Chicken or the Egg Dilemma

[I4CUTigers]

Currently looking at adding an adjustable suspension to my 18 4Runner ORP with KDSS, but I seem to have found myself at cross roads.

Most of my research indicates that I should buy based on my constant load needs. Eventually I would like to add a winch and bumpers, however that could be years away. More immediately I am thinking about a Rhino Rack with Backbone system, a RTT, and either ARB storage or a self made system.

At this point, I am not sure which suspension offers the most upgrade-able potential. Should I just buy on the cheap for now and sell it when ready or buy something more expensive and upgrade as I go?

 

[nb rob]

Currently looking at adding an adjustable suspension to my 18 4Runner ORP with KDSS, but I seem to have found myself at cross roads.

Most of my research indicates that I should buy based on my constant load needs. Eventually I would like to add a winch and bumpers, however that could be years away. More immediately I am thinking about a Rhino Rack with Backbone system, a RTT, and either ARB storage or a self made system.

At this point, I am not sure which suspension offers the most upgrade-able potential. Should I just buy on the cheap for now and sell it when ready or buy something more expensive and upgrade as I go?

You’ll just have to change springs down the road. No big deal.

 

[adio3x]

For the rear, it'll be a simple spring swap. For the fronts, I'd recommend going with an adjustable coilover setup. That way you can mess with the pre-load to accommodate and sag when more weight is added.

I had the Toytec Ultimate lift for a long long time, did very well after adding bumpers/rack/RTT. Just recently swapped them for Icon 2.0 + Resi's.

Don't buy cheap, buy the right setup once, might cost you a little up front, but you won't be buying things twice and wasting money.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

Yup. If you buy kings, you can request heavier spring rates up front. My suggestion is go with 650lb first if you go that route, then you can swap them out for 700s when you get the bumper and winch.

I had 550s initially, but I really didnt like how much preload it had to match the rear 3" springs. The ride was really harsh. I swapped to 650s with no weight up front and maybe 1/3 of what the previous preload was. Ride with the 650s is stiff, but much better than the cranked 550s. If youre building all the stuff in the rear, just get 3" springs for the rear. Youre going to need it. I have a dual swingout rear bumper and the rear sits around 2.75" with the Icon 3" springs.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/236833-650lb-vs-700lb-coils.html

Like adio said, dont buy cheap. You'll read "buy once, cry once" in all the suspension threads here when researching 5150s and OMEs. But it really depends on how youre going to use the truck.

King, Icon, Fox - will need to be rebuilt but have height adjustability and dampening controls (if you buy them)

Bilstein and OMEs will not need to rebuilt, but only height adjustability on certain shocks.

Plenty of threads here explaining pros and cons. Use google for your searches instead of the forum's search. It works better just add "site:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/" after your search terms to search t4r only.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Suspension choices and upgrades later

Ditto to what Andrew said above. Do it right the first time.

It's a lot of work to swap out the front shocks. You need to consider the value of your time and having the truck out of commission while you do the coil-over shock exchange. The rear springs are easier to change, but you're still jacking the truck, placing jack stands, removing the tire and dropping the axle enough to get them out and replaced.

I installed the ICON Stage 7 lift with all the tubular UCA and all 5 rear links. It took me about 7 days working full time to get it done.

I have Domello rock sliders, a Baja Racks roof rack and am looking at a new front bumper. I think the 2.5" ICON shocks I got will be sufficient.