6112/5160 - Do I need rear springs/spacers, or can I reuse factory rear springs?
 

So I've read through some of the posts here, I have a 2020 SR5P and would like to get rid of the "boat" feeling and nose drive during braking. I am 98% on-road highway pavement, with maybe once a year light trails, no rock crawling yet. Stock wheels/tires now, will upgrade in the next year. No added weight, other than factory 3rd row seats. Will contemplate RTT in next few years.

I'm thinking to go with 6112/5160 instead of 5100 all around, since I'm already doing the labor myself, I'm OK with spending a bit more over the 5100's for a nicer set up, for a happy medium between basic shocks and premium coilovers.

Option A: 6112/5160 w/ Wheeler's T13 1.5" Rear Springs (or Icon 2") - This means set front lift to 2.5"?

Option B: 6112/5160 w/ Cornfed 1" Rear Spacer, reusing stock rear springs - This means front lift to 2" I believe?

Option C: 6112/5160, reuse stock rear springs - This means set front lift of 0.8"

The question is, do I need to go with aftermarket rear springs instead of reusing OEM springs? I don't have a need for much of a lift now, and then maybe when I do get wheels in the next year, I can re-consider rear spacers or rear springs. Or is it better to just do that now, wondering if it will be "small" looking with the oem wheels/tires lifted a bit.

I figured the difference from Option A and B is just paying $100 extra for springs, instead of getting a spacer.

Go with option A with the wheelers or option c if you dont want any lift.

From the factory, the 4Runner comes with nose down suspension which looks strange to me.Thus, most people do more lift on front than rear, about 2" more on the front so it "levels" the suspension. Just remember you will need to do a full wheel alignment with any lift. Any more than 2 or 3" on the front you will need to change other things like upper arms and lower the front differential which will quickly get very expensive. Think thousands $$$. I would beg to differ with you on the soft "boat" ride quality of the 4Runner. If you ever do any serious off roading, you will love that soft ride over the boulders. I have had Jeep Wranglers and Cherokees in the past and they ride like a truck over serious rocks, while the 4Runner is a pleasure to ride in in those situations. I ended up going with the stock springs and just did spacers front and rear (from Rough Country). That added about 3" front and 1" rear. Very inexpensive, and the ride over the rocks doesn't jar the molars from your mouth.

With mostly pavement you'll be fine with c. if you are not going off road then save the money go billies 5100 all around. if you think you will go off road in the future go with A, it's a lot easier and less headache to do it now and not have to mess with it later.

I ran 6112/5160 with stock rear springs and preloaded the front so there was only 1" of rake (instead of 2" from factory setup). I liked the setup and didn't really off-road other than some short trails to get to camp sites every now and then. On-road the handling was improved and firm at highway speeds, though hitting bumps at slower speeds was a bit jarring.

Unfortunately, my rear driver shock leaked (something others have experienced). I wouldn't do the 5160 remote reservoirs again and either put 5100 in the rear or go a different route all together (I moved onto Dobinsons and couldn't be happier).

skip the 5160's and do fox 2.0 resi or non resi. if you want some rake but also 2.5" front lift do the wheelers 1.5" rear springs. they're fantastic. i just pulled the fox's after 3 perfect years with them for Kings. simply wanted a bigger shock with an adjustable reservoir. running them with wheelers 1.5" springs and King hydraulic bump stops.

front is 6112's at top setting with Dirt King upper control arms.

6112 and fox 2.0 is in my opinion one the best bang for your buck for running forest roads and slower trails

I have the 6112/5160 with the eibach 1" rear springs. No issues so far.

I paired my 5160's with Dobinson C59-505 1.5" springs, my 6112's are set to the 1.6" lift setting (#5/#3, non-KDSS)

I love the look and the ride

I leave the factory rake. Once you have any gear in the back its nice to have a more level look.

Since you are doing it yourself and dont want a lift, i would just reuse the stock rear springs. Do a .5" lift in the front and call it done.