Source3 and Razzman1, am I shooting myself in the foot if I go with something a little more plush? By that I mean, I don't want something that won't hold up to the rocks, washboards, etc.
In other words, it sounds (collectively) that OME do run stiff, but bomb proof. I have heard good things about Toytech and Icon (much higher premium) but if it's so plush that I bottom out, then it doesn't sound worth it. I drive pretty slow through technical stuff, not heavily weighted, and rarely bottom out in my 2017 Subaru Forester (stock 8.7" clearance, but I plus-sized the tires giving me about 9").
Also, I plan to put 33" Geolanders on the GX, sot that'll help I imagine.
I'm a subaru guy. The GX rides SO differently than any roo. totally different beasts, different platform, different characteristics, different suspension, everything. I've been back and forth with another lifted subaru friend for A LONG TIME on this issue, and wasn't until he got his 18 4r TRD OR and rand a few trails that he got it...
the roo is great and I'd still take my roo over the GX on dirt/gravel or snow, hands down< BUT otherwise off road and on camping trips long haul road trips and even DD the GX is SOOOOOO MUCH MORE SUPERIOR!
that said, the GX, lifted, I think don't concern yourself as much with plush. I'm wrestling with this myself (not lifted but heavily researching).
Coming from my lifted modded roos, the out of the box capability in the GX is quite a bit more than i could ever do maxing out my roo. As such, prepping the GX is another scale.
I REALLY like the GX's ride tuning feature and would like to keep that as long as possible, but any real lift will negate that. From what MANY have told me, any entry or moderate lift will perform like full sport mode or depending, a little stiff unloaded. So factor in a loaded rig into your lift/spring choice... you have WAY more payload capacity in the GX and setting it up unlaiden will, to a degree, shoot yourslef in the foot.
What I've come up with is the bilstein 5100 is just a little shy of good for a GX. Its great for 4R but the GX is heavier, so what people have said is unloaded it's great and as a coil over can be adjusted through a few lift heights.
I'm hearing a great entrly lift is the bilstein 6112/5160 Billstein), then toytek has a self branded one that I think is comperable to the 5100 level, maybe The 6112/5160 Billstein. Then they offer the Boss coilover. I'm leaning towards that (if/when I go for it\). That will allow for a leveling lift in front until I do the rear (as my airbags are still great). and can be lifted a little more with a rear coil.
I've read some good threads, participated in a couple and started one here too. I was initially striking convo on different lifts but also, as an interim measure, anylizing the merpuckmerits of a puck spacer. i know I know, that's a hack and much less functional than a real lift, BUT if it can afford a little skid lift from the ground w/o compromising suspension travel it's fine by mne for a little while. ANyhoo, that's a WHOLE other conversation.
The dobsons and like are cool but a maintenance set-up, OME, rock solid and a little rough when unloaded. toytec and coilovers (6112/5160 Billstein and boss) sound pretty dang good for the GX, 5100 may be a little light.
future considerations may be important too when laying down the coin. Are bumpers, winch, sliders, full steel skids, RTT, tire carier, blahblahblah expedition bling on the radar? a lift is something you want to cry once for and not have to swap out and upgrade the upgrade. I forget which, but you can pick spring rates based on load/mass and researching that may help guide your direction as @
Source3 indicated. If it's just a sub 3" lift an OME-style shock/spring lift may be the ticket, or a more mid-line entry coilover kit like the Bilstein 6112/5160 or boss (or like).
I know it's mostly opinion and based on research and others' experiences but that's $0.02 along the lines for your inquiry. I hope it helps and brings you other questions to ask. This is a complicated and confusing road to hoe, but Mud IS the community to flesh out these issues/concerns!
ciao!
(*EDIT* corrected bilstein 6500 to The 6112/5160 Billstein setup throughout)
