Best coilovers for on-road performance

I know it’s a subjective question but I’m curious as to the answers. I’m a new limited owner looking to lift about 2.5 in the front and 1.5 in the rear. I have read this forum over and over and can’t seem to find consensus for on-road manners. My other vehicle is a 2004 wrangler LJ so I understand what is meant by firm vs harsh. Any thoughts or suggestions from the group? Thanks!

 

Possibly Icon coilovers. They are known to be a little firm.

 

Bilstein 8112 with internal bypasses have the most compression and rebound adjustability on the market.

https://offroad.bilstein.com/en-us/products/bilstein-b8-8112-zonecontrol-cr/

Should be available for the 4Runner very soon.

 

OME.

 

Unless it's already been deleted, you have the XREAS system on your Limited. There's not much to do for lift on that, other than spacers, if you want to keep that system. It's a good system, as long as it's not leaking. Mine shit the bed at about 150K. I ripped it out and went with OME.

 

I believe you mean OME BP-51.

I had OME Nitro Sports in the past and it was too firm to my taste.

 

Elka 2.5 DC but it is the most expensive.

Dobinson IMS for a more budget friendly performance shock.

 

Agreed.

 

You can tell that it is subjective.. 5 responses, 5 different answers.. I'm make it 6. I ditched XREAS for Bilstein 6112/5160 at the lift height you want.. in theory they are digressive so stiffer at first (this was my preference so on - road was not so rolly) .. but that comes with a stiffer ride.. compared to XREAS i think it is more plush, but I also changed to 17 inch wheels to the overall compliance may have a lot to do with more side wall. FWIW I love my set up.. most folks love theirs wheter it be ICON, OME, etc..

 

We still don't know if the OP still has XREAS.

 

I have have considered just adding spacers and calling it a day, but would really like to get rid of the Xreas and upgrade.

I have the Bilstein 8112/8100 on my short list right now along with the Dobinsons IMS and MRR

I will be doing some off-roading, but I’m being realistic that this is my daily and will spend most time on harsh concrete.

I have read Jmeeg’s take in the Elka’s and really don’t want to spend a fortune for off-road suspension that will spend most time on the street.

 

I do have the Xreas

 

I have also considered the 6112/5160 combo but have heard the are as harsh as the 5100’s. I also plan to move to 17’s and more rubber.

 

I guess my feeling on that is, if it ain't broken, don't fix it. Check into Cornfed Spacers if you just want a lift. https://cornfedsuspension.com/cornfedxrkits/
What is your ultimate goal? Mall crawler? Rock crawler? Just the look? If you do lift and level it, for God's sake, adjust your headlights correctly.

 

For on road smoothness, you won't be upgrading if your Xreas is working correctly-no leaks. I would continue to use that until a shock blows, then change out what you want-it won't be an upgrade in comfort though.

 

Sounds like spacers are in my future…

 

Why spacers?

 

I have enjoyed the Bilstein 8112 at 2" of lift with the 8100 out back with Bilstein 1.5" springs.

 

Based off the responses it sounds like no aftermarket setup will give me on road comfort as good as the XREAS.

 

I am bias...of course, but the OME-BP51 setup I have is very different smooth and different from FOX, ICON, and even Kings. I have a Taco as well and have used FOX and I don't like it as much. I think if you are willing to spend some $$ you can find better options and dial it right. In fact, the way to do it right is by going to Accutune and have them do a weight assestment on your rig and then they will custom tune whatever you need. Pricy though.

 

Was on road comfort ever defined? You want a soft ride?

 

I had a limited, with spacers, I don’t think you can get better than the XREAS, it rode very nice.

 

He said it was a new limited, you can just about bet your buttons, it still has Xreas
Honestly, i have had 3 4runners with Xreas, all with lifts, all 3 started out with spacers over the coil-over. You can get +1.5" out of it without much worry, with little to no change in how it feels over stock. If you wanna go higher though you really need new shocks because to get any higher, the Xreas tops out pretty easily. I believe from experience the shock shafts feel like they are about -1" shorter than a standard shock so they are pretty easy to top out when you start pushing the vehicle higher in the air.
I did this to one of mine, and swapped out the front shock/coil assembly for a TRD Offroad Tacoma shock assembly which is physically taller, and has different spring rates. I can tell you without a doubt none of the aftermarket stuff rides quite as smooth on road as the Xreas, pretty much everything you do will make you wish you had the Xreas ride back. Sure you may be taller, but i dont think there is anything that feels quite the same, the Xreas shock/spring combo is very compliant on road, small chatter bumps, and even washboard gravel roads, the Xreas is VERY nice in pretty much all conditions EXCEPT jumping curbs at speeds. They simply dont have enough valving to take big hits as fast as they need from what i can feel seat of the pants with 300,000+ miles combined across 3 vehicles with Xreas. They take them semi-smoothly, but not quite the same as the TRD Pro setup. Shock travel, up travel, and valving are big keys in taking big hits, and the Xreas simply dont have the shock stroke to handle big stuff BUT since this is a conversation about on-road i think you will never get the Xreas feel out of any of the aftermarket stuff no matter what you try.

 

Personally, I would keep the front lift at 2 in or under so you don't have to mess with upper control arms or have any funky alignment issues.

 

this is correct
there is nothing that you can buy, even stock SR5 shocks are not the same as the Xreas.
All of the aftermarket stuff trades off lift for ride quality and supple'ness. The Xreas is by far the most comfortable there is in my opinion.

You can do a +1.5" up front and the Eibach 1+ lift springs in the back and fit all of these tire sizes with no problem once you repin the fender liners forward. I have had a few of these vehicles, and have had all 3 of these sizes on the stock 20" wheels. I personally prefer the General 305/50-20 ATX tires, they are super wide, feel very plush, and look awesome under the vehicle. With +1.5" up front i dont rub anywhere and the stock ride quality stays the same. You will need about 3/4" out back to keep it level, you can use a spacer or the Eibach 1" lift springs got me right at 7/8"

These will all fit and not rub even with mud flaps
275/55-20
285/55-20
305/50-20

 

I was looking at the Torq 3/1 top mount spacer that states will work with a limited with Xreas. Anyone have any experience with this kit?

 

Is your vehicle 2wd or 4wd
Regardless, you can’t get +3” up front out of a limited without new shocks a diff drop down brackets and new upper A-arms.
The only way to get over 2.5” up front is with a double spacer, the one that goes over the spring and one that goes over the coil over top mount. Since the Xreas shocks are shorter you’re going to hyper-extend the shock and you will be topping the shock out on every bump. You’ll basically have the shock topped out at ride height and have no droop travel. This will ride like it’s on a pogo stick.
If you have a 2wd you can get a +2.5” lift kit. The 2wd sit a little lower with shorter springs. So they’ll take a little more lift. You can get a +2.5” puck lift that goes over the top of the shock mount.
If you have a 4wd you don’t need to go over +2” in the front. See the pix above those are the 4wd with +2” up front and 1” (7/8) in the rear. This keeps you from having to do drop down diff bracket and keeps you from having to change out upper a-arms to keep your caster. Plus this height allows the vehicle to be level and fit the tires listed above.

 

I like bilstein 6112s