Lift with Softest Possible Ride?

[cosmo4r]

So I have a 2000, all stock except 265/70/17s (XL load). Starting to get tired of how the truck currently rides, and I would also like about 2" lift.

It's not terrible, but seems overly stiff and can be quite jarring over bumpy/pothole ridden streets. Hitting bumps, it doesn't feel like the suspension does a good job of absorbing impacts - instead you feel it in the body. To my knowledge the springs and front shocks are original, rear shocks were replaced ~20k kms ago by previous owner with unknown brand. Currently at ~265k kms.

For reference I've been in high mileage 4th gen and even that rode like a dream compared to my truck. I also have a high mileage 80 series with all original suspension, completely blown shocks, etc.. While bouncy still rides softer than my 3rd gen.

What's the plushest setup without going over $1000 bucks? Been doing tons of research but I keep reading conflicting information. Some of the 'set-ups' I am considering below.

- OME 880/891 w/Bilstein 5100s (4runner specific)
- '99 talls (Moog or maybe LESJÖFORS?) w/Bilstein 5100s (4runner specific)
- FZJ80 shocks in rear with LC coils(probably too tall for me), something else in front
- Eibach Pro Truck shocks with OME springs? I have either the eibachs might be slightly softer than the bilsteins , but the eibach springs are stiff without weight?

Thoughts? TY

 

[Endlessblockades]

Plush - Cheap - Capable: Pick 2.

I can tell you the 5100/OME is not plush. If there is a way to get a 2" lift and a plush (while offering mild off-road/pothole/speedbump capability) ride under $1k, I'd be curious to know what it is.

Hopefully this will stir some users up and get you some ideas. If you didn't want a lift, I'd say replace the suspension with new stock shocks and springs.

 

[shadow247]

Plush - Cheap - Capable: Pick 2.

I can tell you the 5100/OME is not plush. If there is a way to get a 2" lift and a plush (while offering mild off-road/pothole/speedbump capability) ride under $1k, I'd be curious to know what it is.

Hopefully this will stir some users up and get you some ideas. If you didn't want a lift, I'd say replace the suspension with new stock shocks and springs.

Having spent the last 10 years reading everything I can possibly find about 3rd Gen 4RUnner suspension, it just doesn't exist. Bilsteins and OME both ride pretty rough. You need to spend a pretty penny on shocks before you can get anything resembling a "Plush" ride. I tried the KYB MonoMax shocks, found them to be too stiff and unforgiving. OME NitroCharger is slightly better.

I would stay away from anything you can get at the local parts store. My personal recommendation is to run the OME NitroCharger with 880/906 spring combo, and upgrade your bump stops front and rear.

 

[3bears]

I assume with your listing of XL tires...thats the same as E rated ? I drive E rated tires in summer., in winter I have dedicated winter wheels and tires that are not E rated. I can tell you that when I have my e rated tires on , I feel every little bump in the road.

As far as lift, my first I did the SS 1.2 lift, gave almost 3 inches, and I dont know if it was worth it. My current rig is a highlander, so its out of the factory one inch taller. I dont wheel much so the one inch is fine.
Hard to know what you will need, how much load you carry, off road, stock bumpers ?

But if mostly stock and dont off road a lot, I would say go with the factory talls and stock shocks or KYB gas adjust

 

[JZiggy]

Definitely check that you have good, non E rated tires as others suggested.

Not cheap, but not horribly expensive - I run Dobinson IMS kit and it rides very smoothly. Better than OEM.

 

[Ctrulock]

Stock with kdss? Off road suspensions need some beef to them imo.

 

[phattyduck]

So I have a 2000, all stock except 265/70/17s (XL load). Starting to get tired of how the truck currently rides, and I would also like about 2" lift.

What's the plushest setup without going over $1000 bucks? Been doing tons of research but I keep reading conflicting information. Some of the 'set-ups' I am considering below.

- OME 880/891 w/Bilstein 5100s (4runner specific)
- '99 talls (Moog or maybe LESJÖFORS?) w/Bilstein 5100s (4runner specific)
- FZJ80 shocks in rear with LC coils(probably too tall for me), something else in front
- Eibach Pro Truck shocks with OME springs? I have either the eibachs might be slightly softer than the bilsteins , but the eibach springs are stiff without weight?

Thoughts? TY

Do not use any lift springs - they are almost all stiffer. What is your current hub center to fender lip measurement? Lifts are generally in comparison to 20" all around (99 talls are at/just under 21", early and late are under 20", yours may be sagged from factory height)

The big thing that is giving you the jarring ride is bushings, not the shocks (though, if you are riding low and blowing through them, you could be hitting the bump stops, which would be rough too).

So, OEM or KYB shocks. 99 Tall springs (OEM, not aftermarket).

