Suggestions on slight lift/level w/FJ Coils and 5100s

Churchill

Churchill

New member
After spending about 8 hours looking through the lift central / FJ springs threads, I still have unanswered questions. All that info is helpful, but my goals are not the same as most.

I have rear FJ coils currently and 07 FJ Tokico shocks. With as costly as it's going to be to have them installed, I'm now leaning towards just doing FJ Coils and buying Bilstein 5100s.

I'll probably only go up one tire size as this is my daily driver and I put on 3-400 miles a week. I only do light 'wheeling. Nothing crazy. This is mainly for looks and getting a better performing suspension just to be clear.

If can get a slight lift, maybe level out and reduce the rake, that's what I'm looking for. I don't want to use spacers though.

Do I even need to use the front FJ coils? I saw a 4runner on here that used the rear FJ coils only with 5100s - using just his stock T4R coils in front. But it didn't say what size tires he put on...

Suggestions?
 
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The rear FJ coils will raise it a small amount (~1/2" I think?), and the front 5100s have an adjustable spring perch to change the ride height (up to 2.5" of lift). With stock springs up front, I'd set the 5100s at the 2nd highest setting (1.75" if I remember right) to eliminate the rake.

I think the front FJ coils are just a hair longer than the 4R fronts and a tad stiffer, but you can use the 4R fronts to save some money. And if you need more lift, you can always go up another clip on the 5100s. I always felt the front end was a bit soft so when I did my lift I swapped to Moog 81108 up front (for a FJ), they're both longer and stiffer (and not too expensive either).

Running 1 size larger tire won't be a problem with that setup.
 
I upgraded mine to FJ's and bilstein all around. I set my front 1.75" front and added 1.5 spacer rear to even the lift. Check out my garage and see if you like the look. I went up 265/70/17 tires and had a little rubbing on reverse but no biggy. I also installed spidertraxx because I like the look of the tire even with the body. The pictures on my garage is pre-spidertraxx.
 
Here is mine, FJ coils front and rear, Bilstein 5100's front set at .85
General Grabber AT/2 265/70/17

Love the ride and the look!
 

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Churchill said:
After spending about 8 hours looking through the lift central / FJ springs threads, I still have unanswered questions. All that info is helpful, but my goals are not the same as most.

I have rear FJ coils currently and 07 FJ Tokico shocks. With as costly as it's going to be to have them installed, I'm now leaning towards just doing FJ Coils and buying Bilstein 5100s.

I'll probably only go up one tire size as this is my daily driver and I put on 3-400 miles a week. I only do light 'wheeling. Nothing crazy. This is mainly for looks and getting a better performing suspension just to be clear.

If can get a slight lift, maybe level out and reduce the rake, that's what I'm looking for. I don't want to use spacers though.

Do I even need to use the front FJ coils? I saw a 4runner on here that used the rear FJ coils only with 5100s - using just his stock T4R coils in front. But it didn't say what size tires he put on...

Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I want to do the same as you. I was going to do the spacer thing, but since my shocks are stock at 187,000 miles, I guess shocks should be first before spacers? I'm a broke college student here in Austin Tx, and just installed new tires 265/70 R17's pathfinders from Discount Tire, and would love to get the FJ springs and shocks, but financially doubt it. Where's the best online place to get the 5100 bill's? How much did you pay for yours. Don't mean to hyjack your thread. Sorry
 
mauidiver said:
I want to do the same as you. I was going to do the spacer thing, but since my shocks are stock at 187,000 miles, I guess shocks should be first before spacers? I'm a broke college student here in Austin Tx, and just installed new tires 265/70 R17's pathfinders from Discount Tire, and would love to get the FJ springs and shocks, but financially doubt it. Where's the best online place to get the 5100 bill's? How much did you pay for yours. Don't mean to hyjack your thread. Sorry
Click to expand...
4wheelparts.com has them for 110 a piece.
 
Another option..

spend a little bit more and go with a 5100/OME 883/895e lift. 2" lift 255/75/17s or 265/70/17 and remove the running boards and you have a good amount of lift/clearance. And if you find that you need more you have a good foundation to do so.
 
mrpurplepenguin said:
I always felt the front end was a bit soft so when I did my lift I swapped to Moog 81108 up front (for a FJ), they're both longer and stiffer (and not too expensive either).
Click to expand...

