Dirt King has been a growing name in the off-road industry for quite some time, with a lot of tested and trusted products. They have recently updated their lineup and dropped some gnarly new suspension systems. In this post, we’ll be looking at the new 2.0 suspension system which includes front coilovers and rear shocks. I’m also running their updated ball joint UCA, which will have a dedicated post later.
One of the first things that drew me in and got me stocked was the color. They look great, on and off the truck. During my first drive I was blown away by the on-road comfort. My first time off-road, the ride was plush but controlled. I already had newer leaf packs but Dirt King offers a variety of options to pair with your application. Or you can use another brand of choice. You could also get your OEM leaf packs rebuilt.
We covered an install/review video a couple months back. YouTube video included at the end of this post!
Table Of Contents
Just Another Shock?
To give some background, DK has been working on these shocks for several years. From choosing the best manufacturer to align with their high standards (Elka) all the way to their extensive testing and perfecting the tune (with a Toyota/TRD engineer with decades of experience) – the result speaks for itself. A completely uniquely performing shock, utilizing some of the best components to outclass the immediate competition. And come on… having someone help with the process who had an entire career around the Toyota brand we all appreciate so much? Checking off a lot of boxes.
For those on the fence, if you do enough research, you’ll see that all suspension companies are not made the same. DK provides consistent, US-based support, a trusted brand, and attention to detail that can be hard to come by. And at the end of the day, I couldn’t pass up the chance to test these claims.
Features & Specs
Important Features
- coilovers set to 2.5″ of lift (factory weight, no added mods – 3″ max lift)
- threaded coilover body allows for adjustment when adding weight (I maxed out preload at 13/16″ of thread for my setup)
- designed to significantly outperform OEM shocks (great setup to consider to save money over 2.5s)
- built for a smooth, compliant ride (more for slow speeds)
- while not a dedicated go-fast high performance shock, amazing on the street (not too firm, absorbs impacts well)
- perfect for those who primarily drive on-road (still allows for a good weekend warrior experience)
- increases suspension travel
- pair with aftermarket UCAs for best performance (I have DK’s new ball joint UCA)
- true vehicle specific tuning (extensive R&D process)
- progressive valving (well suited for comfort at slow speed, control at higher speed)
- meticulous inspection and packaging
Build Specs
- 2” hard-anodized aluminum (T6061) body (helps with corrosion and cooling)
- shock fluid from Maxima (premium option)
- hardened 5/8” shaft
- internal floating piston
- bolt-on direct replacement (straightforward installation)
- comes with all hardware (spanner wrench, sway bar bracket, etc.)
- cold wound steel springs (maintain their capacity and performance)
- totally rebuildable and serviceable
- fits 2005-2023 Tacoma (2WD + 4WD)
Is This For You? What To Expect
So how can you determine if this shock setup is for you and why you might prefer the 2.0 vs. the 2.5? That’s exactly what I’m here to help with.
To start, these shocks are designed for someone who primarily drives on the street. The ride is very compliant and comfortable. The intention was to design a pleasant on-road driving experience, without any loss in handing. Comfort with control is a good way to summarize it.
This is not a performance shock. But it is a solid OEM upgrade designed to get your truck off the ground and provide more clearance – well beyond entry level lift kits and cheaper alternatives like spacers. This system can certainly handle occasional off-roading trips (which is what most people do) but is not made to bomb super hard and fast. It’s more made for slow speed.
The IFP design (with all shocks, not just these) does slightly limit up travel. This is typical, but if you’re looking to squeeze every last inch of travel, you’re better suited for 2.5s. You’ll likely also expect a higher tolerance for abuse and 2.5s are built with off-road control in mind.
Reservoirs might look cool, but cool can break the bank if its out of budget. The added size and is mainly for cooling, better up travel, fine tuning with adjusters for those who off-road heavily. We wheel pretty hard, so I’m certainly not saying you can’t use these in stressful environments. But it is worth noting the intention behind the 2.0s, especially.
Overall, the choice is based on personal preference and comes down to whether you want that added bit of comfort on the road or you plan on wheeling your rig in some extreme scenarios. Either of these options is a solid choice, with a different audience depending on use case.
Performance Review
On-Road
Talking more on the on-road performance, I’ve driven with these on my rig for over 5,000 miles now. I daily my truck and have gone on a couple longer road trips and could immediately FEEL the difference in ride quality after changing from my old kit. Very plush and super smooth. I did adjust the pre-load to the max to get a little more ride height (to account for added weight). Because I don’t run a sway bar, I look for compliant, but responsive suspension. Especially on shorter, quicker turns and these certainly accomplish the job.
These feel great on the road, Dirt King did a great job with the valving here and dialing these in for a great experience. I previously ran a stiffer, more digressively valved shock, and while they weren’t bad, they weren’t as pleasant to drive on. Not knocking anyone, but something to consider. Some people prefer a firmer ride. Overall these are great to daily drive with on pavement.
Off-Road
Aside from the daily driving I’ve managed to get these out on a couple trails and off-road parks and even tested them alongside the 2.5s (Konrad is running a set). I was a little apprehensive going into it and swapping things out, as I am whenever I add/swap a new part. But after just a day of wheeling and really putting the kit to the test, I was very satisfied. We wheeled all day, through all kinds of obstacles (at various speeds) and these killed it all the way to the finish with no shock fade or issues.
Though they were similar in performance to my previous kts the biggest difference can be felt in the ride feel, everything is just a bit softer. This makes a big difference when off the asphalt, since wheeling can fatigue you if the ride is too stiff. At the end of the day, I’m very happy.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’ve been really impressed. Dirt King hit the mark with the look and feel of these right out of the gate, the darker design with gold accents and logos really stands out and looks (and feels) like a premium option. Having the ability to jump into a solid kit at a reasonable price point is important and suspension is a category that often confuses people and makes decisions difficult.
I know there are a lot of questions around new kits, but once you get a window into the lineup, it’s easier and reassuring to see why they deserve your business. I didn’t want to repeat it too often, but how many shock companies have a Toyota/TRD engineer that’s willing to put their name behind a project like this? And what does it mean when they say it’s the best driving shock line they’ve ever tested? Should speak volumes. This engineer is the same one who has extensive experience with the Fox shocks on premium models like the TRD Pro.
These will compete with all the bigger brands out there and are appropriately priced for what they are. From a performance aspect, the name speaks for itself and you know you’ll be getting a quality product from a brand like Dirt King. I’ve been very happy with these so far can confidently take them on the trail knowing they will perform great and get me home with some added comfort.
YouTube Video
Additional Photos
