A question for Overland themed builds/ builders * Suspension)

[Signal]

So I am looking to build my rig towards overlanding. I am planning on some mods and suspension upgrades. I would like the opinion if I should use different things. I know weight is key.

Lift
TTBOSS-4R210 - ToyTec BOSS Suspension System for 10+ 4Runner and GX460

with these for the UCA's
JBA STD High Caster Upper A-arms for 2005-14 Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser

or the Eibach kit with the same UCA's as above.

I am planning on going with SCS F5 wheels also, so I know I will have to do a body mount chop. I am looking for shops in my area that can help me along the way with the build. I am planning on doing everything I possibly can here at the house with people helping but if it's too big I will hopefully find a shop.

I already picked out sliders and a front bumper as long as I can find someone to weld it together. As for skid plates I am leaning towards the ARB skids since I have no intentions to rock climb this thing. My goal it to start moffing anc changing things out after this summer, we are in Lower AL and it's hot as balls here, but 2020 I would like to go to Moab and I know I can go to Moab stock but we have been to other places before with the Xterra but I know the game changes now that I have a 4 Runner.

I know I will have more questions and I will start posting them once I start a build tread and have the suspension worked out. But is what I listed good to go? I have tried to read every Suspension thread on here and I actually got more confused than figuring out what I wanted.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

It looks like you have a few more months before you start building. My suggestion is to slow down and really think through things.

I had similar questions two years ago after buying my 2017 TRD Offroad Premium and was overwhelmed with the options. I almost purchased the toytec ultimate 3” lift but decided on a different route. I was following several overland youtube channels and another, now very popular youtuber, was fairly new to the hobby and i decided to buy the suspension he ran since he was doing the sort of trips I wanted to do. He is now sponsored and running a high end icon suspension, but his original set up took him everywhere and was flexible enough to be upgraded as he added weight. You can find him on youtube as swellrunner.

The suspension is the OME 3” with their standard nitro shock. What I like about it is that it is maintanance free. Like an oem shock. They have several spring options to swap out affordably if you need to carry more weight, and you could even jump up to their bp51 external reservoir shocks later if desired. Its a very affordable, functional, dependable set up. Dependable was important to me since my rig is also a daily driver. I have used the same window tint guy for years and asked him if he knew anyone for suspension work and he put me onto a guy who would install the parts AND let me help him do it. My deviation from the swellrunner rig was to add spc upper control arms for alignment geometry. At that same time I put 285s on the factory wheels. It carries weight really well and I have done everything I have wanted offroad so far. It is a very capable rig. I made 6 trips in the last year to the georgia traverse plus many other trips elsewhere. My typical load includes a full lenth rack, fridge, 180lb rooftop tent, plus all camping gear and provisions. I am running the standard springs, which i believe is “medium” up front, and “light” rear. It has served me well and until recently i have had no reason to change things. In fact, the recent changes are mostly geared toward improving on road behavior and are modifications that 90% of lifted 4runners will never consider as it really isnt necessary. I did eventually swap to scs wheels in 17x9 -38, so i had to modify body mount and front fenders for that, but prior to the wheel swap, the 285s fit with zero modifications. This set up also fixed the nose dive and improved cornering, but most aftermarket set ups will help here. What I like about it is that it is a simple dependable set up. The toytec i nearly bought may have been fine, but i had read about the shocks corroding and the adjusters siezing and then later discovered that the superflex coil doesn't carry loads as well as other spring options. I considered recently going up to the next heavier ome spring in the rear but my latest trip, she carried the gear level and I decided to stay with the softer spring.

So now I am doing little things to fix the geometry of some factory suspension parts that the lift affected. Most people live with this, but I am doing adjustable sway bar links and a panhard correction kit. Most folks dont bother but I am ocd and so Im doing it.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

My first “overland@ trip. Completely stock 4 runner. This was week 2 of ownership.

On the Georgia Traverse, lift, 285s, tent,fridge,loaded.

Great Smokie Mtn National Park

Crossing the Tallulah River

Headed up to a night time run on Trey Mountain last Christmas.

Most recent trip to Nirth Georgia. Tray Mountain. Scs wheels added.

Sarahs creek campground. I usually head to this spot from baton rouge for the first night when i go to the Georgia Traverse.

 

[Signal]

Thanks for the youtube link. I have been reading about lifts since Jan. I just can't figure out the difference between the Toytec and the Eibach. Maybe someone can chime in on the difference. I am looking to not go over 3 inches for the lift and would love to find a deal on one that will last.

 

[mscot]

My 2 cents. Don't spend $2k on a suspension.
Either go with the Bilstein, OME, Dobinsons, etc at around $1200 or buy adjustable King/Fox.
I wish I had saved another grand and bought the adjustable Kings.
I say this b/c other than better adjustability, there's nothing a 2k suspension set up can do that a $1.2k one cannot and they will probably ride about the same.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

My 2 cents. Don't spend $2k on a suspension.
Either go with the Bilstein, OME, Dobinsons, etc at around $1200 or buy adjustable King/Fox.
I wish I had saved another grand and bought the adjustable Kings.
I say this b/c other than better adjustability, there's nothing a 2k suspension set up can do that a $1.2k one cannot and they will probably ride about the same.

This is good advice.

