Whoops and 2” setup

I’ve read most of the suspension threads so please don’t beat me up too bad. I’d like to ask something I haven’t really found yet regarding suspension for V8 tundras. If a stock ride height is desired, what would you guys consider the best shocks for desert whoops?

Later TRD pro stock leveled currently. It does snow where I live so the kings may be out due to corrosion issues. Fox 2.5s would be my guess - what do you guys think? 6112s as much as I’d love to not break the bank, I think in the end they would be too stiff to shred the whoops where we live

 

I’m confused. You’re tracking this truck or have a shitty DOT in your state?

 

Icons are digressive so they should be able to handle it better.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/

 

You can get kings cerakoted etc for corrosion assistance.

 

Now back to your question. Whoops, how big are we talking? How do you use your truck? What’s the budget? What’s the end goal? If you want to hit actual whoops at speed and for a duration of time you’ll need long travel. lol

But a decent mid travel setup does well also. Total chaos, camburg , dirtking. Also think about the leaf pack

 

DOT here in New Mexico is crappy at best being the second poorest state in the union.

This tundra hauls a race bike (dirt bike) across the country for National Hare and Hound races. Races are often down long crappy dirt roads with a lot of sand and whoops. Practice days during the week much the same. I’d like to do it once and do it right but want the ride height to be close to current. 2.5s for the durability. I have 33s on the truck and like them as 35s will put a dent into fuel mpg. I know it’s a truck and all that … but I drive a lot of long distance for races

 

Talk to @AccuTune Offroad

 

Sounds like long travel is out of the question and sounds like you would be loaded down with bike when on these "whooped" out roads, and not using the truck specifically for off-road trips? Mostly using as a truck and daily driver?

Like mentioned above a mid travel kit would be a good option. Kings or Fox would be a great option if your budget allows for it. Corrosion will be an issue on most shocks, but Fox does offer better shafts. You can get Kings cerakoted (like mentioned above), but its pricey. Shock boots and covers are also available to help. Fox or King from us would ride WAY better than something from Bilstein. You get what you pay for, just depends on what you are willing to invest. Ride quality would be a huge improvement on the street and those dirt roads.

 

Stock height… 6” whoops max. Or what we call washboards. Lol

3” lift with quality 3.0 Mid travel… 1 - 1.5’ whoops max

Long travel… 2 - 2.5’ whoops. Depending on size of balls.

But this is at speed. I wouldn’t try to hit whoops at speed with my dirt bike in the bed. I’d probably get a quality MT and just try to roll over them as fast as I could. Which won’t be very fast.

 

Thank you AccuTune for chiming in.
The truck will see a lot of highways hauling bikes. Single race bike with fuel and misc - about 300 lbs, Two 500 lbs. Alternatively I really would like to bomb down dirt roads and not worry about bottoming and blowing shocks. Occasionally I will also be wheeling the truck for fun. Keeping the stock ride height of a TRD pro (+2" from stock I gather) what setup would you recommend if I am willing to invest in the truck?

 

Fox 2.5 DSC all around would be my choice based on your description. High quality shocks that will last a long time. DSC adjusters will be nice to stiffen up when loaded up with your bike or really want to do some higher speed off-roading. We would tune the shocks to be soft and compliant for daily driving, and adjusters would be there for adding compression. These are totally serviceable, just keep your old shocks for when the time comes for a rebuild. IMO, thats the best option we would offer, everything else would be a compromise on performance and price.

 

I bought the TRD Pro Fox 2.5 shocks for my 2018 Platinum. I added a shim in the front for 2.5" total and Coachbuilder plus 1 shackles in the back. I have hit a few dirt roads at speed and it makes the truck ride great. Just an option if you wanted to look into them. I live in the rust belt and I like the fact that the Pro shocks have boots and are painted for hopefully more corrosion resistance! Good luck!

 

Just be sure to check shock boots frequently as they can trap water/dirt. Based on my experience, boots are required for rear shocks to prevent shaft damage. If you start hitting whoops too hard w/o enough travel up front you're gonna start bending your shock towers in toward the engine. Start bottoming out the rear too hard and you'll bend the axle housing. Best whoop advice I've heard is "drive the truck you've got, not the one you wish you had."

 

Great quote! These ain’t trophy trucks lol

 

I’ve also seen the rear axle truss work from artec from the ford 9”. I’ll be adding this to my axle.

 

That's exactly what I did to my rear axle housing.

 

Fox 2.5 DSCs sound like the ticket. UCA suggestion with this setup? Dirt kings are not too spendy but I hate doing things twice.

Love you guys

 

Can’t go wrong with any of those I mentioned. I would recommend bushings not heimed for your use case.

 

We've had good results using Icon tubular arm, bushings and Delta Joint (ball joint).

 

I have dirtking uca on 4runner. Only complaint is the bushings get play in them and start knocking at about 6-10 months if i don't grease and retorque them. Bolt has to be loosened to grease bushings on DK. It's only a minor thing and can be baked into other scheduled maintenance. Frequency may vary for your use.

 

Many of these uppers need maintence and should be checked.

 

After diving into - I see why there are so many threads regarding this. Fox 2.5s seems like a safe bet if you save up your pennies. For just a little more though, the Bilstein 8112/8100 are impressive. The few reviews I found say you can smash stuff and the onroad use is excellent in terms of lack of sway but will translate small bumps to the cab. Curious if anyone has any experience with these?

 

Didn’t you say you had TRD Pro shocks? Any 2.5 shocks will be a mild upgrade at most.

 

Yes TRD pro but one of the fronts is blown so... and expect the others are soon to be shot or need rebuild.

Fox 2.5 DSC or The fancy Billys are about the same price with UCAs. Money wise I should rebuild the stockers but adjustability is desirable of the two upgraded sets mentioned, although the Bilstein fronts are not adjustable they (allegedly) have lots of complicated internals that compensate

 

This happened 6 months ago, and you just sent it in? Looks like stud broke off? Could have been over tightened.

No need to hijiack this thread either.

 

All Richard Ried…

 

Seems as a summary the Fox 2.5s are safe bet. DSC even safer. Bilsteins 8112/8100 are a wild card

Accutune fellas thanks for chiming in. The fact that you take the time to inform us on the forums, says a lot and likely points to how you run your business

 

Thanks! We're all off-road enthusiasts ourselves, so we just want you to get the right stuff, not just sell you what ever we have in stock. Happy to help.

 

+1 on the Fox. I could only get mine to 3.5 inch lift but I have the the lighter 4.6L double cab truck. You might get 3” with heavier truck. They ride great on road and much better than stock off road. Wish mine were from @AccuTune Offroad. When’s I get rears they will be as I think they would be even better. Dsc would be nice for when loaded.

I have the JBA uppers and like them so far. Not the best option if trying to squeeze 35s or 37s but would be great for your 33s. I could only get caster pushed to 3 degrees or so is why. Had good response and customer service when they had a bad batch of rubber boots on them.