Just another TRX on methods…e36Luva’s off-road build

E36luva said:

Just got the truck back from the shop. Too excited had to share some teasers before I take some proper pics and spill the beans on the build. Enjoy

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Thats one vehicle I regret getting rid of (well a few lol) had 2 avus blau 1995 m3’s, one had stupid low miles, probably one of the most fun cars that I have owned.

Air’d outSRT said:

Thats one vehicle I regret getting rid of (well a few lol) had 2 avus blau 1995 m3’s, one had stupid low miles, probably one of the most fun cars that I have owned.

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They really are fun. 50/50 weight distribution with bmw steering never gets old

E36luva said:

Thought it would be worthwhile to do a quick write up on the mods as I get corralled along my travel to Cabo for a wedding.


SUSPENSION:
-Geiser Off-Road Progressive Springs
-ADS 2.5in Bump Stops
-Foutz adjustable panhard bar
-Method 305 18x9 -12
-Falken AT3w 37x12.5

BODY:
-ADD Stealth Fighter front bumper
-Foutz skid plate
-Foutz diff skid plate
-Foutz rear shock guard

ELECTRONICS:
-Baja Designs ONX6 ARC light bar
-Baja Designs XL80s (A-pillar/Ditch lights)
-Baja Designs Squadron Sport (chase lights)
-Kenwood TK-7360HK radio

MOUNTS:
-SDHQ A-pillar mounts
-SDHQ chase light mounts
-Bullet Proof Diesel Third brake light antenna mount
-Bulletpoint mounting solutions Rubigrid dash mount

BED:
-454 Motorsports custom Alpha bed cage (made to fit 2x Hunsaker 8 gal jugs)
-Kibbietech SPEED Tools quick release mount
-SPEED Tools Race Case
-Power Tank 15lb
-Foutz bed organizer panel kit
-Pro Eagle 3 ton jack

SECURITY:
-Ravelco
-Apple air tag
-Springfield TRP

I still have not gotten the “service suspension” code, but a trip to dealer for that and torque check after 500 miles and im ready for the trails. Have the weekend of Sep 10th planned with my buddy and his bronco wildtrak for a run from Fallon to Tanopah NV. Looking forward to providing a review of my first off road run in the beast.


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thing is sexy

Need More E36 Content!

Things are about to get interesting… @sdhq

Very nice...

E36luva said:

Things are about to get interesting… @sdhqView attachment 91503

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You are going to love that upgrade....

Viper1500 said:

You are going to love that upgrade....

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Im pumped. Hoping its a obvious night and day difference. After seeing the new IBP rears, I just had to jump on one of the last sets available of the traditional clickity clackity external bypass setup.

NickKNSF said:

Need More E36 Content!

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NickKNSF said:

Need More E36 Content!

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One of the e36s

E36luva said:

Im pumped. Hoping its a obvious night and day difference. After seeing the new IBP rears, I just had to jump on one of the last sets available of the traditional clickity clackity external bypass setup.

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Its a huge difference. Especially when you push faster and faster over the bumps. They just keep soaking it up.

So after about 100 miles on the street, I feel like I can share some thoughts on the kings.

First thing is, you don’t need 100 miles to feel the difference. From the first few feet it feels like a different truck. The firmness and lack of body roll stand out immediately. So much so that as I cruised down the road I began to brace for a oncoming dip or rut, but then the shocks just soaked it up in a perfectly dampened motion. Gone is the floaty and bouncy sensations. The Cadillac-esq ride quality will be missed, but soon forgotten. The truck feels amazing with the kings right out of the box. The lack of body roll makes it feel like it handles better. I will say I noticed over some slow washboard type ruts that the suspension felt jittery and harsher then with stock shocks, but anything taken at speed just melts under the truck. Its a obvious upgrade no doubt, truck just feels dialed now, really tight but lots of compliance from the kings.

I have a off road trip planned with my buds for the end of May, and I cant wait to let her eat at 90mph in the dirt. Will be happy to report back after the run.



My $.02 on TRX suspension:
•Stock for 1200ish total street miles- Front end felt like it would bounce more then the rear over big bumps/dips. Was one of the main reasons I went with a bumper, wanted to add some more approach angle for off roading.
•Geiser Springs/37s for 3500ish total miles including 600ish miles off road- Truck felt better in regards to the front end nose diving sensation. Overall very stockish ride with the floaty/bouncy unrefined yet perfectly comfortable and smooth ride quality.
•Kings/37s- Transforms the truck, feels like something completely different. Much firmer then stock on the street. Amazing dampening control out the box.

Some e36 content

E36luva said:

Some e36 content View attachment 93683View attachment 93685View attachment 93686

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What track is that? just an open track day or drivers school?

Fastmcars said:

What track is that? just an open track day or drivers school?

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Thunderhill Raceway in Willows CA. Yea just a normal track day

Gucci!!! So awesome

E36luva said:

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How much was it all in for the kings + springs for parts, and how much did your guy charge to install? Still Liking it overall over stock? I'm holding out on any big changes until the stock ones need to be replaced, but love hearing first hand research from people that actually use the truck.

bman17 said:

How much was it all in for the kings + springs for parts, and how much did your guy charge to install? Still Liking it overall over stock? I'm holding out on any big changes until the stock ones need to be replaced, but love hearing first hand research from people that actually use the truck.

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For the suspension and arms your looking at 20k+ in parts. Iirc it was around 2k for install including alignment. Everything is bolt on, its not a involved install.

I have a off road trip planned next weekend the 19th, so very much excited to finally let the kings rip in the dirt.

As for the street performance, i can confirm its stiffer then stock. But when i say stiffer, im only referring to a certain speed range, which is from 10mph to about 40-45mph, so city speeds. The truck sometimes will feel jittery over smaller ruts and such where the stock shocks sort of just bumbled over them. Id say once you get above 50mph and go over the same dip, the truck just floats over, no harshness whatsoever, just a composed single up/down motion.

Whats gone is the rolling and pitching of the body. The stock shocks have a floaty sensation, which aids in the great ride quality, but doesnt tighten up enough during spirited driving, theres just too much bounciness after you hit a single dip. With the kings you stay way more flat over dips while the suspension does the work, it honestly feels like a different truck. What stands out is the softness and composure at fwy speeds, and thats the point of the kings, to be smoother the faster you go. I have a section of road where the truck front end would porpoise as I went along at fwy speeds with the geisers and stock shocks. With the kings the body stays completely flat. I was expecting a improvement, but this was shocking, like i said feels like a different truck.

Overall its a obvious and drastic upgrade. If you drive enthusiastically, then its a must have imo. As others have mentioned, you forget about the lack of adjustable suspension modes, because its always right, all the time, except for when you putter around at 35mph on shitty pavement…

@E36luva is this your daily driver? I absolutely love what you’ve done to it. Your build (along with @916Ghost) is what inspired me to order the Method 305s and WildPeaks (getting put on in a few days). Curious if your comments about the Kings above come from daily driving it or commutes to your off-road adventures.