Mixed experience with Metalcloak

[b-roc]

A few months ago, I moved from an AEV 2 inch spacer lift to a 3.5 metalcloak gamechanger. Most of my reading that led me to metalcloak dealt with their control arms ... range of motion and damping of noise and vibration

The install went well enough. The front springs did not match and one part was missing. Customer service dealt with this quickly and with minimal headache ... +1 metalcloak

My plan from the beginning was to get the stance correct and verify the shock bolt hole distances when fully stuffed and drooped. I was then going to use that to spec the shocks.

The problem comes here. When I ask metalcloak for their spring rates, they refused. -1 metalcloak

Without spring rates, getting a tuned set of shocks is difficult at best.

This appears to be a long standing issue with metalcloak.

Looks like I will be buying a set from Clayton who publishes their rates. That is $540 that I didn’t want to spend.

I could always put the metalcloak springs on a shock dyno and get the numbers, but I am irritated enough that I want to move on

Moral of the story: don't buy metalcloak springs unless you are going to stay completely in their ecosystem.

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[@californiajeeping]

You are way way overthinking this.

The metal cloak spring rates are soft and pair well with a firm shock so most aftermarket shocks work fine.

I ran the rocksport shocks and it was OK rode nicely but couldn’t keep up in the dirt. I moved to teraflex falcon 3.3s and can adjust as needed. Excellent riding suspension.

 

[Billet Wilson]

I've ran MC on multiple Jeeps including a 2017 that is still on the original bushings. I've also had custom shocks built for my 392. MC wouldn't provide me with the info but they did with the company who built the shocks. More than likely whoever is building your shocks has worked with them in the past.

 

[Clayton Off Road]

A few months ago, I moved from an AEV 2 inch spacer lift to a 3.5 metalcloak gamechanger. Most of my reading that led me to metalcloak dealt with their control arms ... range of motion and damping of noise and vibration

The install went well enough. The front springs did not match and one part was missing. Customer service dealt with this quickly and with minimal headache ... +1 metalcloak

My plan from the beginning was to get the stance correct and verify the shock bolt hole distances when fully stuffed and drooped. I was then going to use that to spec the shocks.

The problem comes here. When I ask metalcloak for their spring rates, they refused. -1 metalcloak

Without spring rates, getting a tuned set of shocks is difficult at best.

This appears to be a long standing issue with metalcloak.

Looks like I will be buying a set from Clayton who publishes their rates. That is $540 that I didn’t want to spend.

I could always put the metalcloak springs on a shock dyno and get the numbers, but I am irritated enough that I want to move on

Moral of the story: don't buy metalcloak springs unless you are going to stay completely in their ecosystem.

Always happy to help out with discounts, give us a call any time!

 

[whysoserious]

Running stock Mojave shocks (with extensions) on @Metalcloak 3.5" GC lift. It's a very comfortable ride, at least as good as stock, IMO. Also had a '17 JKU with a MC 3.5 game changer with Falcon adjustables. That was a great setup on and off road.

 

[b-roc]

Running stock Mojave shocks (with extensions) on @Metalcloak 3.5" GC lift. It's a very comfortable ride, at least as good as stock, IMO. Also had a '17 JKU with a MC 3.5 game changer with Falcon adjustables. That was a great setup on and off road.

I did the same thing as a temporary setup while on my way to new shocks. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same experience as you. It is OK at low speeds. But at moderate to high speeds (>45mph) the shocks' rebound is not enough ... on the highway in certain stretches, the springs and shocks oscillate.

Glad that yours is working. I haven't looked at your build, but if your build is heavier or you are driving slower, that might explain the difference.

 

[b-roc]

I've ran MC on multiple Jeeps including a 2017 that is still on the original bushings. I've also had custom shocks built for my 392. MC wouldn't provide me with the info but they did with the company who built the shocks. More than likely whoever is building your shocks has worked with them in the past.

People's experiences with the bushings is exactly what led me the MC in the first place. Unfortunately, the shop that I am working with has been asking MC for the specs for 3 yrs ... not cool

 

[b-roc]

You are way way overthinking this.

The metal cloak spring rates are soft and pair well with a firm shock so most aftermarket shocks work fine.

I ran the rocksport shocks and it was OK rode nicely but couldn’t keep up in the dirt. I moved to teraflex falcon 3.3s and can adjust as needed. Excellent riding suspension.

