Report: Ironman 2" coils, TBs, foam cells

[Manhattan]

I've only got a few miles with this setup - and none of them off-road, but so far, I'm very happy with the stance, the ride, handling, braking...

For perspective, here are the details:
- IronMan torsion bars
- IronMan coil springs; 2” lift, 13B “Performance”; 0-440 lbs.
- IronMan Foam Cell FE shocks
- Rear sway bar ends lengthened 2”
- SPC UCAs

Center of hub to edge of fender:
- Rear: 23.5”
- Front: 22.25”

In the next month or so, there will be a Dissent Off-Road bumper and Warn winch hanging off the front. I was expecting the absence of those, with the current setup, to make the ride harsh. Nope. It really rides great. There is almost no brake dive. The handling feels better than stock - any raised COG seems offset by the more stable feel.

I'll report back if anything changes, but a couple days in... I'm loving it.

 

[DOGMARLEY]

Pics?!

 

[Manhattan]

Haven't gotten any decent pics...

This is right after everything was installed. The front was too high.

So, 5 turns of the bolts later, this is how it sits now (and the hub to fender numbers above)

 

[larryt]

Great looking rig! I'm looking forward to any long-term impressions you have on the foam cell shocks. My OME Nitros are nearing the end (80k miles on them) and I've got the foam cells on my short list of replacements.

 

[tabraha]

Glad you are happy with them too. I've had my Foam Cells for 2yrs/~30k now and they still function very well. If I ever change them for something else it will be something more flexible like the Icon's that are adjustable. Those are in a whole different zipcode in price though so I don't consider them comparable. Again these have performed very well so far.

 

[RS6tofj80]

Great Color and nicely done !

 

[SALTY METHODS]

I'm currently in the market to lift my '98 LC. I'm curious why you decided to go with Ironman brand opposed to OME? I was planning on doing OME but seeing your pics of your rig is making me reconsider. Can anyone else chime in on the difference in performance between the two setups? I want the height but won't be running any aftermarket bumpers for a while. From what I've gathered if you go higher without bumpers/weight the 2.5" OME lift makes the ride kinda s***ty. Anyway around that?

 

[Manhattan]

I'm fortunate to live near ACC's shop. These guys have installed hundreds (thousands?) of OME and IronMan springs, shocks, TBs... and, it was Brian's (owner) suggestion to go with this setup.

My 100 is essentially "empty", e.g. no fridge, drawers, 3rd row, etc. I told Brian I wanted the 100 to sit a bit higher and not ride like an old pickup truck. Oh, and that I'd likely put a bumper and winch on at some point. He assured me the 13b (lighter duty) IronMan coils would work great. I suggested keeping the OE TBs for now - until bumper time. He again assured the combo of the IronMan TBs and foam cell shocks would be firm, but not harsh - and feel even better when the bumper and winch are in place.

Describing how a truck is going to ride after significant suspension changes is about like describing how a new exhaust system will change - it's so subjective, all about degrees, etc. But, when I left the shop - it was exactly as Brian promised: Firmer than stock, but not at all harsh. The true test was when my wife - who rolls her eyes anytime I talk mods - drove it. I asked how it felt. She said "Oh... I forgot to pay attention. I guess it's like it was before".

Others will weigh in (pun intended), but I think, if I'd planned to keep the OE bumpers, the "regular" IronMan shocks would likely have been ideal.

 

[Chet Manly]

This is good to hear. I have been thinking about the order of mods I want to do on mine and getting the suspension might come before the bumper. I've talked a few times with Brian at ACC about the IronMan setups and am just trying to decide when to do what. Part of my decision is that I have a LX and that I'm going to get them to rip out the AHC when I get the new suspension and sliders.

 

[Bomar]

OME shocks are harsh

 

[Manhattan]

Chet, to my earlier point - "Describing how a truck is going to ride after significant suspension changes is about like describing how a new exhaust system will change - it's so subjective" - we can take a bit of the guess work out by letting you drive my 100. I work from home, and have pretty flexible hours. Let me know if you want try to meet up and take it for a spin.

 

[Chet Manly]

Thanks for the offer Manhattan. I might pm you in the future to take you up on it. I completely understand the subjective part. In any case, the hardware mods are going to have to wait a bit longer. I'm going to talk to an audio shop today about replacing the stereo system.

 

[Traskew3]

Where did you buy the parts from and what is ACC's phone number? Im in Jax but that may be worth a drive as my mom lives there!

 

[Manhattan]

ACC ordered all the parts. Give'em a call: 404.508.4800; http://accgarage.com

 

[tabraha]

@ACC Toyota is the real deal. They did the full build on my bronze 100. It was a metric crap ton of work done on a tight timeframe and I haven't had a single issue from anything.

 

[arich]

Is there a shop like ACC in the northeast?

 

[marshotel]

Are the foam cell shocks affected much by cold temperatures?
e.g.- does the foam become rigid at -30F?

I like the idea of foam cell shocks, but I worry they might be very stiff once it gets cold in the winter.
Can anybody report on temperature effects on the foam cell shocks?

The lift looks awesome. Did you need to drop the differential to add the lift?

 

[jayLC1]

The lift and truck look great!

What size tires are those? They look like KO2s so I was wondering is they are 285s (what I have without a lift).

 

[Manhattan]

No dif' drop.

They are the 275/70/18 BFG KO2s - just put them on; replacing the older 275/70/18 BFG ATs.

I put another 700 miles on it this weekend (still nothing off-road) - all interstate, e.g. 75 mph+ and love the setup.

 

[Manhattan]

Got a chance to hit some mild trails yesterday... The new setup is great - soooo much better than stock. It feels like the perfect balance of firm and flexy...
- You know when you drop a tire off a rock or small ledge a bit too fast... and cringe as the suspension compresses, and you wait for that BANG! It doesn't do that now.
- But, the suspension seems plenty flexy.

Granted, this was a brief (12 miles total) test, but I'm even more convinced this is a great setup for a primary DD that'll see an occasional trail.

a bit of daylight under the tires...

and a bit of air under the other...