[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Still waiting on a chance to get some better pics, but for the time being here's a couple more cell phone pics.



OME vs stock FJ coil

[Eastcoastrunner]

i'm not sold on a lift...only because i find our runners look narrow already, and lifted, look even thinner. do you find handling suffers because it higher?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I purchased my 4runner with 120k miles on the stock xreas, a lower mileage setup may be different though. I can honestly say that my 4runner handles way better than any prior setup I've had, including stock. I can take corners just as fast if not faster than stock. At no point (with any of my setups) have I felt that it was too top heavy. I do have wheel spacers now (bought for looks mainly, didn't feel the wider stance was needed) which helps I'm sure.

You don't have to do a full lift. Simply adding a small spacer to the front to get rid of the rake does wonders for these rigs, and has very little if any impact on handling/ride quality. A lot of folks will say go big or go home, but that's not always best. There are a ton of options out there ranging from a simple leveling kit to a 3" lift, just figure out what your goals are with the 4runner and go from there. Something that really helped me is I found a local member with the setup I wanted and went for a ride with him. This answered all my questions/concerns.

[sonerick]

Did you use the top plate spacer w/ the springs up front? Any significant driver's side lean that needs to be corrected?

Sorry for all the questions, but I was literally about to install 5100s w/ FJC springs and a Daystar rear spacer this weekend, but I think I'm gonna hold off and order new springs all around instead. I'm thinking OME 885s up front and the superflex for the rear.

[yellowssm]

Originally Posted by ARK_SWAMP_RIDER

Thanks guys! 5100s are on the lowest setting, the 885s provide 3" so no need for the perch adjustment.

could you get more lift if you adjusted the 5100's higher or would you run into probelms if you did?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Sorry for the delay guys. I did not use the top plate spacers, I was afraid of ending up with too much lift. In the end, looks like I'm right at 3" lift, and within 1/4" left/right on the front. My rear is a little over 1/2" difference with a full tank of gas. I've got the rear air bags and can't adjust them individually, so I've just gotta deal with the lean. *IF* I had rear coils, adding a spacer to the rear would be the proper solution, not the front.

4th gen 4runners max out at about 3" of lift. Any more and you're putting too much stress on the front end components. Also, many have reported not being able to get a proper alignment with stock UCA's and over 3" lift. Aftermarket UCA's fixes this issue, but others are still present. I asked a similar question in this thread, I think it explains much better than I can.

[Dougtoms01]

Nice build thread ASR,
Your rig looks great. Starting to resemble your truck :-)
Thanks for all the info and all the off-line help.

Best regards,
Doug

[Dkon82]

Originally Posted by krupnation

I hear you man. I love my setup but i already want to go bigger! I'm waiting to get new tires then I'm going to the top notch on my 5100's and going to put bigger coils in the rear to lift it (undecided on what brand). My wife and I just bought a house so cash is low but probably next year after our tax return. Stoked to see your next setup. We have very similar tastes.

krupnation: I'm about to pull the trigger on the 5100's + springs myself and learned about a pretty good set up I thought I would share you and everyone else who may be interested. Since you already have the 5100's I've heard the best spring option is OME's for the rear and Pro Comp's in front. That will give you an evenly leveled 3" lift without the need of any spacers. Another advantage to this spring/shock combination is: by allowing the springs to do all the lifting, you actually set your 5100's to 0 (it's natural position/0 preloaded pressure) which allows for maximum travel and less added pressure on the shock (increases longevity of shock). Sorry to butt in off topic, just thought I'd spread the word incase anyone finds this to be helpfully.

A_S_R: your rig looks great BTW!!

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

OME's are much stiffer than stock, over 40% stiffer. Many have said they are too stiff if you're at stock weight in the rear. They've got the 895e, I haven't seen the rates on those, they may be better. I think Toytec Superflex (10% stiffer) are a better choice for a stock weight 4runner.

Unfortunately, mods have came to a halt on the 4runner for the time being. Just purchased a 09 Camry v6 XLE for my wife, pretty much fully loaded and only 29k miles. Makes our trips much nicer, but has taken all of my mod money. I'll hopefully be able to pick back up at the first of the year. Here's couple pics from today of the new ride.

[Casper421]

Congrats on the new ride! Looks nice and comfortable! When your back on the mod wagon, what's next on your list?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Haven't really decided. I'm trying to fight the urge of new tires and possibly wheels. Mine only have 20-25k miles. I love the size I've got now, it fits my needs perfectly, but I really want a wider 33" tire.

I'm really wanting some performance mods, intake and possibly an exhaust. If nothing else, I'm at least going to do a drop in filter.

I'm probably going to upgrade my rear suspension soon as well. I've got my stock air bags maxed out (I can go higher, ride really suffers though). I'm running OEM 4runner Tokico shocks in the rear. I'm planning on swapping to Superflex coils and some type of longer shocks (unsure which). Once this is done, I'll probably add a top plate spacer to the front to gain a little more lift (slightly under 3" now, would like to be over).

I'd like to add some driving lights, gotta decide how I want to mount them first. Been looking at LED's, they're sweet but also big money. I'm definitely going to be doing something for reverse lights, again, haven't decided what.

That sounds more like a wish list than a mod list, but just several things I've been looking at lately. I've gotta make a decision, I've really been considering picking up a 1st gen to toy with and leave my 03 as is for a daily driver. As much as I'm driving, I can't really afford to do anything that'll have a huge affect on gas mileage. I've also considered buying another Mustang (really miss my last one) for a daily driver and this would allow me more freedom with the 4runner. We'll see where it goes, I change my mind way too often.

While I'm reminiscing, here's what I sold to get my current 4runner. I actually had a 97 4runner I traded for the Mustang. 96 Mustang Cobra, factory mystic paint, 1 of 2000 made. Had all the basic mods done, intake, exhaust, gears, shifter, etc.

[snowbrdr033]

Nice 'Stang ARK! I like it and am thinking of doing some of your most recently named items on your "wish list" in the next few months. I'm looking at some sort of new intake/drop in filter and want to work on some sort of LEDs on the reverse and/or work on improving my front headlights.

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks! Really looking into the Volant, but may try a drop in filter first. As you mentioned, there's a possibility of LED rear's. I'm pretty happy with the front lights, HID low beams really help. I'm probably going to order HID fogs and HID's for the Camry pretty soon. I've looked at these, mounting them somewhere in the rear for reverse lights, and would also have them where I could manually switch them on.

LED Auxiliary Lights - ADVrider

[snowbrdr033]

Those LEDs are sick!!!! That would definitely "brighten up" the rear of the runner, hahah. I may look into that. I would also like to improve the output of my fogs, but am unsure of what I should do. Buy the XFE Sylvania bulbs, install an HID kit? (btw, I do not have any HIDs as it stands right now).


Here's the Volant CAI you'd probably be looking at, if you get one. It seems like a decent price, eh? I really want one, but am hesitant to mess with an oiled filter/deal with the possibility of screwing with the MAF sensor (I dealt with a K&N oiled drop in on my 3rd gen). Ideally, I'd like to find a CAI kit that has a dry filter, but so far I've been unsuccessful in my searches. I may end up doing the same as you & just trying a drop-in filter until I figure out what I want to do.

2005 Toyota 4Runner Volant Cold Air Intake - 1170+ Reviews - Best Price, Videos & Dyno Results on Volant Intake Systems

[Dougtoms01]

I love that Mustang. It must have been hard to part with :-)
Best regards, Doug