Good point about using the Moog springs up front! I had thought of that, too. Did you have the FJ coils in front first?
 
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MACT4R said:
I set my front 1.75" front and added 1.5 spacer rear to even the lift.
Click to expand...

Guess that's what's confusing me. . . if the front of the truck is down a couple inches from the rear (i.e. the "rake") doesn't adding the spacer in the rear negate "leveling" it?

I went up 265/70/17 tires and had a little rubbing on reverse but no biggy. I also installed spidertraxx because I like the look of the tire even with the body.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Spidertraxx spacer looks nice, but it seems like the spacer causes rubbing no matter how much the lift is from what I've read. Am I right?
 
mauidiver said:
I was going to do the spacer thing, but since my shocks are stock at 187,000 miles, I guess shocks should be first before spacers?
Click to expand...

I hear ya! At 165,000 my stock shocks are not leaking but they are pretty soft. Time to go!

Where's the best online place to get the 5100 bill's? How much did you pay for yours. Don't mean to hyjack your thread. Sorry
Click to expand...

No hijack at all. Haven't bit the bullet and bought the 5100s yet. I've been watching ebay though. You could buy used 5100s and save a few bucks too . . .

Another thing to consider: I've had quotes between about $250 - $375 to do the install. Probably fair from what I gather, but if you have the time it doesn't sound too tough to swap the shocks/springs out.
 
I had FJs and Bilsteins at .85 up front. That gave me about 1 3/8 rake which I liked. I got that by measuring the ground to center of the wheel til it hit the wheel well. The lift you will get depends on the age of the fj springs compared to your current springs, and they sound like they are sagging a bit. I had a little more rake than most because my fronts fjs had 80k miles on them and the rears only had 3k.

I think for your purposes, start at the .85 up front with the fjs, and see how you like and how it settles. If you mess with spacers now, I think there are too many variables to know exactly what lift you will get.
 
Churchill said:
Guess that's what's confusing me. . . if the front of the truck is down a couple inches from the rear (i.e. the "rake") doesn't adding the spacer in the rear negate "leveling" it?



Yeah, the Spidertraxx spacer looks nice, but it seems like the spacer causes rubbing no matter how much the lift is from what I've read. Am I right?
Click to expand...

I wanted as close to 3/2 lift as I could get without having to replace the front UCA's. My current set up is close. I may have a slight rake which I'm fine with. It's all a matter of preference for you at this point. I offroad a little bit and having the lift (billies & FJ spring) really makes a big difference.
 
This was very helpful!

BackOff said:
Bilstein 5100 Height Adjustable Front Shock Pair (C477)

pair $167.90
Click to expand...

And that's where I just ordered them!

I called last week to ask questions. Excellent customer service!!

Ordered front and rear 5100s and also front stem cushion and washer kit ($20) and rubber coil isolator set ($20).

From what he told me, for my purposes - front level only - my stock T4R springs should be just fine. Really no advantage for me to even use FJ springs since I'm not looking to lift rear of truck. .85 should be fine in front.

Thanks to those that commented. This forum rocks!
 
yeah the rears only give you about .5-.75 lift with FJ springs. If you dont want a lift, it isnt needed. but i am running 5100 and fj springs all around. love them!
 
Finished result

Here it is...

Bilstein 5100s, front (set at .85) - ($167.90)
5100s rear - ($154)
1/4" Poly spacer ($7.50)
Front strut stem cushion and washer kit ($20)
KYB Rubber coil isolator set - front strut top plate ($20)
__All of the above purchased from Wheeler's Off Road

New OEM T4R coil springs, front and rear ($251 for the set - after $20 off coupon) OUCH!!!
__from partznet (Conicelli Toyota)

The driver's side lean is gone, it is 35.5" from the ground to the center of the wheel well on both front sides now. And 36.5" on passenger side rear, 36.25 on driver's side rear.

I like it. Rides like a new truck!!
 

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Was the front strut stem cushion and washer set needed? I'm doing my 5100 lift this weekend. I have the KYB top plates and they came with washers and bushings.
 
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