Looking for recommendations on Suspension setup that won't beat us up.

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HROD79

HROD79

10 Year
Joined
May 11, 2015
Threads
20
Messages
74
Location
San Antonio, TX
So a Little background, I am coming from a 5th gen fully built 4Runner. Armor Front and rear with sliders, skids, Roof Rack and Icon Suspension. I actually loved the ride. Even with additional weight it was even and balanced and made quick work of any aggressive bumps on the road. We also have a GX460 that has Bilstein 5100 shocks with OME springs. I also enjoy the ride we get from this Suspension. That being said I am pretty familiar with Toyota 150 platform.
I have had my sights set on a 200 series for years and this year was able to make some move to get a new to me 2016 with about 60k miles. I am super impressed with the drive so far. It looks like my LC200 was at some point lifted as I have aftermarket Fuel wheels, ICON Billet UCA's, and Icon 2.5" rear Shocks. It appears the previous owner removed the lift, and replaced front coilovers with factor set. Also rear springs are back to factory setup. I plan on lifting and I know there are several options. To be clear we made the move to LC for several reasons. Space, Desire and my wife having a recent back injury would need room to layout on the back seat for extended trips.
I know that just going with a rear spring and new set of Icons for the front may be the best option due to having several parts already. However I was not necessarily please with the several times I felt I had premature leaking and needed to have shocks rebuilt. So I am leaning towards a more traditional gas strut/shock setup that is not rebuildable. I don't think I will be going as hard as I had before with this vehicle and just want capable and comfortable ride along with additional height. I have noticed the ride change considerably when loaded and would like a shock that can take a cab full of people without getting sloppy so I do need an increased spring rate.
I have considered for the meantime just adding a Jeff Wescott Design "spacer lift" but am not too happy with current rear spring feel or with the way the truck hits on large bumps in the road.... I guess I have a lot to consider. Just wanted to ask for anyone that has a take on a better ride and don't want to go crazy because this is the primary vehicle for the family and also consider my wifes current back injury predicament.
I have considered Iron Man FCP, OME Suspension (not BP51), Bilstein 6112, Dobinson Suspension. I just don't know any one personally that has had any of these. I am also considering that with a lift I can run a larger tire that will aid in "eating the bumps" on the road due to larger sidewall. current size tire is the BFG KO2 285/60/18 and I feel like this is part of the harsh ride


Thanks in advance.

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Congrats on the new to you 200, it looks like it came from the San Antonio area. You mentioned all of the non-adjustable kits currently on the market. On this forum the Bilstein's seem to be far and away the most favored, I believe this to be because of their adjustability for different ride heights. I enjoyed the Ironman lift I ran on the GX but those were Foam Cell Pros, not the cheaper gas shock kit. I think the Dobinsons, Ironman and OME will all be very similar to on another but if it were my money I'd go with the tried and true OME.
 
I have the Westcott lift on the stock suspension. I know you have some other springs there but on a stock car. Id say it still feels stock after the installation which is the ride I prefer as well
 
I have stock springs and shocks I can sell on the cheap if you are needing them to go the Westcott route…
 
jefo13 said:
I have stock springs and shocks I can sell on the cheap if you are needing them to go the Westcott route…
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Thanks, It is sitting on factory springs at this time. Factory Coilover in front and factory rear spring. Just has ICON 2.5 rear shocks.
 
I've been waiting on the bilstein 4600's for a while now. I love the floaty feeling but the nose dive is unbearable. I'm going with this option in a couple of months. I'll speak with Kenny dean over here in Jersey to get the right components and report back.

 
For the money I'm still a big fan of the Tough Dog 45mm adjustable kits. They're much closer to OME Nitro pricing (I think I paid $1600 at the time) but the adjustment knobs allow you a tremendous amount of control around your ride depending on your setup, vehicle load, and comfort preference. A few folks on the forum have them - not sure where you're at but if you ask around you can probably find someone who can take you for a test drive in their rig with this (or likely most any) setup.
 
What is the tire pressure on those KO2s? Try lowering it to 33 and drive it around (NOT at freeway speeds!) and see if that takes away some of the harshness. (Edit: I say 33 because that is the pressure of stock tires and will approximate stock ride)

I noticed a dramatic increase in harshness going from stock p-metric tires at factory pressure up to KO2s with their 41psi minimum.
 
