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 X-REAS system with something “once it failed” and sounds like we may have reached that point. I made a few changes partially for function (clearance) and partially because she didn’t like the “soccer mom” look of the limited.

Our use case for this vehicle is 90% on paved roads, 5-10% gravel/dirt roads of varying conditions, and ~2% “off road”. We use FSRs or poorly maintained gravel roads etc when we are out for the occasional weekend adventure. Weight wise, 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 an only roof rack 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 foam cell 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 serviceabilityc, labour costs or ease of install are not factors in my decision.

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

 

I expect most of those would do you well. I've seen too many catastrophic failures of Toytec coilovers to recommend Eibachs.

I have Radflo 2.0 nonresis all around on my 1st gen Tacoma, and Radflo offers a similar setup for 5th gen 4Runners, which I'll install when my stock suspension goes out. The ride is firm on the road, plush and well controlled off road. If you decide to go that way, I'd call Radflo and tell them how you use the vehicle so they can tune them for you.

For the lift height you're talking about, I'd forego UCAs unless you can't get the caster where you want it. If you need them, I've been happy with the JBAs on my Tacoma.

 

I'm a firm believer in the Dobinsons IMS. Get them paired with the correct springs and I think you'll be happy.

I agree with the above that UCAs aren't necessary.