Ironman Foam Cell Pro vs Fox shocks

Looking for:
95%On-road: a smooth soft plush Cadillac ride over minor imperfections and speed bumps.

Off-road (at speed of 25-40mph): 1-2 hour drives over washboards, whoops, fire roads etc (think Death Valley ), would like a soft non jarring ride.

A low maintenance shock that will last for years

No rock crawling anticipated.

Anyone have experience or input on if I would be best with say Fox 2 or 2.5 IFP or resi’s or Ironman Foam Cell Pro?

 

If you want low maintenance don’t get coilovers. Get something that won’t need to get rebuilt. I have 2.0 rear shocks and they ride great. They’re linear valved so they give both of best worlds.

 

What 2.0’s you have? have you driven for extended time (2-3hrs) on dirt and washboards without shock face on ‘em?

 

Lots of people are very happy with their Ironman setup, but I would not compare them to Fox 2.5

 

For 25-40 over rough roads and whoops; I'd lean more towards a 2.5 remote res shock. I'd give Accutune offroad a call and talk it through with them; they'll give a solid recommendation and give you a set tuned for your rig and use cases.

Also, the occasional rebuild thing is not a big deal; and depending on how they get used and conditions they see, likely going to get a good 2-3 (or more) years out of them. The alternative to a non-rebuildable shock, is just throwing it away and buying new ones; as opposed to just rebuilding and getting more life out of the set. I'd just hold on to your stock ones to throw on if/when the time comes you might need to send them off for a rebuild (if your 4Runner's also a daily driver).

 

yes. That’s the part I worry about is sending them off for rebuild. I’d have to pay mechanic to remove and swap my stock shocks back in then repeat process in a week or two when rebuildable shocks come back in. figure with mechanic costs, shipping and rebuild cost might almost be better to just replace with new pair at that point

 

Yes I love fancy 2.5 adjustable shocks but now I'm thinking what about shocks like Bilstien 5100/6112+5160. I guess they have longer life and when its time just buy new?

 

Yup. That’s what I’m thinking. wonder how much abuse those Bilstein 5100 or 6112’s could handle

 

Cadillac ride on a 4R?

Not gonna happen.

 

Dobinsons IMS is another option as long as by Caddy ride you mean a Caddy CT5 on 21s or something

 

Ironman will not give you a Caddilac ride. In fact, almost anything similar to Ironman (OME/Dobinsons/etc) will not.

What you WILL get is a feel similar to that of a compact car on sport suspension (think Sentra SE-R Spec V or maybe even a non Sti WRX). You will have a little bit of a sport suspension feel, and the truck will drive very nicely. When you go offroad you will be able to handle anything for the most part.

My Ironmans have handled very rough terrain and are amazing. I also had a warranty issue and got to experience Ironman’s world-class customer service. I sent a few photos and had my new coilover sent free and in-hand within 8 days.

 

I off-road on them all the time, no complaints. They pretty well on washboard roads if you air down your tires. I have 5100’s in the front and it’s been a good duo.

 

As long as the ride is softer than a Jeep wrangler I’ll take it.

 

Find a lightly used take-off TRD pro Fox suspension? Its a simple cost effective solution that Toyota already vetted for you. Maybe consider airing down your tires too when off-road to help with the ride?

 

I have Ironman FCP stage 3 kit and I have no problems. If anything I feel more confident in turns as the suspension is tighter but nice and soft off-road. It is the design behind the suspension and I can feel it.