Trail and SR5 owners

[lbrunner]

Looking for advise on suspension options. I went through all the pics, searched like mad, and came up with a few options. Now I'm stuck.
My main goal is to address the nose dive see saw motion and add more stability in cornering to my non KDSS trail. Also adding 275/70-17 Cooper Discover AT3 load range C. Keep in mind what I owned previously so I don't think I'm being too critical on the trail. Without KDSS it is the worse handling 4runner I have owned besides my 1997 when it was stock(plain dangerous).
Looking at a.) Bilstein 5100 series shocks and stock coils, or b.) adding just OME coils and using stock shocks like firefighter EMT, or C.) doing the full OME coils and shocks.
My concerns:
A. Just adding shocks will not curb u boat handling. Then stuck with adding OME coils with the bilsteins which might make a very stiff ride or do nothing and I just blew 360 bucks to get essentially to same ride.
B. Just OME coils might over tax shocks and not really looking to lift truck that high. Could deal with height if it cures my issues and shocks will be fine.
C. OME coils and shocks could be too stiff and lift it higher than I want. I could deal with height is it cures my issues.
Looking for advise especially anyone who went any of these routes and have regrets. I like OME and had their kit on a 97 4runner but the added height led to diff drop spacers, addco sway bars and poly bushings and a pan-hard drop bracket. The sway bar gave me fits coming loose and squeaks that needed spray. Handled great but the added head aches ready aggravated me. Looking to make the right choice the first time!
Thanks in advance for any advise!

 

[KCcarguy]

I'd recommend 5100's at all 4 corners with the fronts set at .85 to reduce brake dive.

 

[ATL4R]

Looking for advise on suspension options. I went through all the pics, searched like mad, and came up with a few options. Now I'm stuck.
My main goal is to address the nose dive see saw motion and add more stability in cornering to my non KDSS trail. Also adding 275/70-17 Cooper Discover AT3 load range C. Keep in mind what I owned previously so I don't think I'm being too critical on the trail. Without KDSS it is the worse handling 4runner I have owned besides my 1997 when it was stock(plain dangerous).
Looking at a.) Bilstein 5100 series shocks and stock coils, or b.) adding just OME coils and using stock shocks like firefighter EMT, or C.) doing the full OME coils and shocks.
My concerns:
A. Just adding shocks will not curb u boat handling. Then stuck with adding OME coils with the bilsteins which might make a very stiff ride or do nothing and I just blew 360 bucks to get essentially to same ride.
B. Just OME coils might over tax shocks and not really looking to lift truck that high. Could deal with height if it cures my issues and shocks will be fine.
C. OME coils and shocks could be too stiff and lift it higher than I want. I could deal with height is it cures my issues.
Looking for advise especially anyone who went any of these routes and have regrets. I like OME and had their kit on a 97 4runner but the added height led to diff drop spacers, addco sway bars and poly bushings and a pan-hard drop bracket. The sway bar gave me fits coming loose and squeaks that needed spray. Handled great but the added head aches ready aggravated me. Looking to make the right choice the first time!
Thanks in advance for any advise!

Since you definitely want to get new tires, I think I would start there. Those 275s should fit a stock suspension anyway. You will be amazed how much new tires help the problem.

I have run:

1.) Stock suspension with Load C tires.
2.) Bilstein's with Eibach springs (snap ring on 0 height setting on the Bilsteins)
3.) And am now running OME 3" lift springs/shocks. I only upgraded from Bilstein to OME because I needed more height from adding a Shrockworks bumper and winch on the front.


The Bilsteins with Eibach springs rode great for 6000 miles, but got really stiff when I added the weight of the front bumper. This made me swap them all out within a few hundred miles for the OME kit which runs really smooth (887 front 889 rear springs) yet firm if that makes sense.

 

[JohnJerk]

I had a 2010 SR5 and changing over to BFG TA KO tires made a huge change in the handling. Took all the mush out where I didn't feel the need to do anything more. Maybe start with a stiff side walled AT if you are planning to do that anyway.

 

[scanny]

I agree, try tires first, maybe you wont need to do anything else unless of course you want to lift your truck.

 

[Jtraskell]

What everybody else said. Tires first then see if you really need a suspension mod. Depends on what your going to do with your rig. Great difference in my rig with the tires I bought, but I am not rock crawling. You will be amazed......be safe.

 

[Ramzey28]

Did you check my post, I had the same concerns.....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/118940-275-70-17-firestone-dest-5100-85-te-review.html


Tires, shocks, springs in that order......good luck!

 

[tacobill]

lbrunner--I have a '12 SR5 and as everyone points out, it's the "softest" of the three. Going to get some use out of these Dunlops, so I opted for Bilstein HD shocks all around and a good alignment first.
HD's are equivalent to 5100's minus the adjustment, or the longer arms (for lift kits).

Dive is less noticeable and the biggest improvement is in the left to right bounciness--I call it bobbing side to side. Nice improvement over the stock Tokico shocks.