ARB OME MT64 For 6th Gen 4Runner – Review

I have been testing the ARB OME MT64 suspension on my 6th Gen 4Runner for almost six months now, and this is a great all-around package. It is not for everyone, but it can be, depending on how you set it up.

The major takeaway after testing this suspension, is that while it’s a solid option, the current included rear spring is very soft. Too soft if you have a fully built rig. I hope we see some heavier load rear springs in the future. What is important to consider is that the included 2″ rear spring (0-200 lb. load) is going to be very soft once you start adding weight in the rear, especially for hybrid-equipped 4Runners with the hybrid and starter battery in the back.

For most 4Runner owners just looking for a lift on a fairly stock truck with little to no extra weight in the rear, this is a great option: adjustable coilovers, rear shocks, and it comes with a 2″ rear spring. I also opted to run the OME UCA.

Find It Online

• ARB OME MT64 For 6G4R at Mudify: Check Price

Big shout out to Mudify for always making suspension purchases quick and easy!

MT64 Features

The MT64 is engineered for both on-road comfort and off-road performance, and it really does well in both elements.

It is tuned specifically for the 6th Gen 4Runner and is quite different from other suspension offerings on the market. The larger aluminum body allows for better heat management, while the monotube design helps maintain consistent damping when the suspension is working hard.

• Tuned specifically for the 6th Gen
• Massive 2.8″ aluminum shock body for more oil capacity and improved heat dissipation
• 6 position ride height adjustment allowing up to ~3″ front lift with aftermarket bumpers, etc.
• Hydraulic End Zone technology to soften harsh top out events and unexpected bumps

For a somewhat budget-friendly shock package, it does everything pretty well.

UCA Specs

• Forged ball joint housing
• Forged eyelets
• Heavy duty greaseable ball joint with OME protective cap
• GIIRO bushings, free pivoting and maintenance free
• Increased camber and caster correction for ~2-3″ of lift
• Mount provisions for OE ABS wiring
• ARB Integrit powder coat finish

Upgraded UCAs are recommended for just about every aftermarket lift kit setup.

Shock Specs

• Digressive valving that reacts quickly to changing terrain
• Large oil capacity for improved shock performance
• Aerospace grade aluminum body that dissipates heat faster than steel
• Forged body caps and rod ends for strength with reduced weight
• Hydraulic End Zone top out to soften extension impacts

First Impressions

The shocks are massive, with a 2.8″ aluminum body and a 2.5″ (64mm, hence the name MT64) monotube internal. The kit also includes the same OME upper control arms I have tested on previous generations.

After running the kit on another 4Runner, I knew what to expect going into it. The ride quality is noticeably softer, more plush, and just all around more comfortable than the OEM shocks with spacers I was running previously. It is pretty plush on the road and absorbs general bumps and rough roads incredibly well. Before, heading over a curb into my driveway produced a noticeable hit. Now the shocks soak it up with ease.

After a few drives around town and some rough roads, the first thing you notice is how smooth the ride feels compared to stock shocks with spacers. Small bumps are absorbed much better, and the suspension feels like it actually has usable travel instead of just being stiff.

The front coilovers come fully assembled for a direct bolt-in install, mine were set at the highest level out of the box, which gives the max 3″ lift with added accessories. A snap ring allows ride height adjustment depending on how much lift you want to run.

Since I am on 74Weld portals, I did not want the full 3″ of lift, so I dropped the snap ring down to the second perch above the bottom, almost all the way down, essentially no lift.

What Is Your Setup?

It is important to plan your build first, and then choose what setup you plan on running.

Let’s break it down into three different applications.

1. Stock 4Runner: The first application is a stock hybrid or non hybrid 4Runner just looking for a 2″ to 3″ lift. The ARB MT64 is a great option here: adjustable coilovers, rear shocks, upper control arms, and the provided 2″ rear spring works fine.

2. Slightly Modified: The second application is a slightly modified hybrid or non-hybrid 4Runner with mild weight in the rear, maybe a rear bumper, hybrid battery, starter battery, and some extra cargo. At this level, I would consider a heavier spring in the rear. The 2″ rear spring (0 to 200 lb. load) included in the ARB MT64 kit was not built to support additional weight… at all. It’s very soft. At this stage, I would consider a 200-400 lb. spring from Dobinsons or Eibach, depending on how soft or firm you like your 4Runner to drive.

2. Heavily Modified: The last application is a heavily modified hybrid 4Runner with extreme weight in the rear: rear steel bumper, drawer system loaded with gear, hybrid plus starter battery in the rear, constantly loaded with camping and recovery gear, plus roof rack weight. This is the category I fall into, and because of that, the rear spring in this kit was not enough to support the additional load. I had to upgrade to a higher-capacity, constant-load spring.

