SDi E-CLiKs….Let the fun begin!

[ajkaz]

For both of you, if you have not gone down the spring route yet, I had Clayton’s and switched to Rock Krawler and do not regret it one bit. The RK springs ride quieter (less noise from coils hitting) and I feel they are a bit smoother. And, don’t forget, you can set bed load on the shocks as well so they can help compensate for your camping gear in the back.

I just got the Clayton 1.5”s up front, is that what you were running? They are still in the box uninstalled. Are the RK springs smoother on road? That’s my biggest concern and now would be the time to switch. What RK lift height did you go with?

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[Eazye]

I just got the Clayton 1.5”s up front, is that what you were running? They are still in the box uninstalled. Are the RK springs smoother on road? That’s my biggest concern and now would be the time to switch. What RK lift height did you go with?

Originally I was on a full set of Clayton 2.5” springs, fronts were single rate I think and the rears triple, but the rears were noisy and I believe it was the upper coils separating and then hitting together. And yes, the RK couls are triple and quad rate, can’t remember which is quad, front or rear, but they are silent and if you get them with the perches, the rears come side specific to correct for the fuel tank lean. I am running a full 3” adventure series setup but I think they have a 1.5” kit too. I also really like the triangulated 4 link rear control arm setup, you no longer have the axles trying to go the opposite directions when he suspending is compressing/drooping. I like the Clayton kit, just that the rear coils were noisy. I think the multi rate front and rear handle road vibrations much better though.

 

[Eazye]

So this is the 3” RK kit with a 1” spacer in the front to level it with 37” tires.

 

[Burghardphotography]

I have these along with a Clayton 3.5 inch lift going in on August 1, I will report back.

 

[Fungshui]

@Burghardphotography - Any updates?

 

[bleda2002]

For both of you, if you have not gone down the spring route yet, I had Clayton’s and switched to Rock Krawler and do not regret it one bit. The RK springs ride quieter (less noise from coils hitting) and I feel they are a bit smoother. And, don’t forget, you can set bed load on the shocks as well so they can help compensate for your camping gear in the back.

How much more or less lift with the rks over the Clayton's did you end up with? I'm currently on the Clayton's and looking for just a bit more lift but want to keep the capacity as I tow (not super heavy at 350lbs tongue weight) and have a generally heavy jeep that when towing is near or just over max weight give or take 100 pounds.

 

[Eazye]

How much more or less lift with the rks over the Clayton's did you end up with? I'm currently on the Clayton's and looking for just a bit more lift but want to keep the capacity as I tow (not super heavy at 350lbs tongue weight) and have a generally heavy jeep that when towing is near or just over max weight give or take 100 pounds.

Honestly, Its 3" RK vs 2.5" in the Clayton lift but I feel the RKs are slightly softer. Overall lift, It looked to be about the same but I did go from a 1/2" spacer in the front to level it to a 1" spacer in the front o level it out because of it being a MultiMate from vs the single rate Clayton. Daily driving, my RK springs are more comfortable and they are definitely quieter in the rear. My Claytons were noisy rear springs but the RKs don't make any noise at all. The Claytons were good but for where I live, the roads I drive and where I off road, I like my RKs much better. I have also since gone to a full adventure series with 4 link rear control arm setup too which also helped because the geometry is all correct.

 

[21Moja]

I would like to see a comparison with the ICON IIC/CDEV

 

[Burghardphotography]

@Burghardphotography - Any updates?

Absolutely love them so far. Been having a lot of fun figuring out the different settings I enjoy compared with various loads we’ve been carrying on this trip. Today is our first day in Colorado and hopefully we Will be hitting some trails over the next few days, I’ll report back in a larger way at the end of the month when I have better service!

 

[Gringo&Gun]

These have my attention.

Anyone seen any video reviews of SDI on Gladiator?

 

[bleda2002]

Honestly, Its 3" RK vs 2.5" in the Clayton lift but I feel the RKs are slightly softer. Overall lift, It looked to be about the same but I did go from a 1/2" spacer in the front to level it to a 1" spacer in the front o level it out because of it being a MultiMate from vs the single rate Clayton. Daily driving, my RK springs are more comfortable and they are definitely quieter in the rear. My Claytons were noisy rear springs but the RKs don't make any noise at all. The Claytons were good but for where I live, the roads I drive and where I off road, I like my RKs much better. I have also since gone to a full adventure series with 4 link rear control arm setup too which also helped because the geometry is all correct.

