Torn between Lift Kits. I've researched for weeks and still lost.

[jlaw904]

I've read through a ton of threads and watched countless YouTube videos and I'm still unsure what to do. I have no idea what kit to get. I want to get a suspension kit instead of spacers due to the mileage wear on the factory struts, the ride quality, and the fact my strut boots are already cracked. But from there I've been looking at the Bilstein 5100s, Dobinsons 1-3.5" lift kit, OME EMU 2-3" lift kit, FOX 2" lift kit, and Icon stage 1 lift kit. From what I have read, the FOX and Icon kits are "serviceable" and recommend refurbishing and sending them in every 50k miles or so (that sounds like a nightmare). BUT... they are more linear shocks from the sound of it which sounds like what I'd prefer for my daily driving. I keep reading about people with the Bilsteins and OME's that are complaining about minor potholes and washboard roads and they in some cases don't handle even minor speedbumps well at times due to the digressive design. And with the Dobinsons, I believe they're also digressive but have so many freaking combinations I don't even know what the final lift would be.

All I know is I want it: 2 to 2.5" lift, completely level or a *slight* front rake, to ride over slightly bumpy roads and small potholes with improved ride quality over stock, and not be a required service maintenance every 50k miles. Not doing any major offroading or snow. Not towing, just about a 50 lb load in the back at all times.

This is for a 2008 4.0L V6 2WD. Why do I want to upgrade and lift a 2WD? Because it looks better, aftermarket suspension should ride better, I'm at almost 200k miles anyways, and it will make oil changes and routine maintenance a hell of a lot easier instead of always having to jack it up.

Please let me know if you have any recommended configurations for my needs. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[ads2539]

I went with the Toytec/Bilstein 3” lift kit, and I have been very happy with it. I installed it myself. The kit is number TTHA-CK-RCC-0309.

If you have a 2WD V6, you shouldn’t need the Toytec spacers in addition to the Toytec/Bilstein coilovers in the front. I have a 4WD V8, and they gave me an extra 1/2” in the front. The pic below has the Toytec/Bilstein lift kit with the 1/2” front spacers, a Toytec 1” body lift and 33” tires. My 4Runner is pretty level, i.e., no rake at all.

The Bilstein 5100 rear shocks are currently on backorder.

 

[Silver Stallion]

Check out the Eibach pro lift, it's a stage 1 kit. Good quality and reasonable price. It's only slightly stiffer than stock so not harsh for a daily driver. You get 2.75 inches front and 1" rear to level it out. Comes with shocks and springs. I had the same delema looking for a lift for the 4th Gen when I first purchased mine with so many options, Eibach made it easy. Lots of guys here are using this kit and love it. If you want the level look and don't carry heavy weight you can't beat it. You can buy it from most offroad online retailers. I love mine on and offroad.

4th Gen Eibach Pro-Truck Lift Review

 

[aemravan]

What's your overall budget for this? I'm assuming you aren't limiting yourself to a $1,000-ish limit since you've looked into Fox and icon, but this will obviously play a large factor.

50k miles seems on a high end to expect out of an aftermarket shock I would imagine.. depending on the road you drive some OEM shocks are going to start the end of their life at that point.

I can't speak from experience, but would imagine the Fox and Icon shocks are going to give you the best ride quality. Sure, they may need "service" after the 50k mile mark, but I would guess that with something like the 5100 shock you'd just be outright replacing it by then anyway.

I am currently on the Bilstein 5100 shocks, OME springs for a 3-ish " lift and am happy for the money. As far as ride quality, I will say that I definitely did not improve it over my factory shocks I had. But my goal was to go up, not ride smoother. Long term my plan is to go with a more serious setup like the fox or icon.

 

[gimlithepirate]

Check out the Eibach pro lift, it's a stage 1 kit. Good quality and reasonable price. It's only slightly stiffer than stock so not harsh for a daily driver. You get 2.75 inches front and 1" rear to level it out. Comes with shocks and springs. I had the same delema looking for a lift for the 4th Gen when I first purchased mine with so many options, Eibach made it easy. Lots of guys here are using this kit and love it. If you want the level look and don't carry heavy weight you can't beat it. You can buy it from most offroad online retailers. I love mine on and offroad.

