Ironman 4x4 Suspension Mega-Thread

After looking through the Foam Cell Pro 89+ page thread, it was time to make a mega-thread for all of the IM products, reviews, videos and other information and put them in the first page to helps those looking for more information. Don't overlook this kit just because it is not well known in the Tacoma circles. This brand is big with others and so far does have many happy users.

So, you're looking on information to upgrade your suspension. Fun times! There are lots of great choices and this is one of them. I'll try and put only information here but will link some reviews as well. If you want to know something, you should be able to find it here. I'll be "barrowing" information from the other thread as well.

Why are you interested in Ironman? Is it the bright green springs? That they have been tested and used for years in Australia? They are competitively priced? That buying a kit can come with everything you need? Lets start there.

Stage 1 lift, front coil (Springs and Struts assembled or not), rear shocks, full leaf packs, U bolts & leaf eye bushings (not shackle), carrier bearing drop kit, sway bar spacer.

Stage 2 lift, same as above but with Upper Control Arms.

If you have them built by IM, the cost includes the price of the top hats. If you get them not assembled, the top hats are not included. You can buy those off of Amazon. **Note, most rental spring compressors will not work on the FCP. There is not enough room between the strut and the spring for the compressor fingers to fit***

IM offers 2 types of shocks/struts. Traditional Nitrogen filled and then the Foam Cell Pro [FCP]. The FCP are said to be linear valved.
The FCP is filled with foam in place of the nitrogen. It is supposed to be much better at dissipating heat and does not need an reservoir, like other shocks and struts. I'll post some video links showing the differences below.

Ok, lets get to the product specs-

Thank you to @ohcaltexscar for listing these in the other thread:

Shocks:
12710GR - Nitro Gas - Front
Extended: 564mm
Compressed: 432mm
12744GR - Nitro Gas - Rear
Extended: 609mm
Compressed: 361mm

45710FE - Foam Cell Pro - Front (Rebuildable)
Extended: 540mm
Compressed: 408mm
45744FE - Foam Cell Pro - Rear
Extended: 610mm
Compressed: 379mm

Front coils:
TOY065A - Performance Load
Free Height: 390 mm
Spring Rate: 720 lb/in
TOY065B - Performance Load
Free Height: 382 mm
Spring Rate: 827 lb/in
TOY065C - Constant Load
Free Height: 380 mm
Spring Rate: 827 mm

Rear leafs:
TOY066B - Performance Load
Spring Rate: 0 - 440 LBS
TOY066C - Constant Load
Spring Rate: 440 LBS - GVM

ISL6010 - Add-A-Leaf

UCA001FA - UCA with 4 degree built in caster, OEM style ball joint

45SK7220 - Foam Cell Pro Rebuilt Kit

IWedge08 - 2 degree leaf spring wedge

ISHOCKTOOL001 - FCP Adjustment and Rebuild Tool

------------------------------------------------------
Now that you know what is offered, why choose one over the other.
Foam Cell Pros are adjustable for 0-3'' lift and can be rebuilt
Nitrogen are non adjustable but you can get them in either 2.5 or 3" lift.

Truth About Ironman Foam Cell Pro | In-depth Technical Review & Comparison By Tinkerers Adventure
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G12zF12UnB0

Building the FCP- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrKvX-rHGdo

Kit Install Video- https://youtu.be/a51Ryojuim0

Instal guide (Hilux) https://4x4shop.dk/images/17 Toyota Hilux 2015+ Suspension Kit IM.pdf

Rebuild guide for shocks and struts-
https://store-pusehjx.mybigcommerce.com/content/Foamcell Pro Service Rebuild IM.pdf

Spring Height Adjust Sheet



Different type of shocks- https://www.shocksurplus.com/pages/shock-absorber-design-differences

Specific IM Video on Nitrogen and Foam Cell- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_B4htm26nc



I'll go through the other thread and if there is anymore information to add I will. I'm sure I'm missing something that can be added here.

@Ironman4x4America have anything to add?



There have been a few reports that the bolt on the drivers leaf spring by the gas tank came from Ironman installed backwards. The bolt head should be on the gas tank side. If the threads and nut are on the tank side, they can rub against the tank. See pics below. Easy fix is to add washers under bolt head if the leaf pack is already on your truck. @Ironman4x4America has reached out to help fix the issue. @LiquidArrogance shows how to flip the bolt around using a floor and bottle jack down a few posts.

 

Reserved for reviews.

My Review. Stage 1 FCP with SPC UCA.

