4Runner 6112 & 5160 Review - Best Value Lift Kit for a Daily Driver?

What's the best entry level suspension for a Toyota 4Runner? It depends on your goals, of course, but we really like the reliability and value that our customers get out of Bilstein 6112s and 5160s, paired up with Icon springs and Dirt King UCAs.
This will allow you to easily run a 33" tire (285/70r17) without having to do a cab mount chop. It's the least expensive way to do a PROPER lift kit (not blocks, spacers, preload collars, etc...) on your Toyota 4Runner.
Keep in mind, there are a lot of options out there and a lot of opinions in the world of Toyota off-road mods, and the best choice for your suspension is always whatever makes the most sense to you for your specific situation. This is what we think is the best option FOR THE MONEY to get a proper lift kit on a Toyota 4Runner that's a daily driver. It will allow you to have more ground clearance, more wheel travel, better offroading characteristics, and obviously it looks better too.
Shop all of our curated Toyota 4Runner mods here: mountainyotas.com/
Find us on Instagram: mtnyotas
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro in Ouray, CO
0:55 About this Daily Driver 4Runner
1:23 Bilsten 6112 Coilovers
2:01 Dirt King Tubular Upper Control Arms (and a note on SPC UCAs)
2:34 Bilstein 5160 Rear Shocks
2:50 Rear Spring Considerations
3:29 Wrapping up the Suspension & Total Price
3:58 Fitting 33" Tires on your 4Runner
4:46 Method Race Wheels
5:16 Sherpa Crestone 4Runner Roof Rack
5:54 Mods we Plan on Doing Later
6:24 Final Thoughts
#4runner #4runnermod #liftkit #toyota #4runner #4runnerlift #4runnermods #toyota4runner #best4runnerliftkit #bilstein #4runnersherparoofrac #4runner3inchlift

[@starfish3108]

Sold !!! That’s what I’m gonna get on my 2024 4Runner that looks great as a daily driver and some mild off road camping 😊

[@misfit0313]

Thank you for your content. Just purchased my first Toyota and plan on doing my first off-roading since graduating high school in 1994. There is a lot for me to learn as technology is totally different from 30 years ago.

[@johnb9045]

I was about to go with this setup, and I totally agree with this being the best setup for most people. The service life of the shocks is something most people dont think of when they get all excited about a new suspension. This 6112/5160 option has GREAT service life between rebuilds. I've heard of people getting 50k miles out of these, that's awesome. I'm either on the highway daily for work, or I'm putting my 4runner through it pretty hard on some pretty harsh trails. I went with the Dobinsons MRR 3way on the fly adjustable system. I get great service life, WAY better than Icon, Fox, King, and the ability to reach inside the fender wells and turn knobs on the reservoirs to fine tune everything for the terrain im hitting. Not cheap but I'm in love.

[@hmnajjar]

I’m running this setup with icon 3” springs and Falken’s skinny 33’s. I have the circlip on the highest setting for my ‘18 TRD Off Road w/KDSS. Front has a 1/4” spacer as well. Winch on front with hidden mount. Drawer setup in the rear. Definitely rides like a covered wagon when it’s not loaded down. When it’s loaded up it rides great.

[@matthernandez210]

I have a 21 with KDSS. My front is low I even have the HD springs in the front. As thinking about doing a spacer as well does it make a decent difference?

[@hmnajjar]

@@matthernandez210 It made enough of a difference for me so I could have a decent rake. When loaded down I level out.

[@05EVORS]

All a 5160 does is add a remote resi to a 5100 so yes its ok to run 5100s(out back). Up front I also swear by the 2.5" body 6112s bc Im on my second set, now running the 650lb HD spring and I love the way it rides now w that spring option(its an overlooked/un known part number) 5160 rears are only a stock to 2" lift. Your running a 3" spring out back w 5160s?? that are intended for a stock TRD Pro. If you want 2-3" lift there are many longer rear shocks to match the extra stroke range needed. The BAD of the 6112 life: Bilstein DOES NOT just sell the shock later on. When they wear out(and they wil leak) you can wait for warranty/rebuild but you cannot just go buy the 6112 shock only and keep running your existing collars and springs.....you gotta buy the WHOLE $830 kit all over again at 70-80k miles when they start leaking. Something to think about long term. I just had to buy the HD 650lb kit bc my 600lb shocks had a leak. I used Westcott designs (lower collars only) on my 650 springs and I got a very true 3.1" lift and they ride NICE with my added weight of supercharger up front. I also was able to remove the swaybar w the 650 springs under slight preload from westcott collars and it that made it icing on the cake for ride quality. Get the front swaybar off once your lifted! They are only for stock vehicles. It handles fine on the highway wo it. You get used to it in a day or so. It rides so much better you wont want it back.