4th Gen Eibach Pro-Truck Lift Review

Hey, that's my thread!

But yeah, the eibach setup is pretty great. If you are wanting to offroad hard, I'd probably go for Dobinsons or Icon. If you are looking for lift without compromising ride quality, Eibach is great.

 

[JBend]

I have the eibach kit and everything stated above is true. I got it when I got my car. 157k miles it need new suspension. I got the eibachs because it was a cheaper fix to my problem and gave me some leveling. Now, I did this because I knew at some point(memorial day this year hopefully) I would upgrade. I'm looking into doing bilstien 6112 up front with probably fox 2.5 on the back with icon or ome springs and total chaos UCA. this will be about the same if not a couple dollars cheaper or more than the icon stage 2. But I think ride quality will be better off what I read with the fox/Billy setup.

 

[Tomm-]

What's your overall budget for this? I'm assuming you aren't limiting yourself to a $1,000-ish limit since you've looked into Fox and icon, but this will obviously play a large factor.

50k miles seems on a high end to expect out of an aftermarket shock I would imagine.. depending on the road you drive some OEM shocks are going to start the end of their life at that point.

I can't speak from experience, but would imagine the Fox and Icon shocks are going to give you the best ride quality. Sure, they may need "service" after the 50k mile mark, but I would guess that with something like the 5100 shock you'd just be outright replacing it by then anyway.

I am currently on the Bilstein 5100 shocks, OME springs for a 3-ish " lift and am happy for the money. As far as ride quality, I will say that I definitely did not improve it over my factory shocks I had. But my goal was to go up, not ride smoother. Long term my plan is to go with a more serious setup like the fox or icon.

This.

Budget is everything and if you're just going to be mall crawlin, then why spend $3k on a lift? I'd get an entry level lift and be prepared to buy additional parts to make it reliable (UCAs, panhard correction kit, diff drop, sway relo kit, etc - depending on how high you go).

 

[Drummer1]

I was in the same boat a couple years ago when I installed my lift with so many options available.
I wanted something affordable that gave me the lift and look I wanted for my 34" tires so I went with the Bilstein 5100's, OME springs and Toytec 1/2" top spacers up front. This set up is perfect for me with no rake!
My only minor complaint is when hitting holes and bumps you feel it :crybaby:.
Good luck on your decision and hope your happy with what you choose. :drummer:

 

[Nahrah]

I was in the same boat a couple years ago when I installed my lift with so many options available.
I wanted something affordable that gave me the lift and look I wanted for my 34" tires so I went with the Bilstein 5100's, OME springs and Toytec 1/2" top spacers up front. This set up is perfect for me with no rake!
My only minor complaint is when hitting holes and bumps you feel it :crybaby:.
Good luck on your decision and hope your happy with what you choose. :drummer:

Running something similar Bilstein 5100 all around with ome 884 and 895e springs. I also have Spc upc to get everything back in spec. Not much to complain about the setup as it works and better than the old tired suspension.

 

[Adeadwallnut]

I run 5100's with Moog springs on the front of my 03 V8. It did much better over potholes and bad roads then my previous setup. They perform perfectly for on roads conditions and I have no complaints. A more complex system would be worth looking into if you are seriously into off-roading.

 

[Gmutoagrsv]

Cruising the old threads

I just got a06 4wd v8 it has some kit on it now on the front but nothing on the rear. I’d like to go up a little. I went to a couple sips today and realized it already has a diff drop. Since that’s already done what are my options

 

[dfontes]

I recently ordered the Dobinsons twin tube suspension kit with the Dobinsons upper control arms. Also went with Dobinsons 2.5" front lift and 2" rear lift coil springs.

From my research, it is one of the most reliable "factory like" suspension upgrade for our trucks. Comfortable on the street, less nose dive, better cornering, and better performance off road for the few times a year you actually do it. It won't perform as well as monotubes if you hardcore off road a lot though.