 

[CoolMax]

Best Suspension Lift for Overland

Did Bilstein Just Make The Ultimate 4Runner Overland Suspension System? – Expedition Portal

 

[Signal]

My 2 cents. Don't spend $2k on a suspension.
Either go with the Bilstein, OME, Dobinsons, etc at around $1200 or buy adjustable King/Fox.
I wish I had saved another grand and bought the adjustable Kings.
I say this b/c other than better adjustability, there's nothing a 2k suspension set up can do that a $1.2k one cannot and they will probably ride about the same.

Nothing I was looking at is 2k, the Boss kit is 1400 and the eibach kit is 800ish. And I am still unsure if I want UCA's, I know the UCA's that I bought for the Xterra gave 3 inches of lift. It seems like these don't. I have heard good things about Dobinson and OEM but my biggest worry is that it won't be level. When people are posting about their lifts it seams that one side is usually higher than the other. I would hate to intall it and have to take it out and put the stock suspension back in.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Nothing I was looking at is 2k, the Boss kit is 1400 and the eibach kit is 800ish. And I am still unsure if I want UCA's, I know the UCA's that I bought for the Xterra gave 3 inches of lift. It seems like these don't. I have heard good things about Dobinson and OEM but my biggest worry is that it won't be level. When people are posting about their lifts it seams that one side is usually higher than the other. I would hate to intall it and have to take it out and put the stock suspension back in.

That was my concern too as I have KDSS and that doesn't seem to like to level well. But thankfully I haven't had any issues and the shop I took it too work on alot of toyotas so phew!

 

[Signal]

I was looking at Dobinson website and i noticed you have to know what parts you need. I want a 3 inch lift not really a 2.5. I guess I will see if there is a Merica sale and buy a lift then or start in other areas and buy a fridge. I was really looking for the lift 1st. I guess it also depends if and when Eibach releases their heavy duty shocks. but it seems like no one can compete with the Toytec as a good lift to start with and upgrade down the road.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Just message Mike with your needs and he will get you the right parts

 

[Signal]

Just message Mike with your needs and he will get you the right parts

I have no clue who Mike is and what he does.

 

[mscot]

You can add a spacer to even things out if needed.
I have JBAs and I’m at 2.25”. I could easily go to 3” if I want.
UCAs add caster. Not height.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SpeedyKevin]

Oops sorry thought you meant you looked at thr dobinsons thread. Hes the distributor for dobinsons.
He would be able to tell you what parts you need for a 3 lift

Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - lots of choices

 

[Signal]

Best Suspension Lift for Overland

Did Bilstein Just Make The Ultimate 4Runner Overland Suspension System? – Expedition Portal

That is a good read. Is this the lift they are talking about?

TTHA-CK-RCC - 3" Lift W/ Bilstein 5100 Front Coilovers (FJ/4Runner/GX)

I noticed it costs more than the Eibach kit and there are no vs threads on here for the 5th gen. I know lift wheels and tires and a fridge are my top 3 prioritys

 

[CoolMax]

That is a good read. Is this the lift they are talking about?

TTHA-CK-RCC - 3" Lift W/ Bilstein 5100 Front Coilovers (FJ/4Runner/GX)

I noticed it costs more than the Eibach kit and there are no vs threads on here for the 5th gen. I know lift wheels and tires and a fridge are my top 3 prioritys

I believe there are links at the end of the article.

Also:
Bilstein 6112 Series Suspension Kit 47-259768 10-16 Toyota 4Runner Assembled
Bilstein 5160 Reservoir Shock Rear 03-16 Toyota 4Runner/FJ Cruiser 0.50-2.00'' Lift

 

[Signal]

I believe there are links at the end of the article.

Also:
Bilstein 6112 Series Suspension Kit 47-259768 10-16 Toyota 4Runner Assembled
Bilstein 5160 Reservoir Shock Rear 03-16 Toyota 4Runner/FJ Cruiser 0.50-2.00'' Lift

Thanks I really like those prices but the rear is only good for 2 inches, does that mean the normal lift in the rear is 2 inches?

 

[mscot]

2" in the rear and 3" in the front gets you just shy of level. Maybe a 1/2" of rake which would allow you to load up the back and not look weird bc of the squat.
I think most people do about a 3"/2" anyway

 

[nimby]

Lots of really good reviews on both Dobinsons and Eibach lifts. I feel both of these companies have really dialed in the right shock valving for our trucks.

Dobinson will give you the advantage of lots of coil options for different height and weight requirements both front and back.

Eibachs (which I have on my truck) ride really nicely both on and offroad, but don't let you customize the rear height....... yet. They do have something on the way, but as of right now, you're stuck with a 1" lift in the back. Which is completely fine if you're good with that.

Honestly couldn't go wrong with either of these.

 

[Signal]

Lots of really good reviews on both Dobinsons and Eibach lifts. I feel both of these companies have really dialed in the right shock valving for our trucks.

Dobinson will give you the advantage of lots of coil options for different height and weight requirements both front and back.

Eibachs (which I have on my truck) ride really nicely both on and offroad, but don't let you customize the rear height....... yet. They do have something on the way, but as of right now, you're stuck with a 1" lift in the back. Which is completely fine if you're good with that.

Honestly couldn't go wrong with either of these.

I saw that. That is what I am worried about. spending money on the lift and then something better comes out I am not really looking for adjustable. I just know I need the lift to be able to hold up a bumper, winch, fridge, skids, sliders, and a roof rack.