Looking for some suspension input

[AudiTech]

After 80K my rear XREAS shocks started to leak so I've been researching suspension to see what I want to replace it with once Out the OEM stuff. My plan at this point is going with the King OEM kit (front coil overs and rear shocks), SPC balljoint upper control arms, 33"s once I burn through my current tires (275s) and some sliders once after the XREAS lines and accumulators are off the frame rails. The Kings come set for a 2" lift up front, rear depends on what springs you get and that's what I'm having a hard time with. I'd like to lift the rear about 2" to go with the front, I want to keep some/most of the factory rake. I was thinking sway away springs, they are 1.5" lift in back but with a slightly lower spring rate. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, the relatively low weight of the aluminum skids that I have plus the sliders will all be pretty centered (the weight is not overhanging an axle). But I do tow a utility trailer and my Polaris RZR. Tongue weight is nothing crazy, OEM springs don't sag excessively while I tow but I'm worried lighter spring rates may. Then again I feel like the factory springs could benefit from being a bit lighter in most scenarios and especially during daily driving.

Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?

 

[nb rob]

After 80K my rear XREAS shocks started to leak so I've been researching suspension to see what I want to replace it with once Out the OEM stuff. My plan at this point is going with the King OEM kit (front coil overs and rear shocks), SPC balljoint upper control arms, 33"s once I burn through my current tires (275s) and some sliders once after the XREAS lines and accumulators are off the frame rails. The Kings come set for a 2" lift up front, rear depends on what springs you get and that's what I'm having a hard time with. I'd like to lift the rear about 2" to go with the front, I want to keep some/most of the factory rake. I was thinking sway away springs, they are 1.5" lift in back but with a slightly lower spring rate. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, the relatively low weight of the aluminum skids that I have plus the sliders will all be pretty centered (the weight is not overhanging an axle). But I do tow a utility trailer and my Polaris RZR. Tongue weight is nothing crazy, OEM springs don't sag excessively while I tow but I'm worried lighter spring rates may. Then again I feel like the factory springs could benefit from being a bit lighter in most scenarios and especially during daily driving.

Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?

opinions? You won't be sorry with the kings. They ride great. They're very well thought out for our application in terms of reservoir mounting. It's ridiculous how well my 4r drives over terrible roads. It also feels amazing on the streets.

I gave my coilovers a tiny raise in the front, aiming for 2.5", so that they would be a good match for the icon 2" springs I purchased for the rear. It's a nice level stance with good rake. I am very pleased with the icon 2" springs.

but - I would have went for 1.5" springs if I could have found them.

out of the box, the king OEM series are meant to level the truck with no change in the rear height. I think the lift is less than 2"...

Advice? put some boots on those rear shocks. I pitted my rear shafts very quickly. Not a big deal, because another advantage of king is that you can easily talk to someone, or order parts quickly and easily. I didn't have that kind of experience with competitors in the past.

 

[Jtranum]

After 80K my rear XREAS shocks started to leak so I've been researching suspension to see what I want to replace it with once Out the OEM stuff. My plan at this point is going with the King OEM kit (front coil overs and rear shocks), SPC balljoint upper control arms, 33"s once I burn through my current tires (275s) and some sliders once after the XREAS lines and accumulators are off the frame rails. The Kings come set for a 2" lift up front, rear depends on what springs you get and that's what I'm having a hard time with. I'd like to lift the rear about 2" to go with the front, I want to keep some/most of the factory rake. I was thinking sway away springs, they are 1.5" lift in back but with a slightly lower spring rate. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, the relatively low weight of the aluminum skids that I have plus the sliders will all be pretty centered (the weight is not overhanging an axle). But I do tow a utility trailer and my Polaris RZR. Tongue weight is nothing crazy, OEM springs don't sag excessively while I tow but I'm worried lighter spring rates may. Then again I feel like the factory springs could benefit from being a bit lighter in most scenarios and especially during daily driving.

Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?

Are you planning on doing serious rock crawling or running desert whoops in your 4runner? If not, then Kings will be way overkill. Kings, Icon, Radflo, etc are all great coilovers but they are race style suspension that only offer margin, if any benefit on a rig that sees minimum high speed stuff. Take a look at the Ironman Foam Cell Pro Coilovers from Metal Tech, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2771282 , $873 for the front pair. With any race style coilover, such as Kings, you will have to service them at intervals. The Ironmans are what a lot of Landcruiser guys are running now since OME shock and struts started going to crap. Ironman Foam Cell Pro Coilovers and rear shocks, Iron Man performance springs in rear, and your choice of front upper control arms; This setup will be more than enough for 99% of the people that do with their 4runner.

 

[jasxn]

[MENTION=113771]AudiTech[/MENTION] check out this youtube about Kings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MsKf1lIYI0&t=4982s
call them hit them up they do custom valving. and maybe local to you? Filthy Motorsports. Price is pretty good after all the research and deals I was looking for.

