Best value mid budget shocks

[Keithz24]

Was this the ARB top hat or the Toyota one? Can you send us a picture?

ARB MT64 top hat. The picture above of the integrated top hat is the same shock. You really cant tell there is play in it until it is loaded up by the weight of the truck. How I tell there is play outside of hearing it going down the road is to grab the control arm and pull it towards myself until the truck starts to rock. It will be evident then.

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[tkrum015]

For anyone interested here is the TRD Lift with OME UCAs
39 inches in the front, measured from the ground through the center of the hub to the bottom of the fender
40 inches in the rear measures the same way as the front.

You did not want to use the TRD UCA’s. Did you just add the TRD shocks?

 

[Keithz24]

You did not want to use the TRD UCA’s. Did you just add the TRD shocks?

Just added the TRD springs and shock for now. I'm going to add the TRD UCAs this weekend sometime.

 

[tacomedic1847]

Finally got the Ironman 4x4 IM2.5 kit installed and it is amazing! Blown away with the ride and control so far, going to a 2.5" shock makes a huge difference.

hows the ride so far on those IM2.5 pretty soft? been able to take them out on a trail?

 

[Alchemy]

I know nothing about these but five minutes of Googling reviews on them, seems like everyone who has them likes them...
https://www.ironman4x4.com/products...a-tacoma-2024-toy093kp?variant=46331567702251

They are a bit stiff in my opinion. Good but there is better in the same price ranges. Just my .2. Reviews suck its not like people are testing multiple setups. I had the privilege of having a friend get them and I have driven a few Tacoma with different shocks.

 

[ScottyMcfly]

Finally got the Ironman 4x4 IM2.5 kit installed and it is amazing! Blown away with the ride and control so far, going to a 2.5" shock makes a huge difference.

Damn, that looks pretty damn sexy

 

[Congo]

Damn, that looks pretty damn sexy

Thank you sir.

 

[Congo]

hows the ride so far on those IM2.5 pretty soft? been able to take them out on a trail?

Yeah did a couple hundred miles offroad, the second weekend of having them, they are amazing. They do break in after a couple of hundred miles. Very soft and compliant but honestly maybe less body roll than stock, they have been amazing for me.

 

[RutsyBucket]

Finally got the Ironman 4x4 IM2.5 kit installed and it is amazing! Blown away with the ride and control so far, going to a 2.5" shock makes a huge difference.

I've posted in other threads but this is probably the most relevant. I got the 6112s installed about a month ago and they've been so good. Totally transforms the experience.

 

[Congo]

They are a bit stiff in my opinion. Good but there is better in the same price ranges. Just my .2. Reviews suck its not like people are testing multiple setups. I had the privilege of having a friend get them and I have driven a few Tacoma with different shocks.

The foam cell is definitely stiffer than the IM2.5's. 2 completely different technologies and setups.

 

[gofastdan]

The foam cell is definitely stiffer than the IM2.5's. 2 completely different technologies and setups.

Agreed. I ended up going with the complete foam cell package including UCA's, ECG needle bearing swap, Dr KDDS rear track bar level, new tie rod ends, heavier springs in back, etc... I just got the last of it all installed today (and found that I have a leak at the back of the transmission housing where the driveshaft inserts, so a call to the dealer is in order).

Everyone always wants to talk about how great this or that suspension set up is but few ever discuss their use-case scenario. I really wanted the IM2.5 and the guys at Ironman4x4 talked me out of them. The reason is that I'm fully built out now for overlanding and am carrying a ton of weight (almost literally). I'm not flying across the dunes catching air, I'm crawling through the backwoods trying to find a place to hide from civilization. I need a suspension that is bulletproof and that I don't have to worry about failing at the wrong time. That's what the foam cell shocks promise. Are they the plushest shock around? No, and I'm ok with that. They're built to carry weight across adverse conditions for long distances w/o fade or drama and that counts with me.

I only have a hundred miles or so on them and haven't taken it off road yet, but in the next few weeks I'm driving from Seattle to Phoenix and back and will be getting plenty of miles in off-road and on and will give my impressions.

