Entry Level Suspension kits

[Cymon]

Do you have experience with either kit? The 6112/5160 or the 5100's?

Not personally, my 4Runner is still stock in terms of both suspension and tires. I have researched and read through all of those threads plus many more (including the expedition portal article that you referenced). I have also contacted the manufacturers and distributors of the suspensions you are looking at. I believe that most of the answers including personal experience that you are looking for can be found in the threads I posted. In addition I also have PM'd numerous members on this forum with the different after market suspensions that I may be interested in to get their take and personal experience.

So my information probably isn't any good since I do not have "personal experience" with the 5100 or 6112/5160 suspension parts on my vehicle, but there is some good info from people who do in what I posted.

 

[Saker]

Happy with my 6112/5160's

Lifted 2" in front and 0 lift at rear. I have airbags to keep it level when hauling.

 

[CF_Machete]

Happy with my 6112/5160's

Lifted 2" in front and 0 lift at rear. I have airbags to keep it level when hauling.

hows the nose dive compared to stock? Which coilover kit did you install, 47-259768 or 46-227294?

 

[Saker]

hows the nose dive compared to stock? Which coilover kit did you install, 47-259768 or 46-227294?

No comparison to stock, soooo much less.
Don't know by the part #. First gen 6112's with 5 circlip grooves on the shock body.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I run the full OME kit, don't think you will like it. The jury is still out for me as I can tell the front is fine but the rear appears to be a bit too stiff. Although, with a few hundred pounds in the back the ride is great. Thinking about swapping springs back to stock or another brand with maybe a spacer in the back to gain a bit better of a ride. For you I'd go Bilstein.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Go Big or Go Home

For more ground clearance you need two components. As you know, the lift will not raise the front or rear differentials, which are the low hanging meat under the frame. Try adding 2" of lift to the suspension to raise the whole frame and 275/70/17 tires to raise the differentials. Consider 1/2" more lift in the front to reduce the forward rake and nose dive on hard braking.

This is my goal. As soon as I can find time to install it I will upgrade the shocks. I'm not looking for the least expensive. I'm looking to add better damping and adjustability with King or ICON 2.5" diameter shocks, new 2" higher back springs and adjustable remote reservoirs so I can reduce the stiffness and damping for street driving.

 

[JSparky]

Do you have a specific budget, or are you more or less just entertaining lower cost options? A set of 2.5" shock-body coilovers up front from Fox/Radflo/King/Icon can typically be adjusted anywhere from 0-3 inches of lift-height. Matched with either rear coil spacers or modest rear lift coils and new rear shocks and you'll have a great riding system.

That said the Bilstein option is super popular and you can essentially replicate what the TRD Pro has with it. Search for it on here and you'll come up with lots of stuff.

 

[rog3r!]

The lift buyers guide also has these which seem like a good entry level suspension kit:
BEST SELLER! 3" FJ Lift Kit w/spacers and rear ToyTec coils

And also on Toytec's site, I think this is pretty much the same as above but also with front springs:
3" FJ Lift w/ front & rear coils
These ones actually have the option to exclude the top spacer which gives you slightly less lift in the front.
Which I guess that would kind of make it a lift using just stiffer springs.

Does anyone know if you would need a UCA with these?

 

[JSparky]

The lift buyers guide also has these which seem like a good entry level suspension kit:
BEST SELLER! 3" FJ Lift Kit w/spacers and rear ToyTec coils

And also on Toytec's site, I think this is pretty much the same as above but also with front springs:
3" FJ Lift w/ front & rear coils
These ones actually have the option to exclude the top spacer which gives you slightly less lift in the front.
Which I guess that would kind of make it a lift using just stiffer springs.

Does anyone know if you would need a UCA with these?

Welcome to the t4r.org community! I'm jealous of the salmon up there.. Anyways not to get off topic.

To the OP the whole need for upper control arms is hotly contested, don't start that discussion here cause there's tons of pages on this site with great insight regarding the debate. Keep in mind that Toyota kept the TRD Pro 4Runner under 2" of front lift with the stock control arms and it rides great. Good luck.

