Need recommendations for front and rear spring upgrade

RDOOGZ89

RDOOGZ89

New member
I am looking to upgrade my suspension on my 2006 SR5 V6 4WD and I have already decided on the bilstein 5100's to replace the front and rear shocks but I am having trouble deciding which springs to go with.

I am looking just to level out the front end or possibly give the truck an extra inch or two (I know spacers will be necessary if I do this). If anyone has any recommendations and/or corresponding part numbers it would be greatly appreciated.
 
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5100s in the front with Tacoma springs are pretty good. Check your local Craigslist, I got mine for $40. 5100s on top setting plus the taco springs got me closer to 3 inches of lift.
In the rear, I now have Wheelers T12 springs. Slightly stiffer, closer to 2 inches of lift. I had 1.5 spacers before.
Your results may vary....
What are your needs, what are your plans for the truck? Towing? Heavy loads? Trying to fit a certain tire size?
 
gfluff said:
5100s in the front with Tacoma springs are pretty good. Check your local Craigslist, I got mine for $40. 5100s on top setting plus the taco springs got me closer to 3 inches of lift.
In the rear, I now have Wheelers T12 springs. Slightly stiffer, closer to 2 inches of lift. I had 1.5 spacers before.
Your results may vary....
What are your needs, what are your plans for the truck? Towing? Heavy loads? Trying to fit a certain tire size?
Click to expand...

Did you keep your shocks stock in the rear then?

As for my plans, It is my daily driver but I also plan on doing some light trails and beach driving. I wont be doing any towing, but I would like to add a rooftop tent eventually so I am assuming the added weight of that will become a concern.

I would like to upgrade to a 265/70/17 tire size, not sure if I can do a little larger size without rubbing becoming an issue.
 
You could run OME 884 up front with Toytec Superflex springs in the rear for 3" of lift up front and 2" in back for a level look. It'll give you more weight capacity in the back without being too stiff unloaded.

My v6 4Runner was nearly level with that set up before adding full skid plates and sliders, now the rear sits about 1.25" higher when unloaded.
 
Thanks for the advice, I am going to see what I can pull off while staying within a reasonable budget. The OME and Toytec springs look like exactly what I but quite pricey.

5th gen springs seems like a good budget option so long as there is no compatibility issues.

Looks like I may have to sell one of my pistols to fund this project.
 
I was struggling for a couple months, reading every thread I can find and going back and forth on what springs to use too. I initially wanted FJ springs but they were impossible to find with decent mileage. Moog springs seemed ok up front but people had issues with the rears fitting properly.

I finally decided to purchase Wheelers T1 and T12 springs (with a 1/4" spacer for front drivers side to correct any lean) coupled with Bilstein 5100's which will be set at 0 up front. I haven't installed yet because I haven't received them yet (only ordered a couple days ago). Based on what I read they have positive reviews and the folks at Wheelers were easy to work with and answered all my questions. Hope this helps.
 
TampaBay_4Runner said:
I was struggling for a couple months, reading every thread I can find and going back and forth on what springs to use too. I initially wanted FJ springs but they were impossible to find with decent mileage. Moog springs seemed ok up front but people had issues with the rears fitting properly.

I finally decided to purchase Wheelers T1 and T12 springs (with a 1/4" spacer for front drivers side to correct any lean) coupled with Bilstein 5100's which will be set at 0 up front. I haven't installed yet because I haven't received them yet (only ordered a couple days ago). Based on what I read they have positive reviews and the folks at Wheelers were easy to work with and answered all my questions. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. I was wondering about the moog springs, it is a shame about the rear spring issue. It seemed like a good cost effective alternative.

Id like to know how that set up works out for you and see some pics.
 
RDOOGZ89 said:
Did you keep your shocks stock in the rear then?

As for my plans, It is my daily driver but I also plan on doing some light trails and beach driving. I wont be doing any towing, but I would like to add a rooftop tent eventually so I am assuming the added weight of that will become a concern.

I would like to upgrade to a 265/70/17 tire size, not sure if I can do a little larger size without rubbing becoming an issue.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I had 5100s in the rear as well.
 
RDOOGZ89 said:
Thanks for your input. I was wondering about the moog springs, it is a shame about the rear spring issue. It seemed like a good cost effective alternative.

