4-runner X-REAS - replacement options (Dobinson, eibach, Ironman, bilstein?)

Hey Folks,

I bought my wife a 2018 4Runner several years ago in limited trim because I was partial to the all time 4wd and x-reas for on-road manners which are helpful for most of her 90% on-road driving and our 4 months of winter driving. She’s been away for a few months for work and a shop looked at it and said one of the shocks is leaking. I always said I would replace the system with something “once it failed” and sounds like we may have reached that point.

Our use case is 85+% on paved roads, 5-10% gravel roads of varying conditions, and <5% “off road”. We use FSRs or poorly maintained gravel roads etc when we are out for the occasional weekend adventure. The truck does not currently have any aftermarket add ons like bumpers or roof rack, though it gets filled with camping gear when we go out. I expect to add a roof rack only in the near term, and simply shifting stuff out of the cab and on to the roof for storage.

I’d like to replace with something that has similar firmness/manners on road but softens the sharp bumps on both pavement and rough gravel/washboard, specifically. We are more likely to travel at moderate speeds on rough dirt/gravel roads than slow on trails. I am less concerned about how well it performs “off road” as I suspect most of the options I’m thinking of will be an improvement over the x-reas off road. Currently the truck has 2”/1” spacer lift and is on 33” skinnies (Toyo open country 255/80r17). They are load range E and unsurprisingly a bit harsh. It’s time to replace them anyways so I’m going to a 285/70r17 in SL which is both lighter and softer. I want to keep a similar 2/1” lift or perhaps 2.5”/1.5” to maintain some amount of rake.

Anyways, looking at some options and hoping for some/any input:
- bilstein 5160 and 6112 (sounds like these may be a bit on the stiff side and not much of an improvement in ride quality, but they are the cheapest on the list).
- eibach stage 2or 2r or other option?
- dobinson IMS or other suggestion? I think MRR will be a bit too pricey. Sounds like dobinson may or may not feel stiff?
- Ironman foamcell pro?? These sound like they have pretty great performance for what I’m looking for. But I don’t know compared to x-reas

- will likely replace upper control arms with some mid-grade aftermarket option (suggestions? For Non-performance options. There are plenty to choose from)

- trying to stick to something priced in the $2000 range so that rules out Elka, king and maybe dobinson MMR and some others.
I do all my work myself so serviceability, labour costs or ease of install are not factors in my decision.

I appreciate any feedback ya’ll have! Thank you!

 

I'm keeping my eyes on Yokomaha Geolander G018 33in 285/70r17 in SL. They are surprisingly light weight.

I would highly vote "cry once buy once" and get suspension with adjusters. The extra gas on reservoirs and adjustability would thank to have a comfy ride off pavement.
I think using a softer spring like 1.5in rear would help to get a softer ride too. Front having less list like 2in would help a bit too. I think.

I would suggest keeping the lift under 2.5in front and reuse factory UCA. I hated having to re-grease my SPC UCA I used in my TRD ORP.