Suspension upgrade for daily driving + forestry roads?

Yes, that is correct, shocks with adjustable reservoirs are more expensive. The decision is yours to make. A decent IMS suspension setup like I have with Front shocks & Rear shocks - Coils & Springs front & rear plus installation I paid around $2,100 everything included, Drive and forget about it. Others here on this Forum have similar setups and are very happy. Dobs IMS going in (5th Gen TRD OR)! | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com]

 

You are just ahead of me. lol. Airing down is the ticket on washboard.
Btw. Driving fast on washboard pitches people off the road or in the trees.

 

Just wanted to tell the OP that prices vary from shop to shop. I think I paid around 1200 just for labor only (suspension install, UCA install, diff drop kit, brake line extension, alignment,etc). My install took about 1.5days. Gave my 4R 8am Day 1 and the shop call mid day Day 2 saying its ready to pick up.

 

Air down and 4-hi, works wonders, always being considerate of others. You don’t want to be that guy

 

Yes, most of the time people go to off-road shops paying $$$. If you go to a good body shop they do the same for a lot less money. I paid $470 Tax, alignment all included.

 

For some more ideas take a look at this forum thread, especially post 8 by Jetboy:

 

OP, I have a 2018 TRD Off Road (with KDSS of course) like yours, and live in Ontario. I thought I'd chime in because I have the exact same dilemma as you. I'm into wildlife photography and want to use my truck to reach the odd remote area every now and then, but nothing too extreme. There's an excellent build thread on this forum by OldToyotaguy, a fellow Canadian: he went with Elka and is very happy with it. Unfortunately, I corresponded with Elka company reps and found out that their higher-end suspension should have regular maintenance every year or two, so I've decided that's really not for me. I'm busy enough just doing regular maintenance on the family vehicles. LOL Now I'm checking with my local Toyota dealership about installing the TRD Pro Fox suspension in my truck - that gives about a 1" lift. But we Off Road KDSS owners have a handicap right from the start. Last time I checked, the lowest part of the skid plate on a TRD Pro is about 10 inches off the ground - great! The clearance on an SR5 trim is just about what Toyota advertises: 9.6 inches. On the Off Road/w KDSS it's only about 8 inches! What this means for you and I is that, even with a 1-inch lift up front, the skid plate is still at least half an inch lower than on the SR5. So we need a couple of inches of lift up front if we want to even get close to the other models! I'm still sitting on the fence about this whole thing since, after all, I have only hit the front skid once during off-roading and I am still tempted to keep it stock. Maybe a local off-road shop can set me up with Fox suspension and springs to lift the front a bit more; we'll see.

The folks on this forum are very knowledgeable and helpful, and I am not at all mechanically inclined; I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. That said, you folks out in BC have many great off-road shops that can help, many more than we have out east.
Best of luck!

 

Join local 4Runner groups and you can find good recommendations. I got my Dobinsons IMS installed, balanced, and aligned with UCAs. By a local mechanic who is a 4runner enthusiast. Less than 3 hours total and $300 (+tip).

I got quoted by a local 4x4 shop ~$800-1100 for the same install
And a Toyota dealer quoted me $1200 for the same install

 

What psi do you air down to?

 

Usually 20-25 psi. Just depends on the conditions.

 

On wash-board & rocky trails I go 18 psi.

 

I have went to 15 psi. Going at slower speeds.

 

Find some low mileage TRD-Pro Fox shocks, add the eibach lift springs to them and mob down those roads like you are in a baby raptor SUV...

 

It's so situational. And, depends on what tires you have. I run 25 in situations where I'll be on pavement between sections of trail. I'll run 20 if I'll be off pavement all day. I'll drop to 15 in rocks and deep sand.

I was afraid to go below 20-ish with stock tires. But, I would go as low as 10 with my current tires if it gets really nasty.

To the OP - This does help a ton in washboard roads.

 

For what your describing there is no reason to spend a single cent, your stock vehicle is more than capable.

If it’s just a vanity thing and your trying to justify it to yourself, which is fine, the conversation changes about what you should get.

