Ironman Lift Question

[LifeCruiser100]

Hello all,

I am looking at suspension options and have landed on Ironman as a probable direction for my current needs. I do not have any extra weight except for when loaded out for trips. (Family of 5 + 2 Dogs) I had originally planned on using OME 2865 w/ factory shocks but they are weight limited at ~250 and the shocks don’t have additional travel length (that I know of). I have not yet ran into a situation where I needed additional lift over what the current torsion bars offer. All of that being said, I am looking at purchasing the Ironman gas shocks and the 0-440 “stage 1” springs. It seems to me like this would be the best option for my current needs w/o breaking the bank. It would also allow for upgrades later if needed.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Reasons why it wouldn’t work or have done the same? Looking for other opinions. Thanks all!

 

[KraziAzn]

Look into cell foam shocks. It is slightly more in price but I read the ride quality is way better over gas shocks. I had Tough Dog foam cell shocks and they rode very close to OEM.

And your set up should work fine, but you might have to adjust T-Bars some lift in the front so you don't have too much rake.

 

[landocalrissian]

Hello all,

I am looking at suspension options and have landed on Ironman as a probable direction for my current needs. I do not have any extra weight except for when loaded out for trips. (Family of 5 + 2 Dogs) I had originally planned on using OME 2865 w/ factory shocks but they are weight limited at ~250 and the shocks don’t have additional travel length (that I know of). I have not yet ran into a situation where I needed additional lift over what the current torsion bars offer. All of that being said, I am looking at purchasing the Ironman gas shocks and the 0-440 “stage 1” springs. It seems to me like this would be the best option for my current needs w/o breaking the bank. It would also allow for upgrades later if needed.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Reasons why it wouldn’t work or have done the same? Looking for other opinions. Thanks all!

I have the Nitro gas shocks withe OME 2865 in the rear and cranked OEM torsion bars. Great ride when empty. Fully loaded up with 2 kids, 2 dogs and roof top cargo box for camping and the 2865's start to sag a bit. Ride quality is still fine though. If I add my pop up camper to the mix the rear end squats a lot to the point I'm thinking of adding air bags.

 

[Mike NXP]

What type of driving are you typically doing? Are you planning on putting bigger tires on as well??

My ride has stock toyota shocks all around with medium duty old man emu springs in the rear. It performs better than any other solution I have tried on this rig

 

[Manhattan]

I have what you're considering... mostly. I've got about 60,000 miles on the IronMan 13B "Performance" springs - the 0-440 lbs springs, IronMan TBs, IronMan Foam Cell (not Pro) shocks and SPC uppers. The only added weight I've got is a Dissent front bumper and Warn winch. Out back, I don't even have the 3rd row in. I think the setup is great - on the trail and on the highway.

 

[Jrod]

I'll chime in. I have the same setup as above, and the rears are a touch rough for everyday driving with nothing in the back of the truck. I recently installed Bilstein 5160's, and they're a significant improvement over the original Ironman Foam Cell shocks.

 

[Mike NXP]

The above comments are a good example of this just being a matter of preference and what you are used to, a smooth ride to some translates to too harsh for others.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

The problem with OME 865 and 866 springs is that they are actually 1.2 inches *shorter* than the factory Toyota OEM springs (non-AHC). Thus, the 50-70 lbf/in spring rate increase that they provide over factory coils is functionally negated by their shorter height. In contrast, the OME 860 and 863 springs have the same free height as Toyota OEM springs (480-490 mm) but provide 50 lbf/in and 80 lbf/in higher spring rates than Toyota springs. This is why 865 and 866 springs regularly sag, often without any additional weight in the rear of the truck.

But take note that these are not true lift springs. Only resting height of the vehicle is increased with OME and Ironman springs, giving the visual impression of a lift. Their springs are *not* longer than the Toyota OEM springs (in some cases they're actually shorter, as noted above for the 865 and 866). The OME shocks also do *not* provide any additional travel over Toyota OEM shocks, and I have yet to find any information to support Ironman's ambiguous claim that their shocks actually provide additional travel over Toyota OEM shocks (false advertising, IMO). The fact that none of these kits even provide a disclaimer that longer brake lines may be needed is evidence enough that they don't provide anymore suspension travel than what 100s came with from the factory, which is obtainable with OEM components.

With that said, I agree with @Mike NXP that OME 860 springs paired with new Toyota OEM shocks sounds like the best setup for your described application and use of the truck.

