Rock guards for kings?

So I am in the process of doing my bi-annual service, and I'm starting to notice some nasty rock chips in the shafts of my rear shocks, the passenger side is the worst, with it facing forward. It looks as though none of them are within the travel range of the shaft, but the drivers has two that are right in the mid travel of the shaft, and I'm worried that it may take a seal out eventually. Is there any alternatives to guarding the shafts from rocks, other than neoprene boots? Is there a metal or plastic shield of some sort? Or is neoprene the best option? Shocks are 2.5 king resi's

 

Bump! I too would like to know

 

You could try something like this.

http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop...r-stainless-steel-lower-shock-shin-guard.html


Or take some plastic, cut about 4"x12-14" and hose clamp to the body so it hangs down to the lower rod end on the leading edge of the shock body. Plastic planter buckets work well for this.



or build something like what Fox puts on the OEM Raptors. Just remember if your going with something like this that it has to move past the body of the shock.

 

I have some hard plastic, kinda like kydex, that I am going to try to form to make a guard. Guess I'll see how that turns out.

 

Did you ever make any guards? I am looking to make some and would be curious what you came up with.

 

Just an example
https://www.suspensionconnection.com/lift-kit-shocks.html

 

Thanks for the link. I am looking for some sort of guard. Boots will be a last resort.

 

I had the same issue - freshly installed kings already getting pitted on the rear passenger side. I made a guard from an old flower pot and a heavy duty zip tie. Seems to do the trick for now!

 

King now makes shaft guards for the 2.5's. You have to replace the rod end for one with a groove to mount the ABS rock guard to.

Edit: http://www.kingshocks.com/products/parts/2-5-smoothie-shaft-guard/

 

Maybe some shock boots, split the ends so they fit over the kings

 

what kind of material is that flower pot? im looking for more protection for the archive garage lower mounts. i really like that yours goes all the way around and protects the end of the shock not only the shaft. Maybe i can bend some aluminum and squeeze it in there

 

It’s probably HDPE or similar. I ended up getting the King guards since my own DIY job wouldn’t stay in place for long periods of time on rough roads. The King guards were garbage, both shattered quite quickly - not sure what kind of product testing they did on them but they don’t do what they are supposed to. I now have a boot on the passenger side and a pitted rod end.

 

I wonder if a fox guards could be made to fit.

 

https://www.suspensionconnection.com/ku20030bk-daystar.html Black, blue, or red.

 

Those look interesting, but I think they are for 2.0 shocks only?

 

Both of those are made for 2.0 shocks and will probably interfere with any 2.5.

I have some 2.5" boots that work ok but still let crap in around the shafts.

 

That's a bummer, I just ordered one to put on with my new rear shocks.

 

https://caliraisedoffroad.com/produ...tacoma-rear-shock-skid-plates-cali-raised-led

Pretty new product but maybe worth a try

 

looks perfect. that bracket with a boot is bulletproof imo. $159 is a bit steep though, wonder if a local shop can fab something like this

 

As much as I detest Caliraised as a company, I ordered a set of these. I guess I'll be a guinea pig for them. My initial concern is that the shock guard does not appear to extend high enough to protect the entire shaft. However, it's hard to say from the photos provided, since none of the photos show the guards on a King style shock.

Fingers crossed...