We roamed the expo and talked to all of the suspension brands at Overland Expo East 2024 to see what’s new (and got a little intel on what’s coming up at SEMA!).
Here are the latest from Dobinson USA, Apache Offroad, Eibach, Fortune Offroad, Ironman 4×4, JRI/AccuAir, Air Lift, Archive Garage, SuperSprings, Koni, and Old Man Emu. Video below shows what each brand had on display, followed by a few highlights, notes, and photos from some of the brands.
Dobinson USA
The big news from Dobinson USA was the launch of their Universal long-travel kits, available for a wide range of vehicles by matching up shock lengths with intended travel. Check this post for more tech details.
Cutaways show the difference between the standard and piggyback versions, both of which are fully rebuildable. The mono-tube shocks have the IFP (teal O-ring) in the body, whereas the piggyback versions put that in the external reservoir.
They also make a lot of vehicle-specific kits, control arms, and upper and lower linkages.
Apache Offroad
With a focus on Toyota 4Runners, Tacomas & FJ Cruisers (plus Lexus GX 470 & 460), Apache Offroad builds suspension parts for rough conditions. Shock bodies are overbuilt with thick one-piece lowers…
…and their upper & lower links for the rear are oversized, extra thick (0.3″!) DOM Tube, and use offset mounting points to deliver more clearance around the axle and fuel tank. They’re also slightly longer to re-position the wheel slightly rearward to offset taller suspension lifts, putting the axle back where it started at stock height.
They also make overbuilt sway bar links, upper control arms, and Panhard bars.
JRI / AccuAir
JRi Shocks makes a wide variety of aftermarket suspension for cars, motorcycles, and even Slingshots. Here they’re showing off their long-travel kits for the Ford Bronco, but across the tent (and in the video) is their sister brand, the AccuAir adjustable ride height suspension.
Their complete air suspension kits for the Jeep Wrangler let you go from 1″ to 5″ of height adjust with the click of a button. Or, adjust any single wheel individually or front and back together. It can even auto-level your vehicle.
The air bags are at all four corners, with a compressor and tank under the vehicle and regulator and controller inside. A wired remote lets you control it from inside or out, or pair with your phone and do it all wirelessly via Bluetooth.
SuperSprings International
I’ve been looking at SuperSprings International’s helper leaf springs for my van to bring the rear end up when it’s fully loaded, but they do a lot more than that, and they’re mostly easy bolt-on upgrades.
They make progressive urethane bump stops that help manage heavy vehicles with graduated support, plus coil helpers that slot directly into your coil springs, two-piece bump stops, and SumoSprings that attach to your leaf springs for extra support. If you’re a little saggy or bottom out too hard, check them out.
Eibach
Eibach was showing off their Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pro Truck Lift Systems. Stage 1 (left) uses a clip-in lower spring seat to fix the position and ride height. Stage 2 (center) switches to a wider shock body with threaded lower seat so you can adjust the height & travel.
Stage 2R (right) keeps the same front coil-overs but switches to a piggy back rear shock for more oil volume to deal with the heat from more aggressive offroad driving.
All of their products sold in North America are made in the USA, and word on the street is there are several other suspension brands using rebranded Eibach springs on their shocks and kits.
Ironman 4×4
Ironman 4×4’s suspension is unique in that their top-of-the-line FoamCell Pro shocks (left) use a closed cell foam inside rather than a nitrogen gas-backed IFP. This lets them use more oil so they stay cooler and reduces the chance of air-and-oil mixing (aka “cavitation”). These have an adjustable threaded spring base, too.
In the center is their standard gas IFP shock with fixed spring seat for more budget-friendly builds.
The really unique thing they offer are these 2″ lift coilover struts for Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback, and the Toyota RAV4. Rather than the common spacer used to add ride height to those crossover vehicles, these add 2″ of actual travel AND ride height, giving you a much more capable vehicle.
If you’re interested, they have some huge discounts going on during October w/ code BOO24.
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