Introducing the Dirt King 2.5″ Dual Compression Adjuster (DCA) Series Coilovers

5th Gen 4Runner Dirt King Shocks

The Best “Out-Of-The-Box” Ride Quality That’s Ever Been Offered?

After two decades of racing experience and building high-end suspension components, Dirt King finally brought a shock offering to the market.

The new coilovers and rear shocks took over 2 years to complete. From design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing, Dirt King wanted to ensure this was the best “out-of-the-box” solution ever built for the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Tundra.

So what makes these shocks special? Both the internals and externals. Let’s start with the internals.

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Internals

Dirt King 2.5" DCA Coilover Reservoir

For the internals, Dirt King partnered with a Toyota Engineer who specializes in tuning and valving OEM shocks for Toyota trucks. Their collective vision was to engineer the most optimized progressive shock ever created as the best “out-of-the-box” solution tailored for 4Runner, Tacoma, and Tundra owners. Their goal in manufacturing was to achieve optimized performance for moderate to severe off-roading without sacrificing daily driving. To sum it up, they wanted to create the best ride quality, unmatched by any other aftermarket shock on the market.

The Dirt King shocks are tuned specific for each model. Part of their process includes performance and stability tests with added weight. The progressively valving delivers unparalleled comfort over small bumps while seamlessly transitioning to a firmer response when hitting bigger bumps at speed to prevent bottoming out, or g-outs. These shocks were designed to ensure a plush ride for everyday driving, yet possess the perfect valving to withstand substantial impacts without bottoming out.

The 2.5″ coilovers and rear shocks also feature DCA (Dual Speed Compression Adjusters) with a wide adjustment range, allowing you to control the high-speed and low-speed compression independently. With the DCAs, you can easily fine-tune the ride quality for your weight and driving style.

The internal piston, shaft, oil, progressive shim stacks, and all hardware components were tested and tweaked for over 2 years by Dirt King in San Diego, CA.

Externals

Dirt King Shock Fittings & Hoses

Dirt King and their partner from Toyota prioritize performance and have partnered with Elka for manufacturing. Together, these three experts bring over 60 years of combined experience, which is what makes a Dirt King shock truly exceptional.

The shock body is hard anodized aluminum which is corrosion-resistant and dissipates heat much better than steel. Other manufacturers like Fox and King feature zinc-plated steel which corrodes over time causing rust on the shock body. Dirt King shocks also feature improved seal materials which enhance durability and longevity. If you live in a location prone to severe elements like salt and extreme moisture, a hard-anodized aluminum shock body with high-quality seals is the way to go.

Key Features

Dual Compression Adjustment Shocks

Expert Engineering: With critical guidance from a Toyota OEM shock valving/tuning engineer, you know the 2.5″ DCA Series coilovers will stand out as the peak of Toyota shock performance for both on and off-road performance. 

Progressive Valving: These coilovers offer a plush ride over small bumps while stiffening as travel is utilized, ensuring minimal bottom-out and superior performance across diverse driving conditions.

Tailored Performance: Designed to excel in both off-road and daily driving, these coilovers are the perfect balance between comfort and capability.

Premium Construction: Built to withstand the elements, the coilovers feature 2.5″ hard-anodized 6061 aluminum bodies and induction-hardened 3/4″ shafts, ensuring durability and reliability.

Specifications

2.5" Suspension For 4Runner From Dirt King

To maintain optimal ride quality, it is essential to avoid excessive preload, which may compromise performance. For superior comfort and performance, Dirt King recommends adhering to the recommended lift height of 3″.

  • Provides up to 3” of lift (must be paired with aftermarket UCA)
  • 2.5″ hard-anodized 6061 aluminum bodies
  • Induction-hardened 3/4″ shafts
  • Maxima custom oil blend for optimal performance in high operating temperatures
  • Cold wound, high-tensile alloy steel coil springs for consistent rate and ride height
  • Completely rebuildable and serviceable with all necessary tools and replacement parts available from Dirt King
  • Fully adjustable

Final Thoughts

Black & Gold Shock Reservoir

This suspension system embodies Dirt King’s decades of expertise in manufacturing suspension components, fused with the insights of an OEM Toyota shock engineer. Together, they’ve built a shock designed for the best possible OE spec ride quality, setting a new benchmark in aftermarket shocks.

We have yet to put these shocks to the test, but will follow up with a review post once we get these shocks on the trail and start daily driving with them. We’re beyond stoked to see what kind of performance these shocks offer.

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Sactown
Sactown
4 months ago

We have yet to put these shocks to the test, but will follow up with a review post once we get these shocks on the trail and start daily driving with them.”

Very interested, any ETA?

Neil
Neil
4 months ago

Can they be fitted with the KDSS system?

Konrad Chojnowski
Admin
Rambler
4 months ago
Reply to  Neil

They are not KDSS compatible, unfortunately.

