Falcon shocks are coming!

DVCnick,

Through my research yes they are tuned to ride with stock springs all around. I think the front springs are mentioned more because of the passenger side specific spring to avoid the tundra lean.

 

I would not use a leaf other than the factory if you are going with the adjustable setup for certain and likely not if you weren’t. Not sure why one would not get the adjustable it is such a minuscule price increase. We own trucks at some point in time you are going to have a load in the bed may as well have the adjustability option.

Honestly if you think you need a need
leaf set you are probably going to be out of the scope of this kit anyway.
Just like folks that want more lift or anything other than a level you should be looking elsewhere.

This kit with a Coachbuilder +1 is a spot on combination for an all around truck that is mostly road going but also sees a fair amount of moderate trails.

 

I don't want to lift the rear much, if at all. I'm just thinking my original springs from 2011 w/125k are looking pretty flat and might be tired/ready for replacement. But that could also just be my imagination.
Definitely want the adjustable set.

 

As mentioned, these are for straight stock replacement. So if you think your springs are shot, just get OEM spec replacements. Just an FYI, my 2014 at 70K and my 2007 at 198K rear springs looked about the same. If you do the coach builder +1 it should put a bit of an arc back in them I believe. If all else contact David, @Coachbuilder1, about how or if his shackles will help.
https://www.shopcoachbuilder.com
He has his contact information at the bottom of the website.

 

Where did you get the red springs? Are those TRD Pro springs, or did you have the stock springs powder coated?

 

Powder coated to match TRD red

 

Heard that is what the cool kids are doing. I went slightly darker to match the Barcelona Red.
Did the sway bars and my SDHQ ABS sensor covers.

 

And you are one of the cool kids for certain!

 

You must use a competent powder coater that does not ruin the springs when heated for the powder coating.

 

So, a few days ago I scheduled an appointment with a shop to get the Falcons installed on the 19th, and shortly thereafter was able to get a hold of David Ekstrom for a set of the +2 Coachbuilder shackles. My plan is this:

• Falcons set on level, even though I prefer rake
• Shackles add 1.25" of rear lift to get some rake back
• Future bed rack and RTT will likely take away some of that rake
• Future C4 Fab Hybrid bumper should get the rake back
• When I tow my RZR (4000 lbs. at most) I shouldn't be nose high at any point

Anyone seeing a major error in my thinking? The bumper is way off in the future, but the RTT and bed rack I am hoping to do before next summer. I want to start taking advantage of my 7 on 7 off work schedule. Even if I just pop over to the lake for a day or two or roll up into the mountains to get away. My truck will be my Escape Vehicle for the times when I just want to get away.


There's a couple other threads I'm copying this post to, just because it's semi relevant to them and I'm lazy. Don't think you're crazy if you read this more than once.

 

should have a pretty solid setup.
You don’t mention which bed rack. I highly suggest KB Voodoo.
https://www.kbvoodoo.com/

Installed a KB Voodoo on my buddy’s Tacoma and it is a very well built setup.
Their customer service was top notch as we had a couple assembly instructions.
I currently have no need for a bed rack but am constantly trying to figure out a reason to buy one after helping him with his.

 

I plan to do a Cali Raised LED bed rack.

 

If you notice they have been removed from the vendors list here.
Reading through a couple of threads about quality and customer service they have lost any business I may have contemplated giving them.

 

I have followed the thread on the light bar with a rattle. I did not know they had been removed from the vendor list, but I wasn't sure they had been an actual vendor either? In any case, I like the design/layout of their rack more than most I've seen. I might have to look at voodoo as previously recommended and I'll reply back here if it sways me. The Cali Raised thing goes both ways. There are tons that have had good items, and good responses with bad items from them. I don't know what tone was taken with them about the issue, so it's hard to pass judgement on a single incident. If a customer was shitty right out of the gate (not saying anyone was) I wouldn't be real concerned with making them happy. The biggest thing I see as a problem there is the delayed response to the thread, BUT IIRC their account on here hadn't been active for quite a while.

I'll report back after looking at Voodoo.

 

The design looks to be about the same as the Cali Raised, but I can't see any of their relevant mountings. I don't have a cover and the only actual pics they provide are the loaded rack on a covered bed. Their price is hard to swallow. I'm not seeing anything that would justify paying $200 more than the Cali Raised. Is there something special I'm missing? Some feature I am not seeing perhaps?

 

Just a quick glance over you have shown KB Voodoo’s full aluminum rack.

CaliRaised does not have a full aluminum option I am seeing.
KB Voodoo’s comparable rack is only $50 more than I am seeing on CaliRaised site at $899 base price for KB and $849 for Cali.
https://www.max-modular.com/shop-max-modular/steel-max-10-high-truck-bed-rack

KB Voodoo uses stainless steel hardware. CaliRaised does not specify so I can’t say for sure but there are a ton of fasteners to put these things together and stainless fasteners aren’t cheap.
So that could be part of the price difference.

