Planning my MT setup

Hello everyone. I am recovering from shoulder surgery so I have had a lot of time to surf the internet and plan my MT setup. Currently I have 5100's on the front but want to take it to the next level.

I am taking a hard look in the mirror and realize that 90% of my driving is commuting. I do like camping and am open to the idea of light/moderate off-roading. I'm not interested in hardcore stuff in this 50k truck.

I have settled on Icon RXT rear springs and will replace UCA with either SPC or MCM

For the coilovers/shocks I pretty well have it narrowed down to two options. Elka and ADS

As this build progresses I'd like to add hydraulic bumps and maybe secondary shocks (mostly because they look bad ass, not because I'll ever need them)


Elka:
Pros:
-I really like the dual compression adjustment, I have similar setups on my motocross bikes and like the adjustability.
-Good pedigree in off-road world
-Corrosion resistance (live in Corpus Christi and drive on beach often)
-Cost: it'll be a few hundred dollars cheaper than the ADS setup

Cons:
- 3/4 shaft as opposed to the 7/8 on the ADS
- They don't offer a triple bypass for rear (but do I really need triple bypass?)

ADS:
Pros:
-Likely longer travel than the Elka (but I can't confirm)
-offer a 3.0 front and triple bypass rear (but again, do I really need them?)
-7/8 shaft

Cons:
-only a single compression adjuster for fronts
- have heard that the triple bypass rears are noisy and a little annoying


Cost:
ADS + Icon RXT spring + MCM UCA:
-3.0 front + triple bypass rear=$5400
-2.5 front + triple bypass rear=$4700

Elka + Icon RXT spring + SPC UCA: $4,600

For my needs are the triple bypass rears overkill?

For a guy who is driving 90% daily commuting, how long would you expect the rebuilt interval be? 50k miles?

Also, for when its time for a rebuild, does it take a specialist shop or can any qualified 4wd shop take care of it?

A few pictures of what it will be going on. Please critique and I'm open to suggestions

 

I went with elka. I probably do more off pavement driving than what you're describing. With that being said I don't think any type of bypass is necessary for what you're doing...because after my research I didn't think it was necessary for my driving either.

Elka shocks are, according to elka, specifically designed for our type of driving. Daily commuter to rough roads at high speeds to light offroading. They have service centers all around the US for rebuilding them down the road. I've experienced awesome customer service dealing with elka. Franc has been great to communicate with and has been very responsive and informative.

For your camping set up I'd look at Deaver springs, I think it's the U748 from MCM. I deliberated a lot of about rear lift options and even though I went with shackles, if I had the cash I wouldve done the Deaver full spring pack. Thought about the k37 pack but after paying more attention to what I haul around during hunting season the 748s would Def be my pick.

Altogether the Elkas and a Deaver pack would be less money and do everything you need. Doesn't sound like the extra 1" of travel would be huge for your driving.

Just my opinion though. I'm still fairly new to this as well... But I did a ton of research and installed everything myself.

 

Hey, @dochanson what about leaf springs? You have a good bit of load you're carrying in the bed...I'd go for Deaver U748

 

Thanks for the input. I am leaning toward the Elka setup as well. But part of me will feel like I’m settling if I don’t get a more aggressive setup even if I’d never use its potential.

I’ve read mixed reviews about the Deaver springs, which is why I was leaning toward the Icon Rxt setup. Do you have any strong feelings towards the icon springs?

Thanks again

 

Do you recommend the Deaver setup over the icon Rxt? If so, why?

I appreciate the input

 

Honestly...trust goes a loooong way. In what you have planned and how it gets done. I went to Vegas, Matt the owner from @M C M installed my whole setup. He knows his shit.
I had a 6” Rough Country spacer lift when I bought the Tundra, but with a 4x4 I wanted to hit dirt. I got quotes on a setup to take me there and the last two weekends I’ve been on some trails already, with plans on Mojave and other places for this year.

 

Not much price difference between the two. Getting 3.0’s up front with ADS is a big difference. Getting Smooth body piggy back rear shocks instead of triple bypasses in the rear will make Up for the difference.

Bypass shocks do make noises but bypass shocks will give you far more adjustability.

ADS shocks are also coated for corrosion.

I daily drive my truck. I have MCM’s setup using ADS 2.5 non clicker with 650 pound springs and secondary triple bypasses in front. Deaver u748’s with ADS triple bypasses in the rear. I take my truck out on the trails in NorCal and Death Valley, Johnson Valley, Mojave. It’s a blast feeling how well the truck handles the low speed and high speed wheeling.

 

You seem to have a good plan. I'm partial to ADS. I have MCM UCA'S with 3.0's and u748's with triple bypasses. For the way you use your truck that setup will suffice and you will be able to push your truck pretty hard offroad. The bypasses aren't annoying the only time you will hear it is when the windows are open. And when your grinning ear to ear offroad you aren't gonna hear them anyway. MCM has his new under bed SUA kit now with shock relocation and 3.0 bypasses for the rear. You should research that also. 3.0 in the back would be really nice. And you can run those with the u748's if you dont want the SUA setup. That's probably what I'm gonna change to, 3.0 rears with my u748's. Bypasses in the rear are worth the extra money in my opinion

 

The leafs on these trucks are tough, they are really long which makes them extremely weight sensitive, and being SOA you are already battling issues with up travel. The Deaver U748 has a secondary stage to help keep a better unloaded ride without giving up weight capacity. The RXT pack does not have a secondary stage so there will be nothing to help catch the extra weight if you load it down. I don't have any personal experience with the RXT pack, but my experience with their expansion packs over the years has never been good. Never had anyone be satisfied with the quality of those expansion packs.