I went with the Dobinsons C59-821V (550-770 lbs.) at first because I planned on adding a Dissent Off-Road swingout + spare 38″ tires. That spring ended up being too heavy and the rear was sitting way too high. Ultimately, I landed on a set of Eibach 1″ lift 500# springs for the LC250. 

You can see my MT64 spring thread on 6G4R.com here with more detail. 

TLDR; the 2″ spring was too stiff and gave me too much ride height, so I ended up on the 1.5″ lift Eibach LC250 500lb spring (#E30-82-108-02-02). 

Pay Attention To Rear Spring Capacity

After testing this suspension over the last four months, including trips to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a run out in the Northern Nevada desert with some Raptor buddies, I now have a much clearer picture of how this kit performs with the provided 2″ spring.

I ran this same kit on a 5th Gen 4Runner, and it was great there too. The difference between the 5G and the 6G is that the 5G kit gives you the option of upgrading the rear spring (up to 200 lbs., 200 to 400 lbs., 400+ lbs.), while the 6G kit (currently) gives you only one option (0 to 200 lb. load).

With all that said, pay close attention to the weight you plan on adding to the rear of your 6th Gen 4Runner, and upgrade your rear spring accordingly if needed.

Here is how I would size it:

• Rear bumper only: the stock 0 to 200 lb. MT64 spring is already on the soft side, and once you add even a basic rear bumper, that is enough to justify stepping up to the Dobinsons C59-819V (100 to 200kg / 220 to 440 lbs. constant load).
• Rear bumper with swingouts and a full-size spare, full drawer system loaded with gear, etc., I would look at the Dobinsons C59-821V (250 to 350kg / 550 to 770 lbs. constant load).

This applies to most guys looking for a true 2″ lift in the rear. If you have all that weight and only want a 1.5″ lift in the rear, look at the 500lb Eibach spring (#E30-82-108-02-02). 

How Much Weight Is Too Much?

Stance was level out of the box with just the rear bumper installed and drove okay. But once I added more weight, the rear became way too soft and introduced a ton of body roll.

I am running a Dissent Off Road rear bumper plus an Air Down Gear Up drawer system, packed with gear, somewhere around 400 to 450 lbs overall, and that is without a fridge or camping gear loaded in. With that weight added, the ride quality in the rear dropped fast. It is nice over big dips while driving straight at speed, but cornering at higher speeds with dips gets sketchy with that much body roll. Plus, I am not running sway bars in the front.

With all that said, most of you guys will probably want to upgrade your spring.

Mudify.com carries both Eibach, and Dobinsons springs to choose from.

Dobinsons Spring Options 6G 4Runner

After testing the C59-821V spring, I settled on the 1.5″ lift Eibach LC250 500lb spring. It should give me a true 1.5″ lift, deliver the stiffer ride I am after, and likely not settle at all.

Here are a few other spring options:

• C59-883V, variable rate, standard height
• C59-885V, variable rate, raised height (12mm / 0.5″ lift)
• C59-817V, variable rate, raised height (50mm / 2″ lift), 0 to 50kg (0 to 110 lbs.) constant load
• C59-819V, variable rate, raised height (50mm / 2″ lift), 100 to 200kg (220 to 440 lbs.) constant load
• C59-821V, variable rate, raised height (50mm / 2″ lift), 250 to 350kg (550 to 770 lbs.) constant load
• C59-823V, variable rate, raised height (50mm / 2″ lift), 400 to 500kg (880 to 1100 lbs.) constant load
• C59-825V, variable rate, raised height (50mm / 2″ lift), 550 to 650kg (1210 to 1430 lbs.) constant load
• (#E30-82-108-02-02) 1.5″ lift Eibach LC250 500 lb. spring

Final Thoughts

After testing the ARB OME MT64 lift kit on the 6th Gen 4Runner for four months, my take is this… if you plan on running a rear bumper plus a drawer system, or really any other added weight in the rear, skip the stock 200 lb. rear spring and go straight to a heavier Dobinsons or Eibach option instead.

The MT64 rear shocks and front coilovers are excellent on their own; on-road comfort is a massive step up from OEM shocks with spacers, and the system held up exactly as expected based on my 5th Gen experience. It’s just a very versatile all-around shock package. Perfect for daily drivers who expect to use their vehicle moderately hard on several trips per year.

The only real miss is the rear spring rate offering from ARB for the 6th Gen 4Runner. Which I imagine will change at some point in the future.

With only one option, you have to go outside of ARB/OME for anything with a higher load rating. It was pretty annoying going through the process to find the right spring, but in the end, they drive amazing on/off-road.

Very happy with these shocks… again.