Best lift option for trail riding/fire trails and lots of on-road DD

[rigtimmins]

I've perused the forums quite a bit looking at this information, but haven't necessarily found what I'm looking for.

New TRD ORP, looking to lift to get 285/70/r17 BFG KO2 on some Methods under the wells for daily driving and moderate weekend+ camping trips in the Northern VA area and possibly CO where the family lives.

I was looking at Icon Stage 2, but I'm just not sure I need that caliber of a lift. The rebuilding every 15-25k seems like a pain, and I just want something to make the vehicle drive a little stiffer on road and to be off-road 'capable' going through creeks, fire trails lots of mud etc, but not necessarily extreme wheels in the air stuff. more just point a to point b vehicle in the woods. Not sure I need the extended travel.

Anyone have experience with this and some solid suggestions? I do plan on getting a C4 slimline and winch at some point so looking at 200lb or so springs in front. Gobi roof rack will be added as well.

So far looking at Bilstein 6112/5100, OME (seen a lot of positive reviews), and ToyTec. Icon Stage 2 would probably be the most lift I would get.

 

[delloro]

I am pretty happy with my Eibach pro-truck lift with JBA UCA's.

Very cost-effective, too.

 

[Angelo]

Definitely take a look at the Eibach kit if you can. Installed mine last year with Wheeler's / Eibach T13 rear springs and I'm still super happy with it. It doesn't require, but I still added Dobinson's UCAs that I can't recommend enough- an extra $150 up front and I don't have to worry about greasing the joints.

EDIT: make sure you realize a few things before you pull the trigger: the truck is more than fully capable of doing what you're describing WITHOUT any lift or other modifications other than a set of good AT / MT tires. You can fit larger tires (also unnecessary) just by trimming the front bumper cover plastic, moving the fender liner, and possibly a BMC depending on how big you want (not need) to go. Lifting has little to no bearing on going with larger tires with IFS- every bit you lift up, you're sacrificing down travel (google the Coastal Offroad lifting / travel writeup). Finally, understand that every modification you make WILL have positives and negatives (lean, ride quality, mpg, etc. etc.). I'm not trying to talk you out of anything, just wanted to keep it real. The most cost effective advice I've ever heard is to let the trail and truck tell you what you need to change and take it from there. Good luck man.

 

[LandCruiser]

External reservoir is great for washboard roads.

Unless you're doing Dukes of Hazzard shit, Icons DO NOT need to be rebuilt after 15-25k miles, JFC.

 

[cjdewese]

Would agree with Angelo that if you aren't doing much heavy off roading the stock truck with some better tires will probably do great.

I had that setup for a long time but as I started to add weight noticed that I was rubbing on some places I wasn't before so I upgraded my suspension.

I went with Dobinsons, they were pretty cheap when it was all said and done and I have really enjoyed everything about that setup. Just reach out to Mike and he can help you find something that would work for your exact setup.

One thing I would say though, is IF you are going to be adding extra weight, make sure you let mike know that so you don't have to buy a 2nd set of springs when you add the additional weight.

 

[rigtimmins]

Definitely take a look at the Eibach kit if you can. Installed mine last year with Wheeler's / Eibach T13 rear springs and I'm still super happy with it. It doesn't require, but I still added Dobinson's UCAs that I can't recommend enough- an extra $150 up front and I don't have to worry about greasing the joints.

EDIT: make sure you realize a few things before you pull the trigger: the truck is more than fully capable of doing what you're describing WITHOUT any lift or other modifications other than a set of good AT / MT tires. You can fit larger tires (also unnecessary) just by trimming the front bumper cover plastic, moving the fender liner, and possibly a BMC depending on how big you want (not need) to go. Lifting has little to no bearing on going with larger tires with IFS- every bit you lift up, you're sacrificing down travel (google the Coastal Offroad lifting / travel writeup). Finally, understand that every modification you make WILL have positives and negatives (lean, ride quality, mpg, etc. etc.). I'm not trying to talk you out of anything, just wanted to keep it real. The most cost effective advice I've ever heard is to let the trail and truck tell you what you need to change and take it from there. Good luck man.

Thanks buddy. Ya, I definitely understand the ramifications of things. I know this suspension is rather soft (and dive-y), so I was going to upgrade suspension anyway and figured why not get the lift (for cosmetics as well, looks great). Just going 285/70/17 at the moment because a buddy is giving me 5 KO2s. Still playing with the idea of just getting the wheels and upgrading tires, but the free KO2s is a big draw since that's basically almost the cost of a lift before UCAs.

