Back story:
2019 TRD OR Premium. Just put sliders on it yesterday. Running 255/75's. Plan on a slim line bumper, winch, and a set of drawers in the back. Possibly skid plates.

Goal: Set it up for comfortable drive to CO (10 hours), then the ability to handle a variety of trails.

Something in the neighborhood of a 2" lift. Not willing to spend the $$$ on Kings, etc.

Suspension choices:
Bilstein
Dobinsons
Eibach
I do not plan on changing UCA's (at least not right now)

Plan on going with a complete kit. Springs, shocks, struts. No spacers.

All of my experience has been with Land Cruisers. Used OME suspensions on them with very good results.

I have read through a bunch of threads. Pretty much everyone says "my _____ is great" Why is it great? Why not one of the other choices?

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!!

Dude if you've spent two seconds around here (and come from the LC world) you know that this is a huge question, and probably the one that's repeated so often that everyone is tired of answering it. I don't say this to be mean, but it's the truth. About every two weeks someone starts a new thread about what suspension to go with. The reason you noticed so many people say their upgrades are great is because all of them improve the functionality and looks from stock. If you want the short answer, it's basically that you should choose the flavor you like and go wheel. Eibach, Bilstein, Dobinsons, and OME are all good.

Having said all of that, if you really want to get into it, here's my advice and most of this you probably know...

There are a couple of great threads on each of the options you mentioned, which you say you've read- that's good. Honestly, having digested it for a while now maybe go read them again. I have, and I learned a little something new every time. To answer your question, I think that very few people here are going to be able to give you an objective assessment of different kits because most have only run one, maybe two. All of them offer an upgrade over stock looks and functionality (travel / ability to support more weight).

I would read @MTN4RNR 's thread and see what can be done bone stock with a good set of sliders (that is, before he got all King'ed up lol).

In general, and as you probably know, unless you plan on doing higher-speed runs where shock fade becomes an issue you do not need bypass or external reservoir shocks. Having said that if you have the coin and don't mind rebuilding your shocks, spring for the expensive kit. Sorry for the pun.

Speaking of which, for the best ride, make an honest assessment of the weight you plan to carry and go with the springs that most closely match your needs as that is a huge factor in the ride comfort.

Lastly, I know you said you're not into new UCAs, but my advice is that if you're planning on lifting you should be ready to buy UCAs just in case. Meaning that you should budget for them and if you end up not needing them, great. "Needing" UCAs is a relative term- even if you can get your alignment in spec with your lift, you will feel the difference in the steering the higher you go and then UCAs will improve that AND your wheel travel off-road.

More than anything, post a write up with what you go with to help other people in your position down the road! Sorry, more puns. Good luck man.

Sift through the bazillion threads. Suspension is like oil/wax/religion, everyone has their favorite.

It is pretty simple, know your weight, set your price and pick one.

At the price point you’ve chosen they are all “pretty much” the same.

If i end up deciding and getting a 4Runner ill probably go to my local Off Road shop that does all custom work with Jeeps and 4Rinners. They will have lots of experience and would probably be able to give me the best options with out having to kill my self with research then i can choose.

When it comes to push bars, skid plates and winches ill probably get some ideas from the forum members.

No offense but some shops love people like you. Dude walks in says sell me what I need. Only needs 1 part but they sell him a space shuttle...Cha ching!

OP, I haven’t purchased a suspension yet, still waffling between coilovers and something less expensive, but I would really advise you to contact Dobinsons and read the Dobinson thread.

What I liked were the sheer volume of choices, along with some unique spring rate and shock valving options.

Make sure you understand the difference between progressive and digressive valving, twin tube, monotube, etc. It makes a difference, especially with KDSS according to some.

For me it’s 99% about comfort, on or off road, so Dobinson and King are my considerations.

After weeks of research I’ve learned to fine tune what I want from a suspension system and then try to match that as best I can to specific manufacturer.

I’m very happy with this setup:

GTS SUSPENSION - 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner 2.0" Lift Kit - Main Line Overland

Rides much better than stock TRD Pro suspension (Eibach/Blistein). Handles the weight of ARB front bumper and sliders well.

If i just would go with what they say and didn't know them and there quality of work and products, yes. So many shops would love guys that just walk in with cash in hand.

But as i mentioned they could "give me the best options" and then i can do research on those few options rather than every lift-kit there is in existence.

The shop i would use also has done a bunch of work on my sons Jeep and i have known them for 20+ years. I would never just walk into a shop and say do a lift kit and put in whatever is best with out knowing them and their work.

Especially since i would not do suspension work my self ill need someone anyway.

Thanks....I think.

I realize there are 1k threads on suspension here (kind of like "will these rub"), but I digress.

I tried to be very specific about what I was considering (and not considering), how much weight would be added to the rig, etc.

I am very well aware of what they will do stock, but with the amount of weight added I firmly believe the stock set up is sub-optimal.

I was hoping that maybe someone had experience with more than 1 of the suspensions on my "possible" list, but that may have been optimistic.

Thanks for taking the time.

Suspension are like sneakers Jordans look great feel great but cost great but can pumas do the same job?
Big questions good luck tough choice
Mike

Kings or go home....yeah I said it

I run the Bilstein 6112's in the front and love them, the upgrade over stock was amazing, no nose dive, if I were wanting to add a bunch of weight upfront though I would probably look in a different direction or do some research on different springs that would work with these. as far as the rear, I am still stock and it does fine for me for now, I am either looking at 5160's or 5100's with wheelers 1.5" springs that are like 10% stiffer. This set up should work with the drawer system and what I carry.

I went with Dobinsons.
Lots of choices when it comes to spring load rate.
Without UCAs it comes in under $1k to your door.

Same experience. I have a similar setup to what you're describing and had all the same wants from the suspension and my Dobinson's setup with heavy rear springs has been great, even totally loaded up. Happy to answer any questions you have.

My suggestion is to drive to Colorado in your stock vehicle and see how it performs. It's capable of handling a variety of trails in stock form. Bilsteins are a nice low-cost starter option. Your spring choices are a matter of how much lift you want and how much weight you are carrying. And you can't go wrong with just doing OME and calling it good. I've used each of the products over the years. They'll all more than meet your requirements.

Oh, I'd replace the tires before you do anything else....

But

Go stock. Stock is a good place to start.