the_viking93
New member
First off this isn't me trying to trash talk anyone. I'm just stating facts. I will never claim to be an expert on anything. I am just an offroad enthusiast / weekend warrior with plans for some extended travel in North and South America. To that end I traded in my Jeep for a 2016 4Runner Trail.
I spent months researching the suspension I wanted, and finally decided on Radflo. I purchased their 2.5" body non-res shocks with extended travel front coilovers. Prior to my purchase I e-mailed Radflo to ask about the necessity for extended brake lines, and extended bump stops simply so I could be prepared with all the necessary parts for install. I had already planned on getting Camburg ball joint UCA's. Glenn responded to my e-mail saying none of it was necessary. I also spoke on the phone with a customer service person from Metaltech who said the same thing.
After I installed the kit and got an alignment I went out to hit some trails.
I literally drove about 20' down my first trail and encountered a washout that I crossed diagonally. As I was coming out of it I felt and heard a bang/pop from my rear end. I stopped right there, and climbed under my truck to check for damage and see what happened. I couldn't find anything, so I decided to go home and double check my installation. I turned around and crossed the same washout and it happened again.
Long story short the install was perfect, and everything torqued to spec. With I buddy helping I went to a washout and flexed my suspension several more times trying to figure out what was happening and needed to be fixed.
Turns out I was bottoming out my rear shocks. As I came out of the flex they were bound up and releasing with a loud pop/bang that could be felt in the truck.
I know, I know, I should have measured the shocks before install, but after being informed by two people that there wouldn't be an issue I didn't even consider it.
I called Glenn at Radflo, and that's when it gets interesting. First he tells me that kit isn't meant for extreme offroading. I ask how crossing a washed out rut is extreme offroading, and why would I pay over $2000 for a suspension kit that wasn't fit for crossing ruts. Then he says I really don't need rear bump stops because the shocks had a rubber pad on the rod to absorb impact. I asked him if his shocks are really built for restricting upward movement of the suspension, and I really don't need bump stops. He finally admitted that I actually did need extended bump stops despite advising me previously that I didn't. Glenn also told me that Overland Warehouse never included bump stop extensions with their kits, and the kits he sells are exactly the same which is why he doesn't advise them as being necessary. I have found out that is false. Overland Warehouse used to include 1.5" rear bump stop extensions.
My biggest concern that never got addressed was possible damage from bottoming out my shocks. Both Radflo and Metaltech just told me that damage isn't likely if I wasn't going fast. I bottomed out both rear shocks at least 6 or 7 times while flexing my suspension and trying to figure out the cause of the bang/pop. I had assumed it was another component like my adjustable track bar catching on something.
I resolved this by installing Metaltech 2" bump stop extensions. Now when fully compressed I have about an inch of rod still exposed.
Now I am concerned about my front extended travel coilovers. Once again both companies said bump stop extensions weren't necessary on the front, but now I'm skeptical. I have been trying to get Radflo to get back to me with their total collapsed length, but so far haven't, and I don't want to disassemble them.
I'm just kinda pissed about a lack of taking responsibility for poor advise.
Other than that. I love the suspension. I have the 700 lbs springs in the front to support 150lbs of bumper and winch, and it is perfect. Other mods include Bud Built rocks sliders and a Front Runner roof rack.
I spent months researching the suspension I wanted, and finally decided on Radflo. I purchased their 2.5" body non-res shocks with extended travel front coilovers. Prior to my purchase I e-mailed Radflo to ask about the necessity for extended brake lines, and extended bump stops simply so I could be prepared with all the necessary parts for install. I had already planned on getting Camburg ball joint UCA's. Glenn responded to my e-mail saying none of it was necessary. I also spoke on the phone with a customer service person from Metaltech who said the same thing.
After I installed the kit and got an alignment I went out to hit some trails.
I literally drove about 20' down my first trail and encountered a washout that I crossed diagonally. As I was coming out of it I felt and heard a bang/pop from my rear end. I stopped right there, and climbed under my truck to check for damage and see what happened. I couldn't find anything, so I decided to go home and double check my installation. I turned around and crossed the same washout and it happened again.
Long story short the install was perfect, and everything torqued to spec. With I buddy helping I went to a washout and flexed my suspension several more times trying to figure out what was happening and needed to be fixed.
Turns out I was bottoming out my rear shocks. As I came out of the flex they were bound up and releasing with a loud pop/bang that could be felt in the truck.
I know, I know, I should have measured the shocks before install, but after being informed by two people that there wouldn't be an issue I didn't even consider it.
I called Glenn at Radflo, and that's when it gets interesting. First he tells me that kit isn't meant for extreme offroading. I ask how crossing a washed out rut is extreme offroading, and why would I pay over $2000 for a suspension kit that wasn't fit for crossing ruts. Then he says I really don't need rear bump stops because the shocks had a rubber pad on the rod to absorb impact. I asked him if his shocks are really built for restricting upward movement of the suspension, and I really don't need bump stops. He finally admitted that I actually did need extended bump stops despite advising me previously that I didn't. Glenn also told me that Overland Warehouse never included bump stop extensions with their kits, and the kits he sells are exactly the same which is why he doesn't advise them as being necessary. I have found out that is false. Overland Warehouse used to include 1.5" rear bump stop extensions.
My biggest concern that never got addressed was possible damage from bottoming out my shocks. Both Radflo and Metaltech just told me that damage isn't likely if I wasn't going fast. I bottomed out both rear shocks at least 6 or 7 times while flexing my suspension and trying to figure out the cause of the bang/pop. I had assumed it was another component like my adjustable track bar catching on something.
I resolved this by installing Metaltech 2" bump stop extensions. Now when fully compressed I have about an inch of rod still exposed.
Now I am concerned about my front extended travel coilovers. Once again both companies said bump stop extensions weren't necessary on the front, but now I'm skeptical. I have been trying to get Radflo to get back to me with their total collapsed length, but so far haven't, and I don't want to disassemble them.
I'm just kinda pissed about a lack of taking responsibility for poor advise.
Other than that. I love the suspension. I have the 700 lbs springs in the front to support 150lbs of bumper and winch, and it is perfect. Other mods include Bud Built rocks sliders and a Front Runner roof rack.