Great video! I have an SJ Forester that I'm looking to build out, so not exactly the same, but pretty close. I keep going round and round with Primative, Ironman, and Rallitek, so any comparison, especially side by side, of the different kits is so awesome to see. I, for one, appreciate the suspension nerd talk, but to just hear the feels and impressions from people that have driven multiple setups is invaluable. Thanks for this!
@@Inquisitive-Badger Honestly, I'm waiting for the Bilstein Terra Sports to be available for the SJ. Then I'll look at who offers a package with them, springs, top hats, all that. Probably Ralli or Primitive.
We ended up with the Spec C on the Crosstrek, and although firm still rode great without any weight. That said we are definitely more used to the ride of a pick up truck than a passenger car, but we really had little complaints about the stiffness. In fact we would probably run the Spec C without weight for a little better turn in and rotation when we want to play "rally driver" out in the woods
The questions that were asked and the expertise and feedback from both those owners was on point. Just wondering like in the racing/off road world, would the one with the Rallytech that bounced like a 2nd time b4 settling, is better or just a one bounce like the Ironman on the family man's rig?
It depends on the size of the hit really. The Ironmans offered a lot more travel so there were some times the Bilsteins were not as surefooted when we really pushed things, but they were generally more confidence inspiring and controlled on smaller hits. That said if we were building something for serious off road use we would use a set of Flatout coilovers and Rallytech arms.
Super grateful for the comparison, any idea when the flat out video is coming? And which they’ll be reviewing? They offer three main options for crosstreks
I hope this channel does a video on them. There’s a channel that has the flatout gr lites(I think) vs the iron man’s. The flat outs were very jarring and bumpy vs the iron man’s but this was at low speeds and for what it’s worth the people who were doing the comparison aren’t the type to take their vehicle to speed like these guys. The flat outs may be far superior. There’s just not enough info or reviews yet.
This is very interesting as it was pretty much the exact OPPOSITE of my experience with these two suspensions. I started off with the Ironman ATS (not SPEC-C) and it was immediately SO much stiffer than the stock suspension. It was painful as hell. Like, really really uncomfortable, shuddery, sharp, unstable ride quality. I switched to the RalliTEK 3" kit with rear arms, sway bar end links (deleted my rear sway bar eventually because it kept coming out of my subframe and was pissing me off so I took it off) and Outback Wilderness front LCA's. The RalliTEK is SO MUCH more comfortable than the Ironman ATS for everyday driving. Way less small bumps come through, way more planted feeling and much better weight support in the rear (I used the rear HD springs from RalliTEK not the XHD). They definitely bottom out way too easily, but overall I'm much happier with the RalliTEK kit. I think I'm going to swap my struts/shocks for the Bilstein B8 Terrasport now that they are released for the Gen2 Crosstrek. This is such an interesting impression from these two drivers that the Ironman is soft and plush, because that was not my experience.
@@ShockSurplus That is interesting for sure! Just goes to show everyone has different feels and opinions on things. I actually went to the Ironman 4x4 US headquarters since I'm local to the area in OR, and they did mention that they were aware the ATS was on the firmer side and were looking into doing a Comfort valved shock, like they do for the Toyota products etc. I also bought mine a few years ago, in like late 2020 so they may have changed they valving since my run of them as well. I think the two suspensions are not mutually exclusive though, if you want you could definitely combine the travel and cost effectiveness of the Ironman kit with the lower links, and sway bar end links from RalliTEK and get that nice alignment that we get from having the adjustable and heavy duty lower links.
Great video, I have yet to see another video with a comparison like this. I run bilstein B6 shocks and H&R racing springs on our crosstrek, and our outback has B8's and ralitek springs
@ShockSurplus The B8's only have about 100 miles on them, Im waiting for a few more parts in the mail then I will get it properly aligned and install new 215/70R16 tires. My initial impressions have left my very impressed, much more compliant than the B6's. I'll try and follow up when I can give better feedback.
Defintiely something we are considering for our Nissan Xterra since it has already had Foam Cell Pros. Although with that said, we do think the Foam Cells will have a hard time keeping up with a real 2.2 or 2.6 inch body monotube like the IMS.
