Suspension/lift help

I have read numerous threads in regards to the information I seek however, I cannot seem to get clarity. In fact, I think I have further confused myself on the issue. Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated, and if there is a common thread I apologize I couldn't find it. I am not a car guy by any means so I am completely unfamiliar with cars and most car talk on this site but I am trying to learn.

I have a 2015 Toyota 4runner Trail Premium. It is my wife's everyday drive and family car but she is wanting to lift it. I am not opposed to lifting the car however, I do not want to compromise the ride quality. This edition rides smoother than any other one I have ever driven. Also, the dealer we just bought the car from last month put brand new Cooper All-Terrain tires on the vehicle the day we bought it. They look amazingly aggressive and drive very smooth and I do not want to waste the tires.

I was told that we could purchase Bilstein B8 5100 series 2 front shocks kit for 0-2.5 in lift ride mountable replacement gas-charged height adjustable height adjustable shock absorbers, and Bilstein B8 5100 Series 2 rear shocks 0-2 inch lift ride mountable replacement gas-charged shock absorbers, and a mounting kit. Totaling about $500 not including how much a shop will charge me to have them put installed. I was also told Rough Country has a similar setup but with coil springs included for half the price. Now I don't know what any of that means, I am just trying to give my wife her dream car without compromising ride quality. I would love to learn the information anyone is willing to educate me with, and if anyone else has any other suggestions I am open to them as well. Thanks in advance

 

You mention you like the way it rides stock. Bilstein 5100's were a little too stiff on the 4runner for my taste.

Eibach has shocks that lift our trucks just like Bilstein 5100's, but I found them to ride better. More controlled than the stock shocks, but not stiff or jarring like the 5100's can be (at times).

You didn't mention how high you wanted to lift the vehicle. Most people reduce the stock vehicle rake by lifting the front a little more than the back......usually lifting the front 1" more than the back. As an example, a lot of people lift 0.85" up front and do no lift in the back. Or they lift 2.5" up front and 1.5" in the rear. I personally think 1.6" up front and 0.5" in back is perfect. Pick whatever works for your wife.

These shocks will lift your front end 0", 0.85", 1.6" or 2.5" when using your stock coils. The lower coil perch can be raised or lowered to accommodate the lift height you choose.

https://eibach.com/us/2000/E60-82-071-02-10-TOYOTA-4Runner-pro-truck-sport-shock

Shocks will not lift the rear end. For lifting the rear you'll need either a longer aftermarket coil or a spacer that sits on top of your stock rear coil. Here are some options for a rear spacer that will lift the rear to your desired lift height:

https://www.cornfedsuspension.com/4n5rrlift/

These are rear shocks that can be used with a lifted rear end:

https://eibach.com/us/2000/E60-82-008-02-01-TOYOTA-4Runner-pro-truck-sport-shock

There are lots of lift options out there. If you decide to go the Eibach route, I bet she'll be really happy with the way it looks and rides.

 

Do you even really need a lift? Just zoom around in stock formation, which is fine for 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of peeps. And nothing wrong with that.

 

Based on what I have had lift suspension are on the firm side. Stock XREAS on Limited were the most comfortable on road to my taste. Then I would like the nice soft stock Tokico shocks on SR5. Many seems to like firm shocks to prevent nose dive and body roll. I like nice soft ride with soft shocks and soft sway bar. TRD Pro Fox are the worst for on road confort from factory to my taste.

As for aftermarket Bilstien5100 is little soft compared to TRD Pro Fox shocks and ELKA 2.5 are better. ELKA 2.5 are insanely comfort on trails compared to TRD Fox. But none to my taste for on road comfort. I'm going to try something new soon, Ironman Foam Pro Cell which seem to have very low gas pressure. Will share my thoughts when installed and driven a little.

 

Thank you for the information, I had narrowed options down to bilstein and rough country

https://www.roughcountry.com/toyota...0075.html?find=2015-toyota-4runner-4wd-738357

I will look into the eibach now. I want to lift it 2-2.5 up front and 1-1.5 back to assure it’s noticeably taller and level. Again we don’t want to sacrifice one bit of the smooth ride, it won’t really be taken off road much. Mainly a ride up an down the beach once a year and maybe some dirt roads for camping. It’s really just for appearance, she always wanted a lifted 4Runner but it’s a family car with kids being tricked around so it’s got to stay super smooth riding!

 

I agree with the Eibach set up, let us know what you decided on.

 

If you other half uses it as a DD and she has never had a lifted vehicle as a DD I'd suggest she rethink if its really wanted.