 

Cali Raised is mostly aluminum, and the weights of the racks are similar. The option of steel or aluminum is all there is for Voodoo, but fine, compare the less expensive Voodoo instead. They are $50 more than the 80% aluminum construction competitor. Pay more, get less?

I realize that in text this may be coming off as snarky or dismissive, and I assure you, that is not my intent. I am just posting here between putting fires out at work and my ability to clearly communicate with tact may suffer.

 

Not snarky. I am all about making the best informed decision.
The KB Voodoo I linked is a steel/aluminum combo rack like the CaliRaised.
The CaliRaised does not specifically state what parts are what aside from the extruded aluminum cross braces.
Neither list what type of aluminum they actual use.
So it is hard to say whether you are getting less for more or not but they are most certainly comparable.
Just passing my direct experience with the KB Voodoo.
I also know that if you have a question at 8am in the morning someone from KB Voodoo answers on their cellphone at the house (not sure whether the number is forwarded or you actually are given their cell phone).
And so far Caliriased customer service and product quality has been called into question a number of times not only with their light bars but their rock sliders. I have yet to see KB Voodoo called into question (though they could be I just have not seen it).
So the CaliRaised may be good to go. I just know for $50 more I’d go with the KB Voodoo.
Plus I am fat so prefer a little more steel under me.

But we have mucked the Falcon thread up enough with bed rack talk. So feel free to shoot me a message if you want to chat more.

 

Ok, glad you understood that this is all just probing for analysis. I like to play devil's advocate. I will PM my response, but "mucking up" threads and derails are kind of the way of the forum, so....

 

And it is fun for others to read about amateur proctologists probing each other.

 

I think we have very different definitions of fun.

 

That’s because they blatantly copied our design.

if you compare the two racks apples to apples, the prices are about the same, except our racks are much easier to mount accessories to, and we have a huge amount of optional mounts.

We also have a bigger selection of sizes.

 

I know it's been a while since we addressed the bed racks in shock thread, but....

I have researched and been reading, and it appears that customer service with both Cali Raised and Voodoo have had lapses. Here's a link to another forum where it sounds like a customer had issues with powder coated parts rusting. Based on his statements, Voodoo ignored it until the warranty was up and then stated they were out of warranty.

https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/kb-voodoo-fab-bed-racks.9091/

Apparently they are banned on Tacomaworld for poor customer service.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/kb-voodoo-worst-service-in-my-life.727419/

Also, here's their BBB

https://www.bbb.org/us/ny/olean/pro...oo-fabrications-llc-0041-235992633/complaints

In the name of fairness, here is CRLED's

https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/ft-worth/profile/auto-parts/cali-raised-led-0825-1000192678/complaints

Seems one has more vocal customers, but neither seems to resolve them to the customer's satisfaction. The recurring rust concerns on Voodoo's stuff do make me pause. Not enough to avoid them, but enough that I'm not swayed from CRLED for my bed rack choice.

I'm not trying to bash Voodoo or steer anyone away, and I'm not trying to defend CRLED's poor handling of issues. I am just saying that disgruntled customers and poor customer service will happen to just about every business and product. If there is a pattern, if it's rampant, or if it is egregious, THEN I perk up and start worrying about giving them my money. Currently, I don't think either company is going to get a shining star of great customer service from their complaining customers, but I'm also not finding anything to make me think that either company has a pervasive customer service issue.

 

Allow me to address a couple issues with this post:

We have never been banned on TacomaWorld or any other website, ever.

We addressed any issues that we had with powder coat years ago, nothing like digging up the past and applying it to the present.

Our customer service is top notch. We reply almost instantly, and consistently.

 

I can vouch for KB Voodo's customer service. I needed bed cross bars for a fishing trip that came up with little notice. I contacted them on a Tuesday, inquiring if I could get them by Friday. This was done by email and I had a response in 10 minutes. I was informed it normally wouldn't get shipped for a couple of days. I asked if there was a chance to get them out the door quicker and they made it happen.

They packed them and had them to my by that Friday. And this was getting them shipped half way across the country. I was impressed with what I got and it worked great for what I needed.

I would highly recommend them. The bed bars and braces are stout and were coated perfectly. They were also packed extremely well.

And back to falcon yep I bought a set They are awesome.

 

On the Teraflex site ready to buy. The tow/haul version shows out of stock but the other looks to be available. I do tow a boat - probably weighs well under 4k. I’d prefer to buy the tow/haul but how much benefit will I get over the other?

Also leaning toward 17” icons w/ 285/75/17 KO2. And coachbuilder +2

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

The price difference is minimal, so based on all the feedback in this thread I'm holding out for the adjustable... might want to call and actually confirm the others are in stock as well. I found a couple vendors that looked in stock, but actually weren't.
If they do happen to actually be in stock, then it would be a question mostly of waiting vs. adjustable.

 

I'd shop around for a retailer that may have the tow/haul in stock. It's a very noticeable difference when you stiffen them up for a trailer. I've not towed with them yet, but I look forward to it.

 

Emailed Falcon this morning. They said that if the tow/haul version were ordered today the backlog would be 7-8 months.

 

Yikes - did they state why?