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Replacing shocks on 2.5" lift, thinking Radflo but want your thoughts

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by holmeslikesherlock, Apr 14, 2024.

  1. Apr 14, 2024 at 9:02 AM
    #1
    holmeslikesherlock

    holmeslikesherlock [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Ken
    Northern Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Offroad DCLB
    Hi All,

    So I've been running a Bilstein 6112/5160 2.5" lift with the heavy billy spring (stock UCAs) and OME Dakar 600+ and a AAL, and they are dead after 2 years of use. I was told by a well regarded overland shop that 2 years is about what guys are getting out of the Bilsteins if lucky. Their suggestion was to go to Radflo, but I didn't get much of an explanation. They are of course a Radflo dealer, but that's not a negative hit on their recommendation. I see good things mentioned here and there on the forums, but it's not a typical shock for tacoma owners so there's not a lot of anecdotal data to take in. I'd love to know your thoughts on radflo vs what I might have not considered.

    Context for use: Ive got a very heavy DCLB (7k lb on the scale fully kitted out with all my gear) that spends a lot of time in the backcountry in the southeast and then mountain west. Im in a point life wise where I "live" out of it traveling the country bouncing from national forest to blm to nat forest 6-7 months of the year, working from a starlink and hitting trails on my bike. A lot of that time is spent in 4wd or 4low and the suspension gets used/pushed. I hope to keep that trend up. It is also my daily driver.

    At 7K lbs essentially constant load I like idea of the ROAM 2.5 series with the adjustable compression to get a handle on body roll (always puckers my ykw in off camber driving) and get the shocks dialed to the weight or when it truck is unloaded and more lie 6000'ish lbs. The 6112/5160s were not handling the sheer weight of my setup (first set of upgraded shocks, I learned a lot), and Im not gonna throw money at something that can not handle my weight. And 2 years is way too short a lifespan for the money. I absolutely get the idea that the Roams might need to be rebuilt in that time frame, and I'll have to be ok with that cause there's not really an alternative from what I can tell and it tracks with the wear I am already seeing on the under matched billys. I also don't want to go thru the hassle/cost of UCAs right now, they have not been necessary. I'll be doing the install and didn't need that for the 2.5" lift, which is what I want to keep the truck at for simplicity and reliability.

    Anyone got any thoughts on Radflo, and Radflow for this application? Things to consider or keep in mind? Maybe unrealistic expectations or assumptions I'm making? Many thanks in advance. Ken

    Here's some older teaser shots of the setup, I now have a GFC camper top instead of the RSI.
     
  2. Apr 14, 2024 at 9:12 AM
    #2
    LarryDangerfield

    LarryDangerfield One Larry a day keeps the money away ™ Moderator

    Joined:
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    Tyler
    Northern Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    Black 2020 Nightshade Edition 4Runner
    Oh there will be some mods all right
    They are too new to verify the claims but the old man emu MT-64 shocks seem like they could be up to the task for you. They claim to be purpose built for overlanding and are durable and do not require rebuilds at the frequency of many other shocks. They offer both medium and heavy load, I myself have the medium load rear shocks and my initial impressions are great.
     
  3. Apr 14, 2024 at 2:26 PM
    #3
    71tattooguy

    71tattooguy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Dino
    Petaluma , Ca (707)
    Vehicle:
    2019 DCLB TRD OFF- ROAD
    Kings 2.5” front and rears from Accutune / ICON RXT LEAF PACK black badges doors and tailgate / method 315 / 255/85/16 Yokohama G003 / magnaflow exhaust , axle dump / meso int delete kit / meso led map lights / dome lights / wheelers front super bumps / accutune Flip kit with spacer and new bumps / Cali raised fog light pods / Cali raised ditch lights / RCI FULL SKIDS / SLIDERS / RCI rear bumper / rigid backup lights / tuned on 4.88’s
    IMO go through @AccuTune Offroad tell them all
    Your weight. They will tune shocks to specific weight of your rig. That being said they only have Fox and king not radflo. I’m running Kings and they are great on and off road. I also had 6112’s. Was a big difference super stoked on my set up.

    Good luck
     
    AccuTune Offroad likes this.
  4. Apr 15, 2024 at 9:51 AM
    #4
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad Well-Known Member Vendor

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
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    #281012
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    1,657
    El Cajon, CA
    For the price, I would highly recommend going with tuned Fox or King through us. We have a few options to look at, and we will tune them based on the trucks weight and how you plan to drive it mostly. I imagine the shocks you have now gave out early since they are likely not intended for that kind of weight. A 2.5" diameter shock body is probably something you would benefit from. Here are some shock packages to take a look at. Shoot over a private message if you have any questions, happy to help.
    https://accutuneoffroad.com/product...-tacoma-2020-2005/2005-tacoma-shock-packages/
     
  5. Dec 28, 2024 at 6:17 AM
    #5
    Coopsdaddy

    Coopsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    Quinton
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    2012 dclb tacoma
    6112/5160 Deaver stage 1 Are topper Steelies,255/80/17
    2 years?
    Surly they last longer than 2 years.
     

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