Shock Boots HELP!

I have a dilemma. I have a 3.5” lift and 295/65/20s on next week. Problem is, the new shocks don’t have boots and are kinda boring but I want the shocks to match the sway bars, TRD red. Anyone have any suggestions for shock boots to match?

 

Throw them out or spray paint them lol

 

Shock boots are horrible. They cause more trouble than they prevent. Plus they look tacky.

 

I know people that use these... I think the red is not as vibrant as the TRD red.

But at least it’s a start.

$20 Daystar, Universal Pair Full Size Shock Boots with Zip Ties in Shock Therapy Bag, Red, KU20002RE, Made in America

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004IARRX6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Curious to hear what issues they cause.. have never heard of any negatives.

 

They retain water and dirt on the shaft and seal area is the most common counter argument. Granted, they're supposed to help keep shit away, but since they need a way for air to easily pass through the boot they are vulnerable to shit getting captured inside.

 

When you install your shock boots, take note of the slit, It's there to drain off any water that might get in..

 

Dirt Bagz also makes some nice ones.



https://www.mckenzies.com/products/dirtbagz-coil-wraps

 

Paint/powdercoat your springs

 

Pretty much what he said. And if you live in an area that salts the roads or close to the coast, the salt will get inside the boot and corrode the shaft and seals and you won’t know until complete failure.

 

Thanks gents, much appreciated. I’ve read this same thing after doing some googling.

 

So, I get there is a counter-argument--there are counter-arguments to everything--but how legit is it? If boots are bad in cold climates where salt is used, why does Canada-based Elka put boots on their shocks? They have a rep for quality and attention to detail.

 

Can't say, I've never done or seen a true comparison. Based on personal experience living in Utah, I've gone with the theory of spraying the truck off and getting all the shit off the shocks/frame/etc. is better than not being able to fully flush the shock shaft, even if the boot would delay salt spray getting to it; and in that regard, company material selection seems to play a huge role (example, Kings suck at corrosion resistance). Would boots help that? Possibly. I've seen boots on lots of applications, though they're pretty rare and most common frankly is cheap shocks like Procomps that shit themselves fast despite the boot. I can see merit to having the boot, especially if there was a way/someone took the time to flush the boot out when they wash their truck so all the salt and dirt in the boot got washed out, though I don't see that usually being the case. But again, haven't seen a direct comparison; most companies don't recommend shock boots, and that matches my (lack of?) logic so that's what I do

 

My Radflos didn't come with boots. I did something my dad would be proud of and my wife would roll her eyes at. I cut the blue sleeves off my old Bisteins and ziptied them to the bottom of the shock tubes. They don't keep moisture out, but they do protect against rocks and other debris from hitting the shafts. After a year, they're all crumpled at the bottoms, but they're holding up