Lift Kits

Looking at these 3. Not doing any hard offroading. Just want a comfortable ride as my wife has back issues and want her to be able to enjoy going off the beaten trail. Pavement can be rough. Will be adding steel bumper later so I would like to be able to adjust as needed. Thank you
Bilstein Stage 1 Lift Kit 5th Gen 4Runner vs
Bilstein Stage 2 Lift Kit 5th Gen 4Runner (2010+) vs
Bilstein 6112/5160 Lift Kit 5th Gen 4Runner (2010+)

 

It might help some of the experts here if you mention what do you get with Bilstein stage 1 and 2? Ex - stage 1 is 5100 shocks to be used with stock springs? etc.. As far as I've seen 6112 & 5160 kit is build for better cooling with more oil 6112 with 2.5 body and 5160 has bit more travel than 5100 been a longer shock and also got extra cooling with the remote res.


Since you said your wife has back issues from all the lifts I've seen rides firm than stock. So you will feel more bumps on road. I feel like all these lifts are made to protect the shocks from damaging on trails to absorb hard hits vs on road comfort. I could be very wrong as I'm no expert on this. Wanting to learn from senior folks.

 

Another question for you to help with your decision..
How high do you want to go? Both the 5100's and 6112's will go up about 2.5-2.6 inches in the front. If you add a full size steel bumper. you will probably loose about a 1/2 inch unless you increase your spring rate.
I rode in a '19 Taco with the 6112's and 5160 rears the other day. Truck seemed planted and stable. It did feel a bit stiffer than my 4runner (stock suspension with a spacer lift) but nothing horrible, just able to feel the smaller bumps in the road and definitely not jarring at all. Yes, the rear is still a leaf set up which are naturally a bit stiffer anyway.
I dont see the 5100 being any more or less of the ride quality than the 6112's. Just bigger in diameter, with more oil for more extreme use.

I would personally (out of the 3 kits you stated) get the 5100's all around, installed on the highest clip setting in the front with the stock springs, a set of UCA's and get a 1" rear lift spring at the same rate as the stock spring. This will level the truck out, even when you get that bumper. Then if you need to go up again after the bumper, you can get some OME, Dobinson's or Ironman front lift springs in a desired rate to help with the added weight, but also comfortable for you and the wife.

Good luck!

 

So, Stage 1? Then i could upgrade gradually? Sorry, new to all of this.

 

I assume you are looking at Yotamafia Good site.
Lift Kits - YotaMafia

Yes the Stage 1 Bilstein kit is great. Once you add the UCA's you are into the Stage 2.
I really like the Eibach kit myself. Adjustable without having to dissasemble the shock (its threaded) and it gives a perfect lift front and rear. I have never had an Eibach product that I didnt like (2 trucks and 5 sports cars later). And they are a bit cheaper than the Bilsteins when you get into the Stage 2 and up.
BTW, Eibach makes the springs for the Bilstein 6112's...

 

Would I then be able to get 285s on? Also, would I need anything else if I wanted to put on a steel bumper and winch?

 

If you are looking for comfort, do some research on ironman foam cell shocks. I got to see a 4runner with them on the road, and from the outside, it really seemed to ride cushy based on the way it moved over bumps.

Myself, I have Dobs IMS shocks on all four corners. With springs to accomodate the weight of a warn winch bumper and winch. Rears is stock weight springs with standard valved shocks. They sell comfort valved rear shocks if you rarely load the rear and want, well, comfort. My set up is definitely firmer than stock, but absolutely not uncomfortable. It’s a high quality feel, controlled damping on the road.

Nothing will beat the stock suspension for comfort, but that doesn’t help your case with the Mrs.

edit: If you are planning on adding weight after the lift, then you’ll have a moving target. You may need to put heavier weight springs when the time comes. If you do heavy springs now without the weight increase, it will ride like a dump truck