Suspension suggestions

[kpd1999]

I have a '10 TE w/KDSS and I'm considering getting a new suspension to lift it and give me a little more clearance when going off road. I also want the front higher to match the back. I don't do any serious rock crawling, but I like to go have a little fun (For those of you who have been to Uwharrie, I stay on the moderate trails...for now). I've looked around a lot on here and seen a lot of you guys have Icon, Toytec Boss, and a few OME, as well as a few other brands. I am on a budget and the Icon series 1 is at the very top of it. I hoping you guys can give me advice about the brand (likes/dislikes), or is that mostly personal preference? Do any of them aversively effect the KDSS? Full suspension kit or mix and match struts/springs?

Right now I still have the stock wheels and tires. Ill be getting A/T3's coming up but plan on staying with the stock size.

I searched around on here for this topic but couldn't find one for 5th Gens. If its already out there, please paste the link.

Thanks again guys.

 

[thebwlife]

I searched around on here for this topic but couldn't find one for 5th Gens. If its already out there, please paste the link.

Funny stuff.

 

[kpd1999]

Funny stuff.

I've searched this forum and found several on I topics on individual brands and specific questions relating to them (if I go with BOSS it may squeak and Blizten seems tone a good brand of a struts, even if I just want to raise the front). In engine/suspension/etc forum I found a few for 3rd and 4th gens but don't want to assume the same applies for 5th gens. If you know where I should look -or can post the link - please point me there and I'd really appreciate it.

I thought about going by a local 4x4 store but I'm wary that they will try to sell me the most expensive, but it may not be what I'm looking for or I need. I think you guys are my best source on this topic.

 

[thebwlife]

My 4Runner Lift Recommendations | The Black & White Life

 

[3wbdriver]

I went with the Bilstein 5100 four shock level/lift kit and stock size AT tires. I have mine set at 1.75" on the front which made it look level, although I probably have a slight reverse rake with gear in the back. I have been completely satisfied with it and have had 2 weekends so far running easy to moderate trails with no problems. On road ride is still almost factory feeling with just a slight stiffening from the shocks. While doing my research I did notice several of the kits are listed as NOT KDSS compatible for the 2014, but that seems to be more of a caution. That qualifier is actually what drove me to find this forum to get some answers.

In hindsight though I think I may have been more satisfied had I saved up and gone with an OME lift kit (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/166848-new-old-man-emu-suspension-2-lift.html). They are tuned to your specific vehicle/intent/use and include springs and shocks. But like you, I had no intention of doing any serious off roading. That went out the door on my first outing. Definitely do some research. Look at as many of the "build" threads as you can. They are stickied on the upper half of page 1. If you want opinions who best to get them from than the people who are using them and already providing feedback? A lot of the members also provide links to their own build threads in their signature lines, so if you see a vehicle you like look at his signature to see if there is a link.

And yes, this can be a rough crowd when you ask what seems like a oft repeated question. I recommend you preface any search terms you do with "5th Gen". That has helped me narrow my results without having to add to the brain strain here. There is a thread floating in here that lists every available suspension option we are aware of, but it hasn't been linked in the FAQ yet. I'll try to find it and link it here. But it is more of a price and where to buy guideline than a product review.



Good luck with your research.

 

[thebwlife]

I went with the Bilstein 5100 four shock level/lift kit and stock size AT tires. I have mine set at 1.75" on the front which made it look level, although I probably have a slight reverse rake with gear in the back. I have been completely satisfied with it and have had 2 weekends so far running easy to moderate trails with no problems. On road ride is still almost factory feeling with just a slight stiffening from the shocks. While doing my research I did notice several of the kits are listed as NOT KDSS compatible for the 2014, but that seems to be more of a caution. That qualifier is actually what drove me to find this forum to get some answers.

In hindsight though I think I may have been more satisfied had I saved up and gone with an OME lift kit (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/166848-new-old-man-emu-suspension-2-lift.html). They are tuned to your specific vehicle/intent/use and include springs and shocks. But like you, I had no intention of doing any serious off roading. That went out the door on my first outing. Definitely do some research. Look at as many of the "build" threads as you can. They are stickied on the upper half of page 1. If you want opinions who best to get them from than the people who are using them and already providing feedback? A lot of the members also provide links to their own build threads in their signature lines, so if you see a vehicle you like look at his signature to see if there is a link.

And yes, this can be a rough crowd when you ask what seems like a oft repeated question. I recommend you preface any search terms you do with "5th Gen". That has helped me narrow my results without having to add to the brain strain here. There is a thread floating in here that lists every available suspension option we are aware of, but it hasn't been linked in the FAQ yet. I'll try to find it and link it here. But it is more of a price and where to buy guideline than a product review.



Good luck with your research.

Look in my signature.

