Need info on 3" Lift search!!!

[drewbux]

Hey everyone, thanks for checking this thread out. I know there may be plenty of these questions but I have searched for a long while and nothing has satisfied my search.

I have a 1998 4Runner 4x4 v6 and I am currently running Dobinson 2.5" IMS Lift Kit and it rides worse than a slammed car. I mean horrible!! I feel every little bump and it shakes my car horribly. I was riding Bilstein's in the front and rough country in the rear and even that rode better! Lol.

I plan to spend up to $2000-2200 for a nice lift. I have heard good reviews of a few companies like ToyTec, Icon, and a few others. I will be having an aftermarket rear bumper and front bumper on sometime soon which will add about 240 pounds to the rear and 115 to the front. I want to account for the additional weight being on so it doesn't sag and look goofy either. Do you guys have any experience with any complete lift kits that will work with what I am seeking?

I am located in SoCal so I won't be hitting trails too often... maybe once or twice a month. And if you know SoCal, most of the trails here are very light so I won't be rock crawling or anything special. I daily drive my rig and am on the freeway a ton, so I am just looking for a complete lift kit that will satisfy my needs and make me happy lol.
Thanks!

 

[Devbot]

If you have suspension to swap out or another car, you might want to reach out to Dobinson's about a re-valving. Lots of people had experiences just like yours and needed a their shocks re-valved, to the point Dobinson's changed their valving from the get-go in their latest offerings - or so I've heard from those with IMS kits. Those who have sent theirs in typically report they ride much better upon reinstallation. Dobinsons should offer it free of charge

 

[Bad Luck]

What Devbot said above

Also, when you add weight it will probably ride better. If you try to buy a lift for the extra weight it will ride horribly until you get the extra weight on there.

 

[drewbux]

Thanks for your input, that is a HUGE help and could most likely solve my problem. I paid good money for it so hope for them to be changed after the Re-valve

 

[96RedRunner]

Nothing wrong with getting springs for future use, 2 yrs now 125# weight plates between wheel wells, I been slow on bumper.
[MENTION=319302]Bad Luck[/MENTION], those diffs we met up for Runner road good, what you think they weighed ?

 

[Bad Luck]

Nothing wrong with getting springs for future use, 2 yrs now 125# weight plates between wheel wells, I been slow on bumper.
[MENTION=319302]Bad Luck[/MENTION], those diffs we met up for Runner road good, what you think they weighed ?

Probably 150-200 lbs I would guesstimate

 

[GhostRing]

I very much believe Dobinsons and other AU suspension mfrs. assume you will
be adding significant weight to a vehicle for touring etc., not simply lifting for either
looks or mostly unloaded daily drivers.

I finally put a Coastal bumper & winch on my IMS shocks w/TRD Tundra coils. ~1.75" lift
As you know, it rode quite firm until these additions. (I actually don't know the TRD spring rate?)
I may even see if a slight tweak of the shock valving is still in the cards. The small, square edge 5-10mph
bumps are still pretty rough - even at sub 20 psi. on C rated 265s. Might be the cost of doing business...