Bilstein 2.5" lift
- Thread starter dylanc
- Start date
Hayn4R said:
Member JA did an awesome writeup regarding the pros and cons of each spacer. I am considering getting the OLD daystar kit because it is a hybrid of topout spacer and preload spacer. The more preload you add, the stiffer/firmer the ride is. I have heard that the Cornfed 3/2 has too much preload, and the ride becomes very uncomfortable. My Runner is my daily driver and I wanted to maintain stock ride quality on street. ReadyLift makes a 2.25" kit for $230 that is all topout, so stock ride is 100% maintained. However, I have heard that this much topout could cause premature wear on some suspension components. So, I figured I could be happy with a mix topout and preload. Then I looked into other options for lifting, and found a couple options that could add some preload lift, but were fancier than jamming a spacer on the spring. These options, that Im still looking into are the Bilstein adjustable shocks, and the OME springs. I personally will most likely end up with a hybrid consisting of a topout spacer and either the OME springs or the Bilstein Adj. Height shocks. The shocks intrigue me bc they are adjustable - I am on stock size tires but when those where out, I will get larger tires and simply adjust the shocks for mor height.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Hayn4R said:
I don't have first-hand knowledge. It is my understanding that due to preload and the stock T4R shocks being a bit shorter than ideal the rear-end stiffens a lot. There's also the fact that on some of the 2" rear spacer lifts you have cut or remove the rubber "jounce stop" and that hurts the ride also. I believe that's one of the big negatives of the 3/2 Cornfed. I'm not so sure the 3" in the front is lacking. It uses a combo of top and preload spacing. Search the user J.A. too...
The best advice I can give is that I have yet to see a bad review of the "old style" Daystar 2.5/1.5. People report the front is actually a little more than 2.5". More good advice is to search the user name Josh220 and HB 4x4. He went 2/1 to 3/2 and now has a sweet coilover setup... He uses his T4R aggressively but isn't totally hardcore.
Other good threads: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32714&perpage=40
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42421
:cheers:
Last edited:
dylanc said:
Installing the new shocks is EXACTLY like replacing the stockers.
The new shock accomplishes lift by moving the spring seat. Basically, the spring seat is a little higher on the new shock, thus gaining lift. Look at the picture below, you can see the grooves on the shock which provide the adjustment.
Take a look at the length from the bottow mount to where the spring seat is. You can see it is longer on the new shock.
Great info everybody, Ive learned a ton! I decided Im going to copy daystar's old kit format of ~2" of topout lift + ~1" of preload lift. However, instead of a preload spacer, Im going to go with either the adjustable shocks or the OME springs. Anybody feel one option is better than the other? Im leaning towards the adjustable shocks, but I dont know if one provides a more comfortable ride than the other etc. Thanks again!
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
dylanc said:
I don't know what to tell you. I, personally, would be tempted to get the Bilstiens and some OME 883's. I would then set the shocks to the small or medium lift position. That would be a great, medium priced setup IMHO. I don't think using the OME883 and the shocks' 2.5 lift setting would be smart. I'd worry about having enough room for the spring to compress. On the other hand your suggestion of 883s and a 1" top spacer would probably be a nice, cheap way to get 2.5" and I'd bet it would ride/drive very nicely. That's my 2cents.
:cheers:
