For rigs that see regular trail use at Oak Mountain, loaded overland trips into Bankhead National Forest, or owners who want full control over how their suspension performs, coilovers are the serious builder’s choice. A coilover replaces the separate spring and strut with a single integrated unit — and the adjustment range lets you change ride height and damping without swapping parts. Franklin Overland installs coilovers in Birmingham on Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Subaru platforms.
How do coilovers differ from a standard lift kit setup?
A standard suspension lift uses a separate strut or shock paired with a new spring — either stacked via spacers or a complete replacement coil. Ride height is fixed by the spring length and rate. Coilovers integrate the spring and shock onto a single threaded body, and the spring perch threads up or down to adjust ride height in fine increments. This means you can run the same coilover at 2.5” of lift one season and 3.5” the next without any new parts.
Damping-adjustable coilovers add another layer: a knob controls rebound damping so you can run a softer setting for loaded highway cruising and a stiffer setting for technical trails. Icon Vehicle Dynamics’s CDCV system and Dobinsons’ adjustable MRR coilovers are purpose-built for the overlanding use case.
Which coilover brands does Franklin Overland install?
Icon Vehicle Dynamics is the primary choice for Toyota and Lexus platforms. Their coilover systems for 4Runner, Tacoma, and GX470/GX460 are engineered specifically for those platforms with correct spring rates, travel specs, and billet upper mounts. The Stage 4 and Stage 5 systems include matching rear shocks and any required geometry hardware for a complete build.
Dobinsons coilovers are the pick for heavy overland builds — they offer higher load ratings and are popular on GX470 and Tacoma builds carrying substantial accessory weight. For Subaru platforms, lift-specific coilovers from brands like Ironman4x4 and Whiteline serve the modest 1.5–2” range. Franklin Overland selects based on your platform, load, and trail use.
Are coilovers worth the extra cost over a standard lift?
If your rig is a daily driver that occasionally hits a forest road, a standard lift with quality shocks probably covers your needs at lower cost. Coilovers become worth it when you need to change ride height seasonally, when your build weight varies significantly with gear, or when you want the ability to fine-tune damping for different terrain types.
The upfront cost of a quality coilover system — $1,500–$3,500 for fronts on a Toyota platform — is offset by the fact that you’re unlikely to need a suspension overhaul again for the life of the build. Coilovers last, adjust, and rebuild. A spacer kit wears out and gets replaced.
Quick Takeaways
- Coilovers combine the spring and shock into one adjustable unit — ride height and damping tuned together.
- Adjustable ride height lets you dial in stance without swapping springs.
- Icon Vehicle Dynamics and Dobinsons coilovers are the primary options Franklin Overland installs.
- Higher upfront cost than a standard lift, but superior adjustability for serious builds.
If you’re planning a serious build and want suspension that adapts to how your rig evolves, come in and let’s spec the right coilover system for your platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install coilovers on a Lexus GX470 or GX460?
Yes. The GX platform is one of the most popular coilover applications Franklin Overland handles. Icon and Dobinsons both make GX-specific coilover systems that work with the existing IFS geometry and provide 2–3″ of lift with full height adjustability.
Do coilovers require an alignment after installation?
Yes, always. Coilovers change ride height and suspension geometry. An alignment is required after every coilover installation, and it’s worth a recheck after the first 500 miles once the suspension has settled at operating height.
What lift height can I achieve with coilovers on a Tacoma?
Icon coilovers for the Tacoma are adjustable from approximately 0–3″ of front lift. Most owners settle at 2.5–3″ to match a rear lift block or AAL and level the stance. At 3″, 33″ tires typically fit without trimming.
Are coilovers rebuildable if they wear out?
Yes. Quality coilovers from Icon and Dobinsons are rebuildable — oil and seals can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a new unit. This is one of the core arguments for buying quality coilovers: the long-term cost of ownership is lower than cycling through budget shock and spring setups.
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