 

[rigtimmins]

Appreciate the insight quite a bit guys...definitely looking at adding a slimline w winch in the front which would require stronger shocks/coils, and also the Gobi rack. Eventually, I'd like a C4 in the rear w spare swingout which would probably req 700lb springs in the rear.. Even with these modifications, I'd need beefier suspension; just wondering if I need Icons or I can just grab some OME/Eibach w stronger springs and be done with it for a while.

 

[Finslayer83]

Appreciate the insight quite a bit guys...definitely looking at adding a slimline w winch in the front which would require stronger shocks/coils, and also the Gobi rack. Eventually, I'd like a C4 in the rear w spare swingout which would probably req 700lb springs in the rear.. Even with these modifications, I'd need beefier suspension; just wondering if I need Icons or I can just grab some OME/Eibach w stronger springs and be done with it for a while.

I'd wait until you have your bumper setup figured out and then get the appropriate springs for the additional weight. Time the transformation around the same time so you are not on OME heavy coils without the added weight.

You are looking to add hundreds of pounds to your setup, keep that in mind.

Personally I'd go with OME, Dobinsons, or Eibach. I ran Eibach on my Tacoma and Icon on my F150.

When the time comes to upgrade my 4R bumpers, etc.. I'll move from the TRDPRO/CF setup I have now to Dobinsons or OME to account for weight.

 

[rigtimmins]

I'd wait until you have your bumper setup figured out and then get the appropriate springs for the additional weight. Time the transformation around the same time so you are not on OME heavy coils without the added weight.

You are looking to add hundreds of pounds to your setup, keep that in mind.

Personally I'd go with OME, Dobinsons, or Eibach. I ran Eibach on my Tacoma and Icon on my F150.

When the time comes to upgrade my 4R bumpers, etc.. I'll move from the TRDPRO/CF setup I have now to Dobinsons or OME to account for weight.

Rear bumper won't come for a while down the road. That's a big time 'want.' Definitely would have the springs sorted out w the bumper at the same time...not lookin to turn my car into a chiropractic adjustment simulation!

 

[delloro]

Rear bumper won't come for a while down the road. That's a big time 'want.' Definitely would have the springs sorted out w the bumper at the same time...not lookin to turn my car into a chiropractic adjustment simulation!

If you are dropping 2 long on a bumper, an additional $250 for 2 springs for the bumper is not a lot more. And you can sell the old ones, too.

 

[llDemonll]

Look at dobinson. progressive valved and rubber bushings mean much longer service intervals (think OE)

 

[rigtimmins]

If you are dropping 2 long on a bumper, an additional $250 for 2 springs for the bumper is not a lot more. And you can sell the old ones, too.

My thoughts exactly. It just won't come for a while, so I will get the higher weight springs in there when I get the bumper instead of before so I don't have a ridiculously stiff ride pre bumper. No way I put a custom bumper w swingout without upgrading springs.

 

[Brick Sprickly]

I'd wait until you have your bumper setup figured out and then get the appropriate springs for the additional weight. Time the transformation around the same time so you are not on OME heavy coils without the added weight.

You are looking to add hundreds of pounds to your setup, keep that in mind.

Personally I'd go with OME, Dobinsons, or Eibach. I ran Eibach on my Tacoma and Icon on my F150.

When the time comes to upgrade my 4R bumpers, etc.. I'll move from the TRDPRO/CF setup I have now to Dobinsons or OME to account for weight.

This is exactly where I'm at. I want to upgrade bumpers (swingout in back, slimline in front) but don't want to swap out stronger coils until that piece is at least decided upon. Still have the stock pro setup, which is just fine.

 

[rigtimmins]

This is exactly where I'm at. I want to upgrade bumpers (swingout in back, slimline in front) but don't want to swap out stronger coils until that piece is at least decided upon. Still have the stock pro setup, which is just fine.

The more I think about it, the more I just want 265/70/17 Ko2 or Ridge Grappler or 275/70/17 KO2. Could just get a pretty standard TRD Pro type lift, be super capable offroad but not risk having to mod out the wheel well, BM etc or taking a big hit in MPG. Maybe just Dobinson's or 5100 rear 6112 front. Maybe keep like 1" of rake for loading up the Gobi Stealth with a roof top tent or something.

 

[safdSA]

I went with 5160/6112 with their springs and have been more than happy. Much smoother/more responsive ride over the stock set up.