 

[Simpleman74]

I'm not looking for a spacer kit, and I'm not doing this merely for appearance's sake. I would like a little bit more clearance on my frame/body, though I realize the rear and front axles/diff's really won't change. I also want something that will maintain a compliant (Read not overly stiff) ride.

From the first few posts I'm getting, it seems that a normal suspension lift will entail going up more than 1". Okay, for argument's sake, let's say I want a 2-3" lift....which of the previously mentioned kits would people here suggest? Or is there another kit/brand that I should look into?

the 1" spacer will not affect the ride at all... any of the kits you listed will make the ride more stiff. with all of that said it sounds like 5100s in the front set to .85" is what you are looking for. If you are even contemplating lifting it higher then I would suggest doing your homework and lifting it right the first time. I am ripping out my 5100s (set to 2.25" in front and 1.5" coils out back with 5100s) for the OME BP51 kit

 

[Dalko43]

the 1" spacer will not affect the ride at all... any of the kits you listed will make the ride more stiff. with all of that said it sounds like 5100s in the front set to .85" is what you are looking for. If you are even contemplating lifting it higher then I would suggest doing your homework and lifting it right the first time. I am ripping out my 5100s (set to 2.25" in front and 1.5" coils out back with 5100s) for the OME BP51 kit

Do the Bilsteins not perform as well when set at 2" or higher?

And when you say the Bilstein and other kits I mentioned firm up the ride, to what degree? Everyday driving and road bumps become magnified to the point of being uncomfortable? Or better body control going around turns and what not?

 

[Simpleman74]

Do the Bilsteins not perform as well when set at 2" or higher?

And when you say the Bilstein and other kits I mentioned firm up the ride, to what degree? Everyday driving and road bumps become magnified to the point of being uncomfortable? Or better body control going around turns and what not?

my 510s fell great but are a tad stiffer than stock... they really helped with body roll and even a little on the nose dive. Not uncomfortable at all I just want a real lift with adjustable coilovers

 

[headpaneer]

Dobinsons has some low lift options but their 4Runner products are brand new to this country.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...pension-options-lots-choices.html#post2580713

 

[SierraMare]

I love my set up, and am very happy I went with it. I find that my Bilstein 6112 coil over front and 5100/2" Icon lift springs rear have given me a firmer ride than stock, but in a good way. My goals in the lift were to make moderate changes in the suspension that would give better off road performance while not excessively compromising on road attributes. My lift has achieved that, and I continue to be very pleased with it after one year with 16,000 miles of on road and off road trips (including towing a 4,500 lb U-Haul trailer 4,000 miles to Alaska).

The 2" lift front and rear allowed me to keep my OEM UCA's and still get reasonable alignment specs (I maintained the rake, which I like, especially when loaded down for adventures). The price was right around $1,000 for the lift components. Also, the particular Bilstein shocks I have come with lifetime warranties. Many here like to pair the 6112 front shocks with 5160 rear shocks, but I went for the tried and true 5100's in rear and am glad I did (5100's have a lifetime warranty, 5160's don't; some 5160's have had a leaking problem, and I simply don't need what a remote reservoir shock offers). A limitation of my 4Runner I solved with the lift was I gained ground clearance at the front skid which was a bit lacking with my KDSS Trail Edition and with my aftermarket RCI skid (improved it from 8" to 10" at the leading edge of the front skid). I run it with LT275 tires.

It sounds as if you are doing your homework. If it fits your needs I'd higher recommend my setup.

Regards, Ted

Thanks! I was hoping to get that kind of feedback. And trust me, I'm not rushing into anything. I've had my stock 4runner for a bit over 2 years now and I've taken it through some moderately difficult terrain; the 4runner's stock suspension has handled most of that stuff very well, but there were a few areas where my frame and skid plates were bottoming out...hence my search for a suspension with slightly higher clearance.

I had heard that OME's stuff was well-regarded too, but that it was a bit more geared towards putting heavier loads on your rig, which I'm not planning on doing at this time. I haven't heard too much about Bilstein's 6122/5100 setup, other than it rides a bit stiffer on the street (relative to the stock setup). Have you noticed that?