[@Do-UR-Research2749]

I think the Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2r is also a very good option and better warranty.

[@jaycebaldwin6482]

Think this would be a similar set up for a ‘90 SR5? 🤔. Tryna learn to work on it but some of its a bit outta my scope

[@R1j0hn]

My '19 TRD Off Road looks almost identical to your wife's. Mine has bronze Fuel Vector D600 wheels though, and sits a little lower in the rear. I opted for a more simple (IMHO) and cost-effective solution, 5100's set @ 2.5" in the front and Eibach 1.5" lift springs in the rear. It's not a massive increase, but allows me to run 10-ply DuraTrac 285/65/18 (32.5" tall) with minimal modification to the bumper. I paid $125 each (CDN, on sale) for the struts, and $175 CDN for the springs. So $425 (in 2018, plus install) for a 2.5" front & 1.5" rear lift, but better than spacers & blocks.

[@TedEischeid1960]

Looking at the terrain you were doing there the 5100’s would be fine. I put 6112 fronts on my 2015 4Runner with 30,000 miles on odometer. In 2022 at 80,000 miles I noticed my driver side front coil spring was cracked. My mechanic found the passenger side coil was also cracked. No crazy wheeling history or high speed stuff. Replaced fronts with OME 2884 coils on Bilstein 5100 shocks.

[@mtnyotas]

Ride quality and performance of a 6112 is a lot better than a 5100. Your cracked coils must've been a wild coincidence or they were old/heavily used.

[@TedEischeid1960]

45,000 miles on the 6112 setup over 7 years, use was 3 moderate offroad trips per year. Compared to the last year and 5,000 miles on the 5100s paired with OME 2884 fit springs I see/feel no difference. But I get it. #SellersBias

[@ejshelby5460]

regarding the mounting of the 5160 reservoir, can it be bundled to the shock body instead of the frame? i think they sell a bracket?

[@mtnyotas]

You can piggyback them too, yes.

[@edgarn372]

So I have an SR5 and am thinking whether I should begin building up similar to what you have here or if I should trade it up for a newer off road 4R (or even the new GX!) Do you feel limited by missing lockers/kdss/crawl control ?

[@mtnyotas]

This is my wife's vehicle and she doesn't wheel on anything difficult enough to need lockers. You could always add a locker, though. Happy to send you a quote anytime!

[@geshem1001]

I have the same Sherpa rack as you! It's super nice and light at 49 lbs. I can't wait to get my 4runner lifted. I'm thinking of 2" - 2.5" lift with the 6112 & 5160s but it doesn't look as high as I want it. So, can I go as high as 3" with this set up? Also, will this work on large river rocks? We go shooting and it's a 15-mile drive to get there on a dirt road, but it goes through 2 shallow water runoffs and the last 5 miles are nothing but large river rocks about 4-8" in diameter. I still call it a truck too.

[@mtnyotas]

Yes! You can go up to 3" and run slightly larger tires too, but you should be totally fine on 33s with a 2.5" lift for your use case. Feel free to call or email us anytime if you have questions or need guidance on parts! [phone] or [e-mail]

[@ClearWater7.62]

​@mtnyotas how can I get 3" lift? I'm at the 3rd setting 1.9". Btw how's the ride at 4th setting 2.5"?

[@colby78hurley]

What springs do you recommend for the rear of if I won’t be adding weight? Looking to keep the vehicle close to level

[@mtnyotas]

Get some 2" Dobinsons, they're plush.

[@BernieMittens]

How do these compare to Fox 2.0?

[@synth505]

I dont recall you saying in the video, but what circlip setting did you go with on the front shocks?

[@mtnyotas]

That's setting #7/#6 (driver/passenger)... everything changes a bit if you have KDSS though, so keep that in mind.

[@marek19]

Great video and beautiful truck. So my question is, if I come with my 4Runner from East Coast, how it would take for the installation please? I would like to discuss more. When I call your shop, to whom I need to talk to please? Thanks. M.

[@mtnyotas]

Hi, sorry for the delay if you've already reached out! This would be a 1 day install (8am-6pm)... anyone who answers can help you with a formal quote and scheduling! [phone] Thanks so much!

[@marek19]

@@mtnyotas thank you very much

[@NCblue95]

I think your lift build is perfect for daily driving and off roading but the more affordable option would be the adjustable 5100 shocks for most daily drivers and it fixes the nose dive issue when braking and rides better than stock.

[@mtnyotas]

If you're going to spend the money on installation/alignment, it's worth a few hundred extra bucks for the 6112/5160s. They ride a lot better on and off road.

