Suspension upgrade for daily driving + forestry roads?

I have a 2020 TRD Off-road w/ KDSS. Live in Vancouver, Canada - basically the PNW. I daily drive my 4runner including ~2000km+ roundtrips to the Rockies on 100% paved roads. I regularly drive on our forest service roads to access trailheads. This is anything from pretty decent gravel to washboards to really rutted out/rocky sections where you still do need to pick your line to avoid scraping.

While some of the access probably falls under "light wheeling", I do *not* do any actual offroading adventures where the road itself, and specific difficult obstacles, are the goal.

Locally I've heard from the shops mostly about OME and Dobinsons options. But this is also all new to me. Is there a suspension lift option that will give me better onroad AND off-road performance?

As a bonus, it seems some are adjustable? Is there a good solution that could let me stiffen the ride to match/improve stock ride quality for my 95% of nice-road driving, but then adjust "on the spot" to drive offroad for improved comfort?

 

Dobinsons IMS59-50700 shocks - coils C59-302 Front - Dobinsons shocks IMS59-50705 - Coils C59-505 Rear - Bf Goodrich KO 2's C - 285/70/17 Will inprove on/off-road driving. you can check Mike @ exitoffroad.com - I see your in Vancouver, you have local Dobinsons shops even better.

 

So going to their site:
https://www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pro...gen~yr_2010-2021-complete-suspension-lift-kit

Looks like the front at least, you recommend the 302 over the 300? Wouldn't the 300 be a better fit? Although not immediately planned, I suppose a front lightweight bumper with lights and *MAYBE* winch is potentially in the future. Without this constant added weight, would it ride too rough? And these seem non-adjustable but it also seems only the HIGHEST end have the adjustable features.... which I guess is simply massive overkill for me?

BTW my tires are currently 265/70/17 Falken WildPeaks A/T3W with about 15,000km. Will run them out by probably replace with 275... it seems most of the 285 size add quite a bit of weight. I originally went with the wildpeaks over ko2s as I heard they perform far superior in wet conditions, which we get plenty of. So far been very satisfied. But either way I guess the lift opens the door to 285s if I end up wanting those instead down the line.

 

The ride is smooth on/off-road and in all weather conditions. IMS 59-5700 shocks are adjustable from 0-3.5". The lifting is always done by the coils/springs.

 

the only thing i like to let you know about is That you have KDDS make sure you do your research so you don't have any issues, i have the OEM Trd Fox shocks they do not offer any lift but I love them but i don't have KDDS good luck

 

KINGS

 

My question to Toytec Lifts-


Toytec answer -
https://youtu.be/WCyzwYRZqwc

 

DOBINSONS MRA59-A574 3-WAY ADJUSTABLE MRR (MRA).
Dobinsons new range of MRR Adjustable Shock Absorbers combine the best in high performance race-bred Monotube Technology, with an all new 3-way dampening adjustment system, I would say, anyway you want. Comes with machined reservoir & 3 way adjuster.

 

Interesting I am Canadian, so have heard about Elka before but they definitely don't seem too common/popular, so hard to get much information/comparison on them! Will need to look into the OME again - I recall adjustability, but not "on the fly" or without special tools

 

In Canada, at least, looks to be about +$1000 for that. I *assume* the price is including features/functionality more than just being able to adjust (like has remote reservoir) but other than that, not entirely sure what I'm getting with the extra money... or if it's way overkill for me :S

 

If youre not doing any true "wheeling" as you've described it above, why the suspension change? Not trying to be argumentative, but Im in a similar boat here in Oregon. I drive a variety of terrains and have yet to encounter anything that required a suspension change.

Is your goal to change how the vehicle rides on the paved roads and/or you think you need an additional up to 3" because youre encountering obstacles where those 3" count and/or improve ride quality on rutted/washboard roads (those do suck and Id love to find out how to smooth that ride out)?

 

True, $1100, nevertheless, King & Elka's only 1 & 2 way adjustable. Dobinsons 3 way and has the rear adjustable shocks as well. You can get totally customized King's, we talking about big money! In the end It's the ride quality that count's & the money you want to dish-out.