 

[Manhattan]

But take note that these are not true lift springs. Only resting height of the vehicle is increased with OME and Ironman springs, giving the visual impression of a lift.

They don't lift the truck... but result in the truck having the visual impression of a lift? Hmmm... Or: They are lift springs but not long-travel springs.

You can actually lower a truck and increase the travel. Lift and travel are separate things.

 

[LifeCruiser100]

What type of driving are you typically doing? Are you planning on putting bigger tires on as well??

My ride has stock toyota shocks all around with medium duty old man emu springs in the rear. It performs better than any other solution I have tried on this rig

The LC is our family truck for now. We put everyone in it for long trips and for long camping adventures. Some light wheeling, mostly forest roads with the occasional off shoot trail to get to a camping or fishing spot. No hardcore wheeling or rock crawling. Im not opposed to going back with stock shocks but thought the Ironman would be a slight upgrade due to the travel claims.

Wouldn’t the OME 860 be roughly equivalent to the Ironman 0-440? I don’t honestly know but that seems like a decent comparison due to the weight numbers.

I am running 285/75s. The torsion bars were cranked up last year but the shocks on the vehicle need replaced. I’m not worried about gaining height at this time. 1.5”ish lift from the tbars has been fine. Weight when fully loaded with the fam though has caused the rear to sag pretty good.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

They don't lift the truck... but result in the truck having the visual impression of a lift? Hmmm... Or: They are lift springs but not long-travel springs.

You can actually lower a truck and increase the travel. Lift and travel are separate things.

I left out *when unloaded*. The “lift” impression disappears when the additional weight that the increased spring rate allows is added to the truck. They’re not lift kits. They’re designed to improve the load carrying ability while maintaining factory ride height. OME is honest and forthcoming about this, but the same cannot be said for distributors or other suspension companies.

You can actually lower a truck and increase the travel. Lift and travel are separate things.

I’m aware of that. I didn’t claim that “lift” springs increase travel. My only mention of travel changes were appropriately about the shocks:

The OME shocks also do *not* provide any additional travel over Toyota OEM shocks, and I have yet to find any information to support Ironman's ambiguous claim that their shocks actually provide additional travel over Toyota OEM shocks (false advertising, IMO).

 

[wvrx]

I left out *when unloaded*. The “lift” impression disappears when the additional weight that the increased spring rate allows is added to the truck. They’re not lift kits. They’re designed to improve the load carrying ability while maintaining factory ride height. OME is honest and forthcoming about this, but the same cannot be said for distributors or other suspension companies.


I’m aware of that. I didn’t claim that “lift” springs increase travel. My only mention of travel changes were appropriately about the shocks:

Has anyone actually measured the factory shock length? I thought previous threads had an additional ~1” or so of extended shock length for most aftermarket “lift” options, so naturally I was planning to save up for a set of foam cells to upgrade my worn factory shocks with OME 860’s. If what you say is true then I’d be much better off with a set of OEM shocks that have performed well and offer the same travel...

 

[l3n0x]

My advice is: Don't put anything than toyota springs/tbars on if your truck is stock (no heavy bumpers, sliders, rooftop, etc.) The stock shocks can handle 2" lift easily, they have the travel for it. This is easily and cheaply doable by cranking the tbars, and installing new tallest toyota springs + spacers. Also the foam cell pro valving had been changed last year - since people have glorified it, and now it is way firmer than it used to be.

 

[dcarcagno]

I he what you're considering... mostly. I've got about 60,000 miles on the IronMan 13B "Performance" springs - the 0-440 lbs springs, IronMan TBs, IronMan Foam Cell (not Pro) shocks and SPC uppers. The only added weight I've got is a Dissent front bumper and Warn winch. Out back, I don't even have the 3rd row in. I think the setup is great - on the trail and on the highway.

View attachment 2400533

Hey Manhattan what are your hub to fender measurements? I had the foam cell pro with The Ironman springs but I found that I couldn't get the front high enough without ruining ride quality so I went with the foam cell pros with ome 2865 springs.

 

[Manhattan]

From the center of the wheel to the body - bottom of wheel opening directly over center of wheel
Rear: 22 1/2”
Front: 21 1/2”

 

[dcarcagno]

From the center of the wheel to the body - bottom of wheel opening directly over center of wheel
Rear: 22 1/2”
Front: 21 1/2”

Thanks! I was measuring 23.5" ish in the rear with The Ironman springs.

 

[Dmonies]

Thanks! I was measuring 23.5" ish in the rear with The Ironman springs.

I’m measuring the same.