Need opinions on my first lift...

[trig]

I purchased my first 4Runner this weekend (2012 SR5) and am already ready to lift it. I would like some decent off-road capability but want to save some money for more camping/utility type mods for now.

I'm planning on purchasing Bilstein 5100s for all four corners, plus I can purchase OME 2895e springs from a buddy who owns an FJ. He does have some used Nitro Charger shocks as well for the rear, but I'm not sure if I should use those or stick with the newer bilsteins.

My truck does have 87k miles on it, so I'm thinking the bilsteins are the best choice?

Thoughts?



Edit: I should add that one of my main goals with this lift, aside from off-road capability, is to get larger tires. I kind of want 255/80 pizza cutters, but am not 100% decided on that.

 

[mwray8909]

I love my 5100 set up

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Lightenup_bro]

+1 for billies and OME

 

[wfo9]

I'm not much for doing things half ass... There is nothing wrong with billies for a budget lift. They get the job done and feel decent.

But going from billies to something like an ICON/Radflow/Fox/King... 2.5 is literally night and day.

The front is where you will really feel it...

I say build it right or don't do it at all, but that is just me. No disrespect for the other approach.

And don't skimp and try not to run aftermarket UCAs. Again, you can get by... but you will eventually want it done right.

 

[salong53]

I say build it right or don't do it at all, but that is just me. No disrespect for the other approach.

I agree with this in principle. On the other hand, someone looking to just travel logging roads to remote campsites doesn't need a $2000+ lift that can soak up washboards like a Baja truck. A spacer lift would be half-assing it if you're looking for functionality, but they have their place if you're just looking to change the appearance. Bilsteins are the route I'll go pretty soon as I feel they will offer a good functionality/price compromise @trig

 

[1engineer]

I agree with this in principle. On the other hand, someone looking to just travel logging roads to remote campsites doesn't need a $2000+ lift that can soak up washboards like a Baja truck. A spacer lift would be half-assing it if you're looking for functionality, but they have their place if you're just looking to change the appearance. Bilsteins are the route I'll go pretty soon as I feel they will offer a good functionality/price compromise @trig

Someone looking to travel logging roads to remote campsites does not need anything, even the 4Runner...

 

[TravisM]

Planning on getting the 5100's 3". I hear they are really reliable/cost worthy. I could be wrong

 

[Mariner]

When I do it, I think I'm going with the hybrid of 6112s up front and 5100s for the rear

 

[trig]

I'm not much for doing things half ass... There is nothing wrong with billies for a budget lift. They get the job done and feel decent.

But going from billies to something like an ICON/Radflow/Fox/King... 2.5 is literally night and day.

The front is where you will really feel it...

I say build it right or don't do it at all, but that is just me. No disrespect for the other approach.

And don't skimp and try not to run aftermarket UCAs. Again, you can get by... but you will eventually want it done right.

I'm not ready to dump that much money into it, and my truck is at the mileage that could probably use a new suspension anyways. I'm thinking this is more of a stock replacement with extra capabilities than a half-ass lift, and understand I won't be riding level 5 trails next week.

 

[uptheirons]

I'm not much for doing things half ass... There is nothing wrong with billies for a budget lift. They get the job done and feel decent.

But going from billies to something like an ICON/Radflow/Fox/King... 2.5 is literally night and day.

The front is where you will really feel it...

I say build it right or don't do it at all, but that is just me. No disrespect for the other approach.

And don't skimp and try not to run aftermarket UCAs. Again, you can get by... but you will eventually want it done right.

This is exactly right. I went with OME for my lift initially... after running it for a year I rode in a friends 4Runner that was running Fox 2.5 with DSC... long story short I have my OME shocks and springs for sale and I'm now running a full Fox 2.5 R/R with DSC and Total Chaos UCAs, couldn't be happier. Wishing I did it right from the start.

 

[WI4Runnin]

It sounds like what your looking for is a good spacer lift to me for now . Yes extreme suspension lifts are sweet and make me drool. On My last truck (13TE) I put on spacers and got talked into putting on a Toytec Ultimate lift…..AWESOME !! Never had an issue with any mods I did .

NOW I have a 16TE and have decided a nice spacer lift and a good set of AT tires is where I'm going for now.

The 4R trail for that matter are extremely capable in stock form with just a good set of tires. I Just today put a set of BFG AT KO2's on today.


Just throwing my .02 in here…..Since you want to save money for other things right now. If you were to decide to drop the big money I would do a toytec ultimate with 5100 at all 4 corners w/ 2" Toytec super flex coils in rear. Its really a good set up for the price.. I however would NOT but 5100 adjustable front struts. Again that just me. I don't think they are built strong enough.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Don't get me wrong I love the idea of Icons and such, but for me I didn't like the idea having to re-build them when they are due or when they leak. The cost of them wasn't worth it to me for what I use the truck for. I would just be honest with yourself in what you're going to use the lift for. Unless of course you have money just laying around, in that case shoot me a PM.

 

[Seattle206]

Just do the 5100s and OME 2884/2985E and call it done. You get a 2.5" lift front and 2" in the rear. Ride is a little more firm than stock without the squishy feel of stock suspension. Throw on some 275 A/T's and you can handle any road minus the hardcore rock trails.

