Spring upgrade suggestion for stock 2017 TRD Pro Bilstein

I've really loved the stock Bilstein suspension on my 2017 TRD Pro. I've been overlanding a bunch with the RoofTop Tent etc, but I recently added a lot of weight to the front end (C4 bumper, winch etc) and the handling and lift has suffered. Front is sagging pretty badly now as well.

I want to keep it rather inexpensive for now, so just wanting to add some more appropriate springs to the existing Bilsteins. I drive a lot on the highway right now as well as dirt/gravel roads here in the Blue Ridge mountains. I'd like to keep it somewhat comfortable without feeling like my back is going to explode over bumps. I will be moving her out to Colorado in a couple of years permanently and then I will go full send with a great suspension setup.

I'd also like to get my lift back, and possibly a bit more. 2.5" or so. What would be a good route given this info? Thanks!

 

Great looking rig, that light setup is awesome!

How many miles are on the current Bilsteins? Last thing you want is to spend time/energy/money on a spring upgrade only to find out your shocks need to be rebuilt…

If the above isn’t a concern, you may be able to get some lift using the Westcott Designs preload kit. Outside of that, I recall reading about ToyTec offering a spring option on those 2016-2018 pro’s, so maybe reach out to them?

Coming from someone who tried the inexpensive suspension route, and regretted it, I’d say consider waiting a bit more for a full new shock/spring combo that’s paired & tuned to work together. Something like the Bilstein 6112 would be really similar to what you currently have (2.5” shock body, just tuned differently). You might be able to snag a discount during Black Friday.

 

Thanks! It's only got 55k miles which is why I want to stick with the bilsteins for now. Really need some upgraded springs to sustain this new weight, not be too harsh, and also get me lifted back up. I will check out the westcot kit.

 

This!

@evensen007
55K on your current ones....maybe 6112 / 5160's are in your future

 

55K might be pushing it…most shocks last about 60k-70K normal miles. With the added weight you mentioned and the off road miles, I’d get those checked professionally before investing in other components.

The preload collar kits are cost effective, but they also push the shock to work outside of its intended parameters. Combine that with a shock/strut that’s at the end of its service life and you’re bound to end up with a poor ride and uneven tire wear in the near future.

…just food for thought

 

The 2017 pro shocks are the bilstein 6112 5160 they switched to fox the following year I believe. You need stiffer springs op but the 6112 and 5160s are pretty cheap you might as well get a new pair while you swap the springs

 

I have the Toytec kit with their rear springs and it has worked well for me. You would likely only need the collar kit (without the rear springs) but you may need to reach out to Toytec to purchase that separately. Here is the link to the full kit: I don't have any experience with the Westcott kit but most seem to be happy with their TRD Pro Fox offerings. They use a rear spacer for the rear instead of a new spring (even for the Bilstein kit). Not sure if they sell the front collar kit separately but might be worth reaching out. Here is the link to their kit:

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/bilstein-trd-pro-lift-kit/


And the last option that I found after purchasing my collar kit from Toytec, is the Dobinsons replacement front spring. It says 1" of lift which might be enough to get you back to where you want. I haven't seen any posts on this option but it certainly looks interesting. Here is the link to the spring kit:

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dobinsons-front-lifted-coils-for-toyota-4runner-trd-pro/


Alternatively, if you are looking for OEM options, I've heard the FJ springs or Tacoma springs should give some lift. These are the part numbers I've noted from threads in the past but I have not been able to verify them:
FJ springs - PTR13-35140-AA (3x14x600 spring)
Tacoma springs - PTR13-35150-AA (3x14x650 spring)

 

Appreciate all the input. Would this be a suitable setup for what I am wanting? *Being able to carry the extra weight of front end, RTT etc, not being extremely harsh, correcting the now dismal handling, and giving me a nice little lift to 2-2.5" level (or minor rake)?

Bilstein 6112/5100 2.5 inch 4Runner (10-24) Suspension Lift Kit Front Shocks Assembly w/ OME Springs for 5th Gen – Mudify

 

The 6112 coilovers can be configured with multiple front coil setups depending on the weight. You should find out which one is included in that kit, there's a different coil that can accommodate the additional 100+ lbs of weight you have there. The Bilstein website should have details on the coils themselves (I remember researching this before I decided on Dobinsons).

Regarding the rear, you should find out which coil spring the "medium load" includes then look up the height and constant load capacity of the coil. If you're ordering from Mudify, I think they're going to include an OME coil for the rear. I'm not sure how much your RTT weighs, or if you have any additional weight planned for the future (ie: skid plates, sliders, etc)...

Either way, you're heading down the right path. If you want better handling characteristics and you're going up to 2.5", you may want to consider upgrading your Upper Control Arm. In my personal experience, my stock UCA's were perfectly adequate when I was closer to 2" of lift in the front. At 2.5" I was forced to upgrade, and glad I did.

 

the Bilstein B12 front coils come in 650 and 700# rates.