Forestry Truck Suspension (Ironman Suspension coming soon!)

I use my truck for my Forestry company where I'm a Timber Cruiser in the Pacific Northwest Eugene Oregon. I usually put on about 30,000 miles a year. My typical "commute" is usually about an hour of pavement weather windey or freeway and gravel logging roads often washed out and mud and snow and rain and rain and rain...

Ideally I would have 2 inches of lift front and rear to maintain factory rake and close to stock suspension geometry. Durability is the highest priority for me. Second is comfort and stability. I'm not worried about fitting a specific size tire but would probably go with a 275/70r18 because they are relatively inexpensive and I'll retain some mpg.

I've basically narrowed it down to Kings 2.5 or OME with the light springs.

OME Pros for me are that they seem really durable and I like that you can just replace them and get back to work
Cons are some report a stiff ride I'm going to 2.5" in the front when I only want 2" the rear springs may be a bit stiff for me.

King's pros I can set them at 2" some report a Cadillac like ride I bet my truck would drive crazy awesome all the time.
Cons are that I could haul ass on the dirt roads and that would make my job more dangerous. I'm not sure how easy it is to rebuild these. I tack on a lot of harsh miles and would like some insight on rebuild interval and if a local shop should be able to perform this task for me in a day or so.
I would consider Icon, ADS, Fox, or Radflo as well. I have done a lot of research here so please only comment if you have these systems on your truck or have rebuilt performance shocks before.
Thank you all!

 

So maybe I should be more clear with my questions. Approximately how many miles should King 2.5 last between rebuilds with moderate to heavy use. How much should it cost to rebuild? Will I experience greater reliability with the OME? Will the OME with the 612 up front and the dakar springs out back be too stiff with only a camper shell and a light load? Or should I go Bilstein 5100 and replace every year? Any other brands of rebuildable that would be better suited for a work truck? Remember Durability and ease of replacement/rebuild first priority. Then comfort second priority. Price is a concern but more long term than the inital investment.

 

In the end all shocks need to be replaced or rebuilt. Do you want to replace them or rebuild them?

I went with a Mid travel Setup from MCM with ADS Shocks and Deaver K37 leafs. The truck handles better on the road compared to stock and it's great off the road. I haven't even gone and done anything high speed with any whoops yet. I had 5100's on my 2008 Tundra. It does not compare at all! It was great for the looks of lifting the truck. The Mid travel setup keeps the wheels on the ground since you have more suspension travel and that will help with braking and accelerating the truck. Stock and the 5100's you can tell when going over bumps that you are loosing traction because the traction control is cutting your gas or the ABS is kicking in when braking. The truck is way more sure footed with the Mid Travel setup.

Will you have a heavy loads in the bed or towing?

 

I'll probably tow a small camp trailer mostly pavement. I'm trying to keep the truck light so only a camper shell some skid plates and slee sliders are my plan for the future. My work gear is fairly light. I'm definitely not doing this just for the looks function is very important. How are the deavers with a small load in the bed? I heard good things about ADS.

 

I just checked out your build page. Looks awesome GiantsFanDan!

 

Thanks! The Deavers are great, but I haven't had anything more than 100 pounds in the bed (extra spare tire on top of stock spare). I haven't had the need to tow anything in a few years. If you are going to tow or have any load then you might want to look at the U748 leafs instead.

 

This is just my opinion, but I’ve spent tons of time driving logging roads at normal “work speeds”. If you get Kings you must buy from a vendor that orders your shock built, sprung, and valved for your use. Off the shelf is no good on those roads, your fillings will fall out of your teeth driving them daily. Longevity, they are all shocks, they all wear out, your use will determine longevity, won’t be much disparity between brands. Rebuildable or throw away..., rebuildable. Rebuilding is cheap, and the ability to tweak valving to your liking doesn’t suck either.

 

It is insanity not to to me, only costs a little patience. My out of the box Fox would be terrible in that application as well, but ok(ish) for my use.

 

All good information! Thanks everyone! Maybe I can call Dirty Deeds about custom valving.

 

You should also consider the new OME BP-51s.

Here's a thread on it:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ome-bp-51-suspension-systems-in-stock.26575/

 

Finally getting around to my suspension. I recently ordered the Ironman FoamCell Pro, full kit! Should be here by the end of the week.
I have spidertrax wheel spacers and a coachbuilder bumper spacer kit on the way.
I plan to run 295/70r18. Running the spacers until I get new wheels. I'm very excited!

 

Cute pooch!

 

Mdjamesd, thanks! Thats Cinder, she's been coming with me to work since she was 4 months old. She's 4 now and a 90lb beast who can move through the woods like a deer.

 

What about Falcon's new setup? They're a great in-between setup and can be adjusted easily for heavier loads...

 

I didn't see a lot of info about Falcon. They seem pretty good but I like that the Ironman is a complete kit with springs and everything. Also the rebuild kits are $35 per shock and can be done with simple tools.

 

Thicc!

 

Nice. Let us know how they ride after install. I am curious.

 

That's one beefy shock. Looks great. You'll love the 295's. Imo its the perfect size for these trucks especially if you daily drive.

 

Yes, please give an update once installed and some time put on them. Thanks

 

Will do. I'm still really busy with some work projects. Hopefully by the end of the month.

 

How'd this ironman kit turn out? I am very interested in buying one but havent seen many reviews. Looks awesome. Hard to tell size until theres a can next to it!

 

I have it on the wife’s 4Runner. Those CO’s are huge. I can grab a pic as soon as she gets home if you want. I don’t think their is a diameter difference in the two. Wish I could say how we liked it OffRoad but they were out of sway bar end links when I picked it up. They are supposed to be in soon. Then gonna go test it. Right now I just have the ends of the sway bar zip tied up so it doesn’t bounce around. On the 4Runner it would have been a bigger PITA to take it off and put it back on.

I am also planning on running the Tundra kit maybe next year. If I don’t like those shackles I’ll probably just get some coach builder ones.

 

Yea i am very interested for the tundra. I also just realized that the sunset bronze mica would make a good “ironman”....how convenient. I am seriously considering the stge 2 coilover and rear spring kit. Currently out of stock.... Is that what you have? As for the end links id say go run it! Thats half the reason i got the rubicon for the wife....disconnect them sway bars! I love the idea of the internal bumpstop with the foam and gasless though i have my own concerns with unpressurized oil shock. I gotta do more research on the theory and application but would gladly take any info u got! Thanks for the quick reply.

 

She has Stage 3 Foam cell Pro. Stage 3 just has the adjustable pan hard bar.

Ironman is just down the street from me. Those end links were supposed to be here this week. If I would have taken the sway bar out we would have tested it. But as it sits it moves around easily so we are just waiting.

 

Let's see some photos and first impressions once you get it installed!!

 

Unfortunately my jobsite is blocked by the fire up hwy 126 in oregon so I can't afford tires yet. I'm hoping I can get up there and finish soon...

 

If you want to bring down the cost on rebuilding shocks like King, you can take them off the vehicle yourself. If you find a shop that does these often, it won't take them long to swap out the components. Very very simple design on the inside. I would recommend you have a flutter shim added to your shocks. It makes a difference smoothing out the small rocks and makes it smoother on hard surfaces too.