Bolt-in Sway-A-Way 2.5x8" coil-over shocks
Published by Trails Less Traveled on April 9th, 2004
INTRODUCTION
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We set out to explore the performance of the bolt-in replacement Tacoma coil-over front shocks. There are a ton of them on the market, so we bought, installed and tested a few of them.
Sway-A-Way is known as a manufacturer of high performance suspension components. Their line of bolt-in RaceRunner coil-over shocks for the Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra and Sequoia are 2” diameter and have 5.5” stroke with threaded shock bodies that allow for adjustments in lift and ride height. Its a great upgrade, but a little short of the performance we were looking for. The small diameter shock body doesnt hold much fluid, and the shock stroke left us wondering if we could squeeze any more travel out of a different setup.
King is another prominent manufacturer selling bolt-in Tacoma/Tundra replacement coil-over shocks that we evaluated. The main differences are that the King shocks use 2.5” diameter bodies and use an internal nitrogen charged reservoir. The larger diameter Kings have a greater fluid capacity and the reservoir helps to prevent shock fade, but these apparent advantages are offset by the stroke of the shock, which is exactly the same as stock (4.5”) and wont allow for any increase in suspension travel.
We havent had a chance to test the Fox Shox replacement coil-overs, but have heard good things about the quality. The shock features and performance seem similar to the bolt-in Sway-A-Way 2.0” RaceRunner shocks.
We ended up adapting a pair of 2.5×8” stroke Sway-A-Way coil-overs and have been really pleased with the performance. Sway-A-Way 2.5”x8” stroke shocks have a fluid capacity similar to the Kings and offer more suspension travel. The 8” Sway-A-Ways are a universal racing shock that we ordered from Kartek (part numbers are listed at the end of article). They will bolt-in similar to other shocks, using Total Chaos upper shock mounts that we purchased (shown below), and they can be installed to provide more travel and 0-3.5” of lift. The shocks can be ordered custom-valved for any application, but Sway-A-Way or Kartek can recommend valving for your truck based on weight and intended use.
These installation pictures also show a replacement uni-ball upper control arm that Total Chaos manufactures. We did test the shocks with stock arms, but found that the Total Chaos arms allowed additional extension travel and better suspension geometry (on lifted trucks). Recommended ride height is still determined by CV angles, which these arms will not affect, and should not exceed 2.5” for a 4wd truck with automatic hubs. 2wd Prerunner trucks and 4wd trucks with manual hubs are able to get away with slightly more than 3” of lift without many problems.
INSTALLATION
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The Total Chaos shock mounts are made out of 4130 and position the Sway-A-Way shocks up high in the shock bucket to allow for the proper eye-to-eye length at full compression.
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Remove enough pressure from the Schrader valve to allow the shock to be compressed and installed on the vehicle. Use nitrogen to re-pressurize the shock to 200psi before driving it. THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP. An alternative is to pressurize the camber to 200psi with air, and then drive it to a shop that can pressurize nitrogen bottles with a Schrader fitting.
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There is no binding or bottoming through the suspension travel. At full compression (compression bump stops removed) there is still 1/4” of shock shaft exposed, and with 8” of stroke the shocks will never be a limiting factor on extension travel. In fact, these shocks MUST be used with some form of limiting strap to avoid damage to the CV shafts and suspension components.
Note the limiting straps installed on the leading edge of the control arm and shock tower, in line with the shock. The clevis mounts at the upper end of the limiting straps provide for about 2 of threaded adjustment and should be mounted so that the tension can be taken in as needed, because the straps are designed to stretch approximately 20% in order to function as a progressive stop. The mounting tabs are easily welded into place after the determining the exact mounting dimensions.
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Observe the difference in suspension travel between the blue King shock on the passengers side (image left) and the Total Chaos upper replacement control arms with the red Sway-A-Way 8” stroke shocks installed on the drivers side (image right). Stock Toyota TRD coil-overs (Bilstein) and King replacement shocks are both only capable of providing 6-7” of suspension travel, measured at the wheel. In comparison, the combination of Total Chaos upper control arms and 8” Sway-A-Way shocks allow for closer to 10” of measured vertical wheel travel. Practically speaking, travel should probably be limited closer to 8-9” in order to extend the life of CV shafts.
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Any time adjustments are made to the ride height of an IFS truck, it must be realigned in order to maintain proper handling characteristics and promote even tire wear. After we installed our Total Chaos upper replacement control arms and Sway-A-Way coil-over shocks, we set the desired ride height at 3” of lift over stock. Our truck has manual hubs and will not be driven at high speeds in 4wd often, so we were not too concerned with CV wear or CV boot failures.
PARTS LIST (Kartek Part Numbers)
- Sway-A-Way Shock, 2.5” x 8” emulsion, 7/8” w/spherical bearings
Part # 56000-408
Quantity 2 - 2.5” Coil Carriers, Single Rate
Part #56107-100
Quantity 2 - 14” long x 600lb/in, 3” ID Coils Springs
Part # 14/600/3
Quantity – 2 - Spacer, 5/8” heim to 14mm Tacoma (lower shock mount adapters)
Part # 56702-002-1
Quantity – 4 - 12” Limiting Straps from Kartek
Part # FIL-46040312
Quantity – 2 - Adjustable Clevis Mounts from Kartek
Part # CLV-123
Quantity – 2This Article was originally published on Off-Road.com June 2003
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