Falcon shocks are coming!

Hmm, mine required no cutting or modifications.

 

not sure how I missed that post.
I have Coachbuilder +1s to install with the kit.
Guess we’ll see.

 

I don't get the logic either. Oh well, I'm just happy my install was smooth, LOL. And the shocks are amazing.

 

I wonder if CB+2 shackles change the geometry of the rear axle that much to change the shock angle. I also wonder if during install they turned the body in too far toward the frame so it hit the mount. I have a set of CB+2 I was going to install with the shocks, but didn't have time to do it all at once. When it gets warmer I will attempt the CB+2's and see if I have the problem with hitting the mount.

 

Thanks for posting the photos of your setup, mine appear to have about the same amount of threads coming out the top and the same bushings as you show. I did a little more research on the bushings however and realized that both upper and lower bushings supplied with our stock shocks are different depending on if your truck came with the TRD package with Bilsteins as opposed to the standard black Toyota shocks. See link below showing this.

I wonder if this has something to do with the spacing differences when reusing these bushings on the Falcons.

https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_product=4045755&ukey_assembly=2014222

 

My shocks came in yesterday. Appointment for next week to get them installed.

I did see this in the instructions...Driver side face rear and passenger to the front. Mixed up on the one they had to trim?

 

I know that Falcon did their R&D with a non TRD package truck. But they told me there would not be a noticeable difference if you used TRD package front coils.
Did not realize the rear bushings were different.
I bought new aftermarket rear bushings for my install but it made no mention of package difference.

 

Got the fronts assembled today. It is supposed to rain all weekend and Monday so doubt I will get them on the fronts on this weekend.
If I can catch a break in the weather I should be able to slap the rears on quickly.

 

So I had emailed Falcon about aftermarket coil overs at a higher spring rate, incase you have aftermarket bumper with a winch. I am going to follow up and ask about how much weight the heavy accessory setting accounts for. I was planning to go a higher weight coil, but maybe I won't....

From Falcon: " We do recommend using the factory coils and using the heavy accessory setting with our shocks to help off set the additional weight. We have not tested any other coil spring manufactures (other than the OEM) so I cannot guarantee fitment. Also the shocks have been tuned around the factory spring rate. With a higher spring rate from a after market coil spring. It could affect how the shocks react in a negative way causing a more rough riding vehicle."

Edit: wow quick response! I asked for a rough weight used for "heavy accessory"

From Falcon: "Generally they will allow for a front steel bumper with a winch. I do not have an exact weight rating to offer unfortunately."

 

If the bushings are shorter, I can see how they wouldn't fit with the little clearance they have on mine. I have a base SR5, no TRD.

 

I'll be installing the rears later today after work. I have a platinum with the OE crap black shocks and can measure the bushings if anyone is interested to see whether there is a difference between those, and the TRD bushings

I'm going to leave the shock mounting cups as is and if there is any interference concerns, I'll trim them down the road

Edit: I have ~6500km on the truck so the bushings are fairly new. I had a canopy installed ~800km ago, other than that no constant loads or anything

 

Thanks! I have a set of 2021 Platinum donor shocks for my install. Using the springs and bushings so I can keep the TRD Sport set complete.

Please update!

 

Will do! I'm going to keep my eye out for a set of take offs for maintenance without downtime as well

One other thing to keep in mind is the correct placement of the left and right coil springs up front. Based on countless hours of internet research (ask my wife lol), I've found that original Toyota coils are side specific to account for the lean. This was one of the big reasons I went with falcon, I'm looking to avoid any spacers to correct the lean that often comes with lifting Toyota trucks

 

Yup. I have them marked "driver" and "passenger" with paint.

 

The driver’s side coil is a bit longer than the passenger.
On my truck both of the bottom pigtails face towards the drivers side.
In the ask a Toyota mechanic thread the Toyota mechanic says every Toyota truck he has worked on the pigtails face the rear.
I kept mine pointing towards the driver.
It would appear the above picture the pigtail faces the drivers side as well.

My truck is a Limited with 80k miles. I bought new top hats, 3k mile TRD take off springs, and new rear bushings.

 

Rears are in along with CB+2 shackles

Bushing stack is 3 hairs shy of 3"



And much like the posts earlier, there is clearance between the shock cups and the piggy back. Not much though, so I'm going to keep an eye on them and if there is signs of contact I'll trim some material off





Here is the length difference between stock and falcon rears. I looked all over for the this when doing my research so hopefully this will save someone a search later

 

Fronts are swapped over

 

About to pull the trigger on these shocks. My Platinum front springs have 45k miles on them. Any reservations with reusing them, or should I look for new ones?

 

If you can find some close for a decent price with less mileage won’t hurt. Will you notice a difference at that mileage probably not.

I wanted to keep my factory stuff to throw on when they need rebuilt got and found a 3k take off set close for cheap.

Been nothing but a gulley washer today. I did clean the garage so I can get a in vehicle again. Built a mud room onto the garage and had a bunch of crap in the way. So I’ll be able to do the rears tomorrow even if it is still raining. Not sure the truck will fit in the garage anymore after the fronts go on. It is pretty close now.
Is there any reason to even lift the truck off the ground for just the rear shocks, bump stops, and line relocation brackets.
I sprayed all the bolts yesterday with PB blaster and was able to get to everything pretty easily.
Hopefully get to the fronts next weekend and maybe the rear Coachbuilders.

