2023 TRD ORP - Suspension Upgrade Thoughts

Hello,

I've been researching a lot on getting a nice upgrade to the suspension on my ORP.

My Requirements / needs are:
- Keep as close of a comfortable ride as I have
- Get 1-2" of lift, no more. My ideal would be 1.5"
- Don't want to upgrade UCAs or anything other than springs and dampers all around
- Don't want spacers
- I want to keep it all within the $2k max range, give or take
- I want to keep the rake, not looking to level it. Removing the rake adds handling woes at highway speeds and introduces an opposite rake when there’s cargo or people. So I’m saving the rake!
- Be able to fit 275/70R17 tires comfortably without trimming. I don't need 285/70R17 tires, so that's not a requirement.

After a lot of research, I landed on either:
- Dobinsons IMS Monotube
- Bilsten 6112/5160 Front/Back combo

I like the bilsteins because they even came on some factory model 4Runners, and in general, Bilstein has a great reputation and the brand also comes from the factory in my <Miata. But I hear really good things about the Dobinsons.

My questions:
- Has anyone done either install?
- Any reputable shop in the Austin, TX area that can order and install reliably?

I'm leaning towards the Dobinsons at the moment.

 

Very happy with my 6112 front at 2" and 5100 rear with T13 rear springs for 1 1/2". Great ride and sits very level.

 

It's the same truck since 2010.
Same suspension questions has been answered numerous times since 2010 and it always ends the same... with many opinions.
Just search. Half of this forum is made up of suspension threads.
The other half is probably the answer to your next questions.

 

Wait, but I did say - I’ve done a lot of research, and part of that is searching and reading threads which are all over the place.

I was sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for the search-box police.

I tried to articulate a very specific thread based on my specific needs and narrowed down to two specific setups.

I’m not dumbly asking “I wanna lift. What do I do”.

I want to engage with people who have done it, people who may know of someone in Austin who can do it, and is around today not in 2010, and maybe ask specific questions about their experience.

My thread will become messy with posts like these, but also, with someone coming in recommending a 3” lift, UCAs and old man emu.

 

Have you considered the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0? I have this, keep the rake, as front is adjustable up to 2.75”, but keep it closer to 2” and no need for UCA. The stock suspension is more like an old school Cadillac, so none of the < $3K is going to get you that. When I first got the Eibach, I did miss the buttery floaty ride. But now I’m used to it (10 months), and have since added 285/70 AT in C load. I enjoy driving in it, smooth, not harsh, relaxing on road. Keep in mind your focus on 275/70 on either stock rim offsets will not run, even without a lift. Also, 275/70 is a stiffer tire as it only comes in E load.

 

Bilstein makes great products so I wouldn't hesitate to not use them. They're easier to obtain and if you want it done same day most shops can usually get them fairly quick. You can't go wrong with either.

I run rear Dobinson MRA LT paired with their 677 springs on my 4th gen 4runner and it's absolutely amazing. The craftsmanship and build quality on them are superb. If you say your budget is ~$2k, I'd recommend Dobinson due to their support (on here and other social platform) and the various option of springs you can use if and when you ever want to upgrade to a higher lift spring or different spring rates due to upgrading bumpers etc. They got you covered. Hit up @Crikeymike, he's a Dobinson vendor on here and can answer any questions you may have.

 

What do you mean “will not run”? How does the stock rim offset affect 275 tires?

 

Be mindful that most aftermarket shocks (especially Bilstein, which are digressive) are going to be a stiffer ride than stock.

 

My current set up for my 16’SR5 Prem:
5100’s all corners
Dobinsons 302 front coils 2.5”
Ironman light Load 1.5 rear coils
17x8.5 VOXX Pro wheels
285/70-17 MT Baja Boss A/T’s
Rides extremely well with stock UCA’s. I used similar set up on my Tacoma for 5+yrs. No issues

 

Find some trd pro take offs. Swap springs for dobinson.

 

Westport Designs pre-load collars. Perfect for your application and under 400$ for the kit.

 

Sorry, meant to say “will not rub”, damn spell check!

 

I am running wildpeak 275/70 in c load on stock suspension and stock ORP rims. I rub full lock in reverse...

 

lol. One letter changed the entire meaning of it.

 

Good to know. I had read that somewhere else too. And I can see that 265s in stock form is pushing close.

 

5100 on all corners and factory uca. 2.5"/2." coils. Running 285 70 17. Very nice ride and real good off road.

 

Interesting, guess it depends on tire manufacturer. What brand has 275/70 in C load? We have 3 guys in the local group that run 275/70s, all were only able to find in E load. None of them have had issues with rubbing in stock suspension (Toyo OC AT3 for 2, and one on Falken Wildpeak) and rims. Only when one of them added 1 1/4” spacer and mounted on TRD Pro rims on his Limited trim, did he have to remove some plastic on front. He also hates the ride on the 275s. I know when I initially looked for 275s, we only had E load available as an option (Toronto area, last year). I wish I held out and waited for 255/80s, better fuel economy and a true 33”.

 

Does anyone know where to buy the parts? Every manufacturer seems to have a distributor and I haven’t found it consumer friendly to order the parts from a reputable place.

 

I'm not sure what that means.

Shock Surplus seems pretty popular for buying suspension components.

I just installed the 6112/ 5160 combo. I had the vendor set the struts and shocks/ springs so that I would have right about 2" of lift in front and 1.5" in back. Got a bit more than that in the front and just about right on in the back. I'll see if it settles a bit, but otherwise, I'm very happy with this suspension.

Install was fairly easy. I did it myself with very few issues.