@ohcaltexscar Review. Stage 2 Nitro

@Boyettexan Review. Stage 2 Nitro

Thanks @ohcaltexscar for finding these other reviews and threads-

Haslefre's OG 2012 thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ironman-4x4-2-lift.232763/

@Haslefre FCP upgrade
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ironman4x4-foam-cell-pros.367998/#post-10039955

@wcartee thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ironman-4x4-foam-cell-pros-ucas-coil-overs-leaf-pack.649371/

@Matchu thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ironman-4x4-lift.624627/

If anyone sees this and wants to share a review they posted somewhere else, let me know and I’ll add it in here.

 

Nice!

@2013XSPX Do you still deal with the Ironman stuff?

 

Everybody likes pictures right? I’ll leave this one here.

 

Thanks for putting this together Eric! Looking forward to seeing more reviews here and maybe adding mine in the future.

@ohcaltexscar would you happen to know how IM differentiates which spring rate you're getting if the 720 and 827 are both identified as "Performance Load"? That's what I selected for my kit, and idk how to tell which one I'll be getting. I think I'd prefer the 720.

 

You’re welcome!
I’ll offer my answer but it’s really only speculation. I think that the 3” will get you the 720# since they are a little bit taller, by about .3”. Though, that does not mean I’m right lol. It might be best to ask their online chat. They really should list the spring you’ll get with each option.

 

I believe that’s right, @hyrule_trd 's pic-collage from a while back shows all three coil spring options. The TOY065A, TOY065C & TOY065B. That would be my guess as well however, I would still confirm it with their customer service. When I ordered I selected the "performance load 2.5" lift" and got the TOY065A 720# coils.

Their individual product pages don't mesh with the drop-down menu options on the kit page, none of the coil springs list a 2.5" lift in their specs but the kit page does. I know they've updated the website and the kit selection, they were bullet point selections when I ordered instead of a drop down menu.

 

Thanks y'all! I'll be sure to call and verify with them. It would be nice if once you make your selections for the kit, the spec or description section updated to show you part numbers for the springs. Or maybe have part numbers indicated in the drop down menu for selection? I might give them some suggestions when I call

 

That's what I thought too, just adding the part number in the drop down menu would be nice. I like your idea of having it update the included parts list as you make selections.
Or just clarifying what spring are what with part numbers in the description.

 

If anyone with a prerunner is looking at the IM kits I should update here as well that I have now swapped coil springs to some with a 586lbs/inch rate and a 14.75” free height.

I did loose lift height and am sitting about an inch over stock. The coil options with that spring rate are available in many lengths to preserve any lift height you may want though.


You can check out the post on my swap here


I just did it yesterday and I still need to get to the alignment shop (which will be open on Monday) so I have not driven it too much yet but what I have does show considerable ride improvement.

 

WooHoo. Been a LONG time. First post here! Well, I was a member of TW back in the 1900's I think, but that was 3 Taco's ago and I never posted then, and can't remember who I was back then now.

IM took all my money today. All of it! Just plopped down on a full FCP kit Stage 2 with UCA's. Got the boards for free too! I can't wait! This was the first thread I found and pretty recent too. Should make my 17' limited come to life.

 

Welcome (back to TW and ) to the club! We’ve tried to get a lot of relevant and current info in here.

 

Confirming that if you select the 3" Performance Load when you're building your kit that will get you the 720# springs. Ironman was also happy to swap them for me retroactively when I emailed them before picking up my kit.

 

Added to main post-

There have been a few reports that the bolt on the drivers leaf spring by the gas tank came from Ironman installed backwards. The bolt head should be on the gas tank side. If the threads and nut are on the tank side, they can rub against the tank. See pics at the bottom of the first post.

 

*rub

 

Thanks and fixed!

 

Mine's all good. Thanks!

 

Just gonna throw this up in here also for anyone who does find the tank gouge after kit is installed:

Easy fix to anyone wanting to remedy. Floor jack on the pumpkin. Factory jack between the frame and leaf pack. (to clear the bolt on the tank so you can slide it out). Don't even need to remove tire. Just flip the bolt around.

That said: I'm pretty pissed. Part of me feels like IM owes us new gas tanks. How safe is this shit with this gouge on my tank?

 

Yeah dude, your gouge is pretty scary lookin'. @hyrule_trd 's is much more minor.

 

Just a follow up to the incorrectly installed bolt on the drivers side leaf pack saddle, that can gauge the fuel tank. @Ironman4x4America responded in the original Ironman tread, see their post. They’ve reached out to some of the members that have had issues.

This is not isolated to Ironman Leafs but can happen with any leaf pack, including when someone else disassembles a leaf pack. The bolt can be put in the wrong way. I’ll update post #1 as well.

Shout out to @Ironman4x4America for reaching out to those impacted. That is great customer support!