FJ Cruiser Rear Springs & Spacer lift installed

CJ3Flyr

CJ3Flyr

Super Moderator
As some of you may remember I purchased a set of FJCruiser springs for $55 to my door. A while ago I installed the front springs to help 'level' the T4R a bit. (Link in my signature.)

I installed the rear springs yesterday and some CF ¾” (net lift) front spacers. The CF spacers are well, small spacers; no negatives with a little lift. We all know that story. FYI- they are 'preload' rather than topout spacers.

The rear springs are great! They are exactly the same length as stock ones when unloaded (sitting on the garage floor). They have a thicker barstock material and a full extra coil. The rear of my T4R rides about 1/4-1/2” higher (if that). It definitely feels better… The slightly firmer coils make it handle even better and I think it’ll carry a load better. There's no real degradation of ride quality above 20mph, in fact I think it rides better. I said the same of the fronts when I installed them. I think FJCruiser springs should be the stock springs for the T4R.

Overall I love the setup, my only regret is that I didn’t install the rear springs sooner. If I were starting at day 1 with a V6 T4R I would do the FJ springs with a ¾” lift spacer all at once. I have less than $300 into modding to my suspension (including Airlift, excluding swaybar bushings). I have appreciably improved looks, drive quality and clearance. Anyone that wants to upgrade on the ‘cheap’ and should find a set of FJC springs and do it!

And yes, I know, pics coming soon!

:cheers:
 
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The 1st one is new. It has the 3/4" spacer lift and 4 FJC springs in it. From the center of the front hub to the bottom edge of the fender lip is 20.25" on level ground. I offer that dimension because variations due to tire size are negated.
W4FJCspringsandspacers.jpg~original

This one is just FJC front springs, no spacers, no rear springs...
WithFJCsprings.jpg~original

You can see the front end changed a bit but I can't see any difference in the rear. I know the photo angles are less than perfect.


This one is totally stock.
s074Runner.jpg~original


:cheers:
 
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CJ3Flyr,

I've been researching suspension options for my '04 ltd and came across your posts on installing FJC springs. I need to replace all 4 shocks and thought that while I'm doing that I might as well replace springs. My goal is to get a slight stiffer ride and minimal lift and no leveling. I think the FJC set up is the way to go. Here are a few questions though:

1. Would the springs fit an '04 ltd w/o xreas?
2. from reading your comments, should i expect about 3/4" lift in front and 1/2" lift in rear?
3. I'm thinking of installing KYB shocks afterwards, will I have any fitment issues with the FJC springs?

i plan to do this in the next few months so i want to do all the research first. Thanks alot for you help.
 
Chris, i must say that your 4runner now looks perfect. If i were to get a 4th gen, then i would follow your exact route of lifting!

Great job!
 
nysimonsez said:
CJ3Flyr,

I've been researching suspension options for my '04 ltd and came across your posts on installing FJC springs. I need to replace all 4 shocks and thought that while I'm doing that I might as well replace springs. My goal is to get a slight stiffer ride and minimal lift and no leveling. I think the FJC set up is the way to go. Here are a few questions though:

1. Would the springs fit an '04 ltd w/o xreas?
2. from reading your comments, should i expect about 3/4" lift in front and 1/2" lift in rear?
3. I'm thinking of installing KYB shocks afterwards, will I have any fitment issues with the FJC springs?

i plan to do this in the next few months so i want to do all the research first. Thanks alot for you help.
Click to expand...


1) Yes.
2) Yes. .75 in the front & possibly a squeak less than .5 in the rear but .5 is very close.
3) There should be no fitment issues. Consider some low mileage takeoffs from a shop that does a lot of FJCruisers. I would think those shocks work very well and offer similar performance to the KYB's for less $$$$. Maybe you could score assembled front struts.:D

Good Luck!

Here's a couple more pics...
wholesmall.jpg~original


frontsmall.jpg~original


rearsmall.jpg~original


:cheers:
 
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Thai said:
Chris, i must say that your 4runner now looks perfect. If i were to get a 4th gen, then i would follow your exact route of lifting!

Great job!
Click to expand...

Thanks:D I'm loving it. Things are tight otherwise I'd throw down for some FJC rims and some 255/75/17's and call it done.

