Mild lift suggestion for overlanding?

Girlfriend and I bought a 2020 TRD ORP still only has 500 miles on it. I’ve done all the lights, Xenon Depot HID, LED, tail as turn, etc. I’ll be doing the diff and locker breathers as well.

We’ll be heading out West (Idaho) in July to do some proper overlanding/dispersed camping.

I’m going w KO2s (275) on stock rims. Still up in the air re: suspension upgrades, if any...

Stopped into a local off road shop today and they have a resident “Toyota” guy and he was pushing me toward the Rough Country spacer/leveling kit. Of which I am not a fan. Fundamentally it seems “janky” to me.

OR he said to just leave the suspension alone, as it’s been engineered by Toyota to be more than sufficient.

The above being said, i hate the rake of the truck and I do want an inch or so of suspension lift. We’ll be in the middle of nowhere and I don’t want to have to turn around on any trails.

I’m leaning towards Bilstein 5100. .85 setting w stock springs. We don’t have the bumpers, and extra gear yet. Potentially just the front, not the rear. Id do this more for the lift than anything. It’s my understanding they improve on road feel/performance but aren’t necessarily geared for off road use.

Also I have zero interest to do anything major suspension wise as the truck is brand new. I’d like to grow into it and build as we go...

Sooooo any thoughts gang? Best option for a mild lift, that will serve us on a 5 day off road adventure?

 

Reliability is key when in the middle of nowhere. I would keep it as close to stock as possible. The OR is more than capable with the original suspension and some good offroad tires. The rake takes care of itself once you are loaded with gear, water, food, etc. If anything, I would add a winch and carry some traction boards. People spend thousands trying to anticipate every adversity most of which they will never face. You have a very capable truck as is. If you still absolutely have to lift it, do it right. 5100s are good for the sake of lifting just to lift. I would not consider them an upgrade. Save up for proper suspension.

 

If you're set on a suspension lift, I would take a good hard look at Dobinsons and Ironman 4X4...the Aussies live the overland/remote lifestyle.

 

I would do the 5100's over a spacer lift. It's not a lot of money. You can run them with stock springs, or use aftermarket springs to fine tune the ride.

As others have mentioned, these things are pretty capable stock. The tires are the weakest link, which you've already addressed.

Good luck! And, have fun getting your money's worth out of that 4runner!

 

Dobinson or bilstein are good options.

the only thing that really stops our trucks is a lack of clearance and/or crappy tires

 

For overlanding you really just need a good set of tires. For stock height adding larger tires doesn't really help and only leads to more rubbing. The 4Runner stock is one of the most capable vehicles you can buy new.

If you definitely want to lift, might as well spend the money and lift the front and rear. A set of 5100's front and rear, and new springs in the rear can be had for less than $1,000 and will do exactly what you want. Lifting the rear is easy if not easier than the front.

 

Ironman FoamCell Pros on order

 

OP, In truth a lift won't beat a few things that come long before it.

1. Judgement
2. Good Tires
3. Armor

I like that you're wanting to start small, good call. Sounds like you're practical and will take approach of when you finally can't do something, that's what you'll upgrade.

Truthfully, 2" of lift does make a difference on some trails, but it makes a difference every day getting in and our, etc.

More importantly, 4x4 and lifts will take you further, but armor and judgement allow you to make some mistakes and still be ok.

This isn't a preachy comment (or at least not meant to be preachy), it's mainly that I'd recommend armoring up before you go on that roadtrip.

Sliders, some recovery points front and back, a good tire patch kit, some straps and recovery boards, etc.

 

But then at the same time he suggest adding a spacer to said suspension LOL.

New offroad shop is needed.

 

Fajitas, very well said. Not taken as preachy at all. Lets be honest, my gf will be on board throughout and A- Realistically she wont let me go nuts B- I really get a kick out of watching her drive off road so she'll be behind the wheel a fair bit too. I've got the recovery points covered. Strap and tire kit is on order! I've been looking at sliders (she could use the step)...I completely see the value, but they are damned expensive insurance policy! Do you have any wisdom regarding a portable compressor. I had one picked out (Viair 00088) then some shitty review dissuaded me away from it...roof top box (carry all).

