Suspension for my 3rd gen

[BikeDestroyer]

Ok so after gathering information for the last year and building my 4Runner to suit my needs better, this is what I have come up with.
I will have a front plate bumper, full steel skids, rear tube bumper and camping gear. I don’t want any more than a 2” lift focusing on ride quality to support the weight on forest roads to camp.
Do you think this set-up will fit my needs listed above.
OME 881 with Bilstein 5100 front or Bilstein 6112 ????
OME 906 with Bilstein 5100 rear

I shouldn’t need to mess with the PanHard bar should I?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[YOTAGUY93]

Tbh I think your front end would sag with all that weight I think the 881 coils are for stock weight but then again I could be wrong. The reason I come to this assumption is because most coils recommend a 600 lbs rate for steel plate bumpers and a winch.

I think your best bet are probably coil overs in the front to adjust to your desired height while still being able to handle the weight and 906 in the rear.

I’m thinking of going this route myself. But haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Hopefully someone else chimes in on this as I’m in the same predicament.

 

[apohl17]

I'll second the concern on sag as well as the push to coilovers. Having adjustment for that much weight and that level of lift (not many 2" options) is second to none. For the rear, maybe look at 890s (set FS in classifieds rn) which will be a 3" lift at stock weight- but with all of the gear, bumper, camping equip, you may be closer to 2.5".

In terms of the panhard, you wouldn't NEED to worry about it unless you find a lot of rear sway over bumps, but it is a cheap( especially when you make your own) mod to get back to stock feels on a lifted ride.

 

[BikeDestroyer]

Thanks for the responses. On the front the reason I was thinking about the Bilstein 6112 is that they are adjustable with a 600 lb spring. I was trying to stay away from getting into the pricey coilovers, but may have to buckle down and do it anyway I guess.

 

[CaboRunner]

The 5100s are an adjustable rideheight coilover shock. There are different notches to place the spring seat, same design as the 6112.

As far as the panhard bar, at 2” lift mine was fine. When I installed the 890s which is about a 3” I had to install brackets to level the bar out. My axle sat about an inch toward the passenger side until I did that.

 

[Rimcrew]

Thanks for the responses. On the front the reason I was thinking about the Bilstein 6112 is that they are adjustable with a 600 lb spring. I was trying to stay away from getting into the pricey coilovers, but may have to buckle down and do it anyway I guess.

Having saved up for a good, full, suspension system from Sonoran Steel, I would HIGHLY recommend you consider doing the same. Steve is a wealth of knowledge on 3rd gens, and he will set you up with the perfect combo of parts for your particular truck.

I went with 2.5" remote resi Radflo's, and could not be happier. They eat up rough/washboard roads and are very nice on-road too.

I am now convinced money you put into your suspension system is money very well spent!

 

[phattyduck]

OME 881 with Bilstein 5100 front or Bilstein 6112 ????
OME 906 with Bilstein 5100 rear

Stick with your stock front springs and use the settings on the 5100's for lift. Unless you also have a winch up front, you probably don't need stiffer springs and the 5100's are height adjustable up front. You can even put in small (1/4") top plate spacers to get a bit more droop and make up for the weight of the skids/bumper (the front is around 2:1 motion ratio, so a 1/4" spacer gets you about 1/2" lift).

That sounds like a good setup for the rear. it should be ~2" lift unloaded and they can hold weight pretty well.

If you aren't bombing the desert or need max travel/flex out of the front you probably don't need 2.5" body front coilovers. They will perform better, but you'll have to decide if you want to spend the big bucks on that kind of setup.

If the 5100 setup isn't up to the task, you can start saving for the 'big stuff'. Guys are always looking for low mileage 5100 setups, so you wouldn't even lose much money if you upgraded soon after.

-Charlie

PS. Make sure you get the 4Runner specific application 5100's - unless you have a specific reason not to go that route.