Best high end shocks for the LC80

[mcleod]

With an open budget what is the best option of shocks for the LC80 with a 3” lift, I know OME BP51 is very good, any other options?

 

[White Stripe]

With an open budget what is the best option of shocks for the LC80 with a 3” lift, I know OME BP51 is very good, any other options?

Probably king triple bypass shocks.

 

[mcleod]

Probably king triple bypass shocks.

Did they make for lc80?

 

[Fattyeighty]

You're looking for comfort? Highish speed desert driving?
Any tuneable shock will work with proper tuning
King has linear piston with easy to get shims and straightforward to work on - probably best bet. Especially if you're not in the US

2.5 smooth bodies + proper tuning would be ideal.
No need for triple bypass shocks especially for 10" travel (really 7-8 useable) - I have them and not worth the extra price.

 

[reklund5]

Do you want a direct-fit bolt in shock, or are you willing to fabricate? That will dictate what your options are.

I have BP-51s and have been very happy. King also makes a direct-fit shock, albeit not triple bypass as mentioned. Dobinson's MRR are good too I hear, as well as the offerings from Icon.

If you're willing to fabricate, then you can open up your options to race style triple bypass shocks and such. That said, you probably don't need race car shocks on an 80 series... 99% of the 80s out there don't go fast enough to need race car shocks. A nice remote reservoir setup with adjustable rebound and compression is generally plenty. Some have internal bypass too, which makes them a touch nicer. You need to read up on what they all are, how they work, and then really evaluate what your plans for your vehicle are before you make a decision. You can spend big money on bling parts all you want, but may only need a "standard" shock.

 

[ikarus]

King or Dobinsons would be my vote. Get some good bumpstops to go with them too - hydraulic or at least Timbren. I have King 3.0 triple bypasses on my Tundra and I have to be driving it hard to fully take advantage of the suspension. I probably would have been just as happy with King 2.5s.

Just make sure to get them tuned. The tune out of the box often isn't the best for your personal style of driving. It helps to have a good shop nearby that can tune and rebuild race shocks.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I've read good things about Kings and Dobinsons and OME BP-51's. I had OME's basic Nitrochargers on one of my 80's and it was a very rough ride.

I am really curious about Nimbus oleo-pneumatic shocks. Not a ton of reviews on them yet as I believe they are pretty new.

Nimbus Oleo-Pneumatic Suspensions for Toyota & Lexus 4x4s

Custom oleo-pneumatic suspensions for Toyota Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra and Lexus LX, GX models. Hand-crafted in France, backed for life.

nimbus-suspensions.com

 

[AussieHJCruza]

If money is no object, king make the best shocks I've ever used.
A step down IMHO, fox, icon etc are quite good
A step down again (IMHO) are the high end mainstream manufacturer shocks, i.e. OME BP51, Terrain Tamer pro shock, Dobinsons MRA etc, the BP51 is probably more in the league of Fox and Icon but they do tend to run short in length for an 80

 

[Broski]

For sure a good shock helps.
But IMO unless you’re racing and have them professionally tuned to your reg then the big name shocks are all about being cool and bling !

 

[LXDOC]

Don’t forget the more frequent rebuild intervals as well.

 

[Outsane]

The best shock will depend on use

Find a shock tuner you like and ask what shock they like to tune. Buy those and have them tune them to your rig and riding style.

Shocks are very dependent on driver and style.

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I've read good things about Kings and Dobinsons and OME BP-51's. I had OME's basic Nitrochargers on one of my 80's and it was a very rough ride.

I am really curious about Nimbus oleo-pneumatic shocks. Not a ton of reviews on them yet as I believe they are pretty new.

Nimbus Oleo-Pneumatic Suspensions for Toyota & Lexus 4x4s

Custom oleo-pneumatic suspensions for Toyota Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra and Lexus LX, GX models. Hand-crafted in France, backed for life.

nimbus-suspensions.com

What am I missing? Oil + Nitrogen like many shocks on the market?

 

[george_tlc]

^ you don't understand, it's a french made shock with oleo

cheers,
george.

 

[scottryana]

ADS/SLEE make a great shock they are a 2.5" high performance shock like the King I have had a set on one truck and a set of King's 2.5" customs on the other truck. They both feel great.

1. I think any of the 2.5", King, Fox, ADS, etc are about the same

2. BP51 and MRR mid tier

3. Stock

4. OME, Toughdog, Dobinson etc

 

[Fattyeighty]

The main difference between the different 2.5" shocks are pistons. Thats what really dictates how it rides. Without more info from the OP regarding his needs/requirements you can't really determine which is best.
A linear piston behaves differently from digressive piston
The former will be more "comfortable" than the latter - you can tune either pistons to make them behave more linear/progressive/digressive however starting with the properly designed piston is best.
Once again a rock crawler has differential requirements than an overlander or a higher speed desert driving.

 

[REDrum]

Don’t forget the more frequent rebuild intervals as well.

That is a VERY good point. I'm going on my second rebuild on my Kings in 10 years, on one of my FZJ80s. And I have had standard OME NitroChargers on another FZJ80 for 12 years and they are still gliding right along. Yes very different ride and handeling but higher performace allways comes with more cost

 

[efjayatee]

-

 

[efjayatee]

With your open budget, anything above $1500/set.

 

[wjkimmerle]

Can I ask a question of you all since you know these components - my mechanic is telling me that both of my rear OME Nitrocharger Plus 63020 shocks are leaking / failed, after 5 months of on road use (purchased new in December).

Does that make any sense? I don’t know suspension at all, and am trying to figure out if the shop that installed them might have fouled them up, because both failing after on-road only use in five months doesn’t sound right.

I’m not looking for a diagnosis, just advice (go to manufacturer for defect, clean them and keep driving to see if they’re really leaking, etc.)

Thank you so much in advance

 

[AussieHJCruza]

I'm probably a bit late to this discussion, but custom valved kings are in a different league to OME BP51s, which are better than the majority of other 'off the shelf' shocks.

IMHO
1) King
2) Fox/Icon etc
3) High end suspension manufacturers shocks; BP51, Dobinsons MRA etc.