 

[kpd1999]

I went with the Bilstein 5100 four shock level/lift kit and stock size AT tires. I have mine set at 1.75" on the front which made it look level, although I probably have a slight reverse rake with gear in the back. I have been completely satisfied with it and have had 2 weekends so far running easy to moderate trails with no problems. On road ride is still almost factory feeling with just a slight stiffening from the shocks. While doing my research I did notice several of the kits are listed as NOT KDSS compatible for the 2014, but that seems to be more of a caution. That qualifier is actually what drove me to find this forum to get some answers.

In hindsight though I think I may have been more satisfied had I saved up and gone with an OME lift kit (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/166848-new-old-man-emu-suspension-2-lift.html). They are tuned to your specific vehicle/intent/use and include springs and shocks. But like you, I had no intention of doing any serious off roading. That went out the door on my first outing. Definitely do some research. Look at as many of the "build" threads as you can. They are stickied on the upper half of page 1. If you want opinions who best to get them from than the people who are using them and already providing feedback? A lot of the members also provide links to their own build threads in their signature lines, so if you see a vehicle you like look at his signature to see if there is a link.

And yes, this can be a rough crowd when you ask what seems like a oft repeated question. I recommend you preface any search terms you do with "5th Gen". That has helped me narrow my results without having to add to the brain strain here. There is a thread floating in here that lists every available suspension option we are aware of, but it hasn't been linked in the FAQ yet. I'll try to find it and link it here. But it is more of a price and where to buy guideline than a product review.



Good luck with your research.

Look in my signature.

Thanks guys, that was really helpful. I'm leaning towards the Bilstein's and springs right now......... but the OME complete kit is looks and sounds really good.

 

[shaneotool]

A 3" lift with stock size tires doesn't look the best IMO.

If you decide to do the 3" OME lift, I'd get 285s.
If you want to stay with 265s, I'd do the bilsteins at 1.75" up front and put a 1" spacer in the back.

 

[thebwlife]

A 3" lift with stock size tires doesn't look the best IMO.

If you decide to do the 3" OME lift, I'd get 285s.
If you want to stay with 265s, I'd do the bilsteins at 1.75" up front and put a 1" spacer in the back.

He PM'd me and that's exactly what I told him. My 285's sometimes look small...

 

[cowtown]

Thanks guys, that was really helpful. I'm leaning towards the Bilstein's and springs right now......... but the OME complete kit is looks and sounds really good.

I recently took the plunge on my first "mod" to my 2014 TE. You might find my experience helpful.

I wanted to accomplish 2 goals: (i) achieving improved on-road and off-road performance and (ii) leveling the 4Runner. I ended up deciding that a full set of Bilstein 5100s and new AT tires was the way I wanted to go.

First issue I encountered. In my research, I'd read numerous threads stating that the 0.85" setting on the front 5100s is the way to properly level the 4Runner if you don't plan on also lifting the rear; however, my experience on my own vehicle was that the 1.75" inch setting worked better---at least from an aesthetic standpoint. I love the way it looks, and I've experienced no "negative rake" at all---even when I've got a bunch of gear in back. In fact, according to my measurements, I've still got about 0.75" of "proper rake" after installing the 5100s. So I'm keeping the fronts set at 1.75".

Second issue I encountered. Though the 5100s definitely improved the general ride quality over the factory shocks, I was a little concerned at first about how it now handles at highway speeds. Driving around town feels perfect, but when I get up to about 70 mph on the highway, I feel like the handling develops a bit of a "twitchy" feel. It definitely doesn't feel out of control, and it's not an extreme issue at all, but it just somehow feels a little less stable to me than it did before the leveling. I asked for advice from a couple of forum members, and [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] and [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION]
both gave me a lot of good info. Those are great guys who know a hell of a lot more than I do but are really patient and willing to answer a newbie's dumb questions. Anyway, the consensus seems to be that my caster (though still within factory specs) is now a little on the low side and that it's most likely the culprit.

So...right now I'm trying to decide whether it's worth addressing the issue. I definitely don't want to lower the front end again so I think I have to choose between just living with the new highway handling or investing in aftermarket UCAs that will allow me to get a little more caster without sacrificing camber. I'm in the process of reading everything I can get my hands on about the pros/cons of aftermarket UCAs right now. Not sure yet what I'll end up doing.

Like many previous posters, I recommend that you read all the threads you can find about suspension options before you pull the trigger yourself. I've found that, with a little patience (i.e., obsessiveness), you can find the answer to almost any question here on the board. Somebody has pretty much always dealt with your exact issue before you. Good luck...

 

[thebwlife]

I recently took the plunge on my first "mod" to my 2014 TE. You might find my experience helpful.

I wanted to accomplish 2 goals: (i) achieving improved on-road and off-road performance and (ii) leveling the 4Runner. I ended up deciding that a full set of Bilstein 5100s and new AT tires was the way I wanted to go.

