Lift Choices

[multipurpose]

Well I have decided that as soon as I am back in the States Xreas is getting scrapped and I am installing a lift. I have read here and other boards that people have had luck removing, and replacing Xreas without trouble. My question for those that have already lifted their 4runners is should I go with OME, or Donahoe? I am really leaning towards OME, but have heard that some people are having spring sag already. I will be towing a small to medium boat from time to time and don't want to have to worry. What is the general consensus?

 

[Good Times]

I haven't heard of sagging on the 4th gen but I may be wrong? Do you have any references to this so I can look into this? this is sort of new to me.

If you want you can do the OME lift w/ the rear air bags too. I would that would resolve your sagging on the rear.

Good luck

 

[multipurpose]

I have not heard of 4runners having this problem, but when I hade my Jeep Rubicon some of the guys that had gone with OME had sagging problems. I also could swear that someone has said that they had an OME kit on a Tacoma, and had front sag issues. I really like the price of OME, and will add airbags to whatever kit I get because I hate having rear end drag when you load up.

 

[multipurpose]

I finally found one of the posts I was referring to.

I've had mine in since July 2005 and love the improvements over stock. I have a V6 SR5 4x4 running 884/n140s and 895/n142 from Slee.

* Rides slightly nose high. The rear coils settled while the fronts did not. I rarely carry any weight in the rear and when I do, it isn't much. I'm not overly concerned about this since I'll likely put a heavier bumper up front to balance it out.

* Driver-side rear sags. I usually fly solo, plus the gas tank is on the driver side, thus saggage. Not so noticible on an empty tank, but quite noticible on a full tank. I haven't taken measurements, but it's obvious to the naked eye.

 

[DR2]

Our springs are guaranteed for life not to sag and you will love the ride quality of our coil-overs.

 

[multipurpose]

I would love to have coil overs, they were great on my Tacoma. Is there a solution for the rear yet? I really don't want to have to piece together a kit.

 

[DR2]

I would love to have coil overs, they were great on my Tacoma. Is there a solution for the rear yet? I really don't want to have to piece together a kit.

It's coming. Our head engineer is playing with some coil springs right now.

 

[Fro-Runner]

It's coming. Our head engineer is playing with some coil springs right now.

Will you or a representative of your department post a message on this forum as soon as you get the information on the estimated release date!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[multipurpose]

bulldog, I would like to hear your impressions of the OME lift. I know that you were one of the pioneers in getting them to work on 4Runners. Is there any particular reason you have gotten rid of it? Thanks.

 

[scslite]

bulldog, I would like to hear your impressions of the OME lift. I know that you were one of the pioneers in getting them to work on 4Runners. Is there any particular reason you have gotten rid of it? Thanks.

I would also like to know this. I'm currently deciding which kit to go with. Also look at the Downey setup as well.

 

[RL Lemke]

It's coming. Our head engineer is playing with some coil springs right now.

I'm waiting too. Please post a note when they become available. Also, I would like to know the inside dimensions to be sure I have the right Air Lift bag, in the case mine will be too small for the new coils.

 

[Bill42]

Attach me to this thread DR. I am waiting for the matched rear set-up before proceeding.

 

[RL Lemke]

I know that I've said it before; the Donahoe Coil-Over front suspension is the way to go. Maybe there are other competitive coil-over systems out there that perform as well. My experience over the last 35,000 miles is that the Donahoes look every bit as good as the day they were new. I have put them to severe duty off-road chasing trespassers over rough ground and fields. The bumps and holes become irrelevant as the 4Runner files over them, while maintaining perfect steering control.

I tried two different spacer lifts only to find them to be a waste of money. If you are going to all the trouble of lifting your 4Runner, why not spend a small amount more and do it right?

My only request is help with the rear suspension. I would like shocks and coil springs which perform as well as the front now. With an emphasis on NOW!!!

 

[multipurpose]

I had decided to skip the spacer approach long ago. I just can't see putting spacers then deciding I want more later. I am trying to do this once. Luckily there have been people that have tried numerous combinations making it easier for the rest of us to learn from.

