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?

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!

Attached Images

 

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

4wheelparts.com has them for 110 a piece.

Thanks man, I'll check it out

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.

Good point about using the Moog springs up front! I had thought of that, too. Did you have the FJ coils in front first?

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?

Very nice! I'd be happy with that result, too!

That's size tire I'm thinking about. Only .85 in front?

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

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.

Bilstein 5100 Height Adjustable Front Shock Pair (C477)

pair $167.90

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.

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.