Well I decided to lift my 4Runner with the goal of building the biggest, meanest, baddest Toyota 4Runner in…........


the Safeway parking lot. Strike fear in the other highlanders and RAV4s.


Actually, a nice member, sent me 4 Bilstein 5100’s and a different drop kit. The 5100s have a TOYTEC spacer ABOVE & BELOW the tophat. No one knows exactly how many miles are on the shocks, but they were removed when the member bought the truck (85,000 miles).

Right now I am concentrating on the fronts. Although I could probably just have them put on the way they are, I do not want to do that. The real goal of my lift aside from striking fear in the other highlanders and RAV 4 at Safeway is to:

1) LEVEL the truck, reduce nose dive
2) give the vehicle a little better stance
3) allow for a more aggressive tire (maybe a 275)
4) finally if I actually do take this off road (only on an easy trail or path), a little more clearance
5) SLIGHTLY firm up the ride

This has me wondering many things.

Is there a driver’s side and a passenger side?

Should I purchase new bushings for the shocks?

what if the springs are aftermarket? (again, Is there a driver’s side and a passenger side, I don’t mind a little firmer ride, I do not want a stiff ride)

Is there a way to tell if these are the original springs?


Ideally i'd like to use the 5100s (set to 1.75”) and the OEM springs. If I can build all this before the install, it would allow for an easier swap.

If there is a way to tell what springs these are that would be useful. I do not want to stiffen up the springs too much. A little might be ok, but I’m not looking for heavy duty rated springs.

I believe I could have the Bilsteins disassembled, and remove the TOYTEC spacers. The shocks while dirty, do not appear to have oil leaking out of them. I’m thinking that I could use the Bilsteins, and the springs that came with them, or buy new shocks and bushings and use the tophats and springs.

Since I drive less than 10,000 miles a year (Safeway is close by ) and live in Phoenix, longevity probably outweighs high mileage.

any ideas or advice would be helpful.....

Attached Images

       

Is there a driver’s side and a passenger side?
- yes there is. The drivers side (front) coil is a little bit longer. To compensate for the driver side weighing more.

Should I purchase new bushings for the shocks?
- fine either way. If it ain't leaking...

what if the springs are aftermarket? (again, Is there a driver’s side and a passenger side, I don’t mind a little firmer ride, I do not want a stiff ride)
- Could be rated for a higher weight. The front would be lifted more than you had anticipated.

Is there a way to tell if these are the original springs?
- Don't have a solid answer for you, but ..
1. They look old and dirty as ****
2. Generally people pair bilstein 5100's with stock coils. If these were ICON or Fox then I'd assume they were AF.

Thank you !!!

I will be starting the disassembly in the near future.

Once everything is apart hopefully i can tell the driver's side spring from the passenger's spring.


thank you.....


feel free to post more advice and tips

I think the driver is half a coil more. Should be able to count the "rings".

Edit: the front one in this pick should be the driver's side.