 

[scslite]

I guess I'm gonna have to wait for the rears as well. So is there an ETA on when they will be available?

What is the maximum lift for the setup?

 

[RL Lemke]

Here is my perspective when shopping for suspension parts. Coming from a motorcycle perspective, where suspension has developed to the point that you nearly can't break a motorcycle, I want suspension components that are just as tough for my 4Runner. Or at least, as tough as practicable and affordable.

I look at the construction, materials, dimensions and coatings. The Donahoe coil-over shock offers a full 2.5" diameter with a thick shaft coated with a very durable coating. To my way of reason this is a big motorcycle shock. The Baja racing heritage of Donahoe shows that their products are designed for severe use.

I have seen and held the Old Man Emu components in my hands. There are an improvement over the OME Toyota offers. But, it is not nearly the product Donahoe offers.

If you are looking for a quality product to serve you well, then I'm sure the OME will get you there and back. If you are looking for suspension parts that are a definite cut above, and able to deal with the most demanding use, then the Donahoe products are the way to go.

I don't know if there is all that much of a cost difference between the options, once labor is factored into the equation. Certainly spacers offer the look without any substance, at a "bargain" price. The OME products are quality products (I'm wild about their protection products) at a nearly racing product price. Then there is Donahoe, at the top of the heap in terms of price (still inexpensive compared to one-off race goods).

I would suggest that there is more profit made for the manufacturer of the spacer lift products than the other two. Holding both the OME and Donahoe products and looking closely at them, I'd say that the Donahoes are an exceptional value.

For me, I think of the aftermarket offerings for the 4Runner as delights on the buffet. I pick and choose what I consider to be the most tasty form across the entire menu. Just because I am enthusiastic about the ARB protection offerings doesn't mean that I will ignore other products where I think they offer more.

But then, I use my 4Runner off-road as part of my work. I also spend untold hours alone in the middle of public lands. I rely on my 4Runner, and all of the aftermarket products I use, to get me home. Many buy SUVs to look good at the mall. They can call AAA if something breaks, I can't.

 

[RL Lemke]

What is the maximum lift for the setup?

The fronts max out at something over 3". I have mine set to about 3" of lift, to match the lift in the rear. During installation the key was to end-up with a level frame, relative to the alignment table.

I hope Donahoe provides for a 3" lift with their new rear coil springs.

 

[multipurpose]

RL do you still like the 265/70R17's, or do you wish you would have gone with another size? I must say that the Downey option looks good it will just depend on how long it will be before the rear setup is decided on.

 

[Good Times]

Indeed the hoes are great RL can attest to that most definitely.

As for the rear lets not forget the OME option at (medium/medium) which works well. I'd completely pass on the heavy or heavy duty coils as it's much too stiff for the average person. The Mediums will do nicely as rides just as good as stock.

I highly recommend the Donahoe Racing Coilover up front with the OME rear medium coil (895) and medium shocks (N141). This configuration would definitely a great combination at the current moment.

Other options are just going OME all the way around as well. I've had the luxury in sitting in a few OME 4th gens and it definitely does ride very nicely (so nice that I couldn't tell it whether it was aftermarket or not).

GOod luck

 

[RL Lemke]

RL do you still like the 265/70R17's, or do you wish you would have gone with another size?

The 265 70/17 is the perfect size. It made my odometer read 6.6% low, which benefits my warranty period. Any larger and the rolling resistance would be too much. My mileage suffers a bit in town with the effective higher gearing though.

Actually, the bottom line is that my 4Runner looks like it should have from the factory. The suspension choices I've made are many times better than original equipment. Plush at slow speeds and firm at cruising speed. The feel is more secure around corners than my original ride height with Xraes. The thing to remember is that a 3" lifted 4Runner is no higher than a stock GX470 at the roofline, yet there is fantastic ground clearance. I do all maintenance without lifting the 4Runner, as there is plenty of room to slide underneath on top of an old sleeping bag.