Id like to know how that set up works out for you and see some pics.
Click to expand...

Agreed about the Moog springs. I was looking for a low cost but effective lift.

I'm happy to provide feedback once this setup is installed and some pics too. I'm not upgrading the tires right away since I just recently purchased the truck and it had brand new tires on it. Can't justify the added expense at the moment so it might look a little odd being lifted with small tires.

This is the truck I used as inspiration as far as lift is concerned. Should give you a good idea of what it will look like. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/236245-mrpinks-build-thread.html
 
TampaBay_4Runner said:
Agreed about the Moog springs. I was looking for a low cost but effective lift.

I'm happy to provide feedback once this setup is installed and some pics too. I'm not upgrading the tires right away since I just recently purchased the truck and it had brand new tires on it. Can't justify the added expense at the moment so it might look a little odd being lifted with small tires.

This is the truck I used as inspiration as far as lift is concerned. Should give you a good idea of what it will look like. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/236245-mrpinks-build-thread.html
Click to expand...

I like that a lot. To me that looks like the perfect amount of lift. You are going to have a great looking rig. I don't even think it looked odd with stock size tires. Are you doing the work yourself? I am apartment bound at the moment so I have no space for big projects like that. Plus, I do not have the confidence to take on a task like that yet, I draw the line at changing the oil and brake pads. I am new to the game so to speak.

Because I am going to have to factor in labor costs I am going to most likely put the suspension together piecemeal. I'm going to have install the bilsteins installed with the stock springs to level the truck out at first, then proceed from there.
 
wheeler

has the T1 and now has the T13 which in theory could provide around an inch of rear lift or do rear FJs and a spacer with the T1s up front. Im running the rear dobinson rear 59-599s and ended up with around 1.25"s. I do have rake but i like it when i have loads and the aesthetic doesnt bother me @ all. Its also a great spring rate/shock damping pairing as well so the rides good.
 
RDOOGZ89 said:
I like that a lot. To me that looks like the perfect amount of lift. You are going to have a great looking rig. I don't even think it looked odd with stock size tires. Are you doing the work yourself? I am apartment bound at the moment so I have no space for big projects like that. Plus, I do not have the confidence to take on a task like that yet, I draw the line at changing the oil and brake pads. I am new to the game so to speak.

Because I am going to have to factor in labor costs I am going to most likely put the suspension together piecemeal. I'm going to have install the bilsteins installed with the stock springs to level the truck out at first, then proceed from there.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I can't wait until it's done. I'm not doing the install myself. My father in law is going to help me as he was a mechanic and I'm going to try and learn as best I can along the way. I don't own air tools or a lift so I looked into renting a bay at a DIY Garage somewhat near me. They let you rent the bay with lift on an hourly basis and provide all the tools. I wanted to keep costs down as much as possible too but when the Moog springs weren't going to work out I decided to just spend a little more to have it done right the first time. This stuff gets expensive so I completely understand where you're coming from.
 
TampaBay_4Runner said:
Thank you, I can't wait until it's done. I'm not doing the install myself. My father in law is going to help me as he was a mechanic and I'm going to try and learn as best I can along the way. I don't own air tools or a lift so I looked into renting a bay at a DIY Garage somewhat near me. They let you rent the bay with lift on an hourly basis and provide all the tools. I wanted to keep costs down as much as possible too but when the Moog springs weren't going to work out I decided to just spend a little more to have it done right the first time. This stuff gets expensive so I completely understand where you're coming from.
Click to expand...

That is a good resource to have, and you just gave me a good idea. I have a buddy from work with the knowledge that I may be able to shanghai into helping out. I am going to do some research into renting a garage bay.
 
Bilstien 6100/5100

I just put Bilatein 6100's in the front and 5100's in the rear of my 2003 4 runner , I also put MOOG springs in the rear , total was $1000 , I installed MOOG swaybar bushings front and rear ,... I went camping this weekend and loaded my rear cargo basket with 2 coolers and the back end was sagging !!!!!! What da hell is going on !!!!!!
 
RDOOGZ89 said:
That is a good resource to have, and you just gave me a good idea. I have a buddy from work with the knowledge that I may be able to shanghai into helping out. I am going to do some research into renting a garage bay.
Click to expand...

Leverage all the help you can get! Plus it's a good learning process. Good luck!
 
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