Here's where it gets expensive - to actually have a plush (OEM plush, not desert runner plush) ride you will want/need all new bushings - lower/upper a-arms, rear arms, body mounts, swaybar bushings/links, etc. That's probably $1500 in parts.

-Charlie

Edit: Tire pressures will also be key. You need to find the right balance of load capability, efficiency and comfort for your tires and preferences.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Another call for 99 talls with OEM Tokico black shocks and structs. Every other brand of lift is meant for either offroading or heavy, armored trail rigs. The will not ride well with a stock weight 4Runner. You'll gain more than 1" in since your old stuff is sagging so it'll get very close to your 2" lift target.

When I bought new suspension I was strapped for cash and did 99 tall aftermarket coils with KYB Gas-a-just shocks and struts. I like them but they are a tad bit stiffer than stock so I wouldn't go with them if you want plush as possible. These 3rd Gens just ride a little rough as they are body on frame design and Toyota learned in the 4th and 5th Gen designs how to soften up the ride. I have never ridden in a 3rd Gen that I would consider a plush ride.

 

[_Ace_]

Definitely check that you have good, non E rated tires as others suggested.

Not cheap, but not horribly expensive - I run Dobinson IMS kit and it rides very smoothly. Better than OEM.

Why did you go with the IMS kit vs the less expensive kit?

Dobinsons Spring and Suspension

I'm looking at the IMS kit now, maybe set it up for 2 inches of lift after replacing all of the suspension bushings on the 1998.

 

[JustTroItIn]

Why did you go with the IMS kit vs the less expensive kit?

Dobinsons Spring and Suspension

I'm looking at the IMS kit now, maybe set it up for 2 inches of lift after replacing all of the suspension bushings on the 1998.

I also have the Dobinsons IMS but run E rated Falken AT3W. It's stiff. I'm sure the tires are a contributor but the Dobinsons springs are by no means cushy. I also don't have any weight gaining accessories so if I eventually get bumpers, etc, I assume that will improve the ride.

The reason I went with IMS is simply because that is what Dobinsons USA recommended when I emailed about my rig and the type of driving I do. Was I upsold? Probably...

 

[JZiggy]

I also have the Dobinsons IMS but run E rated Falken AT3W. It's stiff. I'm sure the tires are a contributor but the Dobinsons springs are by no means cushy. I also don't have any weight gaining accessories so if I eventually get bumpers, etc, I assume that will improve the ride.

The reason I went with IMS is simply because that is what Dobinsons USA recommended when I emailed about my rig and the type of driving I do. Was I upsold? Probably...

They revalved the shocks on the IMS kit in 2021. With the old valving it was pretty stiff.

I can only speak from my own experience with it. Ride quality can be subjective...

 

[JustTroItIn]

They revalved the shocks on the IMS kit in 2021. With the old valving it was pretty stiff.

I followed the thread about the revalve before purchasing and picked them up late last year.

I don't have anything to compare it other than stock. It feels good on the street. It's also good off road at speed (washboard, etc). Slow stuff off road in the bumpy stuff it handles well but I definitely wouldn't call it plush.

I can only speak from my own experience with it. Ride quality can be subjective...

Truth!

 

[JZiggy]

I followed the thread about the revalve before purchasing and picked them up late last year.

I don't have anything to compare it other than stock. It feels good on the street. It's also good off road at speed (washboard, etc). Slow stuff off road in the bumpy stuff it handles well but I definitely wouldn't call it plush.

Yes, I would agree. But it's certainly not harsh and it soaks up the bumps really well. Thanks for the input.

 

[djwantke]

Hey
I have Bilstein 5100's on all four corners on my '16
OME lift springs on the front, with new SPC SEALED UCA's
ICON coils in the rear
Bilstein's are a little stiff I hear, but everything's stiff compared to stock. I'm very happy
I hear TRD Fox shocks are one of the smoothest, most comfortable ride options for 4R's.
May be over the budget tho iunno sorry

 

[96RedRunner]

OEM or KYB shocks 99 Tall springs (OEM, not aftermarket) or 99 talls with OEM Tokico black shocks and structs.

Hard to beat right there, for 2" lift adding 1" body lift be something to consider.

 

[Jungoes]

Get Some P rated tires and your ride will change immediately. for under $1000 cant have it all, either tires only, or spacer lift and P rated tires for the budget you threw out.

 

[cosmo4r]

So the tires I have are 265/70/15 Cooper Rugged Treks, in XL load. No sure how many PLY they are, but they are definitely not a E load. I have them at about 35 psi so maybe I will try lowering them a bit. But for what it's worth, they rode nicer than my basic P rated winter tires.

My hub to fender heights are below, not terribly far off from original?