I say that but we all know the story, it becomes an addiction. I'm sure I'll keep going with little mods:bigok:
 
Nice job Chris.

So the spacers are 3/4 or the lift result is 3/4 ?

Without the spacers and just FJ front and rear springs what do you think it gave you in front and rear ?
 
Falls said:
Nice job Chris.

So the spacers are 3/4 or the lift result is 3/4 ?

Without the spacers and just FJ front and rear springs what do you think it gave you in front and rear ?
Click to expand...


The spacers are much less than 3/4" thick. They yield a lift of 3/4".

Just FJ springs would yield 3/4" in the front and almost 1/2" in the rear.

On my setup I have a net lift of 1.5"f/.4-.5"r.

Like I said, I really think the FJC springs should be the stock T4R springs. The ride/handling is so good. I don't know the height spec for rear-ending a Prius but I can't imagine a T4R that's .75"-1" taller is too tall for the collision spec. Oh well, once again they didn't ask me:confused:

:cheers:
 
Chris -

thanks for your confirmation so I can go forward with the mod. I don't plan to doing it until next spring so I have plenty of time to get the FJC springs and then hope for a xmas sale on shocks. I'm also planning on doing it myself so it'll take me some time to finish. I was hoping for the same lift front and rear but a 1/4" difference (3/4" vs. 1/2") would be negligible.

I agree with the others, your ride looks real good. It caught my attention when I started looking for options on stiffer suspension.

Have you notice a rear sag with full load in back without towing? I would think it'd be much less than stock springs.

btw - how difficult wsa it to install the Airlift 1000? After looking at your setup I may just mirror your setup (if my budget allows) since I'd be doing the springs. Just want to get an idea of whether it's worth the $ and time to put it in.

thanks
 
I know the FJ springs give you some lift , but otherwise why did you choose them ? Why didn't you just do a small spacer lift at all 4 corners ?

Keeping stock shocks I take it ??
 
Just to confirm:
You added front FJ springs to the front of your 4Runner.
You added rear FJ springs to the rear of your 4Runner.

I also have a few questions because this seems like a beneficial and somewhat easily installed mod:

What model year FJ springs did you purchase and install?

Do you know how the FJ springs compare to the 4Runner springs where the 4Runner has a V8? I am not sure as to whether the 4Runner springs are different between the V8 and V6 and I think you have the V6.

Did you purchase both sets of springs via eBay?

How would I make sure that the springs I am purchasing via eBay are in fact genuine FJ springs of the model year that I need? Any suggestions as to an alternative place to purchase them?

Sorry if you covered this in a previous post but do you have xreas and was it effected by the installation of the FJ springs?

Thank you for the additional information.
 
nysimonsez said:
Have you notice a rear sag with full load in back without towing? I would think it'd be much less than stock springs.

btw - how difficult wsa it to install the Airlift 1000? After looking at your setup I may just mirror your setup (if my budget allows) since I'd be doing the springs. Just want to get an idea of whether it's worth the $ and time to put it in.

thanks
Click to expand...

The FJC springs do sag less with a few hundred pounds in the back. I have had 550lbs +/- in the back and it sags less as well as feels more controlled. It settles less with a trailer as well. Now, don't forget, I have the Airlift1000. I just based that answer on not adding air. I run 5-6psi in the right bag and a squeak under 10psi in the left. My butt and the gas tank are on the left and that keeps me level right to left.

Airlift 1000 is easy. Be sure to mount the lines where they won't get pulled or rubbed. TIP: Route them toward the center of the axle then up to frame. Look at the Firestone kit too. They are very good too.

:cheers:
 
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EEtM33t said:
What model year FJ springs did you purchase and install?

Do you know how the FJ springs compare to the 4Runner springs where the 4Runner has a V8? I am not sure as to whether the 4Runner springs are different between the V8 and V6 and I think you have the V6.

Did you purchase both sets of springs via eBay?

How would I make sure that the springs I am purchasing via eBay are in fact genuine FJ springs of the model year that I need? Any suggestions as to an alternative place to purchase them?

Sorry if you covered this in a previous post but do you have xreas and was it effected by the installation of the FJ springs?

Thank you for the additional information.
Click to expand...

