ARB Bp-51 vs. King 2.5 BP

[Yeti White]

Yet another thread on suspension.....
I am looking to upgrade my suspension on my 08 and have narrowed my list down to the King 2.5 and ARB bp-51's. I already talked with Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters and he has me leaning towards the ARB but I keep thinking that the ARB 2.0 is weaker than the 2.5 kings. Since our 200's are so heavy this is a concern but I admit that I tend to overthink these type of things No matter what i will purchase from Cruiser Outfitters and have them do the install as Kurt has never let me down with my cruiser and 4-runner builds.

Either way I'm going to run the front at 1.5-2 inch of lift and leave the rear at stock height (stock springs). Even though its not 100% necessary I will be running SPC upper control arms. The only armor I'm adding to this build will be slee sliders and ARB skids. I'm running 275/70/18 BFG KO2's on stock 08 wheels.


Let me know your thoughts.

 

[NLScooby]

Lots of views and no replies so far!

I am also looking to swap out my suspension and am considering the BP-51s. The quality is there and I like the ability to adjust the compression rate and ride height. I'm not sure I'd do it all that often, but I like the tenability if you add weight to the vehicle during the build or plan on a long off road adventure.

All I can say is that I don't see a lot of folks running Kings on 200's. I don't know why - just an observation. Do they require rebuilds more frequently?
The Ironman seems to also have a good reputation and there are several folks running an Icon variety as well.

Good luck in your decision - the good news is there are many great options!

 

[Markuson]

Yet another thread on suspension.....
I am looking to upgrade my suspension on my 08 and have narrowed my list down to the King 2.5 and ARB bp-51's. I already talked with Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters and he has me leaning towards the ARB but I keep thinking that the ARB 2.0 is weaker than the 2.5 kings. Since our 200's are so heavy this is a concern but I admit that I tend to overthink these type of things No matter what i will purchase from Cruiser Outfitters and have them do the install as Kurt has never let me down with my cruiser and 4-runner builds
Either way I'm going to run the front at 1.5-2 inch of lift and leave the rear at stock height (stock springs). Even though its not 100% necessary I will be running SPC upper control arms. The only armor I'm adding to this build will be slee sliders and ARB skids. I'm running 275/70/18 BFG KO2's on stock 08 wheels.


Let me know your thoughts.

I think it's tough to get a real comparison from most here...because if they have Kings...they are highly unlikely to have also used BP=51...(which have only been available for about a year)...and if they had BP-51s...they sure as heck won't have switched to Kings in less than a year.

So... You might hear opinions...but you are very unlikely to hear from personal experience with both.

 

[dkw3]

Yet another thread on suspension.....
I am looking to upgrade my suspension on my 08 and have narrowed my list down to the King 2.5 and ARB bp-51's. I already talked with Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters and he has me leaning towards the ARB but I keep thinking that the ARB 2.0 is weaker than the 2.5 kings. Since our 200's are so heavy this is a concern but I admit that I tend to overthink these type of things No matter what i will purchase from Cruiser Outfitters and have them do the install as Kurt has never let me down with my cruiser and 4-runner builds.

Either way I'm going to run the front at 1.5-2 inch of lift and leave the rear at stock height (stock springs). Even though its not 100% necessary I will be running SPC upper control arms. The only armor I'm adding to this build will be slee sliders and ARB skids. I'm running 275/70/18 BFG KO2's on stock 08 wheels.


Let me know your thoughts.

I had my BP51 suspension installed in June of 2015. Since then I have driven just over 10,000 miles and have to say the BP51 suspension has been amazing... The fit / finish is outstanding and the ability to adjust the suspension to the load and conditions it very easy. Coming out of the first winter of the suspension being on the LC it looks just as good as the day it was put on.. The finish has held up wonderful. I have friends who have ICON on their vehicles and they seem to rust very quickly in the Northeast winters. That was one of the reasons I did not go with ICON.. You will not be disappointed if you go with the BP51 system..

 

[MScruiser]

Kings are tried and true. OME is new to the bypass shock game. If I were you, I'd go with kings; if anything, just to be different.

 

[Yeti White]

I had my BP51 suspension installed in June of 2015. Since then I have driven just over 10,000 miles and have to say the BP51 suspension has been amazing... The fit / finish is outstanding and the ability to adjust the suspension to the load and conditions it very easy. Coming out of the first winter of the suspension being on the LC it looks just as good as the day it was put on.. The finish has held up wonderful. I have friends who have ICON on their vehicles and they seem to rust very quickly in the Northeast winters. That was one of the reasons I did not go with ICON.. You will not be disappointed if you go with the BP51 system..

this is good to know. While I don't mind a little maintenance from time to time I do want something that will look and perform for many years.

 

[arich]

I've tried many different shocks but not (Icon or Kings)and the BP51 has been my favorites.

