lunatics.

I'm now living the enlightened life of someone who has to apologize for ruining his neighbour's lawn.

 

Lol I removed my sway bar as well just last week after years of reading about it and being scared to do it. Finally did it and I won’t be putting it back on. Love the trucks handling and ride comfort now. I’m about to sale my two sets of overland custom design end links as well. As far as ride.. It rolls slightly more in turns at higher speeds but no where near enough that I find it scary. It doesn’t sway much at all for me or definitely nothing that makes me uncomfortable going 70mph and turning the wheels back and forth to test…
Fwiw I’m running the 8112s/8100 combo on Bilsteins shipped height or 2.2” with the 600# springs(650lb soon to get rid of rake after going up to stage 2 on leafs) and 255/80/r17 Toyo Open Country AT3s, rxt leaf springs stage 2 and hammer hangers.

 

Round two with budget shocks is coming soon!

https://youtube.com/shorts/d5QzTvPSnyU?si=r1e_JM1SN0HiVVzx

Looks like a stock Bilstein 4600, Eibach pro truck 2.0, OME nitrocharger, Bilstein 5100 (or 6112?), Dobinson IMS, and some Fox with an external resi? I’m not familiar with the fox mostly because after the first series I’m not even considering them for suspension.

 

The lineup is

Baseline stock
Westcott spacer lift
Bilstein 5100
OME Nitrocharger
Eibach Stage 1
Dobinsons IMS
Fox 2.5 from the first series

 

Sooooo we've been having a lot of trouble with exporting. We got about 14 hours deep and it failed. Sorry for the delay!

 

I had been refreshing like crazy. Appreciate the update so I can sleep in peace tonight haha. 14 hour export though? Is this a one and done super long video?

 

Thanks for your patience! it's up now, and it's still friday in Hawaii!

 

Great video, thanks!