Help wanted picking a suspension kit! (Ironman4x4/Bilstein/OME)

I never tag you for that reason but maybe I still should when talking about this lift.

 

i take it you don’t still have a Tacoma but just enjoy the community on here then? Regardless I appreciate the feedback I’m really unsure what kit to go either stage 1 or 2 foam cell since I’m not really sure what difference the UCA’s would make for my situation. I would want about 2” or 2.5” up front and 2”-2.5” in rear so I don’t think it would be a problem. I’m hoping i could just take a leaf off to lower it if I had issues. Anyways thanks for the feedback.

 

Here is a good thread to start with. One other reason for aftermarket UCA is to make sure they don’t hit the spring when extending. I had to check mine out to make sure that they were not hitting when I jacked my truck up to simulate downward travel.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-and-suspension-mega-thread-bs-thread.364484/

 

Thank you, I’ll have to look into that. I’m also curious do you know what the issue with the vibrations when slowing down is? I’ve seen people having issues with that and really the only issue I’ve heard of but I’m not sure if that’s specific to those people or this kit.

 

Here is another cool thing about Ironman. been running my stage 2 FCP kit for 6 months and about 5k miles. Still quite happy with it. I’m a “weekend warrior” type and commute on a freeway during the week. I’m sure there are more comfortable options for the freeway portion. But off road, the suspension rocks. Truck feels solid and planted when traversing uneven ground. Washboard roads feel much better with the Ironman as well. FWIW I run 265/65/18 BFG KO2s. Going to move up to 265/70 or 275/70 in the next 6 months.

 

Haha sounds good! No problem sticking around the forum good community.

so would you say you recommend me just paying the $400 more for the UCA’s?I don’t want to have alignment issues and other such rubbing. Maybe just save the $400 and get different UCA’s? I’ll have to look into the bearing issue how much is the replacement?

thanks!

 

Wasn’t able to view the Facebook link but I appreciate the information. I would be a weekend warrior for sure and maybe a monthly weekend warrior haha. Just depends on the time because winter and summer will definitely be more frequent and spring/fall not so much. I would be driving on the freeway multiple times a week but I’m not worried about it since I don’t need some crazy smooth freeway driving. How is the daily driving with it? You didn’t have to do can mount chop right? And I’m pretty sure 270/75/17 doesn’t require it either if I’m not mistaken. I need to find out for sure because I don’t want to do cab chop. I’m still in between on if I should try and go cheaper with the lift since I don’t plan on doing any crazy trails or anything like that. Mostly dirt roads in the mountains and snowy roads and stuff.

 

For the 265/65/18 even stock I had no issues, I don’t think I’ll need the CMC for the 265/70/18s either, at least that is what I’ve been told.
the commute is fine for me, it’s stiffer than stock, but not annoying. The best way to put it is that it makes the truck feel more stable and eliminates nose dive and body roll.
Here is the screen shot of the FB post. Just gives a little more background on Ironman.

 

I may just pay the $400 and get the UCA then. My father is into cars and has way too many tools so I’ll be installing with him and will have all the tools I could need. I need to find out where I can get this replacement bearing though.
Thanks!

 

I appreciate it! That’s very cool for sure. I wouldn’t think I’d have issues but of course it does depend on the wheel. I’ve seen other people run 270/75/17 with same method wheels I want and I never heard of cmc or rubbing issues. I’m still deciding if doing this kit is a little overkill for what I need but I just need to research other options and see how much I could save to do something not as off road performance oriented.
Thanks

 

Thanks for the link is that $60 per?

 

ok, thank you for the info. I am still learning so honestly not sure what part that is but I’m sure my father will so I’ll have him read this and then explain it in depth haha!

 

So I have the IM stage 2 nitro kit constant up front and constant in rear but I removed a leaf to have it comfort for now because if you don’t have the specific weight for constant in the rear the rake is crazy lol but the current stance I have is good. Stage 2 also comes with their UCA and this entire kit is solid. I too thought foam cell was gimicky and I watched tons of videos saying it is and it’s not and there’s no real consensus. IM has a video of them trashing the shocks and then tearing them apart and honestly I don’t really know if it’s worth it or not lol the concept and idea se cool and make sense but At the end of the day foam cell and nitro are both nitrogen shocks so I don’t think it really matters. Unless you’re at high rates of speed over the desert or something and are just heating them up like no ones business then maybe the foam cell help dissipate heat better and lessen shock damper but I’m not a shock scientist.
For myself, I wheel my truck pretty hard but it’s a lot of slow rock crawling and harsh trails with lots of weird articulation etc. All these setups really come down to spring and leaf rate anyways, and IM is the same and probably better than OME in some cases. IM and OME both originate in Australia and IM has over a half century of experience with selling and testing shocks. They’ve used them on Aussie military vehicles and even if they didn’t any system that stands up to the outback year after year is solid.

I have zero complaints and honestly I didn’t want to be another Bilstein OME Tacoma and wanted to do something different. I hate when people ask for good setups that’s always the answer even though there are many other companies that make the same products. My IM leaf pack doesn’t squeak and all that either and from what I’ve read OME packs squeak like hell. And yes I put mine through all kind of crap from hauling ass on the beach to climbing rocks on trails to smashing over speed bumps in the city.
At the end of the day the choice is yours and it literally doesn’t matter which set up you choose IM or OME Bilstein, you’re getting essentially the same exact set up with the same outcome. Solid suspension setup that can be used in many different conditions. You won’t be disappointed either way I promise.

 

The vibrations on decel can be from the truck. Mine had it before I installed the kit. you would know if yours had it, feels like going over light rumble strip when slowing. There are cases where you’ll get vibration after installing a lift, from either the needle bearing failure or the driveline angle changing. I replaced the needle bearing with the ECGS bushing when I did the lift just cuse I had the area apart. I didn’t end up with any new vibration but YMMV. There are posts about measuring before and after then adjusting as needed.

 

I went with the stage 1 nitro kit and got freedom offroad UCAs. The ride great on and offroad, a little more firm ride but smoothes the bump out great. Just got my ECGS put in last weekend and it definitely quieted it down alot. But I definitely give Ironman a big

 

I was honestly thinking of getting the stage 2 nitro kit just because I found a video by ironman4x4 and it was them opening the shocks and testing them and it seemed like the foam cell is literally the same shock but just better cooling. I won't be doing anything that will make the shocks over heat anymore than if I had bilsteins or OME etc... So I think I am going stage 2 nitro for the $400-$500 savings. OME seems a little over priced and I was honestly leaning towards the bilstein setup just because of how many people like them but the Ironman4x4 setup with the sale and free air compressor seems like you get wayyyy more for your money and either the same or better quality product. Like you said I've seen multiple people say their leaf packs are better than the DAKAR. My only hesitation at this point is that the lift height is kind of set at 2.5" but that's roughly what I want so it shouldn't be an issue to adjust the front or take a leaf out right? My other issue is that the coil spring is bright green and I don't think it would look good with my MGM Grey and bronze wheel setup so I may have to see if a local shop can powder coat it black. The white shock is a little ugly too but that won't be nearly as noticeable. I would like to go something different as well because I think the OME and Bilstein people just go that route because everyone else does and the companies are selling lifts like hotcakes so they can charge more for them while a smaller company or less popular like Ironman4x4 sells for cheaper but it's probably better or the same quality. Will probably buy the Nitro stage 2 with sale and free air compressor! haha. Other setups on headstrong off road are a little too expensive for what you get and it's not even a full leaf pack just AAL.

Thanks.