ELKA

I haven’t had it up the Dempster Highway yet, because of Covid restrictions, but I’ve had it off road and on rural Ontario gravel back roads. It’s very smooth, the big 2.5 shocks certainly help. This is a very high performance suspension, and pretty big improvement over OEM. It’s firm, smooth and comfortable all at the same time. I’ll know better once I start travelling again on the big remote roads up north.

 

Thanks for your prompt and helpful response. I will definitely look him up when it's time - hopefully he'll remember exactly what he did for you and be able to duplicate what he did for you, LOL, because it sounds awesome.

I think we have another thing in common besides loving 4Runners: the desire to drive the Dempster highway. In fact, last year I'd mounted Duratrac tires on my truck but switched them to KO2's when I read about the weaker sidewalls on the Duratracs! Precisely because I was thinking about the Dempster driving conditions. 2020 was supposed to be the year I'd drive out west and then up to the Dempster. Then, of course, covid happened and wrecked everyone's plans. But I don't think it's a great idea to be driving out west and north with an Ontario plate these days, anyway. Aside from the restrictions, I've heard of out-of-province and out-of-country vehicles being vandalized by fearful (and vengeful) individuals. So it's probably wise to wait. Hopefully things will eventually improve.

What we don't have in common is mechanical ability...I admire you DIYers but with me, it's trusted mechanics all the way. I can reasonably handle a camera and telephoto lens, but don't give me a wrench. I carry a shovel, recovery boards, and a recovery strap, but that's the extent of it. Oh, and I know I can change a tire. LOL By the way, one of the reasons I added the Megawarrior roof basket to the truck is that, in addition to the recovery boards and shovel, it will carry a second spare tire and a gas can for the Dempster highway trip, if I ever go.

Thanks again and take care.

 

Any photos of said 4R???

I figured if your username was 4Runner Shutterbug...

 

Good point, man. Unfortunately I am usually travelling solo and am so busy looking for wildlife that I never stop to take pics of the truck. Unlike my kids, I don't stop for selfies every 5 minutes as I travel along. LOL So I don't have any recent pics on my phone or cameras...I'll post a couple as soon as I have a chance. Thanks for the reminder...guess we all have to do the show and tell thing.

 

Yes, true for me as well. We were supposed to go the Dempster this past summer, but hopefully in 2021. There’s the road to Labrador and down through Newfoundland as well, so many roads, so little time these Covid days!

 

Yup, you're right! My son did both drives (Dempster and Labrador) in his 2003 SR5 just before the frame rot made it unsafe and we had to scrap it. Too bad...that was a great truck, with a sunroof and 5-speed manual! Didn't have all of the fancy 4x4 stuff we have now, but it had great clearance and off-road capability. Anyway, he's been pushing me to do these drives for a couple of years now. We'll see, hopefully next year...thanks for all the info and for the great conversation.

 

Those Elka’s might be the best looking shocks I’ve ever seen.

 

They are pieces of high industrial art, for sure.

 

So I saw a thread here or another froum and some vendor is sayin the 700lb spring is a ball buster. Then I see other posts sayin they ride like butter? Whatcha all think?

 

Lol, definitely not! In fact I would say, don’t buy anything less than that. 700 is perfect. Perfect, at least for ELKA. I think it must have to do with the the way they build and set up their shocks. On mine, I have big 2.5 shocks. ELKA did a lot of research on these, and it shows. I spoke with one of their engineers and he said they tried 650, but it wasn’t enough. A 4 Runner is heavy, that’s why the front end looks so sagged out on stock vehicles.

 

Ride is so subjective.

I suspect Elka compensates for their heavy spring (700lb) with softer shock valving, just like I suspect King compensates for a lighter spring (550lb) with stiffer valving (relatively speaking, of course).

The coils on our stock truck are suspected to be 590lbs or thereabouts. They aren't sagging when new. They are designed to be low in the front, most likely to improve the already shitty aerodynamics. I think the stock spring rate is sufficient for our trucks, but I did feel the valving on the Tokiko shocks are too soft. That's why so many people report huge ride improvements just by switching to a shock with firmer valving. It's amazing the difference shock valving can make on the way our trucks ride.

 

I’m just glad you brought my attention to the Elka setups! Had no clue they even existed and I’m definitely interested now!

 

I would prefer less floaty-ness around town, though it’s far from intolerable. But on the highway, the 4runner cruises like a 1979 Cadillac. Impressive for a 4x4. I think that’s a big reason why these trucks remain so popular. They are incredibly versatile. Arguably, the most versatile vehicle on the road. They do well with whatever you throw at it.

