This is How We Ride.
Over the years our staff have run some interesting rigs! From wild to mild we've got rock crawlers, overlanders, drifters, racers and of course some nice daily drivers. Some projects have been retired, some are just getting started, and some may be brought back from the dead very soon... stronger than ever imagined! We love to test what we sell on our own vehicles so our experts have first hand knowledge of how these products perform and how to match you to the suspension that best suits your needs and driving style. So browse our fleet, hit us up with suggestions or requests, and ride on!
2020 RAM 2500 Power Wagon
@power_soss
Sean here, founder of Shock Surplus, the needs for a vehicle have changed dramatically over the past 15 years of owning a truck. The attitude has gone from a go-fast and go-hard mentality to more of a comfort cruising with some passengers both big and small. Power and size were the new requirements, so a full size or heavy duty truck were on the shopping list. Off-Road capability still had to be a cornerstone of the vehicle to get us to those less crowded spots and trail adventures. The Power Wagon checked all the boxes, and its been a blast so far after 30k miles.
Current Modifications
- Carli Suspension, Fox / King / SDI
- ARE Accessories Camper Shell, V Series
- Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform
- RIGd Supply Ultraswing Tire Carrier
- Method 701HD Wheels
- Nitto 37" Ridge Grapplers
- White Knuckle Rock Sliders
Future Plans
We're looking at some steering upgrades, fabricated radius arms, and other upgraded stock components to make this beast bulletproof.
2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab
@bcusitsjeff
Having had a couple of Tacoma’s prior to this one, I already had an idea of the direction I wanted to go with this “build”. I wanted something that was going to reliably take me to and from work while still allowing me to have fun on the weekends. While I did have fun driving as fast as I could out in the desert, the trails I enjoy the most are the slower more technical trails. As the truck saw more and more trail use, the more I geared the build towards a more trail ready truck and less daily driver.
Current Modifications
Suspension Front
- +2 Long Travel Upper and Lower Control Arms
- Fox Factory Race 2.5 DSC Coilovers
- JD Fabrication Lower Arm Pivot Relocation
- JD Fabrication UCA Double Shear Kit
- Dirt King Spindle Gusset Kit
- DuroBumps Bump Stops
Suspension Rear
- Archive Garage Shock Relocation Towers
- Fox Factory Race 2.5 DSC 12” Smooth Body Shocks
- Bay Area Metal Fab Tacoma HD Shackle Hanger
- Icon RXT Leaf Springs
- All Pro Offroad U-Bolt Flip Kit
- DuroBumps Bump Stops
- OC Taco Extended Brake Lines
Wheels and Tires
- Wheels: Dirty Life Mesa Race 17x9 -38
- Tires: General Grabber X3 37x12.5 R17
Armor
- Front: Brute Force Fab Steel Hybrid Bumper
- Rear: Brute Force Fab Steel High Clearance Dual Swingout
- Sliders: Garage built 1 ¾ DOM
-
Skid Plates:
JD Fabrication Lower Arm Pivot Relocation
RCI Steel Transfercase Skid Plate
Lighting
- Headlights: AlphaRex NOVA-Series LED Projector Headlights
-
Ditch Lights:
Cali Raised LED Ditch Light Bracket
Diode Dynamics SSC2 Pro - Fog Lights: Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro
Miscellaneous
- Gearing
- G2 4.88 front and rear gearing
- NorthWest FabWorks Eco-Crawler (not installed yet)
- ARB Air Differential Locker (Front, not installed yet)
Exterior
- Mcneil +2 Fenders
- eBay special snorkel
- Garage built roof rack
- SofTopper
Tools
- Arb Twin Air Compressor
- Hi Lift 48” jack
- Necessary tools for the Tacoma
Future Plans
I wish I could say the truck build is done, but we all know it never will be. I currently have on order the NorthWest FabWorks Eco-Crawler, which would give that extra crawlability with the larger 37’s. I have avoided not having to need a front locker (and my CV’s have been happy about this) but its time and ARB locker is on the way as well. I have been going back and forth on what I want to do with the rear suspension. With added suspension travel in the front, I know I want to cycle at least 14” of travel in the rear. I like the idea of keeping leaf springs on the truck due to cost, but I may one day bite the bullet and go with linking the rear suspension. With the 37’s that just got put on the truck I know steering is going to be an issue. To remedy this, I may either go with a modified Tundra steering rack or go with the Marlin Crawler LC200 steering rack.