Front: 20"
Rear: 19.5"
(basically empty truck)

https://imgur.com/a/rKiAQSk

I'm not really opposed to doing a 99' tall with OEM or aftermarket shocks. But the OEM 99' springs are surprisingly expensive (950cad for all 4 is the cheapest I found). The rear Tokicos are not bad at $100cad each, but the fronts are $360cad each. So just doesn't make sense to me at these price points.

I did happen to find a set of used 'Used: Very Good' Moog 81008 on Amazon for $55 cad which seems like a steal (assuming someone didn't just clean up their old springs and return them lol). I could get the rear Moogs and all 4 KYBs for $300 cad since they are running a rebate ATM. For the cost, maybe this is the way to go - practically 1/4 the price of a bilstein/OME setup. Any idea how much lift this would net me?

Next best option seems to be Bilstein/OME and just dealing with the ride, would cost me around $1300 cad

Dobinsons IMS sounds the most promising as far as ride quality, but would be at least $2000 cad with current sale.

Why does no one make a simple soft extended spring and soft shock?

 

[Zhehan]

So the tires I have are 265/70/15 Cooper Rugged Treks, in XL load. No sure how many PLY they are, but they are definitely not a E load. I have them at about 35 psi so maybe I will try lowering them a bit. But for what it's worth, they rode nicer than my basic P rated winter tires.

My hub to fender heights are below, not terribly far off from original?

Front: 20"
Rear: 19.5"
(basically empty truck)

https://imgur.com/a/rKiAQSk

I'm not really opposed to doing a 99' tall with OEM or aftermarket shocks. But the OEM 99' springs are surprisingly expensive (950cad for all 4 is the cheapest I found). The rear Tokicos are not bad at $100cad each, but the fronts are $360cad each. So just doesn't make sense to me at these price points.

I did happen to find a set of used 'Used: Very Good' Moog 81008 on Amazon for $55 cad which seems like a steal (assuming someone didn't just clean up their old springs and return them lol). I could get the rear Moogs and all 4 KYBs for $300 cad since they are running a rebate ATM. For the cost, maybe this is the way to go - practically 1/4 the price of a bilstein/OME setup. Any idea how much lift this would net me?

Next best option seems to be Bilstein/OME and just dealing with the ride, would cost me around $1300 cad

Dobinsons IMS sounds the most promising as far as ride quality, but would be at least $2000 cad with current sale.

Why does no one make a simple soft extended spring and soft shock?

Because 4Runners are trucks, not cars. The factory setup with all new rubber bushings and body mounts would be the softest ride possible, as already stated. Nobody makes softer springs for these vehicles.

 

[_Ace_]

I may go the 99 tall springs route or 99 talls up front and the 906s in the back as I may get a small RV that might get pulled behind the 1998.

Currently I have OEM springs with about 1/2 inch of rear sag. Shocks are Bilstien 4600s with 73K on them so I'll probably replace them too. With 227K miles on it I know I should replace all of the original bushings (25 years old) to reduce any harshness they might be making so I'll probably make it a all-at-once project.

Still researching the springs but am in the camp of trying to preserve the original ride quality with maybe a little lift.

 

[gamefreakgc]

So the tires I have are 265/70/15 Cooper Rugged Treks, in XL load. No sure how many PLY they are, but they are definitely not a E load. I have them at about 35 psi so maybe I will try lowering them a bit. But for what it's worth, they rode nicer than my basic P rated winter tires.

My hub to fender heights are below, not terribly far off from original?

Front: 20"
Rear: 19.5"
(basically empty truck)

https://imgur.com/a/rKiAQSk

I'm not really opposed to doing a 99' tall with OEM or aftermarket shocks. But the OEM 99' springs are surprisingly expensive (950cad for all 4 is the cheapest I found). The rear Tokicos are not bad at $100cad each, but the fronts are $360cad each. So just doesn't make sense to me at these price points.

I did happen to find a set of used 'Used: Very Good' Moog 81008 on Amazon for $55 cad which seems like a steal (assuming someone didn't just clean up their old springs and return them lol). I could get the rear Moogs and all 4 KYBs for $300 cad since they are running a rebate ATM. For the cost, maybe this is the way to go - practically 1/4 the price of a bilstein/OME setup. Any idea how much lift this would net me?

Next best option seems to be Bilstein/OME and just dealing with the ride, would cost me around $1300 cad

Dobinsons IMS sounds the most promising as far as ride quality, but would be at least $2000 cad with current sale.

Why does no one make a simple soft extended spring and soft shock?

That is essentially what I did on mine. I would call how mine rides as 'secure and confident', not really soft. It did get rid of the water bed ride with the worn out springs I had before. It's pretty good on gravel and fire roads though.

I think KYB makes a softer shock than their Gas-a-just shocks. Not the Mono-Max, that one is very stiff. There's another product line.