PS. I'll sell you my 2884's. 4k miles on them and they've been excellent. I'm upgrading to heavier duty coils to accommodate a steel bumper.

 

[-dustin]

nothing to add, but what's "DWG"?

 

[MeefZah]

Toytec BOSS is a pretty decent lower/mid level system, everything you need at about a $1200 price point. OME also has a $900-ish system. Either are good quality for the money; probably the least amount you can spend and still get a decent setup. Billies and OME springs are decent (though I've never used them, so I'm basing that on reviewing various threads) but you'll be piecing everything together.

Someone looking to travel logging roads to remote campsites does not need anything, even the 4Runner...

"Need" has little to with most things done by members on this site.

 

[1engineer]

"Need" has little to with most things done by members on this site.

My point is, especially for new guys, the 4Runner in stock form will go places the owner won't. While I'm sure they are justifying it (in their minds) as "adding off road capability" in reality, unless going hard core off road they are not going to even use the stock capability of the 4Runner, much less additional capability!

Back in late 2009 I was invited to our local dealership for a demonstration of the "new" TE 4Runner. They had a Toyota rep there and he had a 2010 silver TE. It was scratched all to hell and back and looked like it lived off road. Anyway, there is a really steep grass and light brush covered hill that is about 20 yards long right next to the dealership. It was also raining a bit. He was going over the features of the 4Runner to about 10 guys and that included select sales and service staff and the TE was parked at the base of this hill. There was no road, trail, path or anything up this hill mind you. Just brush and weeds. Let's put it this way - I was driving a Honda Ridgeline at the time and in my mind (forget the scratches) I would not even dream of taking it up this steep hill, especially wet. Anyway, the guy finished talking, got in the TE and calmly drove it up this hill, through the brush and all. Holy crap I was sold. After he got to the top, he backed it down half way and did it again. He came back down and then he backed it up the hill. Stock. Stock tires. I bought my first one shortly after that. I had read all the articles on the 5th gen and especially the one taking the stock TE across the Rubicon. These trucks are for real even though very few will ever use even a tenth of the capability. That's my point.

 

[MeefZah]

My point is, especially for new guys, the 4Runner in stock form will go places the owner won't. While I'm sure they are justifying it (in their minds) as "adding off road capability" in reality, unless going hard core off road they are not going to even use the stock capability of the 4Runner, much less additional capability!

Back in late 2009 I was invited to our local dealership for a demonstration of the "new" TE 4Runner. They had a Toyota rep there and he had a 2010 silver TE. It was scratched all to hell and back and looked like it lived off road. Anyway, there is a really steep grass and light brush covered hill that is about 20 yards long right next to the dealership. It was also raining a bit. He was going over the features of the 4Runner to about 10 guys and that included select sales and service staff and the TE was parked at the base of this hill. There was no road, trail, path or anything up this hill mind you. Just brush and weeds. Let's put it this way - I was driving a Honda Ridgeline at the time and in my mind (forget the scratches) I would not even dream of taking it up this steep hill, especially wet. Anyway, the guy finished talking, got in the TE and calmly drove it up this hill, through the brush and all. Holy crap I was sold. After he got to the top, he backed it down half way and did it again. He came back down and then he backed it up the hill. Stock. Stock tires. I bought my first one shortly after that. I had read all the articles on the 5th gen and especially the one taking the stock TE across the Rubicon. These trucks are for real even though very few will ever use even a tenth of the capability. That's my point.

I'm 100% with you

 

[wfo9]

I'm not ready to dump that much money into it, and my truck is at the mileage that could probably use a new suspension anyways. I'm thinking this is more of a stock replacement with extra capabilities than a half-ass lift, and understand I won't be riding level 5 trails next week.

Just giving you an opinion, which you asked for. Don't have to listen... most do not ;-)

And just to clarify. Doing a high end suspension is mainly felt on a daily basis. It's not really needed for tough trails... It's more about comfort and driving experience.... There are also downsides to high performance coil overs in terms of maintenance...,

I see these trucks as very well balanced from the factory. If you are going to change something.. It is going to come with some negatives, so the positives better be maxed out to make up for all the negatives.

The suspension is something you feel at every moment... Best place to spend your money IMHO.

Everyone has different priorities though.. some people only care about looks... or are OK with a bit rougher ride.. If durability is your thing... OME is pretty hard to beat. I own several trucks with billies, just never been that happy with them. They do get the job done.

BTW, labor on a suspension install will eat your lunch. You would more than make up the cost difference of a higher end setup doing the install on your own (which is a much bigger job on a self assembled strut).

 

[PK930]

I'll say this, whatever you go with, make sure that is what you want for a while. "A while" time frame totally up to you -- whether it be 6 months or 6 years. Don't do something now that you'll wish to change in the near future.

Case in point, me. Bought the Fox Performance 2.0 coilovers in May and today I decided to sell them and pick up the Fox Factory 2.5 coilovers. Save money, don't be me.

 

[salong53]

Someone looking to travel logging roads to remote campsites does not need anything, even the 4Runner...

Completely agree, but the guy said he wants a lift. Just trying to help him out without sounding like his grandfather. [MENTION=47499]trig[/MENTION] I guess we've presented 3 views here:
1) You could spend a lot
2) You could spend a little
3) You could spend none

Bottom line. Enjoy your 4runner!