Budget Suspension

[WUKILLABEEZ78]

Has anybody ever seen these: 3" Lift Kit w/ Coil Spring Struts Shocks For Toyota 4Runner 4WD 2010-2022 | eBay before? My truck is older and higher mileage and is still on the stock suspension. What do you think of them as a much cheaper alternative to other options? Maybe paired with these: Front Upper Control Arms for 2-4" Lift For 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser & 2003+ 4Runner | eBay

My goal is just to replace the old components, lift the vehicle and to improve the looks/level the truck. I don't tow and don't do much off-roading. What would some of the pros/cons as I don't know much about suspension components. Is the quality of something like this considered that dubious compared to stock parts or other aftermarket companies? I would get a panhard correction kit as well.

 

[fkheath]

Has anybody ever seen these: 3" Lift Kit w/ Coil Spring Struts Shocks For Toyota 4Runner 4WD 2010-2022 | eBay before? My truck is older and higher mileage and is still on the stock suspension. What do you think of them as a much cheaper alternative to other options? Maybe paired with these: Front Upper Control Arms for 2-4" Lift For 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser & 2003+ 4Runner | eBay

My goal is just to replace the old components, lift the vehicle and to improve the looks/level the truck. I don't tow and don't do much off-roading. What would some of the pros/cons as I don't know much about suspension components. Is the quality of something like this considered that dubious compared to stock parts or other aftermarket companies? I would get a panhard correction kit as well.

Thoughts:

I got the Rough Country leveling kit, about 3" front, 1" rear. Less expensive than that combo.

Don't need UCA or panhard correction with that small amount of lift.

I don't trust "cheap" stuff off Amazon/Ebay. There are lots of well known quality companies that make suspension components for the 4Runner. They may be a bit more expensive, but worth it for the peace of mind.

If your current shocks are bad, I'd still go with OEM replacements. Although lots of people complain about the soft OEM ride, I like it because it does not beat you up like I had with my Jeeps.

 

[WUKILLABEEZ78]

Thoughts:

I got the Rough Country leveling kit, about 3" front, 1" rear. Less expensive than that combo.

Don't need UCA or panhard correction with that small amount of lift.

I don't trust "cheap" stuff off Amazon/Ebay. There are lots of well known quality companies that make suspension components for the 4Runner. They may be a bit more expensive, but worth it for the peace of mind.

If your current shocks are bad, I'd still go with OEM replacements. Although lots of people complain about the soft OEM ride, I like it because it does not beat you up like I had with my Jeeps.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'd rather have new shocks and springs than a leveling kit using spacers. The product is on sale hence the cheap price, it appears it's usual price compares with other suspension kits like Rough Country. It looks no different from any other basic kit however it doesn't appear to be adjustable although I'm fine with a 3 inch lift. I don't mind trading a soft ride for a stiffer one especially if it sits level and alleviates the nose dive issue.

 

[honda250xtitan]

shocksurplus has bilsteins in stock. i wouldnt touch ebay/knockoff upper control arms with a 10' stick. having poor fitment, low quality joints, and the wrong geometry built into a control arm just sounds like a headache.

 

[WUKILLABEEZ78]

shocksurplus has bilsteins in stock. i wouldnt touch ebay/knockoff upper control arms with a 10' stick. having poor fitment, low quality joints, and the wrong geometry built into a control arm just sounds like a headache.

I agree regarding the UCAs, I've seen individuals complain about cheap ones not fitting correctly, etc... I haven't heard much about bad suspension kits though, usually the complaints are more about the cheaper ones having less functionality than the more expensive products. I'm not looking for a lot of functionality, just a product to replace the stock parts which also provide a lift and level the vehicle. The shocks and springs themselves look to be of decent quality in the pictures. It doesn't appear anyone has experience with this brand (BFO). I'm seriously considering ordering this kit (along with some good UCAs) and seeing how it turns out.

 

[osugsxr]

I agree regarding the UCAs, I've seen individuals complain about cheap ones not fitting correctly, etc... I haven't heard much about bad suspension kits though, usually the complaints are more about the cheaper ones having less functionality than the more expensive products. I'm not looking for a lot of functionality, just a product to replace the stock parts which also provide a lift and level the vehicle. The shocks and springs themselves look to be of decent quality in the pictures. It doesn't appear anyone has experience with this brand (BFO). I'm seriously considering ordering this kit (along with some good UCAs) and seeing how it turns out.

