Tough dog review thread
- Thread starter bgolf247
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Are you running the 41s on a stock setup. Roads are rough in Cleveland so smooth like oem is what in looking for
If not, shop for an alignment shop that will redo your alignment within a certain timeframe if it goes out. Hopefully they wont notice the new arms and void the deal. Im swaying on saving yet even more for the uca's just for peace of mind. That and mine currently have 175k on them from the factory and id love to get some servicable zerks.
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Shock air order arrived at LAX, Should be here in about 5-6 days.
J
J
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Tough Dog Shock Manufacturing
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On another note the 53mm are off backorder in AUS as of now. I'll have these back in stock in a couple of weeks. I've bought extra sets, but they won't last long.
Thx,
Jason
Thx,
Jason
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Everything on standard 2" kits (41/41 or 41/45) are in stock as of this afternoon.
J
J
Anyone in DFW or Central Texas with these willing to meet up? I've been having trouble with my AHC and am wanting to weigh the pros & cons in switching over. Thanks.
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53mm fronts are back in stock.
395.00 pair shipped.
J
395.00 pair shipped.
J
Looking to place my order and I have a few questions. I will give you a call Monday. Until then would you tell me the package I would need if I wanted the least amount of lift? I do want a lift but would like to keep it 2" or less. I'm 90% pavement but my wife and I do several road trips with mild to moderate trails about 5 times a year. We carry some gear and a rtt, so I would want the rear to be able to handle that with minimal sag. My current shocks and springs are done (213k on my '98). I am wanting new shocks, springs and TBs. can you give me a quick round down on what you think would be my best option to fit my needs and a ball park price? Thanks
Hoping to have a Tough Dog setup on within the month, I'm in Dallas and would be willing to meet up and let you check it out if you don't have your own setup on by then
Got home from Colorado Saturday night, it was my inaugural off-roading trip with the 2" Tourflex, and it worked great!
So I had a fully functioning ACH system, with King Springs in the back and Spacers in the front, for about a 2 inch lift. I had run that set up for over a year and about 20,000 miles. Did multiple Arkansas camping trips and Cruise Moab 2018. That set up worked well for daily driving, was comfortable on the highway and soft but stable around town without weight. When Camping, loaded up and out in the rough, it could keep up with demand but i had to watch my speed on some hill crests and over all the front torsion bars were just too small and flimsy for any serious off-roading with the bumper and winch on the front. The rear was about the same, could keep up, but I had to watch my speed and felt like I could easily over extend the system. Durring my offroad sessions, I tore 2 CV boots, I believe due to the soft front torsions. So over all, it worked as a beginner lift/ system. If I simply drove in town, it's perfect as long as the AHC system is healthy, the spacers and springs are great.
Talking with Jason at Trail-Tailor, wanting to add a rear bumper, he recommended constant springs in the rear with the 9 way adjustable shocks, and for the front I went with matching torsion bars and the 41mm shocks.
So now, after 2000 miles and a decent trip under it's belt, I can say that the toughdog system vs AHC off-road is so much better. Un-weighted around town, right now it a tad stiff but not uncomfortable, it is comparable to ACH 1 left of full sport. I know the rear bumper will help that and I'm still playing with the rear shocks for feel. So on-road, with weight is great, drives smooth and comfy just not quite as soft or as much movement as the AHC. Off road, this set up is a world apart. I was afraid that it would be stiff and bumpy, but it wasn't at all. Totally compliant, just with WAY WAY more control. It felt more safe and just worked better with all my camp weight.
Most of the trails I do are not that tough, mostly getting in and out of nice camp spots. So for reference, at Cruise Moab I did a few 6/10 trails, and that is about my limit before I start getting into situations I'm really uncomfortable in and may cause some damage to the truck.
Hope that helps some of you on the fence. AHC is great, but just limited when you start to pack on the camp weight.
So I had a fully functioning ACH system, with King Springs in the back and Spacers in the front, for about a 2 inch lift. I had run that set up for over a year and about 20,000 miles. Did multiple Arkansas camping trips and Cruise Moab 2018. That set up worked well for daily driving, was comfortable on the highway and soft but stable around town without weight. When Camping, loaded up and out in the rough, it could keep up with demand but i had to watch my speed on some hill crests and over all the front torsion bars were just too small and flimsy for any serious off-roading with the bumper and winch on the front. The rear was about the same, could keep up, but I had to watch my speed and felt like I could easily over extend the system. Durring my offroad sessions, I tore 2 CV boots, I believe due to the soft front torsions. So over all, it worked as a beginner lift/ system. If I simply drove in town, it's perfect as long as the AHC system is healthy, the spacers and springs are great.
Talking with Jason at Trail-Tailor, wanting to add a rear bumper, he recommended constant springs in the rear with the 9 way adjustable shocks, and for the front I went with matching torsion bars and the 41mm shocks.
So now, after 2000 miles and a decent trip under it's belt, I can say that the toughdog system vs AHC off-road is so much better. Un-weighted around town, right now it a tad stiff but not uncomfortable, it is comparable to ACH 1 left of full sport. I know the rear bumper will help that and I'm still playing with the rear shocks for feel. So on-road, with weight is great, drives smooth and comfy just not quite as soft or as much movement as the AHC. Off road, this set up is a world apart. I was afraid that it would be stiff and bumpy, but it wasn't at all. Totally compliant, just with WAY WAY more control. It felt more safe and just worked better with all my camp weight.
Most of the trails I do are not that tough, mostly getting in and out of nice camp spots. So for reference, at Cruise Moab I did a few 6/10 trails, and that is about my limit before I start getting into situations I'm really uncomfortable in and may cause some damage to the truck.
Hope that helps some of you on the fence. AHC is great, but just limited when you start to pack on the camp weight.
I've got a question about putting the tour flex kit on a stock 100 -- I'm not planning on bumpers any time soon. I might add a rack and sliders in the next year or two, but I'm holding off replacing bumpers until I rip them off on the trail.
The description for the kit worries me a little and makes it sound like it's not suitable for a stock 100:
"This lift is designed to be used with Cruisers that have a front bumper with winch and a minimum of 300# added to the rear of the Cruiser in the form of bumpers, drawers, RTT, rack, etc."
Will it be OK without added weight? I'll definitely have plenty of weight loaded with kids and gear when camping, but it's also my DD.
The description for the kit worries me a little and makes it sound like it's not suitable for a stock 100:
"This lift is designed to be used with Cruisers that have a front bumper with winch and a minimum of 300# added to the rear of the Cruiser in the form of bumpers, drawers, RTT, rack, etc."
Will it be OK without added weight? I'll definitely have plenty of weight loaded with kids and gear when camping, but it's also my DD.
I just send payment last night for a 53/45 shock combo with the light weight TD springs and HD TBs. Should be in within a few weeks. I'm also a stock weight truck for now, and was worried it might be oversprung. I'll be able to update with thoughts after they're installed.
Ping Jason at Trail Tailor, and explain what you want, he can guide you.
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You can't be over sprung on the 0-660# standard coil.....which is what you ordered. The front will ride firmer with the 53mm until weight is added. Rears, your gold.
J
Yup, that's what I'd meant but over shocked sounded weird
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GA,
No worries on terminologies/contexts...
@Kmonty66 bought my ESME rig and ran it for a few months with NO front bumper, completely gone, until I made him a new custom front. I drove it a few weeks during the bumper build and shuffling it around to keep it safe from the fires here. It rode firm, but much better than a worn out OEM front, or and overcharged gas shock setup...Once the bumper and winch was installed , IMO, it was smooth and completely comfortable.
J
