Been lurking, searching, and now its time to get a lift. Opinions plz

[alpinhi]

Hey everyone,
I have been lurking around here for quite sometime now. I know ppl get grumpy about lift questions but bare with me plz. I just picked up a 05 Sport V8 with 83k on the clock. I traded in my 09 Unlimited Rubicon and I'm still trying to come to terms with this but the Jeep wouldnt do what we needed it to. We just purchased a "offroad" travel trailer that weighs in around 4k loaded and the Jeep just couldnt tow that. (over 65 mph)
So to the point, I would like to run 285's have been reading posts about different lifts I'm trying to decide. I have read some good things about the Toytec Boss system and Icon systems. I understand that Icon setup requires a fair amount maintenance. The idea of pulling out the front coilovers every 20 or so thousand miles to rebuild components doesent appeal to me. I had a OME lift on one of my previous Jeeps and that was one rough riding suspension but it held up great and flexed well.
This vehicle will be a daily driver, moderate offroad rig and a tow vehilce. I drive 3 miles of gravel everyday with potholes and wash board. Tell me what you lift you would go with, what you have, and like or don't like.
Thanks to everyone in advance, you have a great forum here, I learn more everyday.
Heres a poser shot of the new ride.

 

[Xrider237]

congrats on the T4r- 83k is just breaking these in!

well the 1st thing you need to decide is what is the purpose of the lift..just cosmetic or are you looking to upgrade the performance as well...for looks and adding some clearance you could just throw some spacers on your XREAS- thats a very budget friendly option...at the other end of the spectrum are the true coilovers (icon, king, etc)...in the middle you have bilstein, ome etc

you have to make your choice based on needs, budget, looks, maintenance

*btw i have a Sport as well w xreas and going to buy bilstein 6112/5160's this summer

 

[some dude]

In case you don't realize it, your sport has XREAS suspension. Read about XREAS. You are limited on what type of spacers you can do.

But correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we're in the same boat. You say you have an "off road" RV. Does this basically mean it's lifted a little? I have a trailer that is lifted, which means it hitches higher than most trailers. Should your goal be for the hitch to be lifted as well, you'll need to do a suspension lift and not a body lift.

I'd love to see a pic of this rv too.

And nice 4runner, have the exact same model and year, color too!

 

[alpinhi]

congrats on the T4r- 83k is just breaking these in!

well the 1st thing you need to decide is what is the purpose of the lift..just cosmetic or are you looking to upgrade the performance as well...for looks and adding some clearance you could just throw some spacers on your XREAS- thats a very budget friendly option...at the other end of the spectrum are the true coilovers (icon, king, etc)...in the middle you have bilstein, ome etc

you have to make your choice based on needs, budget, looks, maintenance

*btw i have a Sport as well w xreas and going to buy bilstein 6112/5160's this summer

I have read up on the XREAS and its a pretty cool system for a stock vehicle. When I test drove it I was very impressed with the handling characteristics of the vehicle. It was very stable yet had a comfortable ride. I selected the 4Runner becasue I thought it was best platform to build a multipurpose rig. I plan on driving this everyday and towing our camper on some long remote camping trips. I not just after looks, Im looking for something that will perform offroad also. We take multiple trips to the Rockies in Colorado every year and spend alot of time on the trails including some challenging ones. (Poughkipsee Gulch, Taylor Pass, Black Bear Pass) Now that we have a camper we would like to spend some time out in Moab also. I will not be pulling the camper over these trails, the camper will be used as a base camp. So to some it up I dont mind if the XREAS has to go for improved offroad performance and clearance for larger tires. Im trying to find the best bang for my buck I guess for a combination of uses.
Thanks
Travis

 

[alpinhi]

The camper is light weight travel trailer with a small factory lift and 29" inch mud tires. Its not designed for difficult trails but it will go down low maintenance and logging roads to get the family away from the crowd and not be in a tent.
Heres a couple photos.

 

[Xrider237]

thats a cool camper you got- im thinking to get a 13ft scamp to do kinda the same thing plus fishing trip on the coast

as far as suspension go, its up to you what route you go- there is tons of great info, pics & ride reports to help you along...unlike most, i think the xreas works pretty good for its intended purpose and it can still do non hardcore offroading...mine is an '03 w 150k and still no leaks and seems to still ride reasonably good

the best bang for buck according to many is bilstein 5100's w fj/moog springs

 

[some dude]

thats a cool camper you got- im thinking to get a 13ft scamp to do kinda the same thing plus fishing trip on the coast

I have a 16ft. Guy who originally bought it had them put a 6" lift on it. As you can tell, I have some clearance!

 

[Xrider237]

very nice! extra cool it came lifted-!do you feel it being top heavy on the road..maybe in the wind??

 

[alpinhi]

very nice! extra cool it came lifted-!do you feel it being top heavy on the road..maybe in the wind??

Well to be honest we towed it home from the dealer with my wifes 06 Sequoia and it pulled fine. I know what your saying though as we will be towing it across KS with a 40 mph south breeze. I installed a weight distribution hitch with anti sway control. I think it will fine, the A/C is on the side instead of up top to help with the height and clearance. We shall see!

 

[some dude]

I haven't had any top heavy issues with my Scamp. They're so light that I'm sure it's better than other trailers for that.

 

[ebg18t]

Since you towing, want decent off-road performance and you want to run 285's skip the spacers. Ditch X-Reas and install something decent. Icon stage 2, Fox 2.5" or King 2.5". Do it right and be done with it.

 

[dixie_boysles]

Just rip out the XREAS and put in Bilstein 5100s. That's whatone has

 

[nathanours]

I really like the Boss coil overs. I've run them since January and have been really impressed. Much better than the bilstein/ome equivalents. I also really like 285s, and see almost no loss in power without regearing on my V8.