IRONMAN 4x4 Foam Cell PRO vs TOUGH DOG 40mm Bore 9 way Adjustable Shock

[LCStve]

Hi guys
2018 LC200
Im planning to do a 2 inch lift to have better look/ stance and the ability to put bigger wheels.

Choosing between 2 brands
which is better?

IRONMAN 4x4 FOAMCELL PRO
TOUGH DOG 40mm Bore 9 way Adjustable Dampening Shock

*Tough Dog is 9 way adjustable dampening, Ironman is not adjustable
*Ironman has bigger diameter shocks
*Ironman is height adjustable on the front, Tough Dog I think is fixed height.

Notes:
1. Which has better comfort ride, If possible, I want to retain the stock comfort of the Land Cruiser
2. Which is more durable long term
3. I do mostly highway driving and only some off roading.
4. I want to have level height stance front and rear (no rake) SIMILAR TO PHOTO
5. Car is stock weight, no load or steel bumper

Thanks

 

[TLC2013]

I have around 20,000 miles on my Tough Dog Adjustable 45mm shocks/lift kit. It’s about a 2” lift. The ride is fantastic with the ability to dial in the firmness. I generally run on settings 3-4 for daily driving. This allows for a pretty soft, cushy ride but with minimal to zero body roll during cornering and braking.
I have around 1” of rake with this set up and the height is not adjustable.

Adding a lift doesn’t allow for bigger wheels/tires. It will just delay the rub point during the suspension travel. Keeping the tire size at 34” and smaller will allow for an easy fit. Any larger will require much more effort to fit. Wheel offset play a big role here in what what rubs and where.

 

[overrovers]

Recently got the Iron man kit and really like them.

 

[LCStve]

I have around 20,000 miles on my Tough Dog Adjustable 45mm shocks/lift kit. It’s about a 2” lift. The ride is fantastic with the ability to dial in the firmness. I generally run on settings 3-4 for daily driving. This allows for a pretty soft, cushy ride but with minimal to zero body roll during cornering and braking.
I have around 1” of rake with this set up and the height is not adjustable.

Adding a lift doesn’t allow for bigger wheels/tires. It will just delay the rub point during the suspension travel. Keeping the tire size at 34” and smaller will allow for an easy fit. Any larger will require much more effort to fit. Wheel offset play a big role here in what what rubs and where.

View attachment 2748213

nice ride,

If you have 1 inch rake on the front

does this mean the front is lifted 2 inches and the rear 3 inches?

 

[LCStve]

Recently got the Iron man kit and really like them.

Which did you get,
foam cell or foam cell PRO?
and how do they ride, since the dampening is not adjustable

 

[overrovers]

Which did you get,
foam cell or foam cell PRO?
and how do they ride, since the dampening is not adjustable

Foam cell pro

 

[overrovers]

Foam cell pro

Also they rode really well just about stiffer than stock and has less body roll

 

[forwardnum1]

I ended up with Ironman FCP along with UCAs and performance springs on my LC and have been very happy with it. The ride is smooth but much more controlled when compared to the stock suspension.
I did just bump up to the heavy constant load springs to make up for more added weight and again, I’m very happy with them.

 

[TLC2013]

nice ride,

If you have 1 inch rake on the front

does this mean the front is lifted 2 inches and the rear 3 inches?

Thanks! Very happy how it all came together. If I had to do it again id absolutely get the tough dog set up. Being that the 200 is a daily driver having the adjustability to tune shock firmness makes driving it around town and off road a comfortable experience.

I had around 1" of rake when stock and it stayed about 1" after the lift. I beleive It's marketed as a leveling kit but I am happy to have the rake. When loaded down for trips it just about levels out. Having some rake is a good thing.

 

[LCStve]

Hmm.. I have to think about this more

I like the 9 way dampening adjustability of Tough Dog, but it is fixed height with 1” front rake

on the other hand
I like that Iron Man Foam Cell Pro is front height adjustable so I can have it dialed in to level height front and rear no rake, since I dont really load anything on the back, and I want the level stance look. However it doesnt have dampening adjustments.

For the guys who run ironman fcp, no body roll means the ride is stiffer? Like how far of a difference is the comfort from stock?

 

[John Guedry]

Thanks! Very happy how it all came together. If I had to do it again id absolutely get the tough dog set up. Being that the 200 is a daily driver having the adjustability to tune shock firmness makes driving it around town and off road a comfortable experience.

I had around 1" of rake when stock and it stayed about 1" after the lift. I beleive It's marketed as a leveling kit but I am happy to have the rake. When loaded down for trips it just about levels out. Having some rake is a good thing.