So the Clayton's are a bit taller in the front potentially, how much weight do you have in the front?(bumper winch, skids etc)?

 

[Eazye]

So the Clayton's are a bit taller in the front potentially, how much weight do you have in the front?(bumper winch, skids etc)?

Bumper, winch, aftermarket front skid, some lights…. I think they squat a little more because of the multi rate coils. It was maybe 1/2 an inch of squat more than the Clayton’s but they are a much more comfortable spring for DD.

 

[Burghardphotography]

Just wanted to do a quick update, we have finished our 5,500 mile road trip on the SDI system. Overall I loved the way they handle on and off road, and I could tell the difference in settings between various setups i used in their system. Couple of issues: the shocks ecu kept overheating on mosquito pass in colorado, despite not very warm outside temperatures. The underhood temps on the diesel are pretty damn high when going slowly, and it made the ECU too hot to touch. SDI says I may have an ECU that was part of a batch that had the wrong temperature tolerance set for the overheat error, and has asked me to either send in my ECU for a reflash, or buy a new ECU and be refunded once i send in my old one. Secondly, the back left shock developed this awful buzzing sound when set to various dampening settings, and I'm talking louder than the motor noise, turning heads driving down the street loud. At first, they insisted that some buzzing was normal, but after sending a video of the sound, and the fact that the other three shocks are completely quiet in comparison, I think they agree something is amiss. I asked for the defective shock to be replaced with a new one, and they denied me that courtesy.

They quoted their warranty which states a defective part must be sent in for inspection, where they will determine if the issue is warrantable, and if so, will either repair or replace the shock. As this truck is my daily driver, I am not happy about taking my truck out of commission for what must be at least a couple weeks, if not more, to mail it to them, have them inspect and repair/replace it, and then mail it back to me. I am not sure if this is the standard practice with warrantying shocks or something, but I'll be without my daily for sometime without that shock installed.

Overall, I love these shocks and their customizability. As long as this warranty process goes smoothly, I'd recommend these to anyone.

 

[Burghardphotography]

Just wanted to do a quick update, we have finished our 5,500 mile road trip on the SDI system. Overall I loved the way they handle on and off road, and I could tell the difference in settings between various setups i used in their system. Couple of issues: the shocks ecu kept overheating on mosquito pass in colorado, despite not very warm outside temperatures. SDI says I may have an ECU that was part of a batch that had the wrong temperature tolerance set for the overheat error, and has asked me to either send in my ECU for a reflash, or buy a new ECU and be refunded once i send in my old one. Secondly, the back left shock developed this awful buzzing sound when set to various dampening settings, and I'm talking louder than the motor noise, turning heads driving down the street loud. At first, they insisted that some buzzing was normal, but after sending a video of the sound, and the fact that the other three shocks are completely quiet in comparison, I think they agree something is amiss. I asked for the defective shock to be replaced with a new one, and they denied me that courtesy.

They quoted their warranty which states a defective part must be sent in for inspection, where they will determine if the issue is warrantable, and if so, will either repair or replace the shock. As this truck is my daily driver, I am not happy about taking my truck out of commission for what must be at least a couple weeks, if not more, to mail it to them, have them inspect and repair/replace it, and then mail it back to me. I am not sure if this is the standard practice with warrantying shocks or something, but I'll be without my daily for sometime without that shock installed.

Overall, I love these shocks and their customizability. As long as this warranty process goes smoothly, I'd recommend these to anyone.

Also if this review seems a little lacking, it was a very long road trip and I am having a hard time writing a full review of all the different terrains and how they respond to each. So if any of you have questions, please ask and I will try my best to answer out of our experience.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I guessing you have a defective solenoid on the noisy shock? I'm sure they will get it handled for you, but We all understand the downtme/shipping is a drag.

The electronics is my biggest concern since it seems electronic bits have such a high failure rate these days. What happens when the ECU overheats? Full shut down and shocks go full firm?

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