"Family" friendly Upgrade Advice? (suspension, tires, 2019 Off Road/KDSS)

Recently bought a '19 4Runner Off Road Premium w/ KDSS, will be used by wife to commute M-F and use on weekends for exploring, camping in more remote/dispersed spots, nothing too extreme. Family= me, wife, dog and 2 year old daughter.

Seeking advice on what are a few "family" friendly mods to slightly increase off road capability. I say "family" friendly because my other half won't go for a big 3" lift, 33's, etc. since she'll be driving it to work M-F, dealing with child seat, etc.

My thoughts were to just add:

1. Bilstein 5100s all around, with the fronts at .85 to help level out but leave the stock springs. Neither of use like the stock super raked look. My hope was that by leaving the stock springs, I would have less chance of issues w/ the "KDSS lean"?

2. Replace stock rubber with something more aggressive like a BFG K02, etc.

3. Add differential breather.

Questions:

Would I need to worry about the rear sagging when loaded up w/ camping gear, etc. w/ the Bilsteins at .85 settting?

For our "mild" off road use, would the stock size 265/70/17 tire be best?

Thanks in advance!

 

In my opinion you are on the right track. The tires will have the most benefit. You can go one size bigger without rubbing but that puts you in a "E" rated tire which is heavier. I stayed in the stock size "C" rated because I wanted to maximize economy since 90 percent of my 4's time will be on the road.

It will still have a very slight rake with the .85 setting, so it will depend on the amount of stuff you bring whether it will sag badly in the back or not. Could run the trails with a trailer hitch in the receiver to help as a warning that you are getting close to rubbing.

Could also look into skid plates (I have RCI aluminum) and sliders (for shopping carts at the mall) for even more protection. These mods will protect your investment just in case the off road use dips above "mild". The stock 4 is very capable and will probably go farther, without issues, than you want to take it. An last but not least, welcome to the forum!

 

Yep you're on the right track. The factory "rake" is there so the vehicle is balanced well loaded or unloaded. You don't need to worry about maxing out springs until you really start adding a bunch of junk like steel bumper, tire carrier, rooftop tent, etc... Like hundreds of pounds PLUS camping gear and people.

 

I have an 18 trd off road and I, like you, went this route with 2 little girls climbing in and out of the runner everyday. I have bilstein 5100’s up front on 1.25- or the third setting, whichever that is. My truck is very level. I went with stock size bfg K02’s. I did a TRD pro grill bc I’m a sucker. I’m probably going to upgrade the headlights and maybe do wheels eventually but that’s about it....for now.

 

That PRO grille looks great with the blue. Nice rig.

 

Thanks all for the advice, appreciate it. I think I’ll stick with the 5100s, front at .85, KO2s stock size & was also recommended to do an ARB rear diff breather? Anyone do this? Yes, the Pro grill looks great!