Suspension - leveling ----advice appreciated

[nosamk]

OK. I've been reading this forum for months. In fact I only just bought a used 2011 Trail [with KDSS] about three weeks ago based largely upon what I've read here.

I love the truck but the forward rake makes me crazy. I've seen where its suggested taht correction is about 1.75" but I swear mine is more than that. [maybe because its got almost 60k miles]

Anyway. I want to install a suspension setup that will:
-level it
-stop the nose diving
-allow better handling on fire roads and moderate trails

I have no intentions of doing any rock crawling or very difficult trails.
I plan on installing sliders but no other major modifications
I rarely carry any weight in the rear nor to I tow anything
Its my daily driver

I'm considering OME [but I have no idea what the end result level-wise would be], Radflo's on the front and ??? rear, possibly Icon stage 1 but its really a bit out of my range.

I'd love to hear some opinions or options.

Thanks for your time

 

[Jeremy556]

Bilstein 5100s and call it done.

 

[Misterquad]

For your desired results go Bilstein or OME. No sense go ICON or Radflo. Save your money.

 

[nosamk]

What about springs? Change the fronts and leave the rears?

 

[swimmerdude1127]

OK. I've been reading this forum for months. In fact I only just bought a used 2011 Trail [with KDSS] about three weeks ago based largely upon what I've read here.

I love the truck but the forward rake makes me crazy. I've seen where its suggested taht correction is about 1.75" but I swear mine is more than that. [maybe because its got almost 60k miles]

Anyway. I want to install a suspension setup that will:
-level it
-stop the nose diving
-allow better handling on fire roads and moderate trails

I have no intentions of doing any rock crawling or very difficult trails.
I plan on installing sliders but no other major modifications
I rarely carry any weight in the rear nor to I tow anything
Its my daily driver

I'm considering OME [but I have no idea what the end result level-wise would be], Radflo's on the front and ??? rear, possibly Icon stage 1 but its really a bit out of my range.

I'd love to hear some opinions or options.

Thanks for your time

FWIW I have Icon coilovers w/ 700# springs and CDC in the front... on the stiffest setting for CDC I still get nose dive. It's just how our vehicles drive.

 

[Jeremy556]

What about springs? Change the fronts and leave the rears?

You will probably be fine with the stock springs. The 5100s have an adjustable perch which increases spring preload to provide lift. The additional spring preload will have an increased spring rate, and the shocks will have more damping which will minimize the nose dive feeling.

Those same forces will also make the ride more "harsh" and jarring over smaller bumps.

 

[Mike G.]

Here`s a link with some pic`s of my truck with just the 5100`s at .85 setting. The rear of my truck is a little higher than stock due to airbags in the rear for towing.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ccessories/138455-new-gy-authority-tires.html

 

[Wssboard18]

Here`s a link with some pic`s of my truck with just the 5100`s at .85 setting. The rear of my truck is a little higher than stock due to airbags in the rear for towing.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ccessories/138455-new-gy-authority-tires.html

Your truck looks great! Does anyone have pics at the 1.75 setting in the front and stock rear?

 

[CentcomPete]

Bilsteins X4 w/front at 1.75 and stock rear springs, no rear spacer.

 

[nadalem0]

<a href="http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/awesomee91/media/175_zps92cd7993.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af352/awesomee91/175_zps92cd7993.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 175_zps92cd7993.jpg"/></a>

Not a super HQ photo - will take another couple of angles after work

 

[nosamk]

I guess I should have added that I'd like to get ~3" of lift in the front and maybe 1-1.5" in the rear.

I cant seem to find any springs for the rear that add less than 2"

 

[Wssboard18]

Thanks for the pics. Centcom Pete, that's exactly what I'm going for.

 

[Canazes9]

I guess I should have added that I'd like to get ~3" of lift in the front and maybe 1-1.5" in the rear.

I cant seem to find any springs for the rear that add less than 2"

You may find this thread of interest:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/147258-no-low-lift-icon-suspension.html

Certainly there are cheaper ways to achieve similar lift/leveling. I have been exceptionally pleased w/ the upgrades both on and off road. The difference in the Icon ride has to be felt to be appreciated. I have no regrets, would do everything the same way if doing it again today.

