Suspension upgrade with good articulation

Posted this on the other 4runner forums but wanted to post here as well since both forums seem sparse...haha

I've been searching and reading and searching
and reading for days now and I think I am close to zeroing in on what I want. However, the close I get the more questions that start to emerge. I've been reading through many threads, but some of them are fairly old so I am unsure if the information is still totally valid/up to date. Plus some of my questions have gone unanswered...

ANYWAY...

The goal for Ruby (gf's named the 4Runner Ruby) will be road trips, offroad trails, camping, etc. Some day we want to overland in her, but we are starting out slow.
I just want a minimal front lift as I learned with my tacoma, more lift = less down travel... So for Ruby, I want to maintain maximum articulation up and down while also improving the ride on and off-road.

I was looking at the 5100s paired with 880s and 906s. My questions are:

1. What kind of lift should I expect, after they settle and all that jazz.
2. Will I be able to load cargo into the back without the 906's sagging badly?
3. WHICH 5100s do I purchase? I see so many, ones that are extended, non extended, Tundra ones, Taco ones... lord!
4. Will this setup have decent flex/articulation?
5. Do I need to adjust the panhard bar? Reloate?
6. Do I need limit straps, or new bump stops?
7. Finally... will this setup ride well?

Opinions?

Many thanks all.

 

There are a bunch of threads on this setup which I have been interested in for some time. Here is one I have bookmarked - https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/998ezp/beforeafter_bilstein_5100_ome_880906/ . I'd be interested in follow up comments if you pull the trigger on this. Cheers!

 

Whoa a reply! Woohoo!

I ended up getting the 880's, 906's, and paired then with tundra 5100s. The ride is super "lazy" feeling on large bumps and dips, but small sudden holes or bumps are a bit harsh. This may die down as the springs break in, but so far I like it. I've not gotten to test her on the trail yet, but so far I can fly over a bumpy grass field and it is pretty soft and fun. (Not too fast mind you...haha). Also note that I extended the rear brake line, and added rokman heavy duty trailing arms.

I've got the kit for front limit straps, I'm going to install those and drop the front sway bar to see if it feels fine without it. Trying to get maximum articulation on and off road without having to get disconnects... (Unless I have to)

I have RCI LCA skids and the front main skid. Going to put those on soon.

I've also got a ton of steel reinforcements from that E guy on the other forums. Strut tower reinforcement, lower trailing arm link reinforcement, panhard bar correction brackets, etc.

Finally, I have a set of durobumps that came in today!!

So I'm pretty excited so far.

 

^^^^ DITTO

 

So I learned that my springs may be too short! When she's flexed out comes back down I hear this "DUNdun" bang sound..

 

Update, after installing 2nd gen rear swaybar links I no longer get the painful sounding DUNdun. More testing is required to be sure she's good.

 

Photo of one of the links.

 

For anyone who was following, I found out that the violent clunking was actually the springs almost falling out...

I've swapped to 890s which are taller, and they don't get loose during max flex. All is well now