 

Reach out to Elka (they’re in Quebec). Their 2.0 IFP setup sounds like it’d fit your use case perfectly. They literally will custom build/tune the shocks for your specific setup and intended usage. Amazing customer service - they are awesome to deal with - very helpful.

https://www.elkasuspension.com/trucks/2-0_ifp/?c=72e1ba2726d6

 

As many others have said, it's easy to spend other people's money. You didn't mention your budget, if you have one. I obviously like Kings because I own them, but I've used Elka's in the past on ATVs and have used OMEs on 3 vehicles of mine. I've never used Dobinsons. All are reputable companies that you can't go wrong with. I'd add Bilstein to the that list.

Keep in mind - costs go up as technology and "gadgetry" go up. It is a huge uptick in price when you add remote reservoirs. What you gain from them, among other things, is your shocks don't fade (ie: get too hot to function properly) nearly as easily. If you drive 30 miles on a washboard dirt road, your stock shocks will get hot and no longer dampen your spring flex because the fluid inside is so hot that its viscosity no longer flows like it should because the oil is flowing like water.

Your remote reservoirs with adjusters can change the valving that your shock oil goes through with the turn of a dial. Kings have 1 adjustment control for compression valving. Elkas have 2 - compression and rebound. Dobinson's have 3....I'm not sure what the 3rd adjuster changes....shocks are either compressing or rebounding.

If you drive a lot on washboard dirt roads, you may want to look into shocks that have remote reservoirs. If it's only now and then and not for long periods of time, you likely don't need them.

I will mention that many people, myself included, buy things that will only sporadically get used, but used nonetheless on/in their vehicle. My 4Runner is my DD, but I carry a lot of "stuff" in it and have modified the suspension because I offroad frequently. Most of what I do is on easy trails, but like last weekend, I did a day trip where I needed the suspension I have and used some of the equipment I routinely carry when I didn't expect to.

I guess what I'm saying is...if you can afford it and you want it, get it!!!!!!!! Plus, Kings/Elkas/Dobinson's/OME's with remote resi's come with bragging rights!

 

Dobinsons 3-way adjustable valving – adjust high and low speed compression and rebound.

 

Just found this thread…. I heard we were spending other peoples money, which is my favorite kind of threads

Anyway, as @Chris In Milwaukee and @Roland attested, I also find my new Dobs IMS (non-res) to be the bees knees. They feel great both off road and on-road. It is not a softer ride, but it comfortable, firmer, and as perfectly damped as I could imagine for a “dual sport” setup.

My setup has the 302 springs for the extra weight of the winch, and the rears are the standard valved IMS shocks (crickey mike said you need about 100 pounds in the back for them to be at ideal weight) I have a bit less daily, but it feels fine. With it loaded down for camping gear, tools, water, cooler, etc, it felt hardly different at all. The back hardly squatted at all with stock rate springs.

Id say Dobs are a solid choice with any of their systems. The resivours would probably be overkill for almost anyone (not that there is anything wrong with overkill).

 

You have KDSS?

I'd really love, if possible, more detail about how you find them vs stock both on highway + offroad? I guess I love the idea of being able to "tweak" the suspension, but... yeah, it's probably overkill for someone who isn't city driving one day and rock crawling the next. I think?

And yeah, the other part I def need to figure out - or at least DECIDE on - is the expected weight. Right now I'm basically bone stock, but built-in drawer/sleeper system + front bumper/winch/etc. changes are still on the table for me...

 

I do not have KDSS. I’ll refer you to my install thread for my initial impressions: https://www.4runners.com/threads/dobs-ims-going-in-5th-gen-trd-or.22129/

So far my initial impressions remain the same after putting on 2500 miles or so since install on-road, with about 100 miles of those being in varying off road situations (pretty similar to what you describe in your area).

Because you have KDSS, you may not notice such a dramatic change in on-road personality when it comes to stability in turns, but the quality of ride in general is dramatically different. I actually enjoyed the very soft suspension before, but equally enjoy the damping/ride quality of the dobs. Well, more so because the it just has way more capability. It’s very easy to “hammer” your 4runner in rough conditions without feeling guilty.

Regarding the decisions about your final setup and weight… I can understand some of the indecision. If I decide to add a significant amount of weight, I’ve resigned myself to spending extra on at least the rear springs (which is relatively easy/painless). But it would probably be best to make all those decisions before hand. Especially decisions about front weight, since changing out front spring involves disassembling the front coilover with a spring compressor, and getting another alignment.