Mike
1 month ago

DrKDSS’s bolt-ons should allow for the clearance needed to utilize the extended coilover travel by preventing KDSS to frame contact…

Mike
4 months ago
Reply to  Brenan Greene

It’s been killing me so I gotta ask… How do these Dirt Kings stack up against the OME BP-51 system?

Brenan
Brenan
3 months ago
Reply to  Mike

So far on-road it’s very plush but so was the BP-51. The OME MT64s seem to be a bit stiffer than both the Dirt Kings and the BP-51s – which some people like. The Dirt Kings seem to handle the speed bumps and dips much better at speed than the BP-51s and the MT64s. We’re heading out for a 5 day wheeling trip today, so i’ll continue to report back.

Konrad Chojnowski
Admin
Rambler
4 months ago
Reply to  Brenan Greene

Not sure. I don’t believe at this time…

Rob
Rob
4 months ago

No mention of spring rates? Looks like Elka is taking their “quality” to another manufacturer after Toytec recently switch to SDI with the Midnight Alumas. I’ll be curious to see if these have the same reliability problems and awful parts availability as the Elka-Toytecs (2-3 months for shock bushings? C’mon guys). Dirt King is one of the best out there though so hopefully they’ve specced these out to be more reliable for more than a daily driver.

Dirt King
Dirt King
4 months ago
Reply to  Rob

Hey Rob, Dustin here from Dirt King.

Our Tacoma and 4Runner shocks use 700lb springs. We increased the spring rate from the common 650lb to 700lb for a few key reasons:

  • Less preload and spring force at full extension
  • More adjustment before coil bind
  • Supports adding bumpers, armor, and other accessories without changing springs.
  • Faster spring rate ramp, preventing harsh bottom outs on big hits

It’s important to note that a stiff ride is usually due to shock valving, not the springs.

Regarding quality and parts availability, we’ve thoroughly researched manufacturers and found Elka to align best with Dirt King. There’s no one company where we agreed with everything they did, that’s what we value with Elka. We’re able influence certain areas to get the quality and consistency that we’re known for. We also have a strict internal QC process to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Many companies struggle with parts availability, but we maintain an inventory of replacement parts and are working on making them easy to purchase from our site. We’re enthusiasts committed to delivering products with the best performance, durability, and support!

JoshP
JoshP
4 months ago

When I ordered my Elka RR with adjusters I had given them the axel weights and additional information and they used this to tune the shocks for my ride.
Wouldn’t it be better to order from Elka and get the custom setup versus the 90% that the article mentions?

Dirt King
Dirt King
4 months ago
Reply to  JoshP

Hi Josh, my name is Dustin, and I’m with Dirt King. We have taken the approach of tuning our shocks to meet the expectations of the vast majority of our customers. This doesn’t mean we make compromises; instead, we spend significantly more time than other manufacturers perfecting the ride quality for each model. The reason for this is that any slight variation in valving or nitrogen pressure after a vehicle is tuned can dramatically impact performance. Our front and rear shocks are designed to complement each other, and changes to either can throw off the balance.

a4ron
a4ron
4 months ago

so basically just the Elka 2.5 DSC rebranded and in a different color…..Elka also makes the Toytec Boss Aluma series. Just buy the Elka’s

JoshP
JoshP
4 months ago
Reply to  a4ron

100% correct. Get ones from Elka tuned to YOUR rig.
Parts are available through Elka’s two US service shops.
i love mine and fantastic customer support. A+!

Last edited 4 months ago by JoshP
Dirt King
Dirt King
4 months ago
Reply to  JoshP

Josh, I can assure you a Dirt King shock is not a rebranded shock. We work closely with Elka but our development processes are separate. Elka was recently at our facility using our 2024 Tacoma for development, they choose their own lengths and valving.

Konrad Chojnowski
Admin
Rambler
4 months ago
Reply to  a4ron

Very basic take. They will perform very differently due to major differences in valving. That’s just the surface, too.

Brenan
Brenan
4 months ago
Reply to  a4ron

You clearly didn’t read the post. A Toyota Engineer who works on OEM shock valving and tuning worked with Dirt King on the internal shim stack, valving, and tuning which are completely different (obviously) than anything else on the market. Buy it, don’t buy it. Just read the post next time before you chime in with your 2cents.

Old Dude
Old Dude
4 months ago
Reply to  Brenan

The important part of the article is “we have yet to put these shocks to the test” so you (obviously) don’t know that these are completely different in any substantive way. All you’ve done is posted some marketing material given to you by the manufacturer with no data or experience to back it up, then got upset when someone didn’t buy it.

Brenan
Brenan
4 months ago
Reply to  Old Dude

Damn, you’re confused too. No one is upset. The point is Dirt King worked with a Toyota engineer on the internal design, valving, and tuning – which would lead any man with common sense to believe that they are, in fact very different than most aftermarket shocks.

Mike
4 months ago

Well written. These look like game changers…

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