Hello all,

Looking for your input on a very subjective subject. I've spent hours searching and reading but decided just to ask.

My beautiful and very cool wife, has a 2018 TRD ORP w/KDSS and 265/17 T/A KO2's. It's her daily in town driver that never sees any off road other than an occasional dirt road.

For her Christmas present she wants it leveled. I thought this was a very cool gift request! My kind of girl. She likes the existing ride and doesn't want the mod to create any harsh, jarring results.

Being that I want to take the opportunity to "do it up right" and possibly "sneak" in some lift, I have a couple of scenarios below that I would like to get your opinions on:

1. Is there a best set up to level the front only without sacrificing the existing handling/ride?

2. Is there a best set up to level and lift front and rear so that it has a marked improvement in handling and feel for almost all in town driving?

I'm specifically looking for an improvement over the stock suspension w/KDSS during lane changes, cornering and regular street bumps and dips.


Thanks in advance for your comments and feedback!

Spacers (cheapest) or go 5100s on all 4 corners and do either a spacer in the rear or new coil (usually harsher rider), but if your not planning to off-road save the money and just do a 2/1 or 3/2 spacer from who ever.

Something I want to do eventually also... Keep in mind I don't know what I'm talking about but from what I gather, 5100s are adjustable for preload and a dependable, economical way to go and will help with nose dive.

Kings all around with adjusters! Keep the stock rear springs. Buy once cry once!

My vote is Bilstein 5100’s set on the first notch. (Only the front shocks are adjustable.) My 4R is a 2013 Trail Ed. with KDSS. Shock install provided about a 1 inch raise to the front; i.e., reducing the factory rake from 2” to 1”. Rides great, good luck

Attached Images

 

5th Gen 4Runner Lift Buyers Guide

Eibach Pro-Truck, Bilstein 5100s, Dobinsons, and OME are your most cost effective options more or less in that order if you're wanting an actual suspension lift (i.e. shocks and coils). You can use the Eibach or Bilsteins to lift the truck using the adjustable coil perches on the front shocks using the stock coils, or you can buy lift springs (Wheeler's, Dobinsons, etc.). The Dobinsons and OME shocks require lift springs- they are longer than the stock shocks but do not have an adjustable coil seat.

Honestly man, I'd slap a spacer on the stock front suspension (Daystar, Toytec, Revtek, etc.) to raise up the front about an inch. This will preload the coils just a little, firming up the ride and giving her the look she's after. It's the cheapest option but that doesn't mean it's bad. It'll still cost you a couple hundred to buy, ship, install, and align when you figure all that in. The spacers and OEM suspension will more than handle dirt roads.

Thank all of you for the replies!

It appears that for my scenario a reoccurring theme here and in other threads often includes the Bilstein 5100's with aftermarket springs. Is the height adjustability of the 5100's the main reason they are considered an upgrade over the stock 4runner TRD ORP shocks? I haven't found a spec comparison to figure that out. Can anyone direct me to a link that shows a comparison? I'm sure one of the major shock mfgrs brand label for Toyota, any one know who that may be?

Thanks again!

Go big or go home

After hours of reading and researching and several emails to Mike@Dobinsons, I've decided to try the Dobinson C59-300 front springs with the stock shocks. This will give me a 1.75"+ lift up front and hopefully firm it up a tad without making it too stiff/choppy. They are rated @ 586LBF/IN -vs- stock ones @ 520LBF/IN.

I'll take a measurement after the install to determine what I need for the rear to keep a 3/4" or so rake.

Want to give a shout out to Mike for hanging in there with me. My order was realitivly small in comparison to others but he was just as greatful nonetheless. He sent an email within 30 mins of me placing the order stating that they would be shipping out today!

I'll post the results as soon as I get them installed. Hopefully my very cool wife will be very happy with the new look and the ride. It's her Christmas present!

Hello all,

So I just recently purchased a 5th gen 4runner and I’m wanting to do some upgrading to it. (By the way it is 2wd) don’t dog me out for getting a 2wd is was the only option I could go with for now.

But I’m looking to put some 22x9 Chevy replica rims on it (also called snowflakes) with some 35” Enforcer M/T’s. I’m not very knowledgeable on lifts and spacers and spindles and such, so I’m really just looking for some advice on exactly what I need to do to make this happen. I don’t want to tear anything up so what all would I need to upgrade after lifting it? Control arms and things of that nature. Like I said I don’t know a lot about this kind of thing but I definitely want it to happen. Any advice would be appreciated!

Mr Hemingway, welcome aboard! No one is going to rag you about your 4runner. It's a 4runner!

As far as lift advise, there are a lot more people a lot more knowledgeable than myself to help you with that. Learn to use the search function and dedicate the time to read the posts. There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum.

Shameless plug, you might find my blog post on this worth a read...

So you want to upgrade your 4Runner suspension...

I hunmmed and hawed about this as I have an 18 TRDOP with KDSS as well. I knew try off the bat that I want going to sirens the coin on high end suspension like Kings/Icons/etc. I went for tried and true Bilstein 5160 fronts and 5160 rears with OME medium duty springs.

Don't regret it one bit, it's lifted approximately 2.5" and definitely rides a lot better than stock. The stock setup felt too mushy even though the KDSS really helped on the highway the stock shocks just couldn't cut it in road.

This setup fit the bill and it only cost me $1050


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad to hear you are happy with your lift!

I thought through the different options. If it were my car I probably would have went a different route, but for what she wanted and that she was already ok with the stock suspension i felt like springs were the best option. If she has any negative comments about the handling i'll go for the gusto with new shocks and probably springs. Will know soon enough!