Depends on what you are looking for with your build. What you are describing is called overdamping (which is not necessarily a bad thing depending on the application). The more overdamped a system is, the longer it takes to return to neutral position... so if you are doing slower speed rock crawling and just want to soak up the bumps, then there is no problem ... the faster you want your wheels to track from larger displacements, the more it matters.

I am glad that you found a solution that matches your goals.

I was/am angry enough with MC for not sharing such a basic number that I may have overstated in my initial post (i was writing for people with similar goals to mine). A more accurate statement would be ... if tuned shocks might be in your future, then I would avoid MC springs.

 

[Metalcloak]

A few months ago, I moved from an AEV 2 inch spacer lift to a 3.5 metalcloak gamechanger. Most of my reading that led me to metalcloak dealt with their control arms ... range of motion and damping of noise and vibration

Thank you!

The install went well enough. The front springs did not match and one part was missing. Customer service dealt with this quickly and with minimal headache ... +1 metalcloak

We definitely have our share of mistakes, but we make sure there are never any hassles when it comes to correcting those mistakes.

The problem comes here. When I ask metalcloak for their spring rates, they refused. -1 metalcloak

Without spring rates, getting a tuned set of shocks is difficult at best.

This appears to be a long standing issue with metalcloak.

Definitely appreciate the post and your frustration.

Since the beginning the development of our TRUE Dual Rate Coils (unique in the industry) has been proprietary information. We work for months with our US based manufacturer to be able to create coils to OUR specs, not to what others would consider easy industry standard. It is not easy, so, like the kid in the sandbox who had to work hard to make his castle, we value it and protect it.

Those that readily giveaway that information may not have as much invested into it.

We realize this does not satisfy everyone, and I am sorry if this is a source of frustration, but it is a policy that I stand by.

- Matson

 

[b-roc]

I would argue that if your goal is to keep the competition from duplicating your design (or at least make them spend alot in the process) that you would be much better off protecting the manufacturing method, material, and material treatment.

The spring rate is easily measured off of the truck. Any interested competitor could easily place the springs on a shock dyno or even easier put them onto a hydraulic loading frame.

Notably, I have only asked for the spring rate at ride height (for personal shock tuning purposes) ... not the more interesting (from a competitor's perspective) transition or tender rates.

You have every right to protect your hard work (castle) and I applaud innovative companies that do that and continue to innovate as a result. Unfortunately, you have chosen to "protect" something that only hurts your customers (granted a small portion of your customers) but definitely not your competitors (who can easily measure the rates ... whether with in house tools or a sendout ... found a company advertising performing a shock dyno for $25 as a send out).

I look forward to when you let us build a city around your sandcastle.

 

[b-roc]

Always happy to help out with discounts, give us a call any time!

Clayton took care of me. New springs with published spring rates arrive Thursday.

Thanks!

 

[0duksgvn]

Aaand that response from MC is why I'll be going with Clayton. Looking forward to working with Clayton so that they can let me in on all their little secrets so i can get my vehicle to ride and handle how i want it to.

 

[Metalcloak]

I would argue that if your goal is to keep the competition from duplicating your design (or at least make them spend alot in the process) that you would be much better off protecting the manufacturing method, material, and material treatment.

The spring rate is easily measured off of the truck. Any interested competitor could easily place the springs on a shock dyno or even easier put them onto a hydraulic loading frame.

Notably, I have only asked for the spring rate at ride height (for personal shock tuning purposes) ... not the more interesting (from a competitor's perspective) transition or tender rates.

You have every right to protect your hard work (castle) and I applaud innovative companies that do that and continue to innovate as a result. Unfortunately, you have chosen to "protect" something that only hurts your customers (granted a small portion of your customers) but definitely not your competitors (who can easily measure the rates ... whether with in house tools or a sendout ... found a company advertising performing a shock dyno for $25 as a send out).

I look forward to when you let us build a city around your sandcastle.

Definitely appreciate your perspective... the beauty of this industry is the vast number of options all of us have for how, where and why we pursue our passion.

See you on the trail my friend.

- Matson

 

[Metalcloak]

Aaand that response from MC is why I'll be going with Clayton.

Clayton is, and always has been, a good company. We have definitively technological differences, but they, like us, are one of the last independents and worth supporting.

- Matson

 

[nanook12]

The problem I have with metalcloak is their shipping! I live in Alaska and FedEx is a disaster for Alaskans. Guess which shipper MC uses…Get off your ass and use the USPS…

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