The ADS are a true 7" travel shock and have the most wheel travel offered. The elkas seem to run a pretty small spring and don't seem to have as much ride height adjustability, you will also have to make sure you get the right springs as they aren't as forgiving with being able to adjust them. I would imagine with the aluminum bodies that adjusting the ride height is a bit more work as well. Elka has always been at the top of the game in powersports world, so I am sure they are a quality product still, and I don't have any personal experience with them to give too much of an opinion.

The bypasses do make noise, but it depends on your level of noise sensitivity. If you are going to go with a smooth body shock, I really recommend doing a rear hydro bump kit. The bypasses have a bump zone which really helps catch the suspension as its bottoming out, the smooth body shocks are going to have the same dampening through the entire stroke of the shock, so the bumpstops will help slow it down for the last couple inches of travel and help with bottoming out.

We do offer a forum member discount, so let me know if you want a quote.

 

Wow @dochanson Are we the same person? Ahahah, also recovering from several shoulder rebuilds, on my 2nd set of 5100s and planning a mid travel build. Please keep us updated as to what route you take, I'm very interested.
I will throw my vote in for @M C M , I've wheeled with @Pinay a few times after the MT build Matt did, very impressed with both his work and knowledge....and her amazing driving skills.

 

Tell 'em about my U-turn in the trees!!

 

I seeeent it with my own eyes. It was so smooth and stealthy....I hardly had time to catch it. With my 1 armed/2WD adventures lately and your expert U-turn skills..Hoonigan will probably be contacting us soon

 

Thank you very much for the info, very helpful.

With the ADS setup and Deaver springs, is it possible to keep my ride height close to stock? I already have to air down to get the RTT in the garage and would rather not complicate the load/unload of the RTT if possible.

And yes I would absolutely love a quote. I would like the bypass in the rear and quotes for both 2.5 clickers and 3.0 in front with Deavers and UCA. Gracias señor

Gabe

 

Any of the springs are going to give you lift, the U748 gives about 2" of lift, so that is probably going to make your fitment issues worse. PM me you email and shipping zip and I will put together a quote.

 

First of all, I have the MCM/Deaver U748 ADS bypass setup.
I also use my truck for DD'ing and some offroad adventures every month or two.

My 2 Cents:
The rear bypass shocks do make clicking sounds, but I can only hear them when I'm in my parking garage at work with the rear window down. Other than that, they are quiet enough to go un-noticed. I would also say that if you HAD to choose between bypass and a full Deaver set, I'd go with the springs over the bypass, but both together are like BUTTER. I say that because you will still hit that ridiculous overload spring on the OEM spring setup and no amount of shock can fix that. Not sure how other Add-a-Leaf's would work. Depends on what leafs they replace I guess.

If you went with the Deaver U748 setup, I might ask them for a little extra weight capacity though (if you plan on running a bed-rack or topper. Standard is about 500lb I believe, but I might up it to 700. Just my rack and RTT are around 250lbs, so adding in a cooler and gas cans and I'm already at the 500lb sweet spot without any extra gear. And honestly, I think that they feel the best with only about 200lbs of gear in back (a Cooler and 2 full 5g cans).

Up front I just have the ADS 2.5 clickers with a 700lb spring and MCM UCA's. I had some issues with the front shocks topping out (making a slight clunk when they fully extend off of a whoop), but when I backed off my preload from 3.5in front lift to 2in front lift, it lessened the noise. Prob isn't doing anything bad, but was annoying. I've never been in a similar setup with a 650 or 600lb spring to compare, but I'm glad I went with 700 since I proceeded to add well over 150lbs of armor/skids afterwards, plus may do a bumper/winch combo in the future.

SO... That being said, ELKA make some GREAT shocks, as does ADS. I do like the extra travel you get from ADS though, but I'm sure you would be happy w Elka as well. Bypass in back is great and noise isn't an issue, but I think that replacing the rear springs is more important than having a bypass, but BOTH is optimal.

 

Little more:

I'd confirm with Matt @M C M , but comparing 2.5 vs 3.0's... I would imagine that they really offer the same damping characteristics, but the 3.0 are not going to heat up as fast as the 2.5's because they have about 40% more oil volume. That being said, I've wheeled all day and never had an issue with fade/heat (even when outside temps are in the 100's). Also, depending on where you are, I'd consider driving out to Vegas to have Matt install everything. #1 - He really knows his stuff, so you know it was done RIGHT #2 - He has VERY competitive install rates #3 - save on shipping #4 - Support the guy that supports us.

 

I really appreciate all of the input. This forum is great. You guys have me sold on the ADS/Deaver setup.

I am way down in the tip of Texas so I’ll have to do the install myself. I like wrenching, but also like supporting the vendors.

Now I need to figure out if I can squeeze my truck in the garage with RTT on and 2” of extra height

 

Matt, @M C M I can get in my garage with plenty of room, like just a bit over an inch...That's lower than when I had the Rough Country 6" lift that was taken off. So doc, just depends how high you have your rack and RTT if it will fit in the garage...

 

Yeah truck will fit no problem but the garage door mechanism hangs low enough to hit. I already have to air down to get the RTT in. But there is more than one way to skin a cat...or so they say

 

Take yout RTT off in the driveway instead!

 

Dude I need one of these!!! Group buy!!

 

@dochanson what part of South Texas I'm born and raised San Antonio

 

Corpus Christi

 

Cool. Good times down there

 

If you have a half height bed rack might be able to get away with removing the ladder. All depend on the rack, what tent you have, and garage. It's worth a try though.

 

That is a great idea, that’d give me 3 inches or so.

If only it were as easy to gain 3 inches elsewhere...

 

LOL. I have to do the same for my truck to fit in the garage. Put the ladder back on just before leaving for a trip and the last day on my trip I remove the ladder.