As far as the more complex reservoir setups, keep in mind with more complexity comes new ways that things can fail. I’ve seen reports of leaks at the hose junctions on some brands, but it could happen to any. Unless the performance if reservoirs are critical, My preference would lean towards keeping it simple to increase potential for long term reliability.

 

Would washboard roads be considered "small" bumps, that would be felt more with a stiffer digressive shock? I've been looking at Bilstein 4600 / 5100 at stock height, and it seems like they make small bumps (like on road) more noticeable, while absorbing big bumps better.

I assumed that softer suspension would be needed to smooth out FS roads, and the expense of overall handling.

I actually like the stock suspension for the most part, it smooths out the bumps and potholes that are rough in my wife's car and in the Tacoma.

 

PNW neighbor here, just south of you in Washington. I have a 2019 TRD Off Road W/O KDSS. I use my 4Runner for the same situations you described. Mostly a commuter, with weekend forest roads to trail heads or just out exploring. Recently started pushing into slightly more technical stuff. I've had the Bilstein 6112/5160 with 2" Icon springs in the rear, for just over 20K miles now.

I ran this setup with the stock Bridgestone Duelers for just over 10k miles. One trip was a 1,000 mile round trip to Crater Lake with setup this spring, I was comfortable the entire drive with this setup. I feel like this setup has greatly improved the over all ride quality and performance both on and off road for my 4runner. Slightly sifter that the stock suspension over all. It has all but eliminated nose dive under braking, and feel planted in corners. The Bilsteins easily soak up potholes and washboard commonly found on forest service roads, making for a much more enjoyable ride to the trail head. Airing down the tires just a few pounds also did wonders to improve comfort off road. I've had many compliments on the ride quality and comfort, from both 4Runner owner including other 5th gens and non 4Runner owners.

I have since up graded my tires to a 285 MT E rated tire. After acquiring these new tires I took a road trip to Glacier, Yellowstone and the Tetons, around 3,000 miles round trip. Again the Bilstein 6112/5160 did a fantastic job. I did not notice a change in the way my 4Runner drove with the added weight of gear to last me over a week. There was no visible sag and I didn't bottom out anywhere with the gear in back. It was a comfortable ride the entire trip, even on the long 10+ hour stints I did. I highly recommend the Bilstein 6112/5160 with 2" Icon rear springs.

 

Unpopular answer...there's nothing wrong with the stock suspension for the uses you describe. A/T tires when the OEM tires need replacing.

 

Just coming across this thread, but I have KDSS on my 4Runner and was faced with a similar situation when I wanted to upgrade my suspension and also not break the bank with it...here's what I ended up doing, and I really like the ride quality:

Front:
- Eibach Pro Truck Sport Shock (Set to 0)
- Dobinsons C59-300 Spring

Rear:
- Eibach Pro Truck Sport Shocks
- Cornfed ¾" Spacer

Tires:
285/70r17 BFGoodrich KO2's (Load Range C)


I daily drive my car while still doing the occasional off road excursion, and I find the ride quality to be perfect for my needs (and budget)...This is the second "version" of my suspension though. I had originally done just the Eibach Shocks, on Stock Springs front/rear, with raised perches to 1.6" riding on 275/70/17 Load Range E KO2's...and my ride quality was abysmal (IMO). I swapped the springs and tires, got more lift, cleared 285's without a BMC and have significantly better ride quality.

 

I couldn't have said it any better.

 

Digressive shocks don't do well on washboard, actually, nothing is doing well on washboard, besides airing down to 16 Psi; nevertheless, you will find a better ride on washboard with progressive or more linear shock absorbers.

 

OP mentioned, front bumper/winch/ etc. So, forget about stock!

 

She said maybe and they aren't necessary either for the use case described.

 

Here's my answer to the question.




Just arrived today for my 21 ORP w/KDSS. Adjustable King extended coil overs with reservoirs, SPC UCAs. Rear adjustable King extended w/reservoirs, 1.5 inch spacers, bump stop spacers, KDSS spacer. This will be my first shot at an off road suspension for the 4Runner.

My requirements are a lot like the OPs, I'm not planning radical off road excitement (my wife will drive it shopping most of the time LOL), but when I want to go off road boon-dock camping, I'll have it set up to do so. I'm only planning a 2.25-2.5" lift. It might take some adjustments to get it the way I want it, but that's part of the fun.


Much thanks to Ben at Filthy Motorsports.