Walker Evans Suspension

[gfhynes]

Hey guys,

I looking at putting in an order with you guys at All Pro for the group buy. I'm thinking of the Walker Evans setup front and back with the 3" leafs in the back.

I was wondering if any of you guys have any input on the right setup to go with - 2.5" vs 2.0" coil-over in the front, res vs. non-res, etc. I'd be getting the All Pro UCA too as well as the brake line extensions. Is there anything else that you would recommend getting? Are there any driveline issues or alignment issues with putting in a setup like this. I lifted a truck in the past and it was just a nightmare and would like to avoid that.

I won't be hardcore off-roading much but I'll be on lots of rough, muddy, gravel roads. I'll also be looking to upgrade the front and rear bumpers down the road.

Any input would help a lot.

[freeze]

Let's see.

Oriontaco (Chris K) can speak on the EWR rear shock set up with the 3" leaf pack.

Resivoirs help with the shock fade going over bumpy roads at speed or long distance. The Extra fluid in the resi helps keep things cool. So it depends on what you're doing with your Toyota. Slow crawling isn't going to matter if you have the resi but faster gravel roads is where it will come into play.

The UCA's are important to keep your caster/camber in check after lifting. You will want at lest the rear brake line extensions and if you can spare the fronts are nice to have as SS lines give better pedal feel.

I think you've got all the right parts so you shouldn't have any issues. It now depends on resi or non.

Anyone else have anything to add?

[oriontaco]

I have the 2.0 Resi's in the rear with the All pro 3" leaf pack. Great on road ride and yes fast rutted out roads are great no axle hop no funny jumping around in the back(they do like the extra weight of my topper when I have it on).

I would forsure do them again.

To add you may want to look at the spindle gussets as the spindles are weak in these trucks.

[gfhynes]

Thanks for the help guys.

So would you recommend the 2.0 reservoir shocks up front or the 2.5 non-res considering an upgraded bumper down the road or does it matter?

Thanks again and Merry Christmas.

[oriontaco]

I have the Fox 2.0 up front but it is pretty well the same thing as the WE. They both have the adj. damping and All-pro has the right coil for it. I get 3" with allpro plate front bumper, Warn 9.5xp, (much heavier then stock battery) G31 Commercial Optima, and Vision X 8550 Aux lights. Lots of wieight on the front and the 2.0 takes it no problem, it is more about the coil.

[gfhynes]

Thanks so much for the input guys.

[gfhynes]

Hey,

I'm looking to order some rims soon with the above setup. What dimension rims should I get to avoid any rubbing with 285 tires? And I think I'll need rims with 4.5" backspacing right?

Thanks.

[freeze]

Yes. 4.5 BS is the safest. You can also run a 4.0 BS also with real minor inner fender flare trimming near the body mount.

If you run the stock bumper, you may need to trim some of the front inner bumper.

Also look for the true measurement of the tire as each tire size is different depending on the manufacturer. Ex: Goodyear 285/70 may equal 33" VS. Yokohama 285/75 may equal 32.7"

[the_kernel114]

no matter what back spacing either 4.5 or 4.0, you will rub the cab mount with 285's if you actually drive the truck offroad, i have 255/85/16's with 4.0 back spacing on the rims and i still rubbed the cab mount when i flexed the suspension. the width of a 285 is what is going to make you rub like crazy on plastic and the cab mounts.

[gfhynes]

Should I go 16" or 17"?

Also, would a 265/75R16 tire with 4.5" backspacing should give you no rubbing issues at all but would provide nearly the height of a 285?

[the_kernel114]

a 17 will give you many more wheel options, only a select few of 16's fit our trucks because the calipers stick out so far.
a 265/75 is about a 32 and you shouldn't rub at all with this size, a 285 is around a 33 and you will most likely rub the cab mount cause of the extra width.

[gfhynes]

Thanks for all the help. How much is involved in trimming the mounts to make room for 33" tires? Is it a very big deal?

[freeze]

I beleive it depends on the tire brand you use if you're going to get body mount rubbing or not as well as your caster plays a part in the tires rubbing.

I think Beachboy (Etienne), Spooky08 (Will), and oriontaco (Chris K.) can give thier opinions on their set up and if they rub as well.

