FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Need a new shock setup

OK, as I posted on the 3.5" Studovich discussion I need new shocks. I've been running a full OME setup since I had 20,000 miles on my FJ. After Slickrock, Deer Valley, and the rubicon I am faced with buying a new Axle (amazing difference in quality over stock for $100), a New lower link mount set (apparently the All-Pro skids can only do so much to protect the crappy stock ones), and new lower links (I've already had the stock ones pressed flat once). Needless to say all these newly justified upgrades paired with my recent Boztec group buy commitment have left me stretched thin in the "justifying-hobbies-to-wife" department. Irregardless, I still need new shocks. I'd love Icon Stage 3 or a +2" long travel setup, but that would be a little too much. I know there are a million threads out there and four year old discussions about what the best shocks are. I'm asking for advice and help to make an informed decision from people who I may have actually wheeled with or who can speak from personal experience. There are a lot of options out there and there are many pros and cons with each. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

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Permalink Reply by TRD Black on September 24, 2011 at 5:59pm

Hmm... well I wish I'd put the body lift on prior to my Demello Offroad Bumper. Might have kept me from knocking loose that silly little body piece under the front turn signal from flex... So now I'm thinking Radflo with the Toytec body lift. Is there an actual difference between the OW Radflo and the Toytec? OW website says up to 3.5 inch lift and Toytec says 3 inch... I'm ready to pull the trigger and purchase soon...

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Permalink Reply by daPitbull on September 24, 2011 at 6:59pm

It just the valving and u get bump stop drops and brake line relocator. OW is also local and they have an exchange program for when it comes time to revalve.

Permalink Reply by TRD Black on September 24, 2011 at 8:11pm

Dragging my own thread out, but anyone in the know please respond. I'm really leaning towards the OW 2.5" kit with upper control arms because of the two things daPitbull just pointed out, but noticed a couple things. First, the price of the components separately on OW is $2,244 ( $1,825.00 + $419.00) but the bundled kit is $2,275.00. I have also noticed that the same parts can be pieced together at Toytec for less but I'd rather support someone more local if the price is really close. I still have not totally ruled out the Icon setup, but am interested in Radflo's ability to crank up to 3.5" in the front and 2.5" in the rear. After some reading I'm also tempted to add the 1" body lift on Toytec for $100 as the flex in my rock rails on the Rubicon came a little too close to my body for my liking recently. Anyone have feedback before I commit to drop a bunch of cash I had wanted to hang on to?

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Permalink Reply by DWH on September 24, 2011 at 8:44pm

Keep in mind that the more lift you crank in, the less down-travel and flexibility you will get. And your CV joints will likely wear faster.

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Permalink Reply by TRD Black on September 24, 2011 at 8:53pm

That's one of the reason's I was thinking the extra half inch potential might be nice. If I don't use all of it, it should be a little more flexible right? Just blew and replaced my passenger side half axle last week. Hence my cautious approach to purchasing new shocks. I had to take off my whole sway bar assembly on day two of the Rubicon after my passenger side link snapped and shredded my CV boot. Drove the rest of the way without it. As soon as I came back and ordered the new half axle I saw the need for the sway bar relocation kit and tougher links. I've had the sway bar off and it's actually not been too different on-road considering.