Overland Lift For My 2012 SR5

Hey guys and gals,

I have just purchased a 2012 SR5 4Runner and want to turn it into a daily/overland rig. Im not too concerned with ride quality on the street but more so on expedition suspension performance. I am also not TOO deep in the pockets so I am looking for something that isnt going to pound the bank account too hard. I am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks!

 

Toy tec makes great kits all around. They have a bilstein for under $1,000 and the Boss kit, which I just had installed on my 2015 trail, for around $1,300 - $1,400.

 

What are the advantages to the boss over the toytec?? Excuse my ignorance.

 

Toytec sells the kits that have everything needed to install. You can choose which shocks you want in the kits on their site but they vary in price (obviously). I am under the impression that the Boss shocks are a little more suitable for daily drivers, like myself, as they give a more comfortable on road feel and are plenty capable off road. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. The Google can be your best friend or the search option on this site. It basically comes down to your needs and preferences. I would bet that you could do just fine on overland excursions with stock suspension minimally but if you intend on making it a way of life or doing serious bouldering I would poke around the interwebs for a couple weeks and figure out what would best suit yourself. My shop in Denver warranties toytec kits, within reason, and there is a toy tec dealer on the north side of town.

 

Hmmmm great info! Im curious if the toytec is something I can upgrade later, i.e. ad an upper arm to or if I should just save and do the ocon or fox set ups..? I dont want to have to get rid of a whole shock system and upgrade to an actual coilover later..

 

SAVE! If you aren't rushing to lift it, save and get Fox, Icon, ADS, King, or Walker Evans. The step up from bilsteins is a ridiculous difference. If you can afford it, do it.

 

Im going to save up. Just deciding on the Fox vs. Icon. I got great quotes on both. Just a bit of research to do.

 

I have icon. Really love them.

If you get fox, buy anti corrosive apart for them. The only negative I've heard about them is that the shock bodies corrode.

 

Note taken! I have been leaning towards Icon. I was going to start woth the stage 2 minus UCAs and build from there. Considering getting the HD old man emu springs for the rear for better pay load option. Thoughts?

 

Don't have any experience with OME coils but I know everybody who has OME Dakars Springs on their Tacoma loves them. I'm installing some ToyTec Superflex 2.5" HD coils this week probably. I'll post up how they are. I recommend adding in UCA's when swapping coilovers. You can get light racing UCAs for cheap.

 

OP you can get front shocks with another inch of travel if you replace the UCAs. If you don't get the longer shocks, but get the UCAs later, you will have missed out on that extra travel. It's not the end of the world, but it is a wasted opportunity.

So if you are going to change the UCAs, do it up front with the shocks.

 

I'd get a full OME setup with the Camburg BJ UCA's if in your situation. Best bang for the buck and less maintenance intensive (as in none, install them and forget it) than the other higher end shocks mentioned above... Don't get me wrong the other shocks mentioned are really nice, but they're also really expensive off the bat plus more expensive after installed due to needing rebuilt/serviced at some point in the future. It's all what you want though...

 

Rebuilds really depend on you though. If you use them really hard, you'll have to rebuild earlier. If not, I know people that go 100k miles without a rebuild. Being able to rebuild is the nice part of them. When you blow an OME Shock it is just trash and you have to buy a new one.

 

If I understand correctly, I can get the extra inch shocks and upgrade UCAs later and then get that extra inch right?

 

No. The shocks limit the downtravel. Put on the longer shocks and then something else takes the stress. The upper ball joints, maybe.

My understanding is that to use the longer shocks, you must change out the UCAs at the same time.

 

Just ordered an stage 5 Icon system. Patiently waiting!!

 

Stage 5 Icon. Super pleased with the way it turned out!

 

Looks Awesome!