[@AP24673]

@@mtnyotashey bro do I really need to change the upper control arms if I’m lifting the front up to 1 inch? Bc they are freaking expensive and im worried about change it myself n messing up the alignment numbers.. so do I need it?

[@g.fortin3228]

@@mtnyotas I agree with this if you're adding extra weight, steel bumpers, winch ect. But keeping it stock it's overkill so depends how you use it to justify it or not.

[@g.fortin3228]

@@AP24673 Not at all. 1" keep it stock is fine, and stock is less maint usually too depending on the UCA.

[@JEFFQUICKLE9]

@@g.fortin3228I agree.....overkill AF

[@g.fortin3228]

For a daily driver thats 90% go to work and errands, and 10% go have fun in the woods there is nothing wrong with 5100 series, until you load up the truck with extra weight...then you want the 6112 for sure. Bang for the buck largely depends on how you use the vehicle.

[@mtnyotas]

The 6112s feel a lot better than 5100s daily driving too...

[@g.fortin3228]

@@mtnyotas Well I have no extra weight up front at all so it's perfect feeling to me.. totally happy. Ymmv as they say. :- )

[@electromayo2399]

What trail is this?

[@dwighthouser7065]

I know that guy!

[@JF-lt5zc]

$3,600??? You're nuts. Shocks and springs are around $1k. A half way competent garage mechanic can do this in an afternoon and another $150 or less for an alignment.

[@41KyleSmith]

That's what I thought! 😂 like I got them installed, replaced upper ball joints, and a set of tires for less than that.

[@Yoyomanmanholla]

This setup is compatible with kdss 4Rs?

[@mtnyotas]

Yes, just want to get a Dr. KDSS kit on there with it.

[@petersudol5887]

If I am running KDSS will this mess with OEM settings?

[@ruik7797]

i think you can still run the kdss but you have to add spacers and replace some brackets since you are changing the angles.

[@mtnyotas]

Just need to add some Dr. KDSS spacers and you'd be set!

[@iangraham6882]

Would you recommend this for a 4th gen?

[@mtnyotas]

This exact kit is available for 4th Gens as well! Great as a daily driver that makes it more capable off-road too.

[@ChrisYanoscik-fs1nl]

Body mount chop to run -12 offset ?

[@mtnyotas]

In this case, no it doesn't have a chop. It does touch the body mount slightly when you're at full lock and flexed, so it could use one in the future for sure.

[@troywilliams1185]

Would i need the rear track bar bracket the one that corrects allognmet of axle

[@ohjeep76]

You will definitely want it. There is a bolt on option and weld on. I have the dr.kdss bolt on and it made a huge difference going oner bumps and drives like stock again. Really simple to install too

[@EchoNine3]

What height are the 6112s set at in the front.

[@mtnyotas]

Clips are at 4/5 on here.

[@JL76OH]

@@mtnyotas 7 months ago you replied to this same question and you said #7/#6…so which is it?

[@SuperJimmy971]

Why this set up and not Ironman 4x4 pro?

[@mtnyotas]

Because Bilstein's quality is a lot higher than Chinese Ironman shocks.

[@StopTargetingOurKids]

​@@mtnyotas bilstein outsourcing to China on a lot of things too

[@wesleyashlock1413]

Average mpg ?

[@mtnyotas]

19-21

[@SuperNestafari]

I can do this trail with a toyota echo with no mods on it..dang Just sayin

[@andrewm.4168]

Been driving toyota trucks and 4runners for 30 years... they suck with E rated tires. I wheel a lot and haven't blown a sidewall. Maybe in places like AZ, but not Colorado. E rated are heavy and ride like a covered wagon.

[@xscudx91]

What would you recommend instead?

[@mtnyotas]

You clearly haven't run Falkens... they feel like a 6-ply tire.

[@05EVORS]

Nitto Ridge Grappler 34s the E rated actually weigh .4lb LESS than C rated and they ride very NICE on my 4R w 6112's and the HD Bilstein 650lb spring NO front bumper(just the 90lb maggie supercharger lol)

[@RJ-vc2ju]

I have run both on my 5th gen. I much prefer the ride and handling with the C-rated AT3Ws over the E-rated AT3Ws. The E-rated tires feel like solid rubber pucks and the unsprung weight difference is noticeable.@@mtnyotas

[@jvogler_art4708]

I’m running KO2’s and while I feel immense confidence in the desert over rocks (when I actually go 😢) they do kinda suck on road. I agree with you lol.

[@johnwoods4191]

Does that truck make any noises now? I know it’s a 4runner, I still call it a truck

[@mtnyotas]

Only when you honk the horn! lol