Im from Kenya n man! been watching yo videos for a while now, really love what you guys do.... been saving for this SV Sub pocket friendly on gas plus a mili chances to do off-road adventure. I'm almost there... But to get the right "car doctors " for such an upgrade here such a hustle.... meant to ask you with all due respect,is it easier for you to recommend all the pecs needed for the lift plus the sportlights n i can get them from Amazon this way mechanics here can just install them... Good work Ali n the team.. much respect! kj.
Yup! Bilstein went and released the new Terrasport line about a week or two after we got the Rallitek B6 kit on, LOL so we will likely make the change sooner than later.
@@ShockSurplus I just got the full set of b8's with all the rear arms on my 2019 Forester sport - still getting thing settled in but so far so good! Unrelated where are you guys finding info about forged aluminum front LCA's on the wilderness trim? I'm looking at doing either my bushings (60k hard miles) or just doing the entire arm but if there's an OEM upgrade I'd rather do that! Let me know!
@user-kz8ki4wh4x I am the original source of the 2020+ Outback front aluminum control arms being compatible with the 2018+ Crosstreks. No modifications needed and are complete bolt-on. I recommend them for 2" minimum lift but can be used for 3-3.5" lifts without detriment to the CVs, ball joints, and tie rods.
Awesome video of our Subarus. Thanks for the guidance and the install. Production looks amazing.
Much appreciated!
Great video! I have an SJ Forester that I'm looking to build out, so not exactly the same, but pretty close. I keep going round and round with Primative, Ironman, and Rallitek, so any comparison, especially side by side, of the different kits is so awesome to see. I, for one, appreciate the suspension nerd talk, but to just hear the feels and impressions from people that have driven multiple setups is invaluable. Thanks for this!
What youy thinking of leaning towards
@@Inquisitive-Badger Honestly, I'm waiting for the Bilstein Terra Sports to be available for the SJ. Then I'll look at who offers a package with them, springs, top hats, all that. Probably Ralli or Primitive.
Great video. I was looking at both systems for my Outback and after this I think I’m going with the Ironman setup.
medium or spec c?
@@tlcriss7500not sure yet. Probably medium since the car will be mostly my daily driver with occasional camping adventures in Baja
@@DiscosVideos ah okay 👍, same with my forester, my daily drive. But i wonder how rigid it will be the spec c, to the point where is uncomfortable...?
We ended up with the Spec C on the Crosstrek, and although firm still rode great without any weight. That said we are definitely more used to the ride of a pick up truck than a passenger car, but we really had little complaints about the stiffness. In fact we would probably run the Spec C without weight for a little better turn in and rotation when we want to play "rally driver" out in the woods
@@ShockSurplus got it, but you think its decent for daily driving in city? 🏙️
What size tire do each of the crosstreks run? Is there any rubbing or modifying fender walls to get them to fit before they were lifted or after?
The questions that were asked and the expertise and feedback from both those owners was on point. Just wondering like in the racing/off road world, would the one with the Rallytech that bounced like a 2nd time b4 settling, is better or just a one bounce like the Ironman on the family man's rig?
It depends on the size of the hit really. The Ironmans offered a lot more travel so there were some times the Bilsteins were not as surefooted when we really pushed things, but they were generally more confidence inspiring and controlled on smaller hits. That said if we were building something for serious off road use we would use a set of Flatout coilovers and Rallytech arms.
Super grateful for the comparison, any idea when the flat out video is coming? And which they’ll be reviewing? They offer three main options for crosstreks
I hope this channel does a video on them. There’s a channel that has the flatout gr lites(I think) vs the iron man’s.
The flat outs were very jarring and bumpy vs the iron man’s but this was at low speeds and for what it’s worth the people who were doing the comparison aren’t the type to take their vehicle to speed like these guys.
The flat outs may be far superior. There’s just not enough info or reviews yet.
This is very interesting as it was pretty much the exact OPPOSITE of my experience with these two suspensions. I started off with the Ironman ATS (not SPEC-C) and it was immediately SO much stiffer than the stock suspension. It was painful as hell.
