Suspension questions

I've always wanted to install a suspension lift, but until now I haven't had the spare cash to do so. Now that I do, despite reading through numerous threads in the forum, I still have some questions.

2015 ORDCSB, stock tires and suspension.

Would like to install a 1-2" suspension lift, and also increase tire size without requiring any chopping. Thinking about the 17" 4Runner TRD Pro wheels.

I do light offroading, and tow a boat @3500 lbs. I have no armor or anything else heavy front or back (other than the boat from time to time).

I think I understand the pros/cons of progressive vice digressive shocks but not in detail, and I don't know which models are which. I'm looking for improved ride on rough terrain but I'm concerned about losing on-road performance.

The questions I have:
-What would be a good value suspension setup based on my goals?
-What would be a good tire size to target, or should I stay stock?
-Can I avoid new UCAs @1-2" of lift?
-Are there any other components I would need to mod with the lift? Bearings I would need to replace, anything I would need to drop?
-My understanding of adding an AAL is this would be for a heavy rear load only. Am I correct that I don't need to modify my stock leafs? Or leaves, I suppose, for you grammar experts.
-Anything else I need to think about?

 

Bump

 

The OME kit seems to fit your needs, a couple of inches of lift and no need for UCA's. Quality lift for a good price. I'd personally go with their full rear leaf pack, but you would at least need an AAL to get the rear lifted to match the front. Going with the 17" T4R wheels, you can probably fit 265/75 tires, but you might have some spots that rub (no experience here, just spitballing). Probably several threads here with examples of different tire sizes with that lift. You might want to replace front bearings with that ECGS bushing, but not everyone has problems -- I would leave it as-is until an issue showed up.

 

-What would be a good value suspension setup based on my goals? What is your budget?
-What would be a good tire size to target, or should I stay stock? Do you want to cut and trim or not? If no, 265's.
-Can I avoid new UCAs @1-2" of lift? Yes.
-Are there any other components I would need to mod with the lift? Bearings I would need to replace, anything I would need to drop? Carrier bearing drop would be my recommendation.
-My understanding of adding an AAL is this would be for a heavy rear load only. Am I correct that I don't need to modify my stock leafs? Or leaves, I suppose, for you grammar experts. Get a new leaf pack. That will be your best option. AAL's are just a bandaid. I had a single AAL, towed a pontoon boat once and I sagged. It rode like shit and I had enough after 3k miles. Swapped out the stock leaf packs for Dakars. Much happier.

 

Thanks, OME was looking attractive to me as well but I have no experience with the brand.

 

Budget: $2500 max

Definitely don't want to do any cutting or trimming. I'd just like tires a tad larger, I think they'd look better.

Appreciate all the rest of the information. What leaf pack would you recommend?

 

OME is a good choice. I ran it for 6-ish years.

265's for no cutting or trimming.

Dakars - Heavy duty since you tow. The problem is that you will yield 2.75" of lift, but you could remove the 3rd leaf to lower the lift you would get, however, that will compromise towing capacity.

It's not an exact science, so you might have to compromise some things.

 

If I had 2" in the front and 3" in the rear that wouldn't be a bad rake angle, right? I wouldn't remove a leaf, every once in a while I tow long distance. Will the heavy duty Dakars give me a rough ride though?

 

It would be noticeable for sure. I don't mind some rake. That might be too much.

The HD Dakars weren't terrible unloaded. They rode smoother and more comfortable than my stock leafs with a AAL; that's for sure.