2022 TRD off road premium spacer/suspension question

So I’m new to 4 runners. Previous suspension experience was with Jeep’s and a six inch lift 37’s on a recent tundra. Totally different animals.

Have done a lot of reading here but still confused by so many options and part interferences. (fender rubbing, UCA’s, CV Joint Angles, Adaptive cruise Issues etc). My build is coming with the TRD Pro Wheels and 26570R17 with Nitto Terra 2.

I want to lift for more aggressive look but I run the Colorado mountain roads and washboard tracks as well as the highways. Not a big crawler or anything like that. I want a smooth ride but not mushy.

I dont plan on adding iron bumpers winches or anything anytime soon. Maybe a hard shell Roof Top Tent. Standard gear load of coolers and duffle bags etc. Maybe a couple e bikes on a trailer hitch rack. Should I do spacers or suspension. I’m thinking 3 inch in front and something like 1.5 in rear. I want it near level even when loaded. I will eventually go to 275 0r 285’s. Which way do I go. Need advice. Oh I have no KDSS. Not a penny pincher (current ride is a McLaren) but as an engineer I don’t want to do more than I need or over complicate anything.

 

If you want a smooth ride, do a suspension lift. If money isn’t an issue, coilovers are the way to go. Or just do regular shocks and add aftermarket coils. If you want level, you’ll want a 3”/2” lift, or maybe even closer to 2.5” in the rear if you’ll have a heavy load.

what model mclaren you rocking?

 

welcome

 

I have a Mclaren modified 12C. I was thinking about the icon stage one 3 1/2 inch in the front, it’s 2 inch in the rear. The dealership wants to sell me on spacers. He says to keep the stock ride quality. 3” Front and he says 1” rear….

 

Nice! With a 3/1 lift you’ll end up nose high with the smallest amount of weight in the rear, and while spacers will help retain close to stock ride quality, you’ll feel how crappy they are on washboard roads. You’ll need to get upper control arms at 3” lift in the front as well, and id personally keep the icon coilovers at 3” max as they’ll go down in ride quality the higher you go. Since you’re in Colorado, check out Toytec. They’re knowledgeable and can point you in the right direction for what will fit your needs.

 

I would go with a high end suspension lift for washboards. I would look at King, Fox, Elka, etc. I would avoid Icon, personally.

If you're goin 3" in front, I would go at least 1.5" in the rear. The factory rake is around 2". Like @Mtbpsych said, 3/1 will leave you nose high with any cargo.

Also, 3+ inches gets into the territory of needing a front differential drop. They're cheap and simple to install, though.

 

Also, welcome to the forum!

 

I believe 3inch spacer lifts will require/result in some level of spring preloading. That would result in a change in ride quality. A rear spring spacer is also effectively adding preload. Not to say it wouldnt work, but the ride quality would have to be different in some way.

I recently installed Dobinson IMS front and rear and am very pleased with the ride quality on the street. Firm controlled ride, not unlike a nice car. Totally different beast, not floaty anymore at all. Havent officially been off road, but it does not mind being hammered through parking lots full of broken pavement

 

Now I’m honing in on maybe the Eibach stage 2 or Bilstein 6112/5160.

 

I hear very good things about the Eibachs!

I have 6112's and 5100's and no complaints. It's definitely a firmer ride, but it soaks up bigger bumps nicely. I have about 35K miles on them and have abused them plenty, and they're holding up nicely. It's definitely a good bang for the buck.

 

The eibachs have a delivery problem right now but nice at $750 for the shocks and springs.

I like the Elka’s 2.0 (for price) 2”-3”
but they don’t come with rear springs and the website says it ya not a lift kit just a suspension system and the rear shocks provide no lift. So I don’t know what else would be required to get a say 3” front and 1.5 rear lift. Rear springs I assume….Would I need UCA’s and diff drop also?

 

Maybe I’ll look at the Dobinson. I really want a good Highway and town ride. The whole reason I didn’t get a TRD Pro was the Fox Ride is a little stiff for daily driver.

 

Somewere between 2.5-3" is where UCA's become necessary. If I were planning on 3", I would get UCA's.

Diff drop is debatable at 3". It's probably not a bad idea, but you could always do the lift and then look at the CV angles after it's done.

Dobinson makes great stuff! If you go that route, hit up @Crikeymike and he'll set you up.

 

I have the Elka 2.0 IFP 2-3" adjustable range with 14" 650lb coils. Went with the matching Elka rear shocks and Bilstein 1" rear lift springs.

On road performance is fantastic IMO. Firm...not stiff or jarring. Very pleased with the setup.

Purchased the package from Headstrong Off-road.

You can buy 1.5" Bilstein rear lift springs if you'd like the rear a little higher.

I am running JBA UCA's.

No diff drop.

 

Im not sure how stiff the Pro is, but my Dobinsons are firm. The best way I can describe it is that it rides like a nice modern car. It feels very similar to our 2018 higlander, maybe a little softer around the edges due to the 4runners taller sidewall.

In any case, it is well damped firmness. It’s not bouncy, even through some pretty nasty broken parking lots. In a couple of weeks, Ill be able to report how it feels in various off-road situations.

So far it feels like a different vehicle, in a good way. And that’s coming from someone who enjoyed the ridiculously soft ride of the original suspension.

 

Have 3000 miles on a new Pro. Haven’t noticed it as being stiff. But, that’s probably a subjective thing.