Suspension suggestions

[honda250xtitan]

Whatever I get it will probably get sprayed flat black.
I don't like bling.

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you cant hardly see them regardless. :shrug:

 

[patkelly4370]

I don't think that you will necessarily have issues with the spacers but since you want a better suspension, you can throw them away in the process. The pictures I have seen of shocks broken due to overextension etc are normally 3" lifts.

I don't race either but you can bottom out the stock suspension at 15 mph easily on many easy desert trails and even on rough dirt roads at 20 mph.

The cheapest way to get good shocks with soft springs is to buy the 4 Eibach shocks and use them with the stock springs with 1.5" front lift and no rear lift (but when loaded, your nose will get really high) or with the 1" Eibach rear spring so you can load it without issues. This is super cost effective. If you still need more performance, then consider adding a Dobinsons spring in the front.

Mind you, the stock springs are not good. They may be soft, but I had Dobinsons front and Eibach rear springs on stock shocks for 7,000 miles and offroad it was MUCH, much better. It was a temporary thing and it helped me better understand what happens when a component is changed individually. The 1" Eibach rear spring made for a more comfortable ride despite the 12% increase in spring rate over stock. Changing the springs alone eliminated bottoming out but of course it posed two issues 1/how long would stock shocks last with aftermarket raised springs and 2/control when driving a bit faster over rougher terrain. The stock shocks are not strong enough to control aftermarket springs off road except at low speeds.

This is why I'm looking at package setups that are designed to work together.
My trouble is being new to 4runners.
Old jeeps I know (book-wise), roadrace motorcycles and dragrace bikes and cars I know (hands on).
This is a new realm for me, old dog new tricks.
I'm just now experiencing 4 wheeling. I've checked on a 4x4 club in Bullhead City. Found the "let's not TRY to break things" faction that follows the "crash & roll" bunch. They have lunch while the C&R entertain, then rescue them afterwards.
I just don't know where the trails are. But as you can see from the video there are small obstacles right around my home. Some big obstacles too when I get to that point. Baby steps.
This thread is my research for when my truck with 23,000 miles on it needs parts replaced due to wear or damage.
Many thanks to everyone for the replies. Please keep them coming.

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[MAST4R]

This is why I'm looking at package setups that are designed to work together.
My trouble is being new to 4runners.
Old jeeps I know (book-wise), roadrace motorcycles and dragrace bikes and cars I know (hands on).
This is a new realm for me, old dog new tricks.
I'm just now experiencing 4 wheeling. I've checked on a 4x4 club in Bullhead City. Found the "let's not TRY to break things" faction that follows the "crash & roll" bunch. They have lunch while the C&R entertain, then rescue them afterwards.
I just don't know where the trails are. But as you can see from the video there are small obstacles right around my home. Some big obstacles too when I get to that point. Baby steps.
This thread is my research for when my truck with 23,000 miles on it needs parts replaced due to wear or damage.
Many thanks to everyone for the replies. Please keep them coming.

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This is the most comprehensive AZ coverage I know of, including GPX tracks at the bottom. Trail descriptions are lapidary but the GPX files are priceless:

Jeep the USA - Best Jeep trails in the Western U.S.

For print books, look for the new edition (3rd) of Charlie Wells, AZ guidebook. It is excellent and should come out this spring.

For difficulty ratings, Wells has the difficult ones divided into suitable for stock and not suitable for stock. Some of the latter will be doable with your upgrade and some will not. But only a few are torture tests and they are marked as such. FunTreks | Offroading Trails | 4 Wheeling


For the Jeep site, the 2.0 normally correspond to easy in Wells and 2.5 to moderate. The 3.0 normally correspond to difficult but suitable for stock in Wells. The 3.5 get very serious. There is only one 3.5 in AZ of interest to me down the road, it is near Tucson. For the rest, the scenic trails are normally the 2.0, 3.0, and 2.5, with the harder ones normally "play trails."

 

[patkelly4370]

So for the rear. 1" longer progressive rate springs and corresponding longer travel shocks with adjustable rebound & dampening.
Same on the front, only 2½" to keep it level (ditching the current 1½" spacer).
Though probably not necessary, would aftermarket UCA be a good idea (stronger)? How about a front diff spacer?

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[delloro]

So for the rear. 1" longer progressive rate springs and corresponding longer travel shocks with adjustable rebound & dampening.
Same on the front, only 2½" to keep it level (ditching the current 1½" spacer).
Though probably not necessary, would aftermarket UCA be a good idea (stronger)? How about a front diff spacer?

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I don't recall any reports here on bent factory UCA's. It's done for caster and sometimes a little more travel.

 

[patkelly4370]

This is the most comprehensive AZ coverage I know of, including GPX tracks at the bottom. Trail descriptions are lapidary but the GPX files are priceless:

Jeep the USA - Best Jeep trails in the Western U.S.

For print books, look for the new edition (3rd) of Charlie Wells, AZ guidebook. It is excellent and should come out this spring.

For difficulty ratings, Wells has the difficult ones divided into suitable for stock and not suitable for stock. Some of the latter will be doable with your upgrade and some will not. But only a few are torture tests and they are marked as such. FunTreks | Offroading Trails | 4 Wheeling


For the Jeep site, the 2.0 normally correspond to easy in Wells and 2.5 to moderate. The 3.0 normally correspond to difficult but suitable for stock in Wells. The 3.5 get very serious. There is only one 3.5 in AZ of interest to me down the road, it is near Tucson. For the rest, the scenic trails are normally the 2.0, 3.0, and 2.5, with the harder ones normally "play trails."

Just received the "Arizona Backroads & 4-wheel Drive Trails" book. Also downloaded AllTrails, Jeep the USA.
Now to find time and someone to come with me.
Though some of the trails I can see from my house.

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[patkelly4370]

So looking for a level or modest lift, currently leveled with front spacer.
- Rear: better shocks. OEM or 1" taller springs with OEM/progressive spring rate.
- Front: 1½" to 2½" lift (depends on rear) via longer, not stiffer, springs. I would like that additional front height to incorporate additional travel. Again OEM/progressive spring rate.
Can those here with experience suggest specific brands to look at?

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[Ryan at Eibach]

Just buy the Eibach kit. It will work great for your needs and is budget friendly.

 

[dezertbomber]

Don't overthink this (easy to do, esp on forums), the Bilstein 6112 and 5100 or 5160 w/rear spring is straightforward, lifetime warranties, and budget friendly. One stop shop.

 

[Drobs]

Another vote for the Eibach Pro Truck Lift.

My mile long private road and the county roads around me are just like your roads - I have more greenery to look at though. The Eibach lift makes my bumpy rocky, road smooth and comfortable.

On road handling is fantastic with no more body roll or nosedive on braking.

The lift supports the weight of my winch, bumper, sliders, and skids.

 

[patkelly4370]

I just wish they weren't all such garish colors (personal preference).
I'm sure they all will be better than the current OEM + spacer.
Leaning towards the Kings. They look to be quite stout.
The lower attachment on most of the rest looks like a stork standing on one leg (I know all are more than capable of doing the job)

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[delloro]

I just wish they weren't all such garish colors (personal preference).
I'm sure they all will be better than the current OEM + spacer.
Leaning towards the Kings. They look to be quite stout.
The lower attachment on most of the rest looks like a stork standing on one leg (I know all are more than capable of doing the job)

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Eibach are not garish at all.