I have driven many different vehicles, and setups. IMHO, Dobinsons are the best bang for the buck, providing a great drive on & off-road.

 

Right on the money.

 

It’s pretty easy for others to spend your money for you by recommending $1000 Dobs shocks when their twin-tubes for 1/5 the price do a great job.

Check my build thread for the lesser-priced option of a reasonable-cost Dobs install. Especially if you’re sticking to the street with the occasional dirt track.

Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be pleased. Ask @McSpazatron about the higher-end option if Dobs IMS is your go to.

 

That first line is absolutely right...so easy for others to recommend and spend your money when it may not be the necessary. Then again, people have disposable income, so...it aint my business.

Im just hoping to also grab some info here that helps me make an informed choice given that my driving is much like the OPs.

 

I had OME Nitro and they are not comfortable on road. OME-BP-51 was out because they are hard to adjust (from accessing the adjusters even with the tool and rear shocks spinning while adjusting).

According to Toytec sometimes "high performance race-bred" may not be best for on road. Again I don't know. This is what I got when I asked for Fox 3.0s

 

I did not recommend $1000 plus shocks, I said for someone looking for that option, Dobinsons has these available as well.

I totally agree with you, on the lower cost shocks. "Especially if you’re sticking to the street with the occasional dirt track."

 

Of course, and wasn’t calling you out specifically. Apologies if it sounded that way. General observation is folks will shout out the most expensive thing they can think of. There are lots of good options out there for sure that won’t break the bank.

 

Not so, 3 way adjustability will take care between a smooth, normal off-road & Baja running for example. Sure for OP I think they are overkill. @Chris is totally correct in that respect.

 

I did not recommend $1000 plus shocks, I said for someone looking for that option, Dobinsons has these available as well. Looks like my comment has been taken out of context.

 

Oh, no...wasnt calling you out...was just agreeing, in general, that its easy to just shout out options to spend other people's money...not directed at you...

 

All good...

 

Forestry roads tend to get washboard. I used to live off of one in Wyoming and I have external reservoir shocks.

I have icons, but apparently everyone on this website hates them for some reason and I don’t know why.

 

Yeah honestly it's very possible I may not change the suspension at all.

I'm thinking I can improve offroad "comfort" more than anything. It opens up the door for improved ground clearance + bigger tires as I have scraped the bottom a few times (nothing serious). If I can improve offroad driving when it's rutted, washboarded, potholed, etc... AND get a nicer on-road driving experience... seems like a win.

 

So would something like the OME BP-51 or the Dobinsons IMS ones noticeably improve these washboarded roads?


It's honestly generally hard for me to understand these suspension "improvements" - is it all very subjective or is it a night-and-day difference?

 

Agreed, that would be a win. I was rattling my teeth out of my head driving long-distance on washboard dirt roads until I figured out I had to just drive faster... Good luck, I'll be paying attention to see what way you go. You have a projected budget in mind?

 

Assuming you select a high-end suspension with external reservoir shocks and tune the springs for the weight that you typically carry it is a night and day difference.

The 4Runner is a relatively aggressive off-road vehicle with a pretty crappy stock suspension.

 

OP, I believe that something might need clarification; (adjustability in lifting your vehicle's height with the locking rings is one thing) (adjustability for comfort according to the different road conditions is done on the reservoir with a 3 way knob, Dobinsons adjustable MRR system). These are two different things. More expensive systems with reservoirs will give you that option.

Like other members have mentioned and I think the same way for most It's overkill; hence, I know people & members here on this Forum that swear by it. Everything is subjective, some members spent $3,000.00 on rims. It's their money; in the end being happy with a 3K purchase is better than be unhappy with a $600 purchase. Just my 2c.

 

It sounds like the 2nd is much more what I'm interested in... but yeah, they seem to be linked to the higher-end suspensions...

 

I think you would be amazed at what airing down will do for the ride on these types of roads.