Seeking smoother riding lift, budget $2-3k

Hi, im trying to decide on the best lift for my 4runner. Looking for about a 2-3 inch lift in the front and a 0-1 inch lift in the rear. Plan is to make it level.

Any suggestions of good shocks/coils. I have a Tacoma with Bilstein 5100s and OME coils and honestly I want a step up from that for this 4runner. Im looking for something that wont make the ride stiff on the road, looking for something nice and smooth riding on and off the road. Budget is 2-3,000. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

If you only want the lift to level it out, just get spacers. Way cheaper.

 

Honestly, not looking to go the spacers route. I want something a bit nicer, i do go offroading in it.

 

Okay, if you want it to do BOTH, then a true lift is what you want. I'm sure the regulars will chime in with recommendations, tips, tricks, etc...

 

Take your pic of what's in price range. Dobinson's, OME, Eibach....

Dobinson IMS is alot of bang for the buck in my opinion. But everyone will have a different perspective.

 

I have a 2020 Offroad and I used Bilstein 6112s and 5160s. 2.5" in front 1" in the rear. I am very happy with the ride. Mine has KDSS also so that makes a difference.

 

The big question is how much off-roading you do and how intense your trails and build will get. Personally, I wanted to be able to run some southern CO passes a few times a year and knew my build would stay mostly stock weight. For those needs the Eibach Pro kit fit the bill perfectly. Got them assembled and shipped for under $1k and found some lightly used Dobinsons UCA's for a few hundred more. Your needs might necessitate more heavy duty stuff though.

 

For a softer ride, I might look at something with progressive valving like Fox or King.

Otherwise, Dobinson is very popular around here, as is Eibach. The Eibachs are said to ride nicer than 5100's.

 

Good to know

 

I just installed Eibach Stage 2 and can compare directly to brand new stock shocks (changed at 3k miles).

At 2/1.5” lift it rides better and handling is improved. I would not call it any more stiff than stock, if anything it feels a bit softer but more nimble around corners. I also notice these shocks are quieter than stock.

2” is the minimum lift with Stage 2. Mine shipped threaded halfway up and I assumed that was 2”…it is most def not. If you go stage 2 make sure you thread them all the way down to start.

 

This.

Remember that if all you do is level the vehicle, you get more clearance and approach up front, but you actually get a worse departure angle.

Frankly, it sort of bugs me that so many of the lift options there are intent on leveling out the vehicle. The factory rake is fine.

 

Dobinsons IMS is also progressive if I'm not mistaken (that's why I got them). They just don't have the remote resi and aren't tunable

 

Thank you! I don't know much about Dobinsons, except that everyone I know who has them seems to really like them.

 

Progressive is cool. As I understand it, remote resi can be overkill for most, and you have the issue of downtime when you have them rebuilt.

 

Good point!

I split the difference by going 2.5/1.5" and I think it's a good stance.

 

Yeah, unless you're doing a lot of high speed stuff, it generally isn't necessary. But, it seems like they're usually the ones that are adjustable, which can be nice.

I think some non-reservoir shocks require rebuilding, as well.

 

Yeah, from what I read I didn't need remote resi (of course, I probably don't need half the crap I've added).

IMS can be rebuilt also I believe but there is no schedule. A lot of the remote reservoirs have a routine schedule that needs to be followed.

Can't remember if it was the exit offroad site or somewhere else but it gives the breakdown of the different shocks available for dobinsons and gives a simile type comparison.

Essentially the IMS is the "all terrain" version of their shocks and MRR (whatever their adjustable remote resi version is labeled) are the "mud terrain".

I went IMS because I don't need remotes (no deserts or opportunity for high speed offroading on east coast). Adjustability would be nice but I'm more of a set and forget kind of person and probably wouldn't use it anyway. If we had more terrain types around here and I was trying out different places each weekend I would have invested but I'm barely a weekend warrior - more like a monthly or quarterly warrior. Life is busy!

Edit - edited for spelling and to say I intentionally chose something progressive because I have KDSS. I was worried a digressive shock, along with KDSS, may feel too stiff

 

Here in the midwest, remote resi might make sense given the number of potholes. Just floor it and pretend I'm in the Baja

 

If you are looking for comfort, thats 100% what we focus on with our custom tuned Fox & King shock options (tuning is free).
However, the options we have may put you a little over the budget you have in mind, but we may be able to swap some things around. Either way we have complete kits, one stop shop.