With stock tires and wheels, it's doesn't really look all that different than stock.

 

Maybe I can do it myself? I do my own oil changes for engine, tranny, diff, transfer case, install of all kinds of parts etc. I'm very handy and got plenty of tools. But I've never done suspension work because of the more heavy duty tools needed, and I've never messed with suspension components so I've got no experience.

That said, shock surplus seems cool. Any other similar sites?

 

I would think you could do it yourself. Watch these videos (the ones I used) and gauge your ability from there. I had most of my trouble getting the sway bar mount back on the driver's side. Otherwise, it was about a 15-20min job- each side (Front). A bit longer in the back because of the spring replacement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ZjivorC-I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUJpika3DtY

 

Those are AWSOME videos and it does feel very straight forward. I'm planning to do these: https://www.shocksurplus.com/products/bilstein-6112-strut-spring-assembled-rear-b8-5160-reservoir-shocks-set-for-2010-2022-toyota-4runner-non-kdss-4wd?variant=39795258196017

- is this what you did?
- does it come with the boot?
- does it come with the reservoir bracket?
- why is their pre-adjusted clip locations different between passenger and driver sides? I would hope they're the same and let the car lean however it wants to lean? I want "the stock look" but with a lift. How would I accomplish that? What's the rationale behind those differences?

So weird that it doesn't say on their website.

Also, I am NOT interested in leveling, the less leveling, the better for me. I want to go with the 1.9" lift in the front, but strongly considering a 2.3" - what lift do you have?

The only thing that I'm still confused about is, why does his videos not talk about torque specs? Seems like in order to stay alive, one should probably torque things to spec no?

 

That looks like what I got except I don't see springs included for the rear. My package included "B12 Special" springs.

Yes, it comes with the boot and reservoir bracket. The driver and passenger struts have different adjustments because the 4Runner is known to have a driver's side "lean"- this is a side-to-side lean not front to back (which is called Rake). Ideally, you'd want the vehicle to be level side to side. If you'd rather your vehicle to be lower on the driver's side, I'm sure the shock company can accommodate you and send you equally adjusted struts.

Leveling- vehicle sitting level front to back.

The stock ORP 4Runner has a "rake" with the front lower than the rear. I asked for lift of "about 2" up front and 1.5 in back". I have almost exactly that and still have the rake (my front end is lower than the back). This is fine with me.

Look through the comments in those videos. Torque values are posted there in response to that question. I'd caution you to confirm any torque value- or use at your own risk- before proceeding because many of these people are DIY people who may be repeating information they heard (but not verified) v.s. ASE Mechanics who have access to OEM Field Service Manuals.

Lastly, you could probably purchase and have this installed at an off-road shop who should know the exact specs etc and be able to discuss with you what you're looking for.

 

I could probably pull the torque specs from Toyota’s service manual.

Regarding the left to right lean. My car is stock and I don’t see any lean. I would prefer if the Bilsteins look like the stock from left to right regarding the lean.

Where did you get your kit? I would like the full kit. This is what I mean, hard to find the right setup online.

 

Don't buy a kit then.

You can adjust the 6112's to many different heights. Whatever you decide on for front lift height, then match that with a rear lift spring.

You were on the right track only lifting 1.5" on your first post. That's low enough that you don't need aftermarket UCA's and can still keep good stock alignment specs. That subtle lift height will also go well with a 275 tire. Then you just find a 1.5" rear lift coil and you're done.

Also, do yourself a favor and put the suspension on yourself using the "no compressor method". It's so much easier than dealing with a spring compressor or even putting a pre-assmbled shock on.

https://youtu.be/5E6u7dC7EHg?si=ggWqVrXbA5_SyiTV

https://youtu.be/jo0FJSi-KYs?si=DpcRShe2VBi1hf1O

 

I am convinced I do not want to put the struts together myself. I don't trust myself to get it right or to not hurt myself, that shit can kill. But I am looking for a website that I can buy from with full parts, and with at least more than a vague explanation for their "assembled" height settings.

 

I didn't notice any significant lean in mine either before the installation. I still don't. I trusted the shop would set the struts appropriately based on my needs and it appears they did.

I would not want to assemble the struts either.

I doubt you will get more than what you're seeing from that Shock Surplus link from another website since that information comes from Bilstein's own instructions. It's not all that vague. If the circlips are set to the position they say, you will achieve very close to the lift they say. I doubt anyone is going to guarantee you an exact number when it comes to this. That being said, I asked for "about 2" max" and, looking at my notes from when I installed them, my front was increased 2 3/8".

I do not feel comfortable recommending you to the place where I purchased mine. They initially sent me 4th Gen struts and tried to tell me they'd be fine. While it didn't take much effort to convince them to exchange them, I thought it was odd. Those struts also looked different from the others I'd seen installed and did not have different preload from driver to passenger.

At this point, I'd say you either need to call and discuss your needs with Shock Surplus or bring your 4Runner to a local off-road shop where you can speak to someone in person.

If you wanted to go with a Dobinson set up and get more personal service, CrikeyMike (forum member) is a Dobinson dealer and is very responsive to forum member's questions. His profile page is located:

https://www.4runners.com/members/crikeymike.13093/

 

Wanted to comment on this line. Lifting will not help you fit larger tires. Speaking generally, a lift pushes the wheel further down- away from the wheel well. But once you compress the suspension, the tire moves up into the wheel well. If it was going to rub without the lift, it's going to rub with the lift.

Another video to watch:

https://youtu.be/LAYGdcKSA3o?si=9YR2NTbgtophZjDb

 

I did a 1.5" lift. The lowest common denominator lift