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I run my E rated 275/70/18 KO2's at 38 psi and I enjoy the ride quality.
 
Tex68w said:
I run my E rated 275/70/18 KO2's at 38 psi and I enjoy the ride quality.
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It’s all subjective. But it is very easy to draw a line from increased tire pressure (and therefore tire spring rate) to “harshness.”

Plus the tire pressure question stands.. it’s possible they are well above the minimum required pressure and could get an improvement for free.
 
bloc said:
It’s all subjective. But it is very easy to draw a line from increased tire pressure (and therefore tire spring rate) to “harshness.”

Plus the tire pressure question stands.. it’s possible they are well above the minimum required pressure and could get an improvement for free.
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Oh I agree, just stating that I lowered mine to 38 from the insane 55-60 Discount set them at, there's no mistaking an insanely harsh ride if someone were to keep them above 40-45 psi.
 
Tex68w said:
Oh I agree, just stating that I lowered mine to 38 from the insane 55-60 Discount set them at, there's no mistaking an insanely harsh ride if someone were to keep them above 40-45 psi.
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Ah, got it.

I really wish someone could actually compete with discount tire..
 
bloc said:
What is the tire pressure on those KO2s? Try lowering it to 33 and drive it around (NOT at freeway speeds!) and see if that takes away some of the harshness. (Edit: I say 33 because that is the pressure of stock tires and will approximate stock ride)

I noticed a dramatic increase in harshness going from stock p-metric tires at factory pressure up to KO2s with their 41psi minimum.
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This, dial in pressure before hunting for other faults. With the weight of these trucks, pressure is crucial. All of that weight hitting the pavement at force will transfer right back into the cabin. Let the tire do the work it’s intended to and the suspension will thank you for it and reward you.
 
I think it is hard to beat the stock set up for comfort. There is no way to lift the truck and change the COG and not need to make it stiffer to maintain road manners. There may be a set of struts and springs out there that provide lift but are soft and wallowy on the road, but I can't imagine there is much of a market for such a set up. There are plenty of posts on this forum detailing complaints about the stock set up's softness. This is true to some degree, but it is part of the comfort trade-off Toyota made so that you would have a quiet and cushy ride on your test drive. As pointed out above the Bilstein is a popular low-cost solution offering a lift, similarly BP-51s are held in high esteem. I run a Dobinsons IMS and am happy with that. All of them will firm up the ride over the stock springs especially if you go for the +2" springs. In a perfect world I would have two cruisers, one built for off-road and one stock for daily driving - an option many have already opted for. Good luck with your search and I hope your wife's back is soon right as rain.
 
The stock suspension is very compliant. If you don't want to get beat up, strip the aftermarket suspension parts, skip the aftermarket and pick up a full set of new takeoffs from a 20/21 cruiser and install them. It'll ride like a new vehicle.

Toyota spent a lot of time and money building a matching, tuned suspension. I think you'll like it.

I put some 2022 takeoffs on my 2013 before I sold it (at the buyer's request), and it made it ride really well.

I run King 2.5 with 600lb front springs and OME 2721 rears on my 2016.
 
In my experience, don’t got with any suspension you can’t self tune. Fox,Bp-51 and Kings would be my recommendations. I had great luck with my Icon 3.0 but it gets hate on here. I would shoot for Fox if it’s in your budget. I haven’t tried Bilsteins but I’m sure they are great.
 
OP this is very good advice.

I'd maybe add to consider airbags if squat when heavily loaded is an issue.


CharlieS said:
The stock suspension is very compliant. If you don't want to get beat up, strip the aftermarket suspension parts, skip the aftermarket and pick up a full set of new takeoffs from a 20/21 cruiser and install them. It'll ride like a new vehicle.

Toyota spent a lot of time and money building a matching, tuned suspension. I think you'll like it.

I put some 2022 takeoffs on my 2013 before I sold it (at the buyer's request), and it made it ride really well.
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bloc said:
OP this is very good advice.

I'd maybe add to consider airbags if squat when heavily loaded is an issue.
Click to expand...

Bloc did a good job with his I can vouch.
But I’ll still be honest, AHC does this best.
 
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