I only have 5mm of preload on my struts. Stock is 20mm. I doubt you will only get 1.5-2" of lift even if you back the preload down to 0mm. The problem is you have to remove the struts to adjust of you dont want to destroy them as we've seen here. markuson?? I don't think you can get away without the UCAs. Any lift wreaks havock on the alignment.

I don't know how the rears will function with the stock shocks. My setup is the lowest you'll get with OME springs.

 

[Yeti White]

I've tried many different shocks but not (Icon or Kings)and the BP51 has been my favorites.

I only have 5mm of preload on my struts. Stock is 20mm. I doubt you will only get 1.5-2" of lift even if you back the preload down to 0mm. The problem is you have to remove the struts to adjust of you dont want to destroy them as we've seen here. markuson?? I don't think you can get away without the UCAs. Any lift wreaks havock on the alignment.

I don't know how the rears will function with the stock shocks. My setup is the lowest you'll get with OME springs.

my plan with with either solution would be to use both from and rear shocks.....im hoping to use stock rear springs if possible. are there any negatives to running 0mm of preload?

 

[Cajun Transplant]

I've tried many different shocks but not (Icon or Kings)and the BP51 has been my favorites.

I only have 5mm of preload on my struts. Stock is 20mm. I doubt you will only get 1.5-2" of lift even if you back the preload down to 0mm. The problem is you have to remove the struts to adjust of you dont want to destroy them as we've seen here. markuson?? I don't think you can get away without the UCAs. Any lift wreaks havock on the alignment.

I don't know how the rears will function with the stock shocks. My setup is the lowest you'll get with OME springs.

So I have almost decided to go with the BP-51 system front and rear for my 2016. Are you saying that I should do the UCA's too? If so, is there are particular brand that is better than the others? I have already contacted Total Chaos to see if their UCA's fit the 2016.

Thanks again!!

 

[dkw3]

So I have almost decided to go with the BP-51 system front and rear for my 2016. Are you saying that I should do the UCA's too? If so, is there are particular brand that is better than the others? I have already contacted Total Chaos to see if their UCA's fit the 2016.

Thanks again!!

I would go with SPC UCA....

 

[MScruiser]

Wait, @arich , you are telling me you have to physically remove the strut to adjust it?! Wow, that'd be a huge turnoff for me.

 

[Markuson]

So I have almost decided to go with the BP-51 system front and rear for my 2016. Are you saying that I should do the UCA's too? If so, is there are particular brand that is better than the others? I have already contacted Total Chaos to see if their UCA's fit the 2016.

Thanks again!!

Slee sells a package that includes SPC UCA with BP-51s. I've got the SPC on mine and there have been no issues.
If it ain't broke..... (go with SPC!).

 

[dkw3]

Wait, @arich , you are telling me you have to physically remove the strut to adjust it?! Wow, that'd be a huge turnoff for me.

You only have to take the shock out to adjust height. Adjusting rebound and compression is done easily with the shock on the vehicle..

 

[arich]

Correct. Rebound and compression can be adjusted in 5 minutes. All 4 corners.
To adjust height I'd advise removing them and putting them on a spring conpressor. There's a member here who had his adjust ring destroyed by a lazy shop. Please repost that pic.
Make sure your SPCs come with the new style ball joint that is greasable. Has a zerk on top. I just swapped mine out for the new style.

 

[arich]

The stance that I have is a nice compromise. Theses probably nothing wrong with running 0 preload but I thing you're front end will be higher than the rear with stock springs. Why do you want to stick with stock springs?

 

[dkw3]

Correct. Rebound and compression can be adjusted in 5 minutes. All 4 corners.
To adjust height I'd advise removing them and putting them on a spring conpressor. There's a member here who had his adjust ring destroyed by a lazy shop. Please repost that pic.
Make sure your SPCs come with the new style ball joint that is greasable. Has a zerk on top. I just swapped mine out for the new style.

View attachment 1226604

View attachment 1226605

Arich,

Where did you get the new ball joints? Mine are not greasable and I would like to upgrade to them. Also whe was the $?

 

[Markuson]

If you're curious about leveling & lift, this photo is BP-51's with SPC UCA...with just 5mm preload in front...and ARB 2721 springs in back:

Rides incredibly well in all conditions now that it's got the right preload...tires at 37-40psi.

m

 

[T4Runner]

Arich,

Where did you get the new ball joints? Mine are not greasable and I would like to upgrade to them. Also whe was the $?

I don't want to speak for Arich, but SPC has very good customer service. I bet if you call or email them they'll take care of you.

 

[Yeti White]

The stance that I have is a nice compromise. Theses probably nothing wrong with running 0 preload but I thing you're front end will be higher than the rear with stock springs. Why do you want to stick with stock springs?

View attachment 1226607

View attachment 1226608

nice looking cruiser! Since this is my wifes daily driver I want to keep it pretty mild. I'm not apposed to adding rear springs but my preference would be to just lift the front to make the cruiser level while getting the most performance.

 

[dkw3]

I don't want to speak for Arich, but SPC has very good customer service. I bet if you call or email them they'll take care of you.

Thanks for the info...