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Everything Elka and How They Compare

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by jberry813, Feb 8, 2019.

  1. May 14, 2021 at 8:57 AM
    #161
    anthemAnathema

    anthemAnathema Well-Known Member

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    Elka 2.5 w/ DSC RCI Skids AP Expedition Leafs Leer 180
    Thought I'd update on this. Removed OEM leafs + Headstrong 3 leaf AAL and replaced with AllPro Expedition springs (shipped with u-bolt flip and bump stops for <$700).

    The difference is beyond night and day. I actually enjoy driving my truck now and the Elka shocks actually feel like they're doing their job instead of barely shining the turd that is the Oem springs. I only have a 300 lbs Leer topper on and the ride is definitely stiff, but not at all uncomfortable. It takes mountain curves like it's on rails, handles washboard and blown out dirt like a champ, and the rear flexes like crazy now, I love it.

    Everybody can do whatever they want with their money, but I still say if you're gonna spend the money on decent shocks, put some money into your springs as well, otherwise you might as well drive a Lambo with donut tires from a Chevy Cavalier.

    Then again, if all you care about is looks, than do whatever makes you truck give you the image you're looking to achieve.
     
  2. May 14, 2021 at 9:49 AM
    #162
    wally11

    wally11 Well-Known Member

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    Sorry that I missed this. No, I did not get the 2”-3” lift. Mine are the1”to 2”. At purchase I spoke with Elka and if down the road I can get more if I swap the spring for a different model. I just need a turn or 2 (3mm per turn). I do have HS AAL in the rear.
     
    Jbart22[QUOTED] and dpele like this.
  3. May 15, 2021 at 4:05 PM
    #163
    idriveabox

    idriveabox Well-Known Member

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    Calgary, AB
    Vehicle:
    2015 BRM SR5
    Managed to get my 2.0s fitted up with spc arms. Threw an icon AAL and timbren stops on the rear. So far it feels good but haven’t done any fender well clearance work yet.

    Question for anyone - did the sway bar relocate bracket give adequate room to the coil? I’m about .5” away which seems close.

    3BBA22B6-F348-4791-9D92-48676843FE42.jpg

    46DF0A06-BB69-4E3F-B7DA-B38723DBF1A0.jpg
     
    dpele and wally11 like this.
  4. May 16, 2021 at 5:05 AM
    #164
    wally11

    wally11 Well-Known Member

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    I have about the same clearance and have had no issues with the coil being rubbed or anything else rubbing
     
    idriveabox likes this.
  5. May 17, 2021 at 7:04 AM
    #165
    dpele

    dpele Pele Prints Vendor

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    Dan
    Edmonton, Alberta
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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    I have the relocate kit installed and it's pretty damn close. I can barely stick in finger in-between.
    I do have some neoprene shock cover installed over the coils and there's not a mark on them. So I'm assuming they are not rubbing at all.
     
    idriveabox[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. May 17, 2021 at 8:46 AM
    #166
    idriveabox

    idriveabox Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Dan. Good to know I didn’t screw it up ha. So far pretty impressed with these! Time to make some fender room after the alignment as I’m rubbing in the usual spots.
     
    dpele[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. May 17, 2021 at 9:25 AM
    #167
    dpele

    dpele Pele Prints Vendor

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    Edmonton, Alberta
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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    Well I guess you could install it backwards... lol
    Are you doing a cab mount chop? Running 33s?
     
  8. May 17, 2021 at 9:46 AM
    #168
    idriveabox

    idriveabox Well-Known Member

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    No CMC yet. It’s getting alignment tomorrow then I will see what needs to be done. Running 33’s with the fn fx pro wheel. Did you need the chop on yours? I for sure have to pull the fender liner back as it rubs all hell right now lol.
     
    dpele likes this.
  9. May 17, 2021 at 10:46 AM
    #169
    dpele

    dpele Pele Prints Vendor

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    Edmonton, Alberta
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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    No CMC yet. Offroad and alignment shop here said they moved it as much out of the way so I don't need a CMC right now.
    But i trimmed quite a bit of plastic on the front and back.
     
    idriveabox[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. May 31, 2021 at 10:58 AM
    #170
    mrCanoehead

    mrCanoehead Well-Known Member

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    I was just reluctant to replace perfectly good and functional leaf springs with new ones that I saw as very expensive. These springs are imported into Canada and a pair of them is around $1500.

    Sorry if it wasn't clear, for me it was about increasing the spring rate with an AAL, because that is going to make the truck less comfortable to drive, not more.

    My Elka 2.0 parts are in the production queue, which seems to be pretty long. Haven't heard from them for about 5 weeks.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2021
    Skratch&sniff, idriveabox and dpele like this.
  11. May 31, 2021 at 11:02 AM
    #171
    fxntime

    fxntime Well-Known Member

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    Can't say anything about the Elka suspensions for Toyota but the full Elka suspension for my Quad is pretty dang good.
     
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  12. May 31, 2021 at 11:12 AM
    #172
    DavesTaco68

    DavesTaco68 Well-Known Member

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    - ICON UCAs, BP51/Kings, SCS wheels, 285 KO2s, Leer 100XR canopy. Greenlane aluminum winch bumper, Smittybilt X20 winch.
    The U402s for $200 is a good deal for sure, you can get Icon Rxt leaf packs for around $1000 plus tax here in BC.
     
