Which one and why?

Overlanding rig that will see a lot of highway miles as well since we live 5 hours from the nearest forest!

Bilstein Front 6112 + Rear B8 5100 Shocks

or

Eibach Pro-Truck Lift System Stage 1 Kit

These seem pretty popular here. I've had 5100's on my last JKU and felt they were a bit stiff as a daily driver, but worked well offroad.

 

I have the Bilstein setup you are looking at. I have the heavy load rear springs, though.

I have mixed feelings about the Bilsteins. I am actually pretty happy with the ride on road. Offroad, it's hit or miss for me. They soak up bigger bumps very well, but can be pretty harsh on washboards. Although, you can usually adjust your speed to the washboards and it improves a little bit. It also gets pretty bouncy in whoops, but I don't know if that's because I have the stiffer rear springs.

Overall, It's 50/50 whether I would buy them again. I don't think I will, because I will probably try to get something custom valved the next time around. But, if I were sticking to a similar budget, I think I would go with the Eibachs because I hear so much good about them here.

I don't think either option is a bad choice, though.

 

Thanks for the honest answer...

And then I found these. 2-3 week lead time. OME Springs front and rear with 5100's front and back.

https://yotamafia.com/product/bilstein-stage-1-lift-kit/

I believe these springs are a bit softer than stock which may help the 5100 stiffness. Dont know a lot about Eibach other than by name.

 

Similar to OP, replacing my XREAS and looking for the perfect combination of quality and value... whatever that is. Would like to keep (near) current height and use OEM control arms, not looking for anything stiffer on spring weight. Other recommendations besides the two offered at top?

 

I had bilstein on my Titan, before my FJ, and they were nice. Stiff, but I liked it.

for my 4Runner I new I was going to spend a LOT of time driving from LA to Portland so I went OME for highway quality. Very smooth and wife doesn’t hate me.

 

Dobinsons IMS with dobinson springs. Im a pretty picky kind a guy and this setup gets no complaints from me. It’s firmer than stock, but very well controlled damping, loaded or unloaded. The firmer ride changes the character of the vehicle, from the sedate cloud-like comfort of stock suspension, to that of a well sorted heavy sports sedan (that can off-road lol).

Not that I drive it around sporty, but dang, it feels good driving around

 

I just noticed I missed the detail that you have xreas. I believe the spring rate I got was stock, but the increased firmness comes more from the IMS shocks themselves. I dont know how the xreas compares against regular 4runner factory shocks though, so the IMS may be similar to feel of the xreas.

i have heard the ironman foam cell shocks replicate the feel standard 4runner shock damping the closest.

In regard to off-road, it does fine on the places I go, which is Rough gravel roads and forest trails, with bits of slow rocky sections thrown in. I’m no expert on suspensions by any means, but it feels right all around. Cant speak to higher speed desert type trails though.

 

did you replace your springs as well or reuse your original springs?

 

Dobinsons springs. Although I believe the rate was the same, they were a bit taller to get a 2.5/1.5 lift.

 

I ran 6112/5160s for the past four (4) years and they have been great, but I completely agree. I recently upgraded to custom valved Kings (and custom length in rear) and they are awesome. I still think the price of entry is kind of steep but the vehicle feels better in every aspect and I've been messing with the adjusters to see what settings are best for the terrain I'm on.

 

I can confirm this statement is just about spot-on. I would say the springs are a bit stiffer when turning so the body-roll is significantly improved over new stock squish.

 

If you have extended and compressed length front and rear it would help members a ton. I wish all suspension manufactures post this specs.

 

Fronts are the standard KDSS Kings with "extended travel"
25001-243 (KDSS) Front Comp: 17.308" Ext: 22.625"

25001-279 Rear Comp: 16.022" Ext: 24.614"
My rears are 1.5-1.75" longer to account for +2" lift

Ben at Filthy explains it pretty well
https://www.filthymotorsports.com/King_OEM_4Runner_Shocks_p/king-25001-278.htm

 

A 80 series land cruiser.
Edit- i only read the title
Wait, what was the question?
Double edit- you have a stock 2017 or?? Ans aren't upping tire size? (I didn't see any tire change want) Leave it as is and enjoy. It will do awesome for what your doing/wanting. Save your money.

 

LOL. Not my first offroad vehicle. Have overlanded (hate that term) in 14 western states, Canada and Alaska. My first 4Runner, hence the need for some investigative work. Reading retailers copy and paste marketing is useless. Looking for opinions on what I asked for. OEM tire size. I appreciate the other comments about Dobinson and Ironman.