Newbie Questions re 2006 T4R Suspension Options
Hi, and pardon my newbie status, but hey, we all start somewhere.
I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.7L V8 with Bilstein 5100s in front (with 2" lift so I'm thinking they're set at 1.75") and Bilstein HD 4600 in back.
Problem, my back drags, and now I'm wanting a full 3" of level lift (no rake, no drag) so I can fit new wheels and a 285/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac (unless someone convinces me that going to a 17 inch rim with 285/70/17 is better .. I currently have 265 on a 16 inch rim.
Desired result then, basically, is a bigger tire and full 3" lift and well as increased durability to handle muddy excursions in Southern Utah and long segments of rough road in Death Valley. I don't use my ride for strictly 4 wheeling and I don't have a lot of heavy options, but it does get weighed down with cargo and goes long distance on bad roads. I want to armor it up enough to avoid component failure (or damage from underneath).
My current Bilstein's are about 30K and 3 years old. Any suggestion if I should keep then and modify around them or just do a full new setup?
A local reputable mechanic thinks I should go anew with the following, but I'm wanting feedback from our community in terms of selection/price...
FRONT
• 2.5 Fox Coilovers (at $398 each or x2) or Fox Remote Reservoir Coilovers (at $700 per or x2)
•Pro-comp uniball uni-control upper control arms ($650 for full front)
•New CV Axles on each side. Boot is leaky so this is good idea. Is there a heavy duty option that the forum would recommend??? I heard Lotus might be a good one.
REAR:
•OME Coil Springs (not sure of model, but heavy duty ($250 for pair)
•2.0 Fox Reservoir non coil over (I'm not sure what this is, the wording seems awkward but that was what was verbalized to me ($225 per or x2)
GENERAL:
•brake line extenders (these might be necessary with 3" lift, but is there any brand or heavy duty option recommended other than generic)
•Differential Drop kit (again, good idea for alignment, any brand/type recommended)
Additioal questions or parts I'll want after investing in the above:
•With a 3 inch lift, are there other components I should be worried about for additional wear or that I can protect now with modifications
•Bull bar or bumper. The ARB seems to heavy. Is this CBI brand good middle ground? Or would you recommend a bull bar. I'd like something that can have a winch and light mounted on eventually.
•Side sliders. I definitely need at least nerf bars as my plastic step up doesn't easily handle my 225 # weight. Would you recommend rock sliders instead. CBI has some nice ones, it seems.
•Skid plates ... what would you recommend to provide better protection than what's on there? Some folks recommend 1/4 inch plate for real protection. Also, is it good to install skid plates in other parts of the undercarriage?
•Rear mounting of spare tire. Are there kits available that would allow me to mount my rear tire on the outside of the car versus underneath it? I'm not sure the 285/75/16 or 275/70/17 would even fit underneath. I'd want something that would swing away so I could access my rear vehicle space. If this includes any other carrying capability, such as gas tank, even better.
•Would you recommend the Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers, or is it better just to find a good rim that accomplishes the same (and if so, do you recommend a particular rim ... matte black alloy... The Fuel Boss looks nice but a little pricey)
Thanks a ton to the T4R Community! I apologize for having tons of questions / an essary really ... and most of it deals with suspension but some vears away, and again, I apolize.
Best,
Martin