2018 Jeep JLU Wrangler Rubicon
@ericquiros8
We chose this model because it comes factory standard with electronic locking front and rear axles and is extremely capable off the dealer lot. We upgraded the Jeep with a MetalCloak 3.5 inch lift with adjustable arms and dual rate springs. To compliment the lift we have tried out a number of different shocks and are currently running the Bilstein 8100’s. This setup has been great with adjustable rebound and compression and it performs incredibly well on and off road. The build features Smittybilt bumpers and sliders and we couldn’t be happier with the looks and performance. We do a lot of camping so we also added a Rhino Rack backbone system in order to strengthen the roof to support a Rhino Rack pioneer platform and awning. The Rhino Rack platform with this setup supports a lot more weight than a standard roof rail system so we can hop up there and get a better perspective in order to shoot photo/video and also get some of our recovery gear in a storage case up top. Finishing the build are a set Procomp Vertigo wheels wrapped with 37"x12.5" BFG KM3 tires along with Apex performance valves.
Current Modifications
- Metalcloak Dual Rate 3.5" Suspension
- Bilstein 8100s
- Procomp Vertigo Wheels 17"x9"
- BF Goodrich KM3 37"x12.5" Tires
- Smittybilt XRC Gen II Front and Rear Bumpers
- Smittybilt XRC Sliders
- Rhino Rack Backbone
- Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform
- Smittybilt Tailgate Reinforcement & Tire Carrier
- Apex Performance Rapid Deflate Valves
- SwitchPros
- Arb Dual Compressor
Future Plans
The Jeep is a constant work in progress, we are getting the rest of the components for the “gamechanger” system from Metalcloak in order to have more flex off-road. We currently have the switch pros and an ARB Dual compressor system along with Rigid adapt lighting on deck. As soon as we can get the Jeep into a shop we will get those installed and get the rig back on the trail for further testing. Eventually we will be looking at beefier axles, gears and larger tires but for now we are extremely happy with the performance of the Jeep.
1999 Ford Explorer XL
@off_rogue_
This once-daily driver grocery-getter turned into an Off-Road beast. Solid Axle Swapped Explorer with a fun theme. Most of the vehicle has a lot of custom work done to it, as you don’t just order Explorer off-road parts off the shelf. However, the Factory 4.0 OHV and 5R55E Automatic Trans were left alone for reliability.
Current Modifications
- ’79 Dana HP 44 5.5” lift Wild Horse Early Bronco 5.5” coils, custom long arm radius arms
- ‘89 Bronco/F150 8.8 with Alloy USA Chromoly Axles and Lock-Right Locker
- Yukon 5.13 gears with BTF Covers
- 14” travel Fox 2.0 Shocks
- 37x12.5x17 Falken Wildpeak M/T’s on 17X9 Cragar Soft 8 Steel Wheels
- Gibson Cat-Back Exhaust
- Odyssey AGM Battery, Open Air Filter
- Custom Front & Rear Bumpers with Rock Sliders. Custom 8-Point Roll cage
- T-Maxx 10k lbs. Winch with Synthetic rope and Factor 55 FlatLink
- 6” LED lights up front, 30” and yellow filter 6” lights over the windshield, 3” LED pods in the rear bumper, and Rock Lights under the frame
- Pioneer Double Din Head Unit, with Front and Rear Cameras. Custom Contura V switch panel
- Corbeau Baja SS Suspension Seats
- Manual Transfer Case swap
- Ammo Can boxes turned into storage drawers
Future Plans
After 15 years of almost all off-road miles, a lot of the truck is ready to be gone through and rebuilt, but still road worthy and by far the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. For the most part, the truck just works and would not change much. She could use a new set of Chromoly front shafts, and a selectable front locker. Also a new rear leaf pack.
1984 Toyota Corolla SR5
@tofubronco
When I saw this little turd listed on the old Craigslist I was hooked. Sure it was a basket case (more so now than ever), but my love for Hondas, Hachi Rokus, and Initial D had me hooked. As my second AE86, I knew I wanted a hatch so I could truly have the experience. Now I know coupes are objectively better in every way, but I would not trade this rattle trap for anything. Straight from the back alley I bought it from, it already had an F22C engine from an AP2 Honda S2000, backed by the transmission and electricals from the same car. Let’s just say that when Vtech cracked and the digital dash swept up to 8000 RPM, I easily overlooked the complete lack of windshield wipers and motors, exposed wiring, questionable fuel lines, and the fact that the electric fan relay had been replaced by a paper clip. I would be lying to you if I did not tell you I discovered the utter lack of wipers after a storm hit minutes after hopping on the freeway to bring her home. After being reminded of the joys of a welded diff while blindly sliding home in a torrential downpour, I immediately jumped headfirst into correcting all the issues, upgrading all the weak points, and most importantly driving the hell out of it. For the following 50,000+ miles, this car took me to work, drift, and autocross events taking pretty much every bit of abuse I threw at it. She has seen many road trips, traffic jams, and tires all with no AC, power steering, or power brakes. It’s loud, uncomfortable, gets you high as a kite on gas fumes, and takes an ungodly amount of effort to steer and stop, but it has never let me down, although she has definitely seen better days. The 9000 RPM clutch kicks and run-ins with the sides of other cars, curbs, cones, and walls have taken their toll, so she has been put to temporary rest awaiting its rebirth into something much better.