This is a recent trip to Big Bend. Tires were about 15psi. My 18yr old son was driving my '12 Tacoma w/ Bilstein 5100's behind me and was having a tough time keeping up w/ me in what was a very relaxed, comfortable drive for us in the 4Runner. The trail here while certainly not requiring high clearance or 4wd was almost constant washboard.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gDtTms_AmxM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

This is another video of the same trip, just to get an idea what the 4Runner looks like w/ low lift Icon suspension installed.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hldhrUhZ4lI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

I just received word from BAMF that my sliders are finally done, so I should have those installed in the next few weeks. I will probably piece together a build thread then and post some updated pictures.

David

 

[nosamk]

Thanks for the videos.

Did you use the stage 1 Icon or?

 

[Canazes9]

Thanks for the videos.

Did you use the stage 1 Icon or?

I used the Icon front coil overs and the Icon rear shocks from the stage 1 kit. I wanted my truck more level, didn't want it to sag or be too rough and my wife didn't want it to be excessively high (its her truck) so I custom ordered a set of springs from Deaver.

It's all in the link:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/147258-no-low-lift-icon-suspension.html

Please note:

I am NOT suggesting that you would necessarily be unhappy just leveling w/ Bilsteins. The 5100's are a quality, economical option. You asked for opinions, mentioned Icon and expressed discontent w/ the offered rear springs - I had similar concerns and just wanted to show you the path I went down.

Regards,

David

 

[Falls]

I guess I should have added that I'd like to get ~3" of lift in the front and maybe 1-1.5" in the rear.

I cant seem to find any springs for the rear that add less than 2"

Check with Wheelers off road and looking into SAW or SWAY AWAY rear coils . They say 1.5" of lift. I have a set waiting on warm weather for install.

 

[Canazes9]

Check with Wheelers off road and looking into SAW or SWAY AWAY rear coils . They say 1.5" of lift. I have a set waiting on warm weather for install.

They will provide 2" of lift. They are 1.5" taller than stock, but a higher spring rate. Same as my Deavers that are 0.5" taller than stock but 15% higher spring rate provide 0.75" lift when coupled w/ 2.125" lift in the front. When the front was at 1.5" lift the rear was 1" taller w/ the same springs.

2.5" lift in the front combined w/ SAW 1.5" higher rate springs will give 2" lift in the rear.

David

 

[nosamk]

Thanks everyone for the input. I broke down this afternoon and just bought full ICON stage 2 set with Light Racing UCAs from Metal Tech. Shame is they arent in stock so now I'll just be waiting till after the holiday...

 

[Canazes9]

Thanks everyone for the input. I broke down this afternoon and just bought full ICON stage 2 set with Light Racing UCAs from Metal Tech. Shame is they arent in stock so now I'll just be waiting till after the holiday...

I don't think you will have any regrets! Let us know what you think of it when you get it installed.

Also, be sure and keep all of your old parts after the install. No suspension is "forever", but the Icon stuff can be rebuilt. You will need something to put back on while you send your old shocks/coil overs to be rebuilt many years from now...

David

 

[eddiebx]

They will provide 2" of lift. They are 1.5" taller than stock, but a higher spring rate. Same as my Deavers that are 0.5" taller than stock but 15% higher spring rate provide 0.75" lift when coupled w/ 2.125" lift in the front. When the front was at 1.5" lift the rear was 1" taller w/ the same springs.

2.5" lift in the front combined w/ SAW 1.5" higher rate springs will give 2" lift in the rear.

David

This is interesting, do you mean that the rear end lifts less when you raise the front end more? (ie. F: +2.125" = R: +0.75" vs. F: +1.5" = R: +1.0")

I never really measured my rear height too carefully but I remember after I threw in the SAWs I ended up with definitely 2"+ before settling (~2.25"-2.5"); but this was after I had already lifted my front ~2".