I think my front shocks are topping out

My two bits:

The off-center lower strut bushings, although they look wrong and squished, are normal on these trucks at least with Mid-grade struts. My 5100s look the same.

A friend of mine I go off-road with has a Nissan Frontier with the Nitrochargers (full OME model-specific lift kit for his truck) and experiences the topping-out clunk (clunk at full extension) and has decided to ignore it, as it doesn’t happen that often, but initially he spent some time frustrated by it and chasing the noise down rabbit holes.

The rebound valving of your struts/shocks ultimately governs the speed at which a strut/shock extends when the spring is rebounding from compression. The quicker this happens, the more likely you are to have a top-out clunk (full extension clunk).

Most modern shocks/struts have different valving for compression and rebound, even if they are not the externally adjustable type. I believe there are positives and negatives to how quick the rebound happens. Perhaps OME designs and engineers the “soft” nitro-chargers to be biased towards traction and a comfortable ride, over how they react to bigger hits? I don’t know for certain, I’m just suspecting this is part of a design compromise, rather than an actual problem.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but the strut ultimately limits down-travel on a Tacoma, so all our shocks/struts will top-out at some point. The only difference is how fast that happens and with what force.

 

agree.

however top out occurs more frequently and quicker with less down travel from normal ride height.

A suspension with 1" of down travel will, under most circumstances, top out much more frequently than a suspension with 3" of down travel.

 

For sure. I agree. Ride height setting will aggravate top-out issues.

 

Thanks for reply.

Interesting that you say your buddy with frontier running OME lift kit does the same. After 2 days of researching and watching “tinkerers adventure” videos on IFS, I’m 99% sure it’s just how this kit it is designed. I just wish this “thud” wasn’t so pronounced.

It does make sense, if my shocks wouldn’t top out, then next will be UCA and/or CV axle.

Per “tinkerers adventure” video, stock Toyota IFS only has about 3.7”-3.9” of up/down travel. So it makes perfect sense if I lift 2”, I’m only left with like 1.6” or so of downtravel if I’m lucky.

I used a very well known shop and I wish he told me that this could happen. I would’ve gladly spent an extra grand or so on UCAs and extended length shock for a bit more downtravel. I did call him recently and he said I won’t break anything, so there is that. Don’t think I’ll ever be going to his shop though. On Friday, I’m gonna go to this 4x4 shop in Langley and take the owner for a quick test drive for a second opinion. I think I know what he will say.

I do like this OME lift kit tnough, it works great off-road, soaks up thr bumps nicely, huge improvement over stock sport suspension.
The “topping out” thing mostly happens city driving so it’s no biggie.

I’ll also take measurements of my downtravel on the weekend.

 

Thanks everyone for replies, I learned quite a bit regarding Toyota IFS.

TW is awesome!

 

it's hard to find real experts these days

 

Yep this is right. I’m not sure why I was thinking backwards. Even though I was backwards I think I when he was saying topping out my brain went to uptravel. Which is wrong.

Either way jacking it up and seeing the difference when loaded and unloaded will tell him if that’s the issue. @Junkhead make sure to measure the loaded (wheel to fender flare or something) first. Otherwise you’ll need to back up a bit and then drive forward to get the suspension to settle.

 

The thud is usually the shock over-extending or hitting the end of the travel when it rebounds. Not really an issue per see. I had that when I had it on my king mid-travel shocks (no limit straps). If you had those you could prevent it from hitting the extension. I assume you only get this when you go over speed bumps fast but not when you go over slow?

 

You mean an expert shop?

Shop I used is one of the most well known 4x4 shops in lower mainland. They have 100k+ builds there. My truck is small potatoes for them. Just not sure why he didn’t mention about the lack of downtravel.

But lesson learned, never going there again.

 

Exactly right sir.

 

Will do on the weekend sir!

I’ll report back with measurements.

 

Here is a good article that discusses rebound and compression (although it is for autos the same principles apply)

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1807-shock-testing-rebound-and-compression-in-the-real-world/


The issue you may have to be concerned about for extremely repetitive and hard top outs is that eventually there may be a failure at the end of the piston rod/valve joint. I don't have enough knowledge about the internals of the front dampeners you own (shocks) and past owners experiences to make an educated statement other than "may have".

Minimal dampener rebound, heavy spring rate and a small amount of down travel contribute to massive and immediate topping out.

 

another article that might be of interest to build knowledge

https://www.shocksurplus.com/blogs/news/old-man-emu-bp-51-tacoma-review

 

So jacked the front of my truck and took some measurements.

At ride height, from centre of hub to middle of fender 22 1/4”

Once wheel is off the ground, measurements are 24 1/2”

At full droop my cv angles were almost maxed out so I can see how I can get extra 5/8”s of downtravel with extended travel shocks and aftermarket UCAs but I won’t bother.

Everything makes perfect sense now and I know there is nothing wrong with my set up. I just need to slow down when going over speed bumps or deep potholes.

 

I just got the same kit installed on my 2022 and have the same thing happening, suspension feels Solid except when I go over the speed bump at my local store. It's more of a rolling speed bump then a sharp one and at higher speed that sound comes from the driver side.

 

Yep, lack of downtravel. Welcome to the club.

 

When your ball becomes a limit strap bad things happen. Lower your lift. Get a different lift that better suits your needs.

 

Would installing the OME upper control arm help in any ways?

 

OME control arms and extended travel shocks might gain you 1” max, but prolly more like 5/8s or so.