 

[MT-Taco]

Agreed. I ended up going with the complete foam cell package including UCA's, ECG needle bearing swap, Dr KDDS rear track bar level, new tie rod ends, heavier springs in back, etc... I just got the last of it all installed today (and found that I have a leak at the back of the transmission housing where the driveshaft inserts, so a call to the dealer is in order).

Everyone always wants to talk about how great this or that suspension set up is but few ever discuss their use-case scenario. I really wanted the IM2.5 and the guys at Ironman4x4 talked me out of them. The reason is that I'm fully built out now for overlanding and am carrying a ton of weight (almost literally). I'm not flying across the dunes catching air, I'm crawling through the backwoods trying to find a place to hide from civilization. I need a suspension that is bulletproof and that I don't have to worry about failing at the wrong time. That's what the foam cell shocks promise. Are they the plushest shock around? No, and I'm ok with that. They're built to carry weight across adverse conditions for long distances w/o fade or drama and that counts with me.

I only have a hundred miles or so on them and haven't taken it off road yet, but in the next few weeks I'm driving from Seattle to Phoenix and back and will be getting plenty of miles in off-road and on and will give my impressions.

Use is key.

 

[Congo]

Agreed. I ended up going with the complete foam cell package including UCA's, ECG needle bearing swap, Dr KDDS rear track bar level, new tie rod ends, heavier springs in back, etc... I just got the last of it all installed today (and found that I have a leak at the back of the transmission housing where the driveshaft inserts, so a call to the dealer is in order).

Everyone always wants to talk about how great this or that suspension set up is but few ever discuss their use-case scenario. I really wanted the IM2.5 and the guys at Ironman4x4 talked me out of them. The reason is that I'm fully built out now for overlanding and am carrying a ton of weight (almost literally). I'm not flying across the dunes catching air, I'm crawling through the backwoods trying to find a place to hide from civilization. I need a suspension that is bulletproof and that I don't have to worry about failing at the wrong time. That's what the foam cell shocks promise. Are they the plushest shock around? No, and I'm ok with that. They're built to carry weight across adverse conditions for long distances w/o fade or drama and that counts with me.

I only have a hundred miles or so on them and haven't taken it off road yet, but in the next few weeks I'm driving from Seattle to Phoenix and back and will be getting plenty of miles in off-road and on and will give my impressions.

They should soften up a little, I am mostly stock, don’t plan on adding a ton of weight, so that’s why I went for max comfort. Most I’ll do is add RTT and topper, but then I’ll do the heavy rear springs and call it a day.

 

[Regius]

is the ICON VS 2.0 with reservoir considered a soft ride shock? https://www.extremeterrain.com/icon...ervoir-shock-for-0-to-1-inch-lift-56518r.html

 

[Rmarin4272]

Happy to report the MT64 setup is now dialed in and with fingers crossed, it wont give me any more grief!!

Had the reported top hat issue others have complained about on the forum. It wasn't noticeable going over speed bumps, just over small dips at low speeds and when turning right. Most noticeable between 7-20mph. It wasn't unsafe and it performed great off road but it was MADDENING on my daily commute to hear this expensive and highly touted suspension system from a great brand like ARB OME.

Reached out to ARB in mid June and had the (supposed) re-engineered coil overs sent out just less than 2 months later. From what I've seen, not many people have commented on the new design. There is a slit cut out of the top hat to allow for additional compression. We'll see if it holds up to the test of time!

Luckily, the alignment shop warrantied their previous alignment despite me swapping components. Was able to do it in an hour with a buddy mechanic.

Through this, also felt the 3319k rear springs were too light for my long bed smartcap and DIY platform/drawers. Got the heavier 3320k springs and the rear feels much more planted/stable.

Hopefully the headaches are over and I can just start enjoying the truck without the stress of wondering WTF is wrong. As much as I thought it was the top hat making the noise, I wasn't sure until the swap was complete and there was... silence.

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