Like, really really uncomfortable, shuddery, sharp, unstable ride quality.
I switched to the RalliTEK 3" kit with rear arms, sway bar end links (deleted my rear sway bar eventually because it kept coming out of my subframe and was pissing me off so I took it off) and Outback Wilderness front LCA's.
The RalliTEK is SO MUCH more comfortable than the Ironman ATS for everyday driving. Way less small bumps come through, way more planted feeling and much better weight support in the rear (I used the rear HD springs from RalliTEK not the XHD). They definitely bottom out way too easily, but overall I'm much happier with the RalliTEK kit. I think I'm going to swap my struts/shocks for the Bilstein B8 Terrasport now that they are released for the Gen2 Crosstrek.
This is such an interesting impression from these two drivers that the Ironman is soft and plush, because that was not my experience.
Interesting, thanks for the feedback. The Ironman felt as described by numerous people on our end, not just the one driver/owner.
@@ShockSurplus That is interesting for sure! Just goes to show everyone has different feels and opinions on things. I actually went to the Ironman 4x4 US headquarters since I'm local to the area in OR, and they did mention that they were aware the ATS was on the firmer side and were looking into doing a Comfort valved shock, like they do for the Toyota products etc. I also bought mine a few years ago, in like late 2020 so they may have changed they valving since my run of them as well.
I think the two suspensions are not mutually exclusive though, if you want you could definitely combine the travel and cost effectiveness of the Ironman kit with the lower links, and sway bar end links from RalliTEK and get that nice alignment that we get from having the adjustable and heavy duty lower links.
Great video, I have yet to see another video with a comparison like this. I run bilstein B6 shocks and H&R racing springs on our crosstrek, and our outback has B8's and ralitek springs
thanks! which ride do you prefer?
@ShockSurplus The B8's only have about 100 miles on them, Im waiting for a few more parts in the mail then I will get it properly aligned and install new 215/70R16 tires. My initial impressions have left my very impressed, much more compliant than the B6's. I'll try and follow up when I can give better feedback.
After a few weeks of driving, I can say I prefer the B8 shocks as I feel they ride much smoother and seem to have increased wheel articulation.
Hello sir, will you compare Ironman foam cell pro with Dobinsons IMS?
Defintiely something we are considering for our Nissan Xterra since it has already had Foam Cell Pros. Although with that said, we do think the Foam Cells will have a hard time keeping up with a real 2.2 or 2.6 inch body monotube like the IMS.
You guys should use my 19 outback and do a B8 terrasport video!
Im from Kenya n man! been watching yo videos for a while now, really love what you guys do.... been saving for this SV Sub pocket friendly on gas plus a mili chances to do off-road adventure. I'm almost there... But to get the right "car doctors " for such an upgrade here such a hustle.... meant to ask you with all due respect,is it easier for you to recommend all the pecs needed for the lift plus the sportlights n i can get them from Amazon this way mechanics here can just install them...
Good work Ali n the team.. much respect!
kj.
How about reviewing some Raceworks Coilovers?
Any plans to review the B8 Terrasport shocks? I've been thinking about picking up a set...
Yup! Bilstein went and released the new Terrasport line about a week or two after we got the Rallitek B6 kit on, LOL so we will likely make the change sooner than later.
@@ShockSurplus I just got the full set of b8's with all the rear arms on my 2019 Forester sport - still getting thing settled in but so far so good! Unrelated where are you guys finding info about forged aluminum front LCA's on the wilderness trim? I'm looking at doing either my bushings (60k hard miles) or just doing the entire arm but if there's an OEM upgrade I'd rather do that! Let me know!
@user-kz8ki4wh4x I am the original source of the 2020+ Outback front aluminum control arms being compatible with the 2018+ Crosstreks. No modifications needed and are complete bolt-on. I recommend them for 2" minimum lift but can be used for 3-3.5" lifts without detriment to the CVs, ball joints, and tie rods.
If only Ironman made something for my Honda Passport...
Only for richdaddy adventure right?😂