Fox vs Elka coilover lift

Ok so I'm looking for some advice and or recommendations on these two lifts. I have a 2020 trd off road that I'm looking to put a 3 inch lift on. I feel like I have it narrowed down to these two complete kits from headstrong off road. First is the fox stage 3 which includes 2.5 fronts with resi, 2.0 rears with resi, hs add a leaf, and spc uca for $2,781. Second is the elka stage 2 kit with 2.5 front and rear non resi, hs add a leaf, and camberg uca for $2,839. Both kits are close in price so cost isn't much of a factor in the decision. My usage for the truck at the moment is about 90% street 10% off road, which might change but will remain my daily so road manners are key. With my limited and light off roading do I really need the reservoirs? And as far as the rear which is better a 2.5 non resi or the 2.0 resi? Also I'm from the East coast so rust can be an issue. I'm just trying to buy once cry once so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

@jberry813 you are familiar with Elka Products.

 

That's a lot of coin to drop on a suspension when you don't even know what you need, add to the fact you are 90% on road which tells me the few times you are offroad are general forest service roads or dirt roads. For that price I wouldn't recommend either.

"With my limited and light off roading do I really need the reservoirs?" Thats a question you have to answer; do you experience shock fade, are your shocks overheating? I'll guess No.
"And as far as the rear which is better a 2.5 non resi or the 2.0 resi?" Same as above, do you need a 2.5 body shock for the extra oil? Another guess, probably not.

You may be better with a Bilstein kit, but your money.

I highly recommend not buying online either. IF you buy online you pay the full price or MSRP, you can typically call a vendor and get 10-15% off what is advertised online.

 

Drive offroad with the suspension you have first. If you like it, get Bilstein 5100s with OME springs. For the type of offroading you describe it'll be good. the 5100s have similar damping properties as the stock shocks so ride will be similar, but you'll get the lift.

If you find the ride deteriorates and overheat then get 2.0s. Reserviors and/or 2.5 are probably going to be overkill for what you described.

 

Appearantly they (Elka) have introduced a new lower level recently....hmmmm...$700 bucks less expensive sounds tempting for a lite duty offroader. I have been planning on the Elka if 2.5's when I get my truck in a few months. One thing I noticed over the 2.0's is the 2.5's are extended travel. If you're wanting to push closer toward 3" of lift like I am, the extended travel should leave you with more down travel left in your shock at ride height I believe. I also believe the ride quality around town and wash boarded fire roads will be better on the Elka vs. Fox because of the valving. At least thats what I've concluded based on what I've read...

 

If you have the spare money, go for it. I had the cheap 2” lift Bilstein and OME setup for about a year. I just upgraded to a Fox 2.5 shock setup and the ride comfort is night and day. I had no idea how bad the old suspension actually was until I got the new one.
If you can afford to get the best suspension and you want a soft and plush ride on the highway and offroad, go with a 2.5 coilover and shock system. There is no cheap suspension that can compare. There’s a very big difference.
Just my personal opinion.

Check out the suspension thread. You’ll get much more info in there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

Welcome to TW!!!

 

Where did you see this at? Gotta link? I just looked at the Elka website & find no hint of a cheaper product.

 

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...s_and_Add-a-leaf_for_2005__Toyota_Tacoma.html


This is what the OP is talking about. The old level 1 is now considered a level 2. Level 1 is now a 2.0 body instead of a 2.5

 

Oh, gotcha. I misread your post. $700 less not $700 total. My bad.

 

Haha....one can dream

 

Learning about UCA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4A3QGLEpTQ

 

I was pretty much set on the 6112/5160 combo but now the Elka 2.0 has my attention. Any real world reviews or experience out there yet on a Tacoma?

 

I am by no means hardcore offroading anything.

That being said I've gone with guys who have nearly 4k in suspension mods. Yeah it is cool. I'm sure they can and will push the limits on that set up eventually.

I can say however, I still have yet to not keep up on places I go with people. The guys I go with are casual offroad nothing crazy so far. The stock suspension is I guarentee more capable than most people are.

Get something practical and quality. Bikstein has been mentioned multiple times, and for good reason. Some 5100's is an upgrade from stock, rides great, and if you're into that kinda thing, looks good too. Runs a 32" tire and is plenty capable.

 

Come on man, you've been here long enough to know triple bypass kings are best for going on gravel roads

 

I find it funny how people react to the cost of the kits I asked about. We're talking about 40k+ trucks, I don't think either of those kits are crazy. They are both mid range kits, not the cheapest but not nearly the most expensive. I said as of now I'm mostly on road, but things change and I'd rather not but another kit later down the road plus they can make my on rode ride better. Out of all the responses I got only a couple actually hit on the topic I asked about while the rest complained about the price and how I use the truck. So for the few who actually tried to help thanks for the butt hurt people oh well.

 

https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/05-tacoma-mid-travel-suspension-kit-stage-5a-fox/

If you're gonna get 1 foot in might as well commit

 

Oh we know, I'm one of the few running over $5k in their suspension. It's because we are all here to help and we've all been where you are at some point; all looking out for your best interest. Trust us, we see lots of regerts on this forum. Everyone who replied has a different suspension setup with a unique perspective.

At the end fo the day you can buy whatever you want, only you can determine whether the ROI was worth it.

 

Its just opinions. I think they’re just trying to be helpful in their own way. They’re just trying to save you some money, even though you weren’t asking for it.
Next time just make sure to say something about money not being a factor. Then you do have an argument about people trying to persuade you to a cheaper alternative

 

I'm in the same bot and I really like both but I don't now which one are the best overall.

Any advice?

Edit: elka are like 3 hours from my home that's why I'm still hesitate

 

If you haven’t pulled the trigger yet go Elka. Especially if they’re that close. You could drive there for a rebuild! I’ll be getting Elka because of the aluminum body and how they’ll last with all the salt on my roadways.