Like camera lenses, it’s all about compromise. You can get the perfect lense for every situation, but you’d have to carry 7 lenses with you. If you want to travel light with an all-in-one lens, that comes with compromises.

The T4R is that compromise in vehicles. And it amazes me how well it fits the bill. I think they ruined the 3rd gen Tacoma with the new 3.5L engine. It lost the perfect balance that the 4runner has (and the 2nd gen Tacoma had).

It sounds like the Elka suspension nailed it. And is a really nice match to the 4runner.

 

There’s a surprising amount of engineering that goes into a modern high performance shock absorber. So, I’m not sure soft and stiffer valving covers it, but I accept your general thesis, Nimby. It’s all in the design. When I spoke with one of Elka’s engineers, by happenstance during Covid I was redirected to him working from home, he said that the stock spring is 600. They tested 650, and it was ok, but they found in their research that the truck needed 700. I believe him now that I have their design on my own vehicle and I’ve experienced it. The stock front coilovers do provide a smooth soft ride, and presumably good articulation off road, but they also provide nose diving on even moderate braking, and a nose down rake that looks worn out, imho. That’s why when Toyota improved the Pro, to set it apart as the ultimate 4 Runner, they gave it an improved suspension up front.

 

Pro front coils are 550lbs. Just saying. The difference is in the valving.

The engineers at Elka are designing a complete package, which includes spring rate and valving. Both have to work well together for a quality shock.

 

I'm really thinking about the Elkas, replacing the RevTek kit with Elkas.... It's good to hear the discussion about spring rates, I know it was a big deal on the drag car, and this is a little different, so ya. The Elka replace thing might happen at Christmas, I've been a kinda good boy.

 

If you want to keep your rear spacer you can get Elka’s up to 3”. I wanted level, so I went with the factory default of 1 1/2” on mine, but I’m kind of conservative about lifts, lol. Even so, I put a Cornfed 1/2” spacer in the rear just to keep the slightest positive rake. That much spacer is imperceptible, but it’s there. With already having 2” in the rear, you have a lot of options with the front. If you order from the factory, they will do a custom set up for you for anything you want, height, shock performance etc. Elka is a small Canadian manufacturer so every customer gets personal service if they need it.

 

So, in summary - 2.5 adjustable struts & springs, set at 1.5", w/ JBA UCAs up front, 2.5 shocks in rear with stock springs & 1/2" Cornfed spacers?

 

That’s it!

 

I'm rebuilding a old Honda 4 wheeler and Elka is the way to go, plus their prices are the best around for a quality suspension product. The customer service is top notch, the infinite possibilities of the same shock are fantastic. Besides Elka, Labatt Blue beer, Canadian products are on top of my list! Thanx Oldtoyotaguy.

 

@Oldtoyotaguy, a question - on this page

https://us.elkasuspension.com/produ...ota-4runner-2010-to-2019-2-in-to-3-in-lift-2/

It states

"Ride height is preset from our factory at approximately 2.5 in. of lift at the front for most setups, actual ride height may vary depending on wheels dimensions and lift kit or upper control arms used."

Did you have to ask them to put the fronts at 1.5" ride height?

Edit: Never mind...I now see that you most likely got these, not the ones listed above:

https://us.elkasuspension.com/produ...ota-4runner-2010-to-2019-0-in-to-2-in-lift-2/

 

Hey glwood54 - they make several sets of shocks - one kind is up to 2”, factory default 1 1/2” (level) and another for 2-3”. They’re different part numbers. I ordered 2.5 IFP, but you can get 2.0, external reservoirs etc., also with or without KDSS.

 

I did see that after I posted, thanks, although I don't see where it states whether the kit is for KDSS or not.

 

The KDSS ones that are 2.5 are listed last. It is a bit confusing. I really like that you can get a KDSS specific set up. Typical Elka. Lots of engineering and good design.

 

Got my tracking number today!

I'll have them soon!

 

You’re going to love it. That’s a huge upgrade from stock.

 

Hey @Oldtoyotaguy

Just so I'm understanding correctly. In the rear, you just used Elka's 2.5 shocks and put a spacer for the stock real coil?

Thinking of going a similar direction if so.

 

Yup, that’s it. Elka told me it would be level as supplied, but I wanted an ever so slight positive rake so I decided to add 1/2” to it. I used a Cornfed spacer, and it’s perfect. It looks level. Btw, level is in the eye of the beholder! It can be measured many ways, but if you want to be certain, put a level on your frame.

 

Thanks for that!

I'm with you in that I prefer the rake. Maybe not as aggressive as stock, but a rake none the less.

 

Mine is almost imperceptible, but it’s there.