 

Only thing I can see being a pain is getting the shock compressed enough to put the lower bolt in. You'll want to take the tires off too, or it'd be a pain to access anything

 

My factory coils have about 45K on them and I re-used them... I looked around for some takeoffs but nothing has really been available in my area at least for the last few weeks. The truck rides great with the stock springs. If i had 80-90k+ miles on my trick I probably wouldn't have reinstalled but I have no regrets about re using my coils.

 

Well sometimes to just have to call defeat for the day!
Figured I would give it a try without taking the wheels off first and trying it on the ground. Get the shock bottom nut off no problems.
Get to the 17mm top nut. Turns out I have never needed a 17mm wrench because I don’t have one. My smaller wrench kit goes to 16mm and my larger kit starts at 18mm. Guess a ratchet has always sufficed in the past but just not enough room to get a socket on there.
Run to Lowe’s get me a ratcheting 17mm.
Get home and pop the rear shock off no issues.

So theoretically you can get this all done with the tire on and the truck on the ground but it is tough.
I’d compress the shock hold it and climb under the truck but not enough hands to slide the lower bolt in to keep the lower eyelet from dropping to far in the lower mount. Then there is no place to get a prybar or anything under there enough to raise the eyelet up to the bolt hole.
Figured I could get my small cup Jack under it just enough to compress the shock the 1/2”. Not with the tire on forces the Jack out just far enough will not reach.
Ohh well off comes the wheel then. Being on the outside of the truck should be able to compress the shock hold it in place while I insert the lower bolt as the shock slowly extends up through the top mount.
Holy Swollen Lug Nuts Batman!!!!
Don’t have any extras so going to order some Mcgard one piece lug nuts.
I knew I should have done my sound deadening and sub install today.
Ohh well. Hopefully my new lug nuts will be here before the weekend.

Also I had the same issue another person did I bought new bushings for the rear and the top bushing is very tall and not even close to letting one get the nut near the threads.
I used the new bottom bushing and old top bushing and it was fine.

I may try two small C clamps on the new bushing and see if I can compress it enough to get the nut on. If not my top bushing is in good shape.

Also guess the previous owner swapped out the rear shocks. The rear I pulled off was a KYB.

 

The rears are far easier if you take the wheel off and jack the truck by the frame, allowing the spring to sag.

 

I did the rears on mine and it was a bit of a puzzle getting that bolt to go through the eyelet. I had a floor jack with a 15MM socket sitting under the shock as I compressed it up and in. It also took a screw driver on the other side to manipulate the eyelet, and keep it from going to far into the mount. As soon as that eyelet lined up, the bolt slid through without a problem. I propped the whole frame up on jack stands and then I had the rear axle held up by jack stands. It probably would have gone smoother if I had let the axle sag more, but got them in.

 

Falcons are on. Drove it 30 miles home and really like it. Stance is now level and ride is very smooth...like butter.

I went from 2019 TRD Sport shocks and springs to Falcon shocks set to level with 2021 Platinum springs. I'll get pictures in light in the next few days.

Space between shock and frame mount is tight on the driver's side but nothing I see as an issue unless I bottom out the shock. I'll keep an eye on it for any damage.

 

Sounds like everyone is loving them. My new lug nuts arrive tomorrow. Hopefully I can get everything on this weekend and aligned Monday.

 

I’ve had the Falcon set up on for a few days now. My initial impressions are positive. I can only really compare it to my Tacoma which had 6112s up front and Dakar leafs w/5100 in the rear.

I realize this is all completely subjective, but the Falcon gear seems to hold its composure better over rolling bumps and isn’t as jarring over the more abrupt stuff. They really soak up the hits. Definitely a huge improvement over stock. Overall, I’m really liking this set up, I don’t have any regrets or am I left thinking I should have gone with something else. I haven’t had it out on any trails or anything crazy, so I can’t speak to the off-road performance. I'm looking forward to the summer when we rent a camper to see how the rears help with towing duties

I’m have the fronts set to the level setting and the tow/haul shocks w/CB+2 shackles with stock leafs in the rear

Running stock UCAs. The shop that did the alignment was able to get everything within spec, but camber is a little higher than I’d like at .3 so I might bring it to a 4wd specific shop next time I’m out of town. Truck drives fine and tracks like new so I’m not too worried about it. I’ll keep an eye on any tire wear. Might upgrade the UCAs down the road if need be

Measured out with platinum springs at
DF: 24 1/4"
PF: 24 1/8"
DR: 25 1/2"
PR: 25 1/2”

All measurements were taken from center of hub straight up to bottom of fender after a couple days of driving

Wheels are SCS SR8 wrapped in Cooper AT3 XLT. I trimmed the front liner, ditched the spat and trimmed the front mud flap. No BMC, no rubbing

Yes the pictures are in a carwash bay, but the roads are trash here right now! Snow melt, sand, muck and salt everywhere

 

One of the biggest reasons for getting the Falcons was the towing. I have also been impressed by the on road performance. There are a lot of railroad crossings around where I live and I never took them slow before, but now I feel like I tend to accelerate more, and the shocks just eat up the rough road crossing. I am looking forward to my monthly 4WD testing in a few weeks.