Current Modifications
Engine
- 2005 AP2 Honda S2000 F22C
- AP1 F20C Head, Cam, Intake
- Toda Racing Torqui-Kun 4-2-1 Header
- Hondata K-Pro (RSX Type S ECU)
(Limiter Raised to 9250 to avoid any fuel cut in drift) - JSP Fab Solid Motor Mount Swap Kit
Drivetrain
- 2005 AP2 Honda S2000 Transmission
- SPEC Clutch (Stage 3+)
- SPEC Lightweight Aluminum Flywheel
- Custom One-Piece Aluminum Driveshaft
- Toyota 7.5” Rear Axle (MA46 Supra)
Weir 4.88 Gears
Welded Diff
Suspension/Steering
- CX Racing Coilovers (absolute garbage and snapped in half)
- T3 GTX2 Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms + Tension Rods
Custom built for a minimum 1.5” minimum track width increase - T3 Evolved Steering Knuckles (Set to high steering angle setting)
Custom-built tie rods to match increased track width. - Depowered Power Steering Rack
- T3 RCA (GEN 1)
- JSP Fab 1” Subframe spacer
- T3 MA47 Rear axle swap 4 link and track bar
- Stock front sway bar, rear removed
Brakes
- T3 Brake Booster Delete
-
Front:
Mazda RX7 Caliper ( FC TURBO II)
Mini Cooper S Drilled and Slotted Rotor (Redrilled 4x144.3)
Silvermine mounts and lines -
Rear:
MK1 Supra Drilled and Slotted Rotor
Nissan S13 240SX Rear Caliper
Custom lines
Wheels/Tires
- 15X8 ET 0 Generic Reps
- Street Tire: BF Goodrich Comp 2 (Front: 195/50r15 / Rear: 195/55r15)
- Drift Tire: Federal 595RS-R Front / 595 Rear (Front: 195/50r15 / Rear: 195/55r15)
- Autocross/Track Day: Toyo RA1 (F/R 205/50r15)
Interior
- Stripped after front seats
- Chargespeed Fixed Bucket
- Sparco 4 Point Harness
- T3 Harness Bar
- T3 Aluminum Vent, Radio, Bezel block off plates
- T3 Rear interior side panels
- S2000 Digital Cluster
- NRG Quick Release Hub and 3 different steering wheels
- 4 Star Dragon Ball Shift Knob
Exterior
- JDM Kouki Front End Conversion
- DMaxx Front Fenders
- DMaxx Side Skirts
- JDM Kouki Rear Bumper
- TRD Style Hatch Spoiler
Future Plans
After the years of abuse and too many crashes to count it is definitely time for an update and to fix some things. Most immediately I need to update the coilovers and steering. The combination of a depowered manual rack on its way out, and the extreme geometry of the knuckles, causes a lot of bind and an extreme amount of steering effort. It has been the leading cause to making the car nearly undrivable and has definitely instigated a few crashes. I am planning on putting together a fresh power steering rack and using a remote-mounted electric Mercedes pump as I believe this is an easier solution compared to trying to put a power steering pump on a motor that never had one. I am also considering running a manual rack with a custom electric power-assisted column as well, but I think the dynamics of a hydraulic rack will be superior, albeit at a slightly higher risk of catching fire. Then, I am planning on installing a Just Engineering angle kit instead of my current T3 as it includes more roll center correction. I am hoping by combining a thicker RCA than the one I am running with this angle kit, I can offset the massive subframe drop needed to fit the engine and eliminate the bind I am experiencing. I also plan on working on getting a custom-built set of BC coilovers to better work with the way my car is set up. Anything is better than the lousy and broken CX Racing coilovers on it now, however, I would like to do it right this time. From there I plan on cleaning up the bodywork, doing whatever framework needs to be done, caging it, and finally getting a hydraulic handbrake and a limited slip in this hoopty! Welded diffs are cool, however it definitely is a limitation in the corners. As for now, I am currently waiting on Ford to get my new 2022 manual transmission Sasquatched Bronco manufactured, and for me to get it nice and built, however once that fiscal trainwreck is somewhat under control, it will be time to give the old tofu delivery machine the love she deserves. Maybe this time around I might even put windshield wipers on it.