I installed F&R springs from a 4wd FJC. I do not know the model year, it shouldn't matter. I do not have XREAS but see no reason FJC springs will not work with XREAS.

The Ebay deal I found was like $30 plus shipping which brough the total to $55. That was for the complete set of four springs.

Stock (front) T4R V8 springs are 345mm long vs 340mm for the V6 with a rate of 580in/lb. FJC springs are a unknown rate but they're made of thicker barstock, have a full extra coil and measure about 350mm in length. The FJC would offer an improvement on a V8 T4R IMHO.

:cheers:
 
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Re: Re: FJ Cruiser Rear Springs & Spacer lift installed

FT5117 said:
1. A while ago, I read your thread about installing FJC front springs/shocks to help level my T4R. I noticed an immediate improvement in handling, no more crazy body roll on turns.
2. I found your thread about FJC rear springs (identical to this thread) in another forum, saved the tab until I found the FJC parts. I had them installed this past Sunday and noticed even further improvement in handling. (Phulcrum-Tim told me how to change the springs w/o having to use a spring compressors)
3. More recently, I found your thread about upgrading the stabilizer bar bushings / endlinks to turn the T4R into the best handling SUV in the history of SUV's. After a dozen phone calls to various dealers (some promised to research and call back but never did, some required 3weeks to special order, some never returned my messages, some don't stock these items, mfr tech's referred me to places that ended up being dead ends, etc), finally found one to special order / drop ship the exact parts I needed. I received the bushings yesterday, then the endlinks today... this is the place I ended up ordering from: www.neverenoughauto.com
I plan on installing the bushings / endlinks tomorrow, just in time for this weekend's road trip.

On behalf of the forum members... thank you. I'm about to PM you for your t-shirt size and mailing address. I think you deserve a set of customized and personalized T4R Guru gear. :cool:
Click to expand...

That
 
Falls said:
I know the FJ springs give you some lift , but otherwise why did you choose them ? Why didn't you just do a small spacer lift at all 4 corners ?
Keeping stock shocks I take it ??
Click to expand...



$$$$ and wanting a high bang-for-the-buck is partly what drove my choice. The other thing was I knew I'd prefer a slightly higher spring rate. A small spacer lift would have lifted but not changed the spring rate.

For my use the dampening provided by the stock shocks works well enough. Again with $$$$ being a factor I decided "if it ain't broke don't fix it". The vehicle is practically new and the stock shocks have plenty of life so for now they stay...

:cheers:
 
Re: Re: FJ Cruiser Rear Springs & Spacer lift installed

FT5117 said:
1. A while ago, I read your thread about installing FJC front springs/shocks to help level my T4R. I noticed an immediate improvement in handling, no more crazy body roll on turns.
2. I found your thread about FJC rear springs (identical to this thread) in another forum, saved the tab until I found the FJC parts. I had them installed this past Sunday and noticed even further improvement in handling. (Phulcrum-Tim told me how to change the springs w/o having to use a spring compressors)
3. More recently, I found your thread about upgrading the stabilizer bar bushings / endlinks to turn the T4R into the best handling SUV in the history of SUV's. After a dozen phone calls to various dealers (some promised to research and call back but never did, some required 3weeks to special order, some never returned my messages, some don't stock these items, mfr tech's referred me to places that ended up being dead ends, etc), finally found one to special order / drop ship the exact parts I needed. I received the bushings yesterday, then the endlinks today... this is the place I ended up ordering from: www.neverenoughauto.com
I plan on installing the bushings / endlinks tomorrow, just in time for this weekend's road trip.

On behalf of the forum members... thank you. I'm about to PM you for your t-shirt size and mailing address. I think you deserve a set of customized and personalized T4R Guru gear. :cool:
Click to expand...

If possible, could you point me in the direction of where Phulcrum-Tim told you how to change the springs w/o having to use a spring compressors?
Thanks.
 
FT5117:

Were your FJ springs new or used when you purchased and installed them? Do you know how many miles were on them?
Thanks.
 
I had asked a question a long time ago about why I could not just put different/slightly longer 1-2" OME springs on with my Xreas , but never got an answer.

Why the heavier spring rate ? I would think it would effect the ride , correct ?
 
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