First issue I encountered. In my research, I'd read numerous threads stating that the 0.85" setting on the front 5100s is the way to properly level the 4Runner if you don't plan on also lifting the rear; however, my experience on my own vehicle was that the 1.75" inch setting worked better---at least from an aesthetic standpoint. I love the way it looks, and I've experienced no "negative rake" at all---even when I've got a bunch of gear in back. In fact, according to my measurements, I've still got about 0.75" of "proper rake" after installing the 5100s. So I'm keeping the fronts set at 1.75".

Second issue I encountered. Though the 5100s definitely improved the general ride quality over the factory shocks, I was a little concerned at first about how it now handles at highway speeds. Driving around town feels perfect, but when I get up to about 70 mph on the highway, I feel like the handling develops a bit of a "twitchy" feel. It definitely doesn't feel out of control, and it's not an extreme issue at all, but it just somehow feels a little less stable to me than it did before the leveling. I asked for advice from a couple of forum members, and [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] and [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION]
both gave me a lot of good info. Those are great guys who know a hell of a lot more than I do but are really patient and willing to answer a newbie's dumb questions. Anyway, the consensus seems to be that my caster (though still within factory specs) is now a little on the low side and that it's most likely the culprit.

So...right now I'm trying to decide whether it's worth addressing the issue. I definitely don't want to lower the front end again so I think I have to choose between just living with the new highway handling or investing in aftermarket UCAs that will allow me to get a little more caster without sacrificing camber. I'm in the process of reading everything I can get my hands on about the pros/cons of aftermarket UCAs right now. Not sure yet what I'll end up doing.

Like many previous posters, I recommend that you read all the threads you can find about suspension options before you pull the trigger yourself. I've found that, with a little patience (i.e., obsessiveness), you can find the answer to almost any question here on the board. Somebody has pretty much always dealt with your exact issue before you. Good luck...

Did you get it aligned? What was the caster measurement?

 

[cowtown]

Did you get it aligned? What was the caster measurement?

Yep got it aligned. Here are my current measurements after the new alignment:

Left Front:
Camber: 0.6
Caster: 2.6
Toe: 0.03

Right Front:
Camber: 0.5
Caster: 2.6
Toe: 0.03

Total Toe: 0.06
Steer Ahead: 0.00

Left Rear:
Camber: -0.1
Toe: -0.04

Right Rear:
Camber: -0.3
Toe: 0.23

Total Toe: 0.19
Thrust Angle: -0.14

Let me know what you think.

 

[kpd1999]

I recently took the plunge on my first "mod" to my 2014 TE. You might find my experience helpful.



I wanted to accomplish 2 goals: (i) achieving improved on-road and off-road performance and (ii) leveling the 4Runner. I ended up deciding that a full set of Bilstein 5100s and new AT tires was the way I wanted to go.



First issue I encountered. In my research, I'd read numerous threads stating that the 0.85" setting on the front 5100s is the way to properly level the 4Runner if you don't plan on also lifting the rear; however, my experience on my own vehicle was that the 1.75" inch setting worked better---at least from an aesthetic standpoint. I love the way it looks, and I've experienced no "negative rake" at all---even when I've got a bunch of gear in back. In fact, according to my measurements, I've still got about 0.75" of "proper rake" after installing the 5100s. So I'm keeping the fronts set at 1.75".



Second issue I encountered. Though the 5100s definitely improved the general ride quality over the factory shocks, I was a little concerned at first about how it now handles at highway speeds. Driving around town feels perfect, but when I get up to about 70 mph on the highway, I feel like the handling develops a bit of a "twitchy" feel. It definitely doesn't feel out of control, and it's not an extreme issue at all, but it just somehow feels a little less stable to me than it did before the leveling. I asked for advice from a couple of forum members, and [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] and [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION]

both gave me a lot of good info. Those are great guys who know a hell of a lot more than I do but are really patient and willing to answer a newbie's dumb questions. Anyway, the consensus seems to be that my caster (though still within factory specs) is now a little on the low side and that it's most likely the culprit.



So...right now I'm trying to decide whether it's worth addressing the issue. I definitely don't want to lower the front end again so I think I have to choose between just living with the new highway handling or investing in aftermarket UCAs that will allow me to get a little more caster without sacrificing camber. I'm in the process of reading everything I can get my hands on about the pros/cons of aftermarket UCAs right now. Not sure yet what I'll end up doing.



Like many previous posters, I recommend that you read all the threads you can find about suspension options before you pull the trigger yourself. I've found that, with a little patience (i.e., obsessiveness), you can find the answer to almost any question here on the board. Somebody has pretty much always dealt with your exact issue before you. Good luck...

That stopped me dead in my tracks. Time to back up and re-evaluate.