5100s all around from wheelers off road could be fairly cheap. I picked up 5100s for the rear to replace 5160s that started to leak. Think I paid $170 shipped

 

[Idayota]

That suspension cost as much as a full Bilstein 5100 system, which works with the OEM springs. There’s no point in replacing the stock springs just for the sake of it. If you want a lift for looks and better ride, the 5100s with OEM springs will do that for about $500. You can always get new springs later and add them. If you stay under 2.5”, then the stock UCAs are fine, definitely better than the ones you linked. Again, you can add in new UCAs later.

Another thing to keep in mind if you’re on a budget is how the stock size tires look after a lift. 3” totally changes how 265/70s look, do you have $800-$1200 to get bigger tires too?

Get the 5100 kit, lift about 2” in front, 1” in back. It will look good and more leveled out, and you don’t have cheap garbage parts.

 

[WUKILLABEEZ78]

That suspension cost as much as a full Bilstein 5100 system, which works with the OEM springs. There’s no point in replacing the stock springs just for the sake of it. If you want a lift for looks and better ride, the 5100s with OEM springs will do that for about $500. You can always get new springs later and add them. If you stay under 2.5”, then the stock UCAs are fine, definitely better than the ones you linked. Again, you can add in new UCAs later.

Another thing to keep in mind if you’re on a budget is how the stock size tires look after a lift. 3” totally changes how 265/70s look, do you have $800-$1200 to get bigger tires too?

Get the 5100 kit, lift about 2” in front, 1” in back. It will look good and more leveled out, and you don’t have cheap garbage parts.

My truck is a 2011 SR5 with roughly 225K on it. I feel it's definitely time to replace the stock springs. I've modded and added a lot of other things but never did anything with the suspension.

I wouldn't say I'm on a budget however I'm not interested in investing a lot of money on a top of the line suspension given the vehicle's age/mileage and how I use it.

My tires are new, I have Nitto Ridge Grapplers in the stock size which won't look appreciably different with a 2 inch lift compared to a 3 inch one.

What about the suspension I linked is cheap? Can you tell it's garbage via the pictures and looking at the components or are you going strictly by price (which seems to have jumped up in price from less than $400 to over $500, the sale must have ended)?

 

[Pedro367]

What about the suspension I linked is cheap? Can you tell it's garbage via the pictures and looking at the components or are you going strictly by price (which seems to have jumped up in price from less than $400 to over $500, the sale must have ended)?

Suspension is one of those things that is very much "get what you pay for." Joints and bushings are usually worn out on cheap components extremely fast, no adjustability, shocks blow out quickly and ride poorly, poor paint quality. Every single cheap part I've put on my cars over the years wears out almost immediately and I was constantly chasing clunks, rattles, wobbles, etc. It's not worth it. Looking at you, Rough Country (and some other cheaper Jeep brands.) It's cheap for a reason.

Go with Bilstein 5100s for a similar price or just replace it with someone's factory take off parts that you can probably get for free. The 5100s are an amazing shocks for the price from a real brand that isn't chinese garbage.

 

[Idayota]

My truck is a 2011 SR5 with roughly 225K on it. I feel it's definitely time to replace the stock springs. I've modded and added a lot of other things but never did anything with the suspension.

I wouldn't say I'm on a budget however I'm not interested in investing a lot of money on a top of the line suspension given the vehicle's age/mileage and how I use it.

My tires are new, I have Nitto Ridge Grapplers in the stock size which won't look appreciably different with a 2 inch lift compared to a 3 inch one.

What about the suspension I linked is cheap? Can you tell it's garbage via the pictures and looking at the components or are you going strictly by price (which seems to have jumped up in price from less than $400 to over $500, the sale must have ended)?

I can’t tell you much of anything about these because the only thing that comes up when I search BFO suspension is Amazon and EBay listings, and one “review” that was clearly written by a chat bot (https://suspensionlist.com/bfo-coilovers-review/).

It’s your money, but to me, this is clearly one of those situations where spending less up front has a high likelihood of being more expensive in the long run compared to if you just spent more initially

 

[DWilliam]

As a new owner this is very helpful!

 

[Jetboy]

I would be very skeptical of Ebay control arms. Ask me how I know... (it's not supposed to look like that). The misalignment spacer for the uniball in mine failed. The arms were actually okay construction, the joint part was trash. The geometry wasn't great either.