Wife wanted to DD mine after I got the Tundra. Needless to say that lasted 1 month before we sold. Squeaking UCAs didn't help but she did not like driving it everyday.

 

Would getting adjustable larger shocks and setting up 2in in front and 1 in the back really cause that many issues to include squeaking uca? Thanks for all the information to everyone!

 

that’s what I’m leaning to seems the 3 options are all about 600 give or take installed. Eibach seems to be of the top suggestion.

 

Rough country is literally just sticking a piece of metal in your suspension to get your lift. Adds absolutely zero anything besides height.

 

Avoid rough country like the plague, it's like buying hyper tough tools.

 

I think eibach shocks (which i have,) are a little to stiff, remember everyone is going to have different opinions.

Look into dobinson suspension. The gs shocks may be what your looking for

 

https://www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pro...-runner-5th-gen~yr_2010-2022-suspension-parts

is this what your speaking of? What would be a good one for the back? Soooo many options feel like whatever I pick will be wrong…

 

definitely marked RC off the list.

 

Ok, thanks. Just trying to look and decide at eibach bilstein or Dobson at this point.

 

Send dobinson direct an email and tell them what your looking for.. its a great company to deal with

 

No its issues I had with Icon and their bushings that just made me give up.

Wife is small 4' 10" and she found out getting in/out and just plain driving a lifted vehicle wasn't her thing. She like SUVs but just not that big even though the 4R isn't that big.

 

Oh ok, so bilstein or eibach shouldn’t have those issues and be ok to just do two in the front and one in back? My wife is used to lever suvs we had a sequoia an just traded a suburban for this 4Runner.

 

Haven’t heard back but is this what you tried??

https://www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pro...-runner-5th-gen~yr_2010-2022-suspension-parts

 

Finally got the new grill with raptor lights in and rails

 

Those are the extended travel, they also have standard travel ones. But yes when i swap out my eibach, im getting the extended travel dobinson struts/shocks... its the holiday weekend so their responses may be slow, there's a guys on here crickeymike I believe his name is, he's a dobinson dealer.

But pretty everyone that has dobinsons is satisfied with them.

 

Oh ok, what’s the difference those I posted just last longer ?

 

I believe so

 

The squeaky UCAs come from swapping out the stock ones for aftermarket ones with urethane bushings...and they do squeak, especially after it rains. You gotta keep them lubed. If you're only gonna lift the front 2 - 2.5" and *not* putting on extended travel shocks, you shouldn't need different UCAs.

I agree on the RC comments stated by others.

I don't think you can go wrong with Bilstein, Dobinsons or Eibach. I have Bilsteins 2 of my rigs and they ride better than stock, IMO.

 

+1 for the Eibach kits, a coworker of mine has run Bilstein 5100s , FOX 2.0s and the Eibach pro truck kits albeit on his Ranger and he loves the Eibachs. In his experience he says the FOX were the softest, 5100s the firmest and Eibach was the best middle ground. Also depending on the lift you want out of the 5100s about 2"+ I do suggest buying a new coil spring something like an ARB or Dobinson instead of using your stock coils. That way you can keep the circlip on the bottom setting and achieve the lift height from the aftermarket spring, this way you aren't preloading the coil springs too much making the ride harsher.

 

Can anyone suggest/provide link for a Fox shock that they have used on the runner? Again, just looking for a little lift keep smoothest ride as possible and and come out cheap as possible.
Thanks

 

Fingers crossed just ordered the bilsteins going to drop it off “to get the oil changed” and surprise my wife when she goes and picks it up hopefully the 4runnee will be sitting noticeably higher.

 

So I was dead set on ordering

Bilstein B8 5100 Monotube Adjustable Strut & Shocks Set for 2010-2022 Toyota 4Runner 4WD RWD w/0-2.5" lift

the mechanic installing it said it would be much rougher over bumps which worries me as we want it to remain smooth as possible. He suggest old man emu, which from a quick search is way more money. Anyone have any experience or other knowledge to drop on me?

thanks

 

I don't know about 5100, but my eibach were stiffer then stock but its still comfortable.

If you max out the5100 adjustability at 2.5" on stock springs it will be stiffer

I'f your looking for a plush ride, dobinson gs twin tube. They are more expensive then 5100 and eibach, but not by much

 

I had the Bilstien 5100’s on my 2002 Runner set for 2” and thought it was pretty darn good. I didn’t think it was stiff, or harsh like others have said. Any lift you go with is going to be a little more firm, but that is what i think is what it needs, but not harsh or stiff, I liked them.