Guidance on the need to upgrade suspension or just do a lift on a 2025 Offroad Premium

[RSTewell]

4Runner newbie here: Time to start upgrades and wanted to start with a lift, tires and wheels. A local shop (Atlanta) recommended switching out the existing suspension for a Readylift suspension ($3500 parts) instead of just the lift (Readylift 3-inch kit $1300 parts only). Tires they suggested were 34 inch Toyo Open Country AT3 (I think that's 34x10.5R17). This will certainly crush my MPG!

I will still be using it mostly as a daily driver but adding more weekends in the mountains in coming few years. I also plan to add a rack and cargo up top in the fall. Even with added weight, I'm wondering the need to change the Bilstein shocks that it came with the ORP and maybe just add rear springs? So, would a lift and rear springs do the job or is the suspension replacement the better choice?

I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

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[get.outside.75]

What's the use case in mountains? A 6th gen with 33" and Westcott level kit ($450) is more than capable to do most any "road" out there and OHV trails that beginners would be comfortable on. After taking mine on off road on some OHV trails this week, I am more than comfortable tackling most anything I would encounter in a real life road. Not going to find me tackling stuff rated 4+ on onX anyways.

 

[Twisted]

There is a lot to unpack there so the only comment I have is why not do the Bilstein 6112/6100 setup for less money? It is well under $2k for setup and will get you up to 3" of lift up front. Add whatever spacer or spring you want to the read and you've got a pretty nice setup for under $2k.

 

[RSTewell]

What's the use case in mountains? A 6th gen with 33" and Westcott level kit ($450) is more than capable to do most any "road" out there and OHV trails that beginners would be comfortable on. After taking mine on off road on some OHV trails this week, I am more than comfortable tackling most anything I would encounter in a real life road. Not going to find me tackling stuff rated 4+ on onX anyways.

Thanks for the insight. I have no plans for anything beyond beginner trails at this point. But would be nice to have some lift and better tires for peace of mind. Seems like they are upselling on the new suspension.

 

[get.outside.75]

Thanks for the insight. I have no plans for anything beyond beginner trails at this point. But would be nice to have some lift and better tires for peace of mind. Seems like they are upselling on the new suspension.

Yeah the Westcott can be bought and installed for $1500 including alignment (labor was right at $1k). That 2.5" in front is huge improvement. Save some extra money and get a skid plate as well. I upgrade to Cooper Road+Trail tires in a 33" (34" would also fit with the Westcott lift installed). Ride is quite and handles the trails just fine.

I am in the camp of try the cheaper alternative first and see if you like/use it before dropping 5k on an upgrade. And like I said, I got to use it on legit 4x4 trails and can see it's plenty good enough for what I plan to do in the next 10 years (although I will likely switch to 18" TRD Pro rims next time I need new tires). I can now see the benefit of larger sidewall and +20 offset after seeing some trucks kiss some clay walls.

 

[ThatSickRIp]

What's the use case in mountains? A 6th gen with 33" and Westcott level kit ($450) is more than capable to do most any "road" out there and OHV trails that beginners would be comfortable on. After taking mine on off road on some OHV trails this week, I am more than comfortable tackling most anything I would encounter in a real life road. Not going to find me tackling stuff rated 4+ on onX anyways.

Same here. If somehow I end up getting the off road "bug" then thats something Id look into getting an older 4x4 that can be modded to the tasks vs my 4R.

 

[Tarekith]

Honestly you don’t NEED to upgrade the ORP suspension at all to do a lot of technical off road trails, just look at what all the reviewers on YouTube did when it first came out for examples. The 4R Off Road was designed for that as is. I take my stock ORP on some pretty technical trails with people who have heavily modded trucks and it’s never once gotten to a point where I couldn’t drive something just because I needed 2.5” more lift.

Don’t let FOMO or seeing other people throw money at their vehicles make you feel it’s imperative you upgrade your’s to do the same. I think this is a good reality check if you find yourself falling into that trap:



There‘s very real need for some upgrades on an off road truck, but most people are nowhere near to driving on those conditions.

