Hey folks, I've read a million lift threads on this forum and others and am hoping for some help to narrow down for my specific needs. Appreciate y'alls advice.

TLDR, couple questions:

1. Eibach Stage 2 R kit, best value for my needs vs Fox and Dobinsons?
2. Should I get UCAs even though I don't *need* them for a 2/1?

Current setup: Lightly-modded 2015 Trail Premium w/KDSS, OEM suspension with 1" spacer front lift, Wildpeak 275/70/17s, sliders, LFD roof rails.

Budget: $1500ish for parts, ideally keeping this as low as possible since I'll be paying for professional install.

Driving style: 95% pavement, but the 5% of the time I spend offroad I take it to some demanding environments i.e. Sierras, Mojave, Death Valley, Southern Utah, etc. Fire roads mostly and some light to moderate trails. Some longer stretches of washboard but nothing too intense.

Why lifting?: Oem shocks are approaching end of life. They've generally served me ok aside from the typical drawbacks mentioned. Given they need replacing, I'm thinking I'll take the opportunity to lift. I might size up to 285s at some point.

I'm looking at a 2"/1" lift and suspension kit, top choices look like the Eibach 2.0R kit or Fox 2.0 performance kit.

I'm leaning towards the Eibach kit because: coilovers are adjustable if I add front weight eventually or want to go higher, generally low maintenance and lifetime warranty, good price to value, can add rear reservoirs for not much additional $. Fox's look good but less adjustable and max lift height of 2" which seems limiting. I originally was leaning Dobinsons but the lack of adjustability isn't ideal since I plan to add mods bit by bit.

What else should I be checking out at this price point? Or is the Eibach the way to go?

another test and well like option are the following.
bilstein 6112 / 5100 or 5160 in rear
5100s all around

Questions:

How many miles on your 4Runner?
You say you already have 1" front. Is that 1" lift or 1" spacer which gives about 2" lift?
Why do you say your shocks are at the end of their life? What shows you that?

I have had really good experience with Eibach shocks in the past, although, I admit I don't have them on my 4Runner, just OEM which are going strong.

My opinions:
For that small amount of lift, you don't need UCA or LCA if the joints and bushings are still good, and you can get he alignment right.
When "leveled", the 4Runner looks more purposeful. That is about a 3" lift on the front and a 1" lift on the rear. You can do the 1" lift on the rear with just a spacer (on the top of the springs) without any fancy (expensive) shocks on the back.
A 3" lift on the front can be done with just a spacer or adjustable perch on shocks. Spacers are the lowest cost option, but if your shocks are really gone, that may be the best route.

I agree with the above reply in many cases but have a little additional info.
1) the 2wd is lower in the front versus a 4wd
2) the rear springs are also different across different models
- In your particular situation, if you have a 4wd which i assume you do since you say you offroad, your vehicle should have the tallest front and tallest rear setup aside from a TRD Pro. This means if you want a 1" in the rear, the CHEAPEST way is with the 1" rear spring spacer. These are like $45 for a set and they are extremely effective and do not change how the vehicle feels or drives or anything. This combo will work with stock length shocks just fine. If you want to change springs, the Eibach 1" spring will give about 7/8" lift over your stock rear spring BUT its about 3" taller unsprung and it will top out OEM length shocks on deep pot holes which will lead to shorter shock life. If you run the Eibach 1" springs you would also want a longer (lift) shock for the rear.
- I started with the rear because the front is a little more time consuming depending on what you want. So you say you want 2" up front and 1" in the rear. No problem, there are lots of ways to get 2" up front going cheap or going baller and everything in between. If your front shocks are done, the "cheapest" way to get new shocks and 2" lift is with some cheap shocks or the Eibach OEM length shocks and a 2" puck lift spacer. The spacer is going to be about 1.3" tall to give you 2" of lift. This can be had pretty cheap, around $250 or so. The next step up is the Eibach adjustable fronts or Bilstein 5100. With the adjustable rings you can lift the spring perch and get a lift you can adjust down the road. These are a little more expensive, ballpark $300ish for the fronts. Then you can go up to fully adjustable front coil-overs with threaded bodies and get an adjustable lift as well.

On your vehicle, to keep it DEAD level, not the space between the tire and fenders, and not level going on the windows, i mean get the rocker panel and running boards level with the ground is going to be about 2.5" up front, and .8" in the rear or 2.7" up front and 1" in the rear

So if you went 2" up front and 1" in the rear you would have a small bit of rake upwards in the rear. With this much lift there is no need for UCA unless you just want them for bling but i am pretty confident you wont stay within your budget if you buy any UCAs. Getting install and alignment is going to be already cutting it close if you are buying front shocks, rear shocks, whatever lift you decide, install and alignment. The UCA are not really needed until you go over 2.5" up front. AS long as you stay around 2.5" up front you can get the caster right with the OEM control arms. Once you go past 2.5" is when you start losing caster, the higher you go above 2.5" the worse it gets. So staying around 2" up front you are solid.

^ Increasingly poor on-road performance over the past couple years, poor rebound test. Other variables have been controlled for (tire pressure, alignment, etc) so I'm assuming it's time to replace.

^ Yup! I'm ok with the existing rake, currently running a 1" lift in the front (1/2" cornfed spacer) and stock rear.

^ Yeah, it looks like UCAs would definitely be a budget-buster.

^ Definitely sensitive to price but I also have enough budget to do a full suspension kit. I do enough offroading to justify it. Especially if I skip UCAs.

Alright, looks like I'm going with the Eibach kit. Can't seem to find a better value and local lift install shops had great things to say about it.

FYI to those following along, Eibach is having a 10% off sale starting April 01 if you order direct.

Thanks
i have eibach adjustables on my 05 Tundra and really liked them. My OEM bilstein rode "good" i really had no complaints, i was just looking for about 1" of lift but the eibach gave me the lift and rode better than the stock Bilstein

I’ve decided on the Eibach 2R kit as well after reading the positive reviews that appear to meet my need for a 2”/1” or so lift for easy to mid level trails.

I had a Bilstein 6112/5160 setup on my last 4 Runner that worked well (maybe a bit harsh on trails), but still not happy they wouldnt replace the 6112s under their “lifetime “ warranty when they started leaking.

Thanks for the note on the 10% discount and will take advantage of that.

I'm also doing UCAs. Everyone local I got a quote from advised just going for it while I'm already doing the suspension work.

welp

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