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What does long travel and medium travel mean?

Discussion in 'Long Travel Suspension' started by GSXR1Kstang, Jan 10, 2016.

  1. Jan 10, 2016 at 8:45 PM
    #1
    GSXR1Kstang

    GSXR1Kstang [OP] New Member

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    So far, just a Westin Bull Bar and custom made Flowmaster exhaust.
    I'm seeing a lot of different things on lift kits such as long travel, long lift, medium travel, etc. I've tried looking up what they are, but can't seem to figure it out. Can someone explain it to me? Moreso what they do and the pros and cons of one over the other.
     
    Lightning_Lad likes this.
  2. Jan 10, 2016 at 10:45 PM
    #2
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Good topic. We really need to dive into the specs of each and compare. Stock vs standard lift kit vs mid travel setup vs long travel setup. I do not have these specs but really would like to know as well. Research may be required.

    In general these terms all refer to the amount of travel the suspension has from full droop to full compression.

    You can easily do a mid travel setup on the tundra with bolt on kits. Long travel requires cutting, welding and lots of parts and money.
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/thi...vel-to-your-2007-tundra-read-this-first.2618/

    @jberry813 is a good resource for these types of questions.
     
  3. Jan 11, 2016 at 6:21 AM
    #3
    KCDuran

    KCDuran New Member

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    There is actually a great explanation on TW. It's a before you do this, read this, kinda thread... Its the same principle just different trucks obviously

    I had Mid Travel on my truck and it was absolutely amazing, but you really need the open space to put it to good use.
     
    GSXR1Kstang[OP] likes this.
  4. Jan 11, 2016 at 7:32 AM
    #4
    GSXR1Kstang

    GSXR1Kstang [OP] New Member

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    So far, just a Westin Bull Bar and custom made Flowmaster exhaust.
    So from reading that link, and from what you guys are saying, if I want a true off-road/baja truck, then a medium/long travel would be something to consider? But if I just want a truck that looks good and is a daily driver, I don't even need to worry.
     
  5. Jan 11, 2016 at 7:36 AM
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    KCDuran

    KCDuran New Member

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    Exactly... that's why looking back you either see 5 lug tacos as a long travel build (over 5k spent lol) or those bad ass dirt racing monsters (see monster off roading vehicles) which cost like $2mil haha.... If you want something that rides well and looks good just hit up a few company's who do it for a living. SDHQ is actually one of my favorites... Not sure if they have a presence here, they do on TW
     
  6. Jan 11, 2016 at 7:43 AM
    #6
    GSXR1Kstang

    GSXR1Kstang [OP] New Member

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    So far, just a Westin Bull Bar and custom made Flowmaster exhaust.
    I never heard of SDHQ, but I will check em out now. So far, I have my sights set on a Pro-Comp 4" inch lift, and even that lift has the option of a medium travel (clearly something I don't need now that I know what it is). But, I will check out SDHQ momentarily.
     
  7. Jan 11, 2016 at 8:09 AM
    #7
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    @jberry813 is the resident expert on this, and can help clarify.
     
  8. Jan 11, 2016 at 8:16 AM
    #8
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    First off, my response below is specific to the FRONT suspension only.

    With a Tacoma, MT is more or less defined as just means aftermarket UCA's with extended travel coilovers. The "extended travel" in the coilovers just means that they remove the top out spacer (or use a smaller top out spacer) that allow the coilover to droop more than a regular coilover. This can only be accomplished with aftermarket UCA's as a factory upper ball joint would bottom out if you used an extended travel shock.

    This is not the case for a 2nd/3rd gen Tundra. The shock angle of dangle is much more effective with a Tundra. There's no option for a MT shock option with our trucks. However, most people still associate a "MT" tundra as just quality aftermarket shocks (King, ADS, Fox, Icon, etc.) paired with aftermarket UCAs (Total Chaos, Camburg, etc). The advantage over stock includes rebuildable, revalvable, and tunable shocks & spring rates/lengths as well as slightly increased wheel travel, both bump and droop (I cycled over 13" of wheel travel with my King/TC setup). Also its completely bolt in and doesn't require any aftermarket fiberglass fenders or extended axles for CVs.

    Long travel means longer UCAs and LCAs. The extended length allows for usage of a longer shock with increased wheel travel. This will also require fiberglass front fenders, new CV axle shafts, and if you have any amount of intelligence, a metric shit ton of gussets and reinforcement. Please do not confuse a factory framed truck with a bolt on LT suspension as a Trophy Truck, because it's not.

    Pro-comp lift is complete garbage. Unless you like your fillings to be rattled out with no capability of tuning.

    SDHQ is an offroad vendor. They are without a doubt predominately focused on Fords, but they do have lots of experience elsewhere including Toyotas. They primarily push ICONs. They are not my vendor of choice, not even by a long shot. But that in part is due to their past business practices (and ultimately legal issues) as well as personal experience.

    IMO, if you are buying shocks, you should buy from a shock vendor. Anybody can sell Kings (or whatever shock you pick), but few actually help you with suggested valving (vs. off the shelf) specific to YOUR driving style and YOUR truck. Off the shelf is off the shelf. Cookie cutter valving is what causes people to complain about ride characteristics. Because of that, as well as unmatched customer service, Downsouth Motorosports (@DSM Micah here on Tundras) has my business for life. If you need shocks/suspension, they are a reseller/vendor for ALL the major shock and suspension companies out there. Micah will also get you Tundras.com special pricing.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2016
  9. Jan 11, 2016 at 8:37 AM
    #9
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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