 

[clk55r1d3h]

Like many said you don’t really need to upgrade the shocks on the orp unless your doing high speed Baja style runs, which you’re not. The only reason I would upgrade the suspension is for ride quality on pavement. With the all terrain tires I feel small stuff much more than before. The ome mt64 and I believe the Fox 2.0 shock setup will be much more comfortable than the stock bilsteins.

 

[RSTewell]

Honestly you don’t NEED to upgrade the ORP suspension at all to do a lot of technical off road trails, just look at what all the reviewers on YouTube did when it first came out for examples. The 4R Off Road was designed for that as is. I take my stock ORP on some pretty technical trails with people who have heavily modded trucks and it’s never once gotten to a point where I couldn’t drive something just because I needed 2.5” more lift.

Don’t let FOMO or seeing other people throw money at their vehicles make you feel it’s imperative you upgrade your’s to do the same. I think this is a good reality check if you find yourself falling into that trap:



There‘s very real need for some upgrades on an off road truck, but most people are nowhere near to driving on those conditions.

No doubt! Appreciate the thought.

One of the issue being a beginner is the "just go try it" approach can get you in trouble. No skid plates or recovery jack etc. I don't even know what I don't know. I do want some upgrade but keep it rooted to what I'll use it for practically.

 

[RSTewell]

Yeah the Westcott can be bought and installed for $1500 including alignment (labor was right at $1k). That 2.5" in front is huge improvement. Save some extra money and get a skid plate as well. I upgrade to Cooper Road+Trail tires in a 33" (34" would also fit with the Westcott lift installed). Ride is quite and handles the trails just fine.

I am in the camp of try the cheaper alternative first and see if you like/use it before dropping 5k on an upgrade. And like I said, I got to use it on legit 4x4 trails and can see it's plenty good enough for what I plan to do in the next 10 years (although I will likely switch to 18" TRD Pro rims next time I need new tires). I can now see the benefit of larger sidewall and +20 offset after seeing some trucks kiss some clay walls.

Appreciate it. One other question...

Did the Wescott give you a true 2.5 inch lift in front over ORP original setup? Guy at the shop said something about losing an inch so I'd only get 1.5 inches. I'm not a mechanic so I have no clue if this is legit. Thanks

 

[T_Pomp]

What's the use case in mountains? A 6th gen with 33" and Westcott level kit ($450) is more than capable to do most any "road" out there and OHV trails that beginners would be comfortable on. After taking mine on off road on some OHV trails this week, I am more than comfortable tackling most anything I would encounter in a real life road. Not going to find me tackling stuff rated 4+ on onX anyways.

Agree with this and just had my 4runner in CO on Green trails. 2" Westcott lift with 33's and I had zero issues at all.

 

[T_Pomp]

Appreciate it. One other question...

Did the Wescott give you a true 2.5 inch lift in front over ORP original setup? Guy at the shop said something about losing an inch so I'd only get 1.5 inches. I'm not a mechanic so I have no clue if this is legit. Thanks

Approx 2" with the leveling kit and Billet Top hats.

 

[HVLA]

Thanks for the insight. I have no plans for anything beyond beginner trails at this point. But would be nice to have some lift and better tires for peace of mind. Seems like they are upselling on the new suspension.

Then you should be doing the TRD lift.

 

[rgall927]

I have 33" Open Country At3s and a Westcott preload kit front/rear. Sounds like I have a very similar use-case with my 4runner as you're looking for with your 4runner. I installed the Westcott myself and so far I love it. I think the Westcott and 33s are the ideal setup for everyday life with the potential ability to do light offroad if/when.

 

[Macaque]

I think you guys are nuts for doing a spacer or preload collar lift. Especially if you’re going to do any serious offroading.

A spacer effectively makes your shock longer and screws with CV angles etc. quite a bit.

A preload collar changes how much sag you have at 0 load and can significantly alter the ride, potentially decreases suspension travel, and certainly adds stress in a shock that may not be designed to take it.

I would:
- Put on skid plates and rock sliders
- Put on a real A/T or R/T tire. You can probably size up on stock suspension
- Send it on some tr

At that point if you need better damping or want adjustable shocks then upgrade.

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