You Get to Build My Suspension...

After much searching, I'm still lost on what I'm looking for, so I'm throwing it to the masses. I've got a '16 SR5.

Requirements:

1. I want to get rid of my nose dive under braking.
2. I don't want to mess with UCAs.

That's it. It's mostly used as my DD with the occasional camping trip. No wild off-roading. I don't need it lifted anything more than an inch or two at the most and leveling is fine but not required. I don't really have a budget in mind, but I know I don't need any crazy King setup. I'm currently looking at Bilstein 6112 or 5100.

And... go. Thanks for the input.

 

You are going to get so many different options its not funny.

But since you mentioned Bilstein I'd roll with that.

 

Two directions:

Budget:
Front: OME 884 coils front + Bilstein 5100 adjustable (set to Zero)
Rear: SwayAway 2" coils + Bilstein 5100 rear.
About 2" lift and no need for UCA replacements.

Around $800

Quality:
Front: Radflo 2.5" Adjustable Coilovers already assembled.
Rear: Radflo Smooth Body 2.0" Shocks w/ SwayAway 2" coils.
About 2" rear, front adjustable. No UCAs needed, but you will get better travel and camber adjustment with your alignment.

Price: $2500

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These prices are parts only, not installed.
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Other good ones:
Toytec (good value, also really just Bilsteins)
Kings ($$$$)
Fox (they ok)
Icon: (Pricey, but good. Buy from a reseller, Icon themselves don't have good customer service)

Avoid:
OME BP51 (good stuff, but pricey and kinda hard to adjust
Spacer lifts (won't improve ride, likely to worsen it or leave it the same)
Airbags - They are only good for load carry improvements, not really a lift, and only in the rear anyways.

That probably didn't help, but that's my $0.02

 

The new dobinsons IMS. Should be comparable / exceed the Toytec Boss 2.0's for under $1400 w/coils. You could step it up to the MRR's for about another $1K. Both are fully rebuildable. There is a site offering the kit w/a free air compressor (~$300 value) through the end of February.

I'm leaving towards getting this set soon - seems like it could be a great setup!

 

Eibach Pro Lift

https://eibach.com/us/i-9884-pro-truck-lift-system-stage-1.html

 

Eibach adjustable front shocks with your stock coils - $288

Choose your front lift height from 0", 0.8", 1.6", or 2.5" of lift. No more nose dive. No need for UCA's. Rides fantastic on road and is very capable offroad.

You don't have to lift the rear if you keep the front end at 1.6" of lift or less. You don't necessarily have to get rear eibach shocks if yours are still good, but they would be nice. Those will add another $228 to the price tag.

 

I've ran Fox, Bilstein and Toytec. only one I cant recommend is Toytec. I hear great things with Eibach and Dobkins

 

What site?? Need a link

 

Ok, I agree with everything said so far, but if you want a high end option, check out Elka. They’re a Canadian company and pretty cool, especially if you have KDSS.

 

King OEM

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/king-suspension-group-buy-in-stock-ready-to-ship-live.10923/

 

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-1-to-3-lift-kit-toyota-4runner-2010-20-with-kdss/

There is also a non-kdss version. Just choose the shocks in the drop down menu

 

Nice, thanks!
Link for 5th gen 4Runner with KDSS Elka suspension options

 

Thinking about the 2.5 IFP front and rear.

 

Thanks all for the input. I'm not sure how I've missed the Eibach option, but that sounds like a pretty solid option for what I'm looking for. I think I'll narrow it down to that or the Bilsteins.

 

The Eibach adjustable fronts have pretty much nothing but good reviews by those using them, and those with stock springs, combined with either 1" rear springs & rear Eibach shocks, or rear Eibach shocks, stock springs, & a 1" spacer, will give you the lift you want, improve the ride, and not require a second mortgage to fund them. The Elka setup(s), while most likely one of the best, is definitely in what you describe as the "crazy King setup" price range.

I myself am leaning toward the front Eibach adjustables w/ stock springs, and either one of the rear options, for the bang for the buck.

 

I work at a 4x4 shop, so we see lots of stuff, one of the most kits we replace are the Dobinsons, they are just junk. Id stay far away from them

 

That's interesting. It seems those who have those swear by them...

 

of course they will, they spent money and dont want to say they was wrong lol...

 

I'll add something to this, I put on my Bilstein 5100 on my wife's 4runner and it was so much better than stock.

Then I rode in my friends truck with an ADS suspension (similar to King). Now I understand where I stand in the pack. Better than stock, but there's a big gap between that and a high end suspension.

On the road I didn't notice the difference too much, but when we started hitting washboard dirt roads....wow.

So I don't think they are blindly defending, they might have not ridden in something like that.

I've ridden offroad in stock, Bilstein, King, OME BP51, Fox, OME (rough), Icon, ADS, Toytec, and the Total Chaos trophy truck (danngggggg).

I still love my Bilsteins, great value, but let's not mince words here, they are nothing like a good setup of ADS, King, Icon, etc.

Now I am looking at Radflo for my next build, hearing good things.

 

What’s wrong with them? I just installed on mine and have no issues, but I have nothing else to compare it to other than factory.

 

I'm going to guess the fact they aren't Toytec lifts. ‍♂️

I know plenty with Dobs and they love them. I also know one with Toytec and he loves it. I find it hard to take the word of one person, because everyone has their own opinion of what they want out of a lift (progressive, digressive, linear rate etc)

 

Adding my input as I have a 2015 Trail Edition (KDSS) with 6112/5160 setup. The Bilsteins significantly reduced braking dive and are a good middle option. Mine are set to the top notch (about 2.5” in the front).

I was told that UCA’s weren’t necessary, but I wasn’t happy with the amount of play in the steering and wandering at 60+ mph. I just upgraded to Built Right uniball UCA’s and it was well worth it. I wish I had replaced them from the start. Weighted feel at slow speeds and all of the play gone at highway speeds.

 

Since you are not, going to be racing across the desert in your rig, remember this, Kings and ICONS are designed and built for fast racing, and therefore will need to be rebuilt often, if you dont race those they wont ride as good as they are designed. The others are design for the weekend wheeler daily driver. In the end, it's YOUR money.

 

Well, since my pro is gone, my pick for the orp based on tons of reviews will be Eibach. Due to 4runner lean, I'm going to wait for the release on fully adjustable front and rears to eliminate a need for a spacer.
Plus with rears when you tow you can run them up if needed