I almost went the kings route but in reality I wont be using them to its full potential hence the bilstein setup i did.

the video is long but very informative.

 

[AudiTech]

Filthy Motorsports is very local to me, right down the street. I have seen their videos and I will be buying though them. They are going to valve the shocks accordingly.



I should have have been more specific, the quality and durability of the Kings have me completely sold, I've done a ton of research and my mind is made up on those. I'm more looking for input on rear springs options that would be a good fit for my application.

 

[AudiTech]

opinions? You won't be sorry with the kings. They ride great. They're very well thought out for our application in terms of reservoir mounting. It's ridiculous how well my 4r drives over terrible roads. It also feels amazing on the streets.

I gave my coilovers a tiny raise in the front, aiming for 2.5", so that they would be a good match for the icon 2" springs I purchased for the rear. It's a nice level stance with good rake. I am very pleased with the icon 2" springs.

but - I would have went for 1.5" springs if I could have found them.

out of the box, the king OEM series are meant to level the truck with no change in the rear height. I think the lift is less than 2"...

Advice? put some boots on those rear shocks. I pitted my rear shafts very quickly. Not a big deal, because another advantage of king is that you can easily talk to someone, or order parts quickly and easily. I didn't have that kind of experience with competitors in the past.

Do you have any pictures of how it sits with those rear springs? Also what did you go with boots? On the bright side it's only like $75 for the shafts if you pit them up.

 

[nb rob]

Here's an older pic, but it's a good example of the 2" rear springs

for boots, I just use the cheap procomp ones. I cut the bottoms off

you're very lucky to be close to filthy motorsports

 

[massoverland]

...I should have have been more specific, the quality and durability of the Kings have me completely sold, I've done a ton of research and my mind is made up on those..

I was in the same boat as you some time back. I even talked to Ben at Filthy Motorsports.

Then I found Fox coilovers and realized how absurd it was for me to get Kings when I won't even be in Baja-esque conditions.

Of course Kings are top of the line, but how can one justify the purchase unless they also have a 8k Snap-on tool chest in their garage and they work on desert racers 3 days a week.

My experience has taught me to save the $1,500 or so and go with Fox with some Icon 2" coilovers. They will look and run great.

Once you decide to run the whoops in Baja or participate in Baja 1000, then get the Kings without question.

Therefore: My recommendation is to think about Kings vs Fox. Fox are great too. My first ride had me yelling with joy because of the difference I felt.

 

[JSparky]

Going with a soft 1.5" rear coil when you want a 2" rear lift and tow occasionally doesn't make sense to me (unless I missed something). I'd look at a true 2" coil with a slightly increased spring rate over stock, several companies offer these. I always prefer to have the rear slightly higher than front when unloaded so you don't bottom out the suspension when towing/loaded with cargo.

In the past I've had good experiences with Radflo's 2" rear coil, it's a 20% increase in spring rate and was comfortable around town and handled weight well. I matched them with fox performance series 2.0 rear shocks and radflo 2.5 non reservoir coilovers up front and total chaos uca's. Sold that truck to my old man and the setup is still serving him well after 2-years living in Baja. If you have the $$ and are ok with the service intervals there's no reason not to go with a nice coilover up front, the performance is awesome.

Dobinsons suspension also has a ton of options and their rep Mike is active here on the forum. They have several progressive-rate rear coils which could be perfect, soft around town but stiffen up when loaded.

I suggest reading up on different options and place some calls into some vendors such as Toytec, Wheelers, and Metaltech. Tell them what you want out of the suspension and they'll set you up. Good luck!

 

[Cymon]

Going with a soft 1.5" rear coil when you want a 2" rear lift and tow occasionally doesn't make sense to me (unless I missed something). I'd look at a true 2" coil with a slightly increased spring rate over stock, several companies offer these. I always prefer to have the rear slightly higher than front when unloaded so you don't bottom out the suspension when towing/loaded with cargo.

In the past I've had good experiences with Radflo's 2" rear coil, it's a 20% increase in spring rate and was comfortable around town and handled weight well. I matched them with fox performance series 2.0 rear shocks and radflo 2.5 non reservoir coilovers up front and total chaos uca's. Sold that truck to my old man and the setup is still serving him well after 2-years living in Baja. If you have the $$ and are ok with the service intervals there's no reason not to go with a nice coilover up front, the performance is awesome.

Dobinsons suspension also has a ton of options and their rep Mike is active here on the forum. They have several progressive-rate rear coils which could be perfect, soft around town but stiffen up when loaded.

I suggest reading up on different options and place some calls into some vendors such as Toytec, Wheelers, and Metaltech. Tell them what you want out of the suspension and they'll set you up. Good luck!

This...
Here is the link to Dobinsons...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/231576-dobinsons-5th-gen-toyota-4runner-suspension-options-lots-choices.html