Same here I have same setup w tough dog ucas, I kept factory rake as well. Rides good.

 

[82SC]

My FCP setup is firm.
Not harsh.
Not floaty Cadillac like my OEM setup.

I didn’t mind not having all the adjustability as one more thing for me to fiddle with and obsess with. And I’d mind-F myself tinkering with it.

I think you won’t be disappointed with either. Overall both get good reviews from users. Get what you can afford and these days what is available and use it.

 

[reddog90]

I ended up with Ironman FCP along with UCAs and performance springs on my LC and have been very happy with it. The ride is smooth but much more controlled when compared to the stock suspension.

View attachment 2748928

Did you already have bumpers when you installed the lift? How much height did you gain?

I did the FCP 2" performance front and rear with SPC uca's on my stock 2013. I got over 3", it drove poorly and a CV started ticking. Replaced the CV, had a shop lower the front to about 1.5" over stock and realign and it's fantastic now. Just not super happy with my experience overall though.

 

[Angelo1]

Based on your two poll selections, maybe could have added Dobinsons. No experience with of them but seems like a similar priced product

 

[forwardnum1]

Did you already have bumpers when you installed the lift? How much height did you gain?

I did the FCP 2" performance front and rear with SPC uca's on my stock 2013. I got over 3", it drove poorly and a CV started ticking. Replaced the CV, had a shop lower the front to about 1.5" over stock and realign and it's fantastic now. Just not super happy with my experience overall though.

I was stock when I installed the suspension and it was pretty tall though no CV issues. Shortly thereafter I lucked into bumpers, rack and tent. After the added weight and a few thousand miles I have certainly come down a bit, I haven’t measured in a while but I expect I’m about 2 inches.

 

[82SC]

Did you already have bumpers when you installed the lift? How much height did you gain?

I did the FCP 2" performance front and rear with SPC uca's on my stock 2013. I got over 3", it drove poorly and a CV started ticking. Replaced the CV, had a shop lower the front to about 1.5" over stock and realign and it's fantastic now. Just not super happy with my experience overall though.

sounds like the height wasn't set right from the get go (I think you mentioned it in one of your other posts)
Did you have it prebuilt from IM or did your shop do it?
My shop built the front shocks but they had alot of experience with IM and even mentioned they were going to look at their reference guide for the setting for my make and model. Off the top of my head from bottom of coil seat to the center of the bushing was 8.75"

I think mine got 2.5" lift with mine. The CV angles are ok....probably a medium step from being too extreme and it sounds like yours was way too much.
which would feel way too stiff
and stress your CV and cause failure

just trying to point out for future readers that it might be more install related rather then actual hardware issues

 

[reddog90]

sounds like the height wasn't set right from the get go (I think you mentioned it in one of your other posts)
Did you have it prebuilt from IM or did your shop do it?
My shop built the front shocks but they had alot of experience with IM and even mentioned they were going to look at their reference guide for the setting for my make and model. Off the top of my head from bottom of coil seat to the center of the bushing was 8.75"

I think mine got 2.5" lift with mine. The CV angles are ok....probably a medium step from being too extreme and it sounds like yours was way too much.
which would feel way too stiff
and stress your CV and cause failure

just trying to point out for future readers that it might be more install related rather then actual hardware issues

Yes, I detailed my experience in the FCP specific thread. I paid to have the coilovers prebuilt from Ironman and installed the kit myself in my driveway. I actually gained 4" in front and 3" in back immediately post install. This settled to about 3.25" in front and 2.5" in back after 4,600 miles. Then I had a shop lower the front and realign.

 

[82SC]

4" whoa. yeah that sounds like it would need a diff drop.
That really sucks. Wonder how it was so wrong....spring rate too high for the weight of your vehicle?

They usually pretty responsive to questions and feedback.

I would say across the board of everything from restaurants to online ordering QC has gone out the window with businesses trying to catch up and restart the economic engine.

IM sent me a new set of front springs because one of the fronts had atrocious powdercoating flaws in it.

But I've seen the QC issue across the board. Wonder if they just put the coil seats at the wrong height....sucks having the CV go out.

 

[DRRichey]

2011 with FCPs - I just upgraded the rears to constant load. Took her for a mountain run yesterday and on the road is very stable and planted, off the road feels like I am still on the road! As an added bonus - IMUSA is local here in Oregon and their customer service is absolutely top notch. They use what they sell, and they use the hell out of it too.

 

[LCStve]

Seems like more people are running Ironman Foam Cell Pro, how does it compare to something like OME BP 51?