Dobinson spring vs Bilstein question

Hello,
I have been reading all of the threads and am very knowledgeable (google knowleadeable) now on all of the suspension setups.

My specific situation needs some advice:

my 2013 4runner is stock, my brother inlaw is giving me new (9 month old) 5100's off his 4th gen and I know they are 2mm more narrow in the LCA mount so I will have to add a washer. I can install those easy as I am very comfortable with suspension work in my garage.

Option 1: I am looking to achieve the 1.75-2" lift but want the ride as best as possible so I thought I could get the dobinson 2" front coils and then the 1" rear coils to pair with the 5100's and then SPC UCA. that would be about $1,200 shipped from Mike at Exit offroad.

Option 2: I buy the dobinson full system at the 1.75-2.0"/1.25" lift but without UCA (to keep the cost in my budget window) and that is what I want but would not give me UCA. both options are right at $1,200 ish shipped.

My question; how important are UCA below the "recommended" 2.5" lift for daily driving and highway speeds? I'd love to get the dobinson set up and UCA and go with the 2.5/1.5 but i cant swing the $1,800 ish so I had to lower the height into the two options above to meet my budget and obtain the clean and functional look that I am going for. I have little kiddos and a wife and want the best (most comfortable) ride as i can for our weekend adventures.
I am not a heavy offroader anymore (like in my 4th gen with kings on it that I sold) since having the family and it being my daily driver.

I think I laid everything out. I appreciate any tips and advice thrown my way. I have thick skin so if you have a thought, toss it at me because I am not the smartest dude on this thread.
Thank you!

- Josh

 

Hi Josh. if I were you, I would install the 5100's (with stock springs at the 1.85 setting) and a 1"rear spacer, leaving the stock UCA's for now. you do not need the UCA's for this size lift. it is very easy to get the alignment within spec and it will drive like stock. many people are at 2.5" on stock UCA's with no issues.. it will cost you almost nothing, since you can do the work yourself.

then, save up for exactly what you really want. or maybe you will end up being satisfied with it the way it is, and you can spend the money on something else.

I doubt you will notice much of a difference in ride quality between your options and my suggestion, although I have no personal experience with the 5100's or the lower end dobinsons.

 

Thanks man I appreciate your info and advice! I received similar advice from someone else on here and he pointed me in the direction of a place (1st gen off-road) that had a deal I couldn’t turn down on some dobinson springs to pair with the 5100’s and leaving my stock UCA.
That way I’ll have no preload on the bilsteins and achieve the same lift. I am super stoked to get them and put them in.

Thanks again for your info.

- Josh

 

sounds like a perfect compromise. throw some pics up once you get everything installed!

 

Yeah it was the perfect compromise and well under $1k which made me happy. I will out some up once I get it installed.