Factory style shocks w/ adjustable dampening

Background - I have an integra that I’m building. I’ve had various suspension setups with adjustable dampening shocks. Currently running Koni Yellows that have compression adjusters on top of the shock and they are fantastic.

Is there something like this for Tacomas? Shocks that have compression and/or rebound adjusters and allow you run whatever coil spring you want... without voiding your warranty. Can be rebuilt and re-valved to your specs. Konis are btw.

I’m lifted 5100/888s/icon aal and the dampening is ok. Not much better than stock OR bilsteins.

I would like to adjust the dampening to be a little softer for when I’m off roading and stiffer for daily driving. I hate to have to upgrade to Fox or Kings just for that feature which I feel is too expensive and I wouldn’t be using them to their fullest to justify the expense.

sidenote- even a coil-over conversion option to convert 5100s or 6112s to an adjustable coil sleeve would be awesome as well. If you’re familiar with Koni dampeners, you can purchase a sleeve kit that sits on the shock collars and allow you to run pretty much any 2.5 flat coil springs you want and be height adjustable.

 

Most aftermarket coilovers with remote reservoirs have dampening adjusters, in example ADS, Fox, Icon and King. They do cost $1,000+ due to the quality and adjustability. Unfortunately, truck parts prices are much different than car parts prices. I don’t think sleeves are an option, just the collars to be cranked that adjusts height

 

Koni produces red Heavy Track 88 Series and Raid 90 Series (no front 90) variants for the 4-Runner/LC Prado/FJ Cruiser. The front shocks should fit the Taco, there is probably something from another app that will work for the rear. The front set is not adjustable on the vehicle, and being a coil over = a complete pita to change the rebound. They could be custom built with external adjustments, but you will pay a pretty penny for that service.

I was a Koni dealer for many years, and tried very hard to get their products into a bracket that could work in North America. Many convos were had, and some went as far as including the engineers in Netherlands. Ultimately, the price is too high and places them in direct competition with glitzy coilovers as like King, Fox, etc. Those have their place, and I build and run them on many vehicles, but many would be served well by a big bore adjustable twin tube.

 

I think after doing much research, 5100s are compatible with the toytec coilover kit which are adjustable sleeves but that leaves me with a non adjustable dampening struts. The cheapest quality coilover with adjustable dampening is $1700+ for just the fronts.

 

Its either entry level or full blown race dampeners with adjustable everything. Nothing really in between. I guess if you’re in my position, there’s no choice but to go up to get that adjustment feature. But 2.5/3 for that feature alone is a tough pill to swallow.

 

Old thread I know but what'd you ever end up doing? I had an Integra as well that I used to autocross race. It had adjustable compression KYBs and progressive H&R springs. This was way back in the early 2000s. The shocks weren't expensive at all and the adjustment range worked great and was very noticeable. My Tacoma is stock height. I don't plan on lifting it in the rear. For the front, maybe keep it stock height or go up 3/4" to level it. My stock 2022 SR shocks are too firm and jittery on the road. Can feel everything.

 

I also come from a tuner background and had this same issue when I was looking for a setup for the Taco. I've always had adjustable damping and I do not know why there is not a mid-level option that is adjustable for this, it's super irritating. Ended up going with ADS 2.5's with resi's and external damping because I knew I would not be happy without adjustment (mostly to allow it to be softer). TBH I'm still not happy. The suspension is beautiful but excessively stiff, even with a custom tune to be softer. It's currently en-route back to them to have the tune softened up even more. Hopefully it will be comfortable this time.

 

That really sucks to go through all of that. Do you have stiffer springs? Also, a lighter load rated tire really helps. I did see Rancho makes an externally adjustable shock for the Tacoma but I'm not sure if that's a quality product. Not sure who makes them for Rancho. Who knows. Could be one of the major brands with a different sticker on it.

I've got a line on a set of factory TRD pro suspension, which probably rides great but, I'm still thinking having the compression adjusters would be best. A cheap option for me would be to test out some factory take-offs from a TRD OR. They can be had for cheap. Some people say they ride rougher than my SR and some say they ride plush. Go figure! I could test one at the dealer to see I suppose.

 

The springs are softer all around (650lb front & deaver j66 rear). Tires are C-load 285's but ride nicer than the Wranglers that came off. My issue is definitely valving. ADS has me close with the last tune, but high speed compression needs to be softened up and rebound damping needs to be increased (so the shocks don't extend so fast). I asked them for a few other changes but those are the biggies.

Currently, I miss my offroad shocks every day. The SR rides like like a cheap car. The offroads are valved much softer, probably the softest available shock for these trucks. If this setup doesn't come back amazing this time I might just try to find another set and run them with spacers. I'm so sick of messing with this suspension day-in-day-out for the last 6 months.

 

Hmm. Your Offroad shocks rode pretty smooth huh? I can snag a set off Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist any day of the week and toss them on to see how they do. I've just hesitated because I've had quite a few OR owners tell me the opposite, that they rode rough.

I don't know what Toyota did with the SR shocks. My 2018 was super soft. Had a great soft but dampened feeling ride. Did great on washboard fire roads too. My 2022 should be the same but it's not. They're black Hitachi shocks but they must have changed them. I had the same wheels and tires on both trucks, 17" TRD Pro with Wildpeaks SL rated in 265/70r17.

 

Same as above... Koni produces an 88 Series Heavy Track Shock for the front of the 120 Series Chassis (FJ, 4R, GX) that should fit. Unfortunately, it is not externally adjustable, it's the style that needs to be compressed to adjust the rebound. It could be converted to external rebound, and even compression, but the conversion won't be cheap. Koni has a small handful of shops which are allowed to perform these tasks, they take it and the valving very seriously.

I'd love to see a double adjustable Koni 90 Series Raid for the Taco, but most folks just don't find expensive twin tubes very palatable.