All three have different suspension set ups as well but run Mickey Thompson MTZ and ATZ.

To trim the body mount, you have to chop off the metal closest to the tire and re-weld a plate back on and re-paint.

[Dante's Taco]

Sorry to resurrect this thread but...

I need advice fast! I want to get in the next AllPro group buy (deadline April 1st).

Time to pull the trigger on the suspension. I'm going to order front for now...

This is what I'd like: Walker Evans Adjustable Reservoir Coil-overs. I was initially looking at OME 886,s but... our dollar is doing so good right now..

Just to confirm:

this will let me run a heavier aftermarket bumper + winch?
As I add a rear suspension lift later(like the Allpro 3" kit, lets say), this can adjust ride hight / level truck?
do I absolutely need to mess with UCA or other things initially with these?
Is there something other than these coilovers that I will need to get to install them? (like sway bar stuff or gussets or whatever... kinda of a noob here..)


Thanks guys - I appreciate all your wisdom!

[oriontaco]

Sorry to resurrect this thread but...

I need advice fast! I want to get in the next AllPro group buy (deadline April 1st).

Time to pull the trigger on the suspension. I'm going to order front for now...

This is what I'd like: Walker Evans Adjustable Reservoir Coil-overs. I was initially looking at OME 886,s but... our dollar is doing so good right now..

Just to confirm:

this will let me run a heavier aftermarket bumper + winch?
As I add a rear suspension lift later(like the Allpro 3" kit, lets say), this can adjust ride hight / level truck?
do I absolutely need to mess with UCA or other things initially with these?
Is there something other than these coilovers that I will need to get to install them? (like sway bar stuff or gussets or whatever... kinda of a noob here..)


Thanks guys - I appreciate all your wisdom!

1. The adjustability of the coilover will allow you to dial in the height and accomodate for the sag of the weight.
2. The coilover is adjustable so you can install them and just not crank them up until you have the back done aswell.
3. The upper control arms are not necessary but they do help with correcting the geometry of the suspension after the lift, but you can roll without touching them.
4. If you want to keep the sway bar then you need to get sway bar end links to accomodate the lift. The factory spindles are apparently weak so i did the gussets but I dont think that many people do them. If you do them then you have to run spacers on the front wheels if you are keeping factory wheels or they hit the gusset.

I hope this helps

[Dante's Taco]

^
Thanks!

It sure does help. I don't know how to weld, but I'm sure some one could help teach me with the gussets.

[freeze]

When welding the gussets you just have to ensure that the temp isn't too hot that it warps the spindle. But that's about it!

Chris K. covered it pretty easily! This is gonna be an awesome build Geoff!

[Dante's Taco]

So... after doing some more reading on various forums, it seems people out there do not have much love for Walker Evans coil-overs.

Tacomaworld had a poll between them & Fox: Fox won 15 votes to 0. Most of the complaints seem to be about failures on the trail, and conversely about how much better Fox products are.

Has anyone heard of WE issues? Is this a well known problem with WE products? I would rather get the right product the first time, even if it is $200 more.

thanks guys.

Geoff

[freeze]

I wish I could really help out here Geoff but my experience has only been with FOX. I've seen Chris K. W.E. rear set up and seems to be holding great so far.

The FOX has seen over 30,000KM already and about 10,000 of that was purely off-road and gravel... I like the roads less traveled! I did loose nitro pressure in the rear shocks but the front 2.5's held fine.

The only person with W.E. is David E. on his TT FJ but he just got them not too long ago.

The other questions to ask would be:
- where do I get these re-built and average cost
- how is the warranty handled with All-Pro
- are the people complaining about W.E. actually running the product

Other than that I wish I could offer more.

[Dante's Taco]

So regarding FOX, how do you get them rebuilt? Is there any local place (Calgary / Edmonton) that you know/trust?

I realise forum reviews are to be taken with a grain of salt - kind of like the religion that is found around people's choices of tires :D but.... when many of the comments I found are negative, it does make you think twice about plunking down $800.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/45406-fox-walker-evans-racing-shocks.html
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81909
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237530

I might be changing my order to FOX...