 

Honestly, if you want to put the money elsewhere, get a simple cigarette lighter tire inflator or something like this
https://www.jbtools.com/dewalt-dcc0...MIwfKLlaWt6QIVC7LICh1RuQ3XEAQYASABEgJjM_D_BwE

sliders and rack were my first buys.

 

When you say grow into it, are you implying you want a mild suspension now and eventually a better one later?

 

Viair is good stuff.

I have owned SSO, RCI and All Pro sliders through all my vehicles. I like SSO the most.

 

Keep in mind what the purpose of the rake is to begin with. It's to load up with what you need and to not end up with negative rake. That's something to consider, how much weight will you be taking with you? Right now it probably looks like too much rake (should have about 2" of rake when it's stock), but a full load of gear for a week offroad can swallow that up.

 

Leave it alone. With 275s you do not need a lift.

Now having said that....

Get some sliders.

Me in my otherwise stock Runner with about 3,000 miles on it getting surprised by a trail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyH9z6k5ySg&t=18s

Sliders are expensive but they can save you a TON of money in the long run and I use mine every day now to get in and out of the Runner

Remember, the first thing I recommended is to leave it alone. So do as I say, not as I do but.....

I could not bring myself to basically throw away a perfectly good and almost new set of factory shocks. So I had a spacer lift installed. 3" in front and 1" in the rear. I also added 1.25" wheel spacers and 285 tires. I am VERY happy with my Runner. In a few years, once I need new shocks I might consider replacing everything with a "real" lift and selling my spacers.

 

Just as a point of clarification the OR suspension is the same as the SR5 suspension. Between that comment and a "Toyota guy" at the offroad place suggesting spacers... I'd be disinclined to do business with them.

My inclination would be to leave it as is for the trip and keep mental notes on what you'd like to change, then purpose build it with those ideas once you get back. A legit 5 day offroad trip will give you more good info about what you need than lurking on this forum for a decade will...

 

Correct, I'm prepared to spend a little bit albeit a bit prematurely, to ensure we get a bit of ground clearance for the trip. Inevitably, I'll wind up doign a full system down the road.

 

why not spend large now instead of later? Twice the work and probably a extra 500-1k you don’t need yo spend.

 

Have RSG sliders on order. Going w Bilstein 6112 front and 5100 rear w the 275 KO2s. Should be a nice set up. I’ll post some pics when I’m done. I appreciate the feedback!

 

I’d suggest spending a bit more more and getting the 5160’s for the rear.

 

save up your money for a good kit. dont rush into suspension just because its next on the list. Save up for a quality set of shocks. I would go King, Icon, or Fox. It's more expensive but youll be happier in the long run.

 

You don’t need top of the line shocks for mild over landing
Quality is subjective.

 

No. It's not need. But the 4Runner already comes with great shocks, if you're going to upgrade, upgrade. Just my opinion.

 

Any shocks that deliver better performance and ride quality for intended purposes are an upgrade

 

I would advise against high speed desert runs and taking jumps with that setup, but if you do please post videos

 

I am torn between dobinsons and Ironman foam cell. Most likely go dobinsons because I want to add bumpers, armor, etc. and their springs are great. It sounds like you have a plan in place for all the other stuff. Post pics and thoughts whatever you decide!

 

What works, works

 

Geez, I didn't realize they (Eibach) wanted $495 for their adjustable perch rear coil setup. I saw it at Expo West a few years back and thought it was a unique idea.

But you can buy 2.5 sets of coils for that same price, and you can also get more than half your money back on a set of used coils.

 

Hey Jameson41, your instincts for spacers are correct, for sure. Your OEM suspension is better than spacers. I’ve used my 2018 ORP for two years on some pretty cool trails with a stock suspension and stock size K02s. I may change it now that I’ve added a winch, but it’s still not absolutely necessary. In my case, I may go with an ELKA 2.5. The lift is mild, but it’s the performance that only a 2.5 shock gives that I want. This isn’t a decision that should be made quickly, as there are so many options out there. Btw, none of the good options are cheap.

 

anyone have any experience with the Ironman FoamCell Pros?