  13. May 31, 2021 at 11:29 AM
    #173
    mrCanoehead

    mrCanoehead Well-Known Member

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    Good to know. My U402 quote from a BC retailer was $1836.67 which broke down as $1450 (for the springs themselves) + $175.37 (shipping to Ontario) + $211.30 (tax).
     
  14. Jun 2, 2021 at 11:06 PM
    #174
    thebang86

    thebang86 @terri.thetaco

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    My sway bar was rubbing against the coil on bumps, probably because the end links are done. Passenger had enough space, driver side was like 1-2mm away.
    the biggest downside for me is that due to relocate kit I had to lower my aftermarket skid plate with washers.

    Took the sway bar out to see how it feels and I must say I love it! Set low speed compression to stiffest to counter the sway and hi speed to medium-ish. Rides like a dream, sway bar delete only noticeable when you do quick left & right motions.
     
    wally11 and anthemAnathema like this.
  15. Jun 3, 2021 at 5:40 AM
    #175
    anthemAnathema

    anthemAnathema Well-Known Member

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    Elka 2.5 w/ DSC RCI Skids AP Expedition Leafs Leer 180
    Good to hear your experience, I've been wondering about this as well. With the 700# springs on my truck and no substantial armor other than skids, it definitely seems to have the stiffness to handle removing the sway bar (especially with compression dialed up a bit). Starting to think I may have a new weekend project.
     
    wally11 and thebang86[QUOTED] like this.
  16. Jun 3, 2021 at 8:28 AM
    #176
    thebang86

    thebang86 @terri.thetaco

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    I'm running full armor and a winch, so you should be good! Also haven't maxed out preload, so should be fine on trails and articulating CV axles.
     
  17. Jun 5, 2021 at 9:19 AM
    #177
    JFanaselle

    JFanaselle Well-Known Member

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    I'm super excited to be joining the Elka club, having just picked up this setup yesterday. Need a day without other obligations to get everything installed (Icon RXT leaf springs and Element billet UCAs are going on, too).

    This review was one of the things that swayed me away from King or Fox and over to Ekla. Looking forward to seeing how these ride! The only thing I noticed is that the bottoms of the boots don't seem to be attached to anything on the rear shocks. The OP says his had a rubber stopper on the shaft that the boot slipped over, but mine don't, and the bottom openings are very large. Are they supposed to just free-float, or am I missing a component to attach them to?



     
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  18. Jun 5, 2021 at 9:27 AM
    #178
    JAStaco

    JAStaco Well-Known Member

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    Elka 2.5 RR w/ adjusters front and rear, JBA UCA's, Icon RXT, SEMA 4R pro wheels, Meso Customs interior lights, Wheeler's Superbumps front and rear
    Nice! Welcome to the club. My rears came with a zip-tie to secure the bottom of the boot. You can obviously just supply the zip yourself if they didn't come with. Post up once you're installed!
     
    JFanaselle[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Jun 5, 2021 at 9:37 AM
    #179
    VE7OSR

    VE7OSR нет войне

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    Okanagan, Canada
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    Armour: All-Pro Skid plates - IFS, transmission, and transfer case. Pelfreybilt rear standard plate bumper, Metal Tech Sliders w/ kickout and dimple die filler plates. Front Suspension: OME 885 + NitroCharger 9000 shocks + 1/2" spacers for a 3" lift. Superbumps replacing stock bumpstops. Camburg ball joint UCA SS braid brake lines Future: ADS Extended length, extended length UCA BJ to increase droop capability Rear Suspension: All-Pro Expedition rear leafs, Walker Evans 27" rear shocks, extended rear brake lines (Wheelers Offroad), U -bolt flip kit, rear Timbren bumpstops. Future: Hammer Hangers, Shock relocate, ADS 12" or 14" shock. Interior: Weatherteck floor liners - front, Wet Okoles- front, ScanGauge, LED interior & map lights. Power moonroof. Exterior: Raider Cobra canopy, retrofit headlight by Insight, LED bulbs all around, modified flasher unit for LEDs. Rear diff breather mod. Front diff vibe problem, driver's side needle bearing replaced with ECGS bushing. yet to install: HID Blazer Fog Retrofit, LED Flood & Spot, + switches, fuse panel. swaybar relocate blocks (build my own)
    Secure the bottom of the boot to what? Directly to the shaft? Yes, it sounds like they did not install the rubber stopper, that the shaft slides through, and the boot is attached to with a ziptie
     
  20. Jun 5, 2021 at 9:49 AM
    #180
    JFanaselle

    JFanaselle Well-Known Member

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    Thank you! And yes, I have the same question as @VE7OSR ... am I supposed to zip tie the bottom of the boot to the machined end piece with the eyelet, or did yours have that rubber stopper piece on the shaft? I ask because the OP's review is for a Tundra setup, and that could be model specific. I tried to search a few different photos, but most websites selling these things don't explain how the boot attaches, and often times, they're just showing a generic photo that doesn't match the actual product I have.
     

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