Adding weight and when to modify suspension

I've recently started adding some weight to my SR5P and curious to know if or when I should modify the suspension. When loaded for a trip it's a RTT, awning, and rugged case on a Crestone rack up top, and a 50lbs bike rack with 30 to 90lbs of bikes on the hitch. The roof rack and bike rack are pretty much permanent/ everyday fixtures.

I have stock K02's (265/ 70/17) on TRD wheels and my off-roading is occasional forest service roads. My rig is geared towards family camping and getting to mountain bike trails, so light-overlanding I guess. I think it is perfectly capable as-is for what I'm doing, but don't want too much squat with the added weight and further affecting body roll/ nose dive. Is it worth doing anything now, or ever? Of course 285's or 305's with a 3"+ lift would be cool, but I want to be realistic with what I'm really using my 4Runner for.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

In a very similar boat, and curious to hear others’ advice!

 

A good place to start is looking at your door jamb for payload numbers. Given it's an SR5 I think payload is rated at like 1500lbs. Vehicles equipped with lockers are reduced to like 880lbs which is laughable. I'd assume that's while the locker is engaged however, and that 880 rating is based on locked or bound driveline components. But you're an SR5 so that's not important right now.

If you plan on carrying more than 1500lbs (that includes everything inside the rig that isn't bolted down, so you, passengers, cargo inside and cargo outside) than you should be looking at upgraded suspension components, especially if you're noticing sag, as that will lead to poor handling. If you plan on carrying significantly more than 1500lbs you need to look at upgraded driveline components, etc.

From your description of uses I don't think there's anything you need to do now. Also, coming from a guy with a lift, tires, and thousands of dollars in other upgrades, a stock 4Runner is more than capable. In some cases sweet aftermarket parts make it worse as a road vehicle and daily driver.

Also, as a final bit of anecdotal gibberish, I was significantly over payload for over 2000 miles on a trip and the 4Runner handled it fine. The 4.0 liter was screaming through the Rockies however haha