Suspension and tires for a mild 4runner experience

Just purchased a 2017 sr5 premium 4runner after my 4th gen was totaled in a wreck. I’m starting over on suspension and want to do it right the first time but also not go overboard. I’m a college student and like to take it on trails but it’s nothing serious. Very mild over landing with some mud. Not planning on towing anything with it or loading it with anything heavy as I won’t ever need to. Id like to be able to fit 285/70/17s or 295/70/17s on it with the stock oem Toyota wheels. What suspension should I go with? Will I need ucas? Money is a large factor in this as I am a broke college student. Just want my vehicle to look good and be more functional when I need it to be, without breaking my bank. Thank you

I guess I technically have around 2k to spend but don’t need to be going over that. This is a long term vehicle so I’m willing to invest into it.

 

If you’re a broke college student, I would recommend just putting some good stock size tires on it that match your operational environment. Going down the rabbit hole of suspension upgrades can turn into an expensive venture. Good luck

 

Don't bother with suspension. Keep it stock and buy good all-terrain tires.

 

Suspension won’t help you clear larger tires.

 

Also recommend starting w/ a good set of ATs. I’m partial to Toyos myself. Maybe go 275s. A stock 4Runner is plenty capable. And as a broke student don’t think you’ll want to wheel hard anytime soon. However, if you’re willing to live off ramen awhile I’ve been super happy with my value minded Bilstein 6112/5160s. 40k miles in w/ no issues. Likely refresh with the exact same setup when those are toast. Mods. are definitely a slippery slope.

 

Throw on a good set of tires (either stock, or jump up one size to 275's) and some skid plates and go have fun.

After you graduate and get a good job, start saving up for the rest of the mods.

 

Leave it stock and spend that money on chasing girls!

The engineers who designed these 4Rs did a good job. Don't be screwing up their good work.

 

You can fit 285/70/17 on stock suspension and wheels.

Bilstein 5100 is a decent budget shock

 

This…

Many people simply lift too high which causes a poor ride. They still rub regardless because of negative offset.

I’d take the 275 advice to get a bit more without jumping into the rabbit hole.

 

As much as I want to jump to 285s, 275s or Pizza Cutters will be my next tire. Or maybe stock.

Frankly, the stock tire size hasn’t even been a limiting factor in the grand scheme of things for me.

Approach and departure angles, and break over angle have been more limiting.

Going to 285s gives you an inch of tire diameter over stock, or roughly 0.5” of height. That isn’t going to be a huge change.

Things like a viper cut or off-roading bumpers will help with approach or departure. A lift will help all your angles.

More important than tire size is the actual tread and compound of the tire itself.

If you never drive on snow, mud terrains can be great offroad and punishing on road. If you get snow or cold temps, mud terrains are not a good idea.

Proper all terrains are the biggest bang for the buck - with the biggest improvement being the tread design versus street tires.

A good spotter, proper line selection, and decent tread will have the biggest impact on what you can accomplish with what Toyota has put together.

 

As mentioned, a suspension lift doesn't actually clear tires on these. Alignment, wheel offset, and trimming/cutting do.

The OEM wheels might not be wide enough for 295's. The PRO wheels are technically too narrow for 285's, but some do so anyway.

But, if you're just doing light off-roading, you're better off keeping it as close to stock as possible.

If you want an upgrade over the OEM suspension without spending a fortune, check out Eibach and Bilstein. Some other brands offer entry level to middle of the road options, as well. Eibach seems to be the most popular value option.

Not if you keep the lift moderate. Somewhere between 2.5 - 3" is where they become necessary. And, I'd recommend staying below that.

 

If you're a "broke college student" that can afford a 2017 4runner then you can afford a 3" lift, ko3, at the very least Eibach's.

 

Keep it stock for now, the SR5 can tackle plenty. If you don’t, you’ll want an air compressor and maybe basic recovery gear depending on what you want to tackle. (don’t know what you got up to in your 4th gen)

Do all the maintenance, driveshaft grease, coolant, transmission if high enough miles, transfer case, differentials, etc. (I’d just do drain/fills)

As for tires, whatever’s on there now will likely do for now. Deep mud performance will never be good but for being primarily on the street I think you’ll be surprised what can be done on stock all-seasons - enjoy the fuel economy, you can always buy tires later if they just don’t cut it.

(I have a set of Michelin Defender LTX M/S which I think was just discontinued in our stock size but it’s a solid highway tire that can handle occasional light/moderate off-pavement duty. Maybe something similar or the BFG Trail-Terrain will do if you insist on tires)

 

At 3", he'll likely need UCA's, which he wouldn't with a more modest lift. And, 3" certainly isn't necessary for mild off-roading. I'm at 2.5/1.5" and it's plenty for mild to moderate wheeling.

I haven't read much about the KO3's, but they look decent.

 

Good AT tires with more road or trail bias depending on your needs. 275/70r17 should be fine or stock should be enough really. I went 255/75r17 route just to get a little extra height without adding weight

if lift is needed maybe Eibach 2R or Dobinsons IMS or Bilstein 6112/5160 although the Bilstein would be the firmer riding of the 3, Eibach probably softest of the 3. I’m debating between the Dobinson IMS and Eibach 2R

 

Throw some spacers on that bitch

 

I'd hang on to your $2k and do some wheeling with what you have, and more research once you find the limitations (if any) of your stock rig. Or do as almost every post so far has said and get a decent set of stock or +1 size all terrain tires, which will use up over half of your allotted $2k budget.

 

Follow this and the other runner site classified for new or near new shock take offs. I found a new set front and rear locally for $160.
Worn shocks can give you a bad result offroading in a stock runner. Best all around performance is the factory suspension. Heavier & larger tires benefit from aftermarket suspension components especially if you do hard wheeling.

 

Excellent point! Another drawback with too much height, is that going too high will result in front-end geometry that will reduce the ability for the front suspension to articulate. And too high also means you’ll have very little down-travel.