2018 4Runner SR5 @ 15k miles.

Asking for advice. I did research on this and this is an attempt to put some clarity in the data I gathered.

I will soon have a budget of about $3,000.-, can go to $3,500.- if that buys me a better deal, and I want to install a front bumper and do a suspension upgrade. Maybe full skid plates – I don’t like that transfer case being exposed.

This is my daily driver and I am doing medium difficulty offroading weekends, mountain camping and forest roads – which can sometimes be quite rocky and bumpy. Not planning to do rock-crawling but it would be nice to be somehow equipped for it just in case. I am planning to do a lot more offroading this spring and summer, maybe explore some offroading in UT and AZ.

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SUSPENSION - I am looking for a bit of firmer ride onroad (that nose dive …) and sturdier offroad support, and trying to see if the steering wheel vibration issue can be improved with a new suspension. Currently I had tires road-force balanced so there is no vibration. I don’t know if any suspension upgrade will improve or eliminate that issue. Thoughts ?
I read a lot about the Billstein 5100 and I am aware there are better (quality-wise) options. King ? Icon ? Dobinson ? What would you recommend ? I am looking for good quality reliable suspension with minimum (shocks) maintenance. I plan to keep this car for a long time and probably these 2 (front bumper and suspension) will be the only upgrades I will do for awhile. I am not looking for a lift but I would go for a slight lift if that comes with a better offroad handling. I am running DanTires (Cooper) Back Country All Terrain on stock rims.

FRONT BUMPER - I am looking at the ARB Deluxe Bar (ARB DELUXE BAR TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2010-CURRENT). There is a shop here in Issaquah, WA called MULE Expedition Outfitters and they sell it for ~ $1,200. They have a shop and can do the install for me – will probably end up at around $2000 parts and labor for the front bumper.

I think the ARB is a bit overkill even though I like the headlight protection and solidity of the build. I don’t know if I should opt for lights and winch, depending on the price – is it worth it ? They also offer the SSC Slimline Hybrid front bumper (2014 + Southern Style offroad Toyota 4Runner winch Bumper) that only covers the middle of the front area, but I keep thinking that headlight protection from the ARB is so good.

MULE Expedition Outfitters in Issaquah, WA is close to me and they offer both parts and installation - I don’t have the possibility to do the work myself (no tools, garage space, etc.) so I will have to hire them to do it.

SKID PLATE – I am ok with the stock skid plates, I just want to have the transfer case covered somehow.

Any thoughts appreciated.

IMO, the best bang for the buck is our (Eibach) stage 1 kit. 4 springs and 4 shocks that carry a million warranty for about $748. Rides very well, too.

Ryan

@skag1T I'm not sure I'd want the weight of the ARB + winch hanging 10" off the front of my DD. based on what you said light hoops don't sound critical, and for a not-super-aggressive off-road build, it will aesthetically look out of place imo. With your budget in mind i would reconsider one of the low-pro style bumpers, which should come in about 50% of the ARB, leaving more $ for winch, lights, UCAs, etc

again with budget in mind and the desire to go low-maintenance, I would vote no to King / Icon and lean more toward Dobinson's for a wide variety at an affordable price and JBA UCA's for easy alignment, affordable price, low-maintenance ball joint.

Not sure how an aftermarket t-case skid will behave on its own. most tandem up to the plate in front of it for support.

Second the Eibach best mod ever and I have a ARB Summit bumper and winch, you need to look at the Summit bumper for your year.

Thank you codyHTX. Do you think a winch and extra lights would be a good investment ? I tend to get the bare bumper, but I am kind of a beginner offroader at this point.

I am looking at Eibach now and I like it. Seems simple and robust. Thank you for the tip.

Re: ARB Summit bumper - it seems that this bumper does not protrude as much and still gives headlights protection.

if you want fwd aux lighting for any reason, i would suggest a 20-30" bar or pods for the bumper. my cheapo roof lightbar has become a $60 airdam as it creates unnecessary glare across the hood.

I've had a winch for a year and a half and used it 3 times, twice for myself and once for another. admittedly it saved my ass in a riverbed of thick bottomless muck i was stupid enough to drive into just over a year ago

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CodyHTX had some good points. Do you already have sliders? If your main goal is protection, the best place to start would be sliders and skid plates.

But, check out our integrated bumper and skid plates. You can run a winch and 20" lightbar and we offer a block off perforated panel if you want to hold off on the lighting. We have a full front, mid, and tcase interlocking skid system, but if you are set on just the tcase skid, they all mount independently to the frame.


Bumpers

Skid Plates

Sliders/Steps

@skag1T man, your situation sounds a lot like mine. Here is what I have done, and what I'm in the process of doing now that I have been testing the waters for a few years with my 2016.

I put the Bilstein 5100s up front, and the ride quality improved immediately-specifically the nosedive issue. I've had them at 1.75", and am about to adjust them to 2.5" in the next few weeks. I also put Dobinsons springs in the back. This all gave me 2+ inches of lift and a better ride for under $1k installed (I am afraid of spring compressors). I'm not saying they are better than $3k worth of King bling, but they are simple, reliable, and basically maintenance free.

Next week I'll order the C4 low profile front bumper and most likely Warn VR10s winch. Both together are in the $1500 neighborhood. Decided on RCI aluminum front skid yesterday.

That package suits my needs for the long trips I take, while still being reasonable enough for DD usage. If you are dead set on the look of a full front bumper, maybe the C4 is not your cup of tea, but that's my setup FWIW. Good luck!

Ryan can you recommend a shop in the Seattle area with reputable tech that know how to install the kit ? I like the Eibach, i've looked over reviews and pics and they look good. I could go for it.

I don't know anybody personally, but if you'd like to shoot me an email I can send the instructions so you can take a peek. It's pretty straight forward and any competent shop should be able to do it.

[email protected]

I just installed an ARB bumper. I got it specifically because it is my wife's daily. It's the only aftermarket bumper that incorporates fully tested crush zones into the design. Most (all?) other bumpers make the front much more rigid resulting in higher passenger impact loads.

I have Icon stage 2, I was really happy with the suspension, until my driver side coilover began to leak. Many have complained here about this same issue, obviously an Icon quality control issue with the amount of concerns.

Icon is extremely difficult to get in contact with, I'm still trying to get answers on possible replacement or repair after sending Icon emails and leaving voice messages on their direct line. They have no operator, so leaving messages is your only option. Unfortunately, their customer service response is extremely poor.

As I'm getting no answers from them, no one will return my messages...

Stay away from them

I've been to Mule many times and they are pretty knowledgeable. I have debated many times adding a front bumper and winch but keep holding off. I really like the SSO and it's not to badly priced with a Comeup winch. Most weekends I am up in the mountains seeing what I can but I haven't had the need for a winch yet but I do carry tow straps and traction boards etc. CBI offers a front tow hitch mount that I find interesting as then I could use it on either end and not add much weight to the rig. Also, I think Mule will tell you if adding a bumper and winch to upgrade your suspension first or at the same time. If you go that route you will probably chew up most of your cash.

The topic of suspension is a whole other can of worms. I have looked at every make out there, like the Kings and BP51's but they are a lot of money. My suspension is working now and no really issues expecting wanting a different set up. For now I am keeping what I have but upgrading my tires. If you are looking to just get rid of nose dive during breaking, IMO I would say ride with what you have until you need to replace it. I think your 4R will take you where you want to go as it sits now, but again IMO. Good luck and see you out there!

Love the Summit lots of protection and as another member posted it likely the safest choice crash wise and you don’t have to wait on one to be built or risk losing your deposit.

My Eibach fronts are set in the second notch and it’s just right with bumper and winch.