2019 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport
@flyingsquirrel.fk7
After getting rear-ended it was time to buy a cheap and reliable daily driver... and maybe have a little fun along the way. With mountain biking and camping needs I figured a hatchback would be a good compromise since a brand new truck or SUV wasn't an option financially. While the Type R was also out of the budget range, luckily the Civic Sport came with a turbocharged 6 speed manual. Naturally I had to lower the car ASAP and after six weeks of ownership the hatch was sitting on Eibach Sportlines. Combine that with some sticky Falkens and a healthy horsepower boost from a reflashed ECU and this Honda went from kind of fun to an absolute blast to drive. With some minor visual updates to the exterior, and Thule handling hauling duties for the mountain bike, this commuter car was dialed in just right.
Current Modifications
- Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs
- Falken Azeniz RT660 255/35 ZR18 Tires
- Enkei RPF1 18x9.5 +38 Wheels
- KTuner Flash V2 - Stage 3 Tune
- Suma Performance Sequential Side Markers
- Thule Roof Rack and ThruRide Bike Mount
- Ceramic Window Tint
- Type R Aluminum Shift Knob
- Galaxy Black Roof Wrap
- PRL Stage I Air Intake
Future Plans
It is bittersweet but this daily driver build is coming to an end. We wanted to continue testing and upgrading the suspension and brakes so that some track time would have been possible. Steel braided brake lines and upgraded pads and rotors would have allowed for some proper track abuse. Suspension-wise we wanted to test out some offerings from BC Racing or even KW if they ever produced an option for this platform. Additionally Bilstein's B14 coilovers are due out soon and we would have loved to run these as well. The front and rear swaybar kit from Eibach was also on the wishlist. Finally, a PRL cold air intake, bigger turbo, and a custom tune would have squeezed quite a few more ponies out of the 1.5T engine. However, 3 inches of ground clearance severly limited the camping, aka overlanding, that I was able to do. I was able to get out on the groomed dirt roads of Alabama Hills and a couple other campsites up the 395 but quickly craved more access to dispersed camping and so now I'm hunting for a 4x4. 4Runner, Xterra, XJ, Bronco? Time will tell.
2014 Scion FRS Monogram
@hachiroku.nick
I’ve always been a fan of the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ since it was announced back in 2012. I wanted a sports car that was RWD, so it was a no brainer. I picked this vehicle up in 2015 and wasted no time with modifying it. I had started with better looking taillights which were Tribar/Lexon and a cat back exhaust from Invidia. It made the overall sounds so much better and look sportier. In 2016-2017, I installed new coil overs by Fortune Auto, Enkei RPF1 wheels, and purchased the Tomei Equal Length Header and overripe. I personally went with these headers to avoid that Subaru rumble from the Unequal Length Header. This overall made the car feel quicker and zipper, sound much better, and provided a nice stance that was functional yet aggressive. In 2018-2019 I added a replacement lip kit. The reason I went replica because this is not a show car, and the street of LA are not kind of lower vehicles. My goal is to track the car. I have some huge plans planned soon.
Current Modifications
- Fortune Auto 500 Coil Overs
- Enkei RPF1 18 x 9.5 + 38, 5 x100 in SBC Finish
- Firestone Indy 500 Firehawk 255/35/18 all around
- Bayson R TRD Style front lip and side skirt
- Bayson R OEM Style rear aprons
- Valenti Tai Lights
- Valenti 4th Brake Light
- OEM Fog Lights from Japan
- Tomei Equal Length Header
- Tomei Over Pipe
- Invidia N1 Exhaust
- K&N Drop in Filter
- OFT Tuner, Tuned to Stage 2
- Raceseng Weighted Shift Knob
- Raceseng Reverse Lock Out
- Exedy Stage 1 Clutch
- Exedy Lightweight flywheel
Future Plans
I do have a lot of plans for this but the immediate plans happening very soon are to install KW V3 with Raceseng mounts and KYB stock mounts, new brake pads, rotors, and lines, and upgraded Mishimoto radiator and fans. I would love to boost the car but the restrictions in California make it difficult, do I go with a carb legal supercharger, or do I go with a turbo charger because they sound so much better and more top end power gain. I would love to do a widebody kit eventually but it’s not on the top of my list. Some other upgrades I want to do but not needed anytime soon are upgrading the headlights and taillights, bucket race seat by Bride or Recaro, Nardi steering wheel, OEM Audio Plus+ audio system, and misc. aero parts like rear diffuser, Tokodori Fenders and new wheels and tires.