I've read through that FAQ section numerous times, and while it is helpful, it doesn't provide too much in the way of user feedback. Thanks for your input; it was helpful!

 

[Dalko43]

I love my set up, and am very happy I went with it. I find that my Bilstein 6112 coil over front and 5100/2" Icon lift springs rear have given me a firmer ride than stock, but in a good way. My goals in the lift were to make moderate changes in the suspension that would give better off road performance while not excessively compromising on road attributes. My lift has achieved that, and I continue to be very pleased with it after one year with 16,000 miles of on road and off road trips (including towing a 4,500 lb U-Haul trailer 4,000 miles to Alaska).

The 2" lift front and rear allowed me to keep my OEM UCA's and still get reasonable alignment specs (I maintained the rake, which I like, especially when loaded down for adventures). The price was right around $1,000 for the lift components. Also, the particular Bilstein shocks I have come with lifetime warranties. Many here like to pair the 6112 front shocks with 5160 rear shocks, but I went for the tried and true 5100's in rear and am glad I did (5100's have a lifetime warranty, 5160's don't; some 5160's have had a leaking problem, and I simply don't need what a remote reservoir shock offers). A limitation of my 4Runner I solved with the lift was I gained ground clearance at the front skid which was a bit lacking with my KDSS Trail Edition with my aftermarket RCI skid (improved it from 8" to 10" at the leading edge of the front skid). I run it with LT275 tires.

It sounds as if you are doing your homework. If it fits your needs I'd higher recommend my setup.

Regards, Ted

Thanks for that info! My next question was going to be what springs pair well with the 5100's in the rear, but you answered that. I'm also looking at getting LT275 tires, so I'm glad to hear that they work well with this suspension.

So the general consensus seems to be that if the lift is kept at 2" or below, there is no need for aftermarket control arms or diff or transfer case spacer kits?

 

[RIjon]

I love my set up, and am very happy I went with it. I find that my Bilstein 6112 coil over front and 5100/2" Icon lift springs rear have given me a firmer ride than stock, but in a good way. My goals in the lift were to make moderate changes in the suspension that would give better off road performance while not excessively compromising on road attributes. My lift has achieved that, and I continue to be very pleased with it after one year with 16,000 miles of on road and off road trips (including towing a 4,500 lb U-Haul trailer 4,000 miles to Alaska).

The 2" lift front and rear allowed me to keep my OEM UCA's and still get reasonable alignment specs (I maintained the rake, which I like, especially when loaded down for adventures). The price was right around $1,000 for the lift components. Also, the particular Bilstein shocks I have come with lifetime warranties. Many here like to pair the 6112 front shocks with 5160 rear shocks, but I went for the tried and true 5100's in rear and am glad I did (5100's have a lifetime warranty, 5160's don't; some 5160's have had a leaking problem, and I simply don't need what a remote reservoir shock offers). A limitation of my 4Runner I solved with the lift was I gained ground clearance at the front skid which was a bit lacking with my KDSS Trail Edition with my aftermarket RCI skid (improved it from 8" to 10" at the leading edge of the front skid). I run it with LT275 tires.

It sounds as if you are doing your homework. If it fits your needs I'd higher recommend my setup.

Regards, Ted

I have the same goal as Ted does. The only difference for me was my long running shit luck with bilstein shocks. They always end up leaking on me, and I don't off-road much. If I do it's crawling slowly thru woods and hunting grounds. I never bottom out or compromise the shocks, they just stink imho. The 5100 rears on my Tundra are leaking as we speak. Bilstein won't help me out, so they will never get another cent from me.

I had been running OME stuff on jeeps with great success, but decided to try something different with the Dobinson stuff. Should be here Friday. Not sure when I will install them yet. Got hurt at work and my hand is all messed up.
Ordered the 2" setup complete. I do have SPC uppers from the past owner.

P.s...I can't count how many bilsteins I've seen bend or break at the lower extension just above the eye. No thanks.