3rd Gen Tacoma suspension swap onto 4th Gen 4Runner

[mastee]

Tried to remove the bushing but did not have any luck last night with the C-clamp method per youtube, the 1" coupling is too big, the 3/4 looks very close, I did not go too hard, wondering if anything would break/bend?

Essentially same method but I can apply more torque on the longer arm
How-To Install a Bushing Without a Press | Suspension.com

Did the pitman puller do any damage to the eye?

last question from this 3rd gen thread, would straight bushings be better than the hourglass bushings?, correct size for our 4th gens

How To Press Shock Bushings In and Out

 

[Bluesky 07]

The Pitman Puller method worked for me.

 

[mathematical]

I swapped suspension this weekend. Came out pretty nice. I put 2018 Tacoma suspension on a 2008 2WD SR5 4Runner. I got about 2.75" of lift. 4Runner drives smooth even on the freeway but I'm going to have to have it aligned to fix the positive camber. Don't have any installation tips because I paid my neighbor to install it for me (he fixes cars as a side gig)

I've basically been rampaging though the cheaper mods as well as preventative maintenance so once I get enough posts I'll start a build thread.Not planning anything crazy. I'd like to eventually swap to ProComp wheels, slightly bigger tires, and nerf bars or 4runner sport running boards if I can find someone selling them cheap enough.

**Edited to add more details.**

 

[mechahayai]

Nice. Did you keep your stock UCA and rear springs?

 

[mathematical]

Nice. Did you keep your stock UCA and rear springs?

Yeah. Kept rear suspension stock for now and just did the front with original UCAs. Hoping they have enough camber adjustment left.

It's maybe 1/2" high up front but that's with brand new Tacoma suspension (should settle) and original rear suspension. The camber is visibly positive but not super bad. Side view:

Probably taking a break from mods until after Christmas. I did an enamel coating on the skid plate and plasti-dipped the bumper this weekend as well. Besides replacing console lights, that's probably all I have time and money for this month.

 

[4RunnerB]

Yeah. Kept rear suspension stock for now and just did the front with original UCAs. Hoping they have enough camber adjustment left.



It's maybe 1/2" high up front but that's with brand new Tacoma suspension (should settle) and original rear suspension. The camber is visibly positive but not super bad. Side view:

Probably taking a break from mods until after Christmas. I did an enamel coating on the skid plate and plasti-dipped the bumper this weekend as well. Besides replacing console lights, that's probably all I have time and money for this month.

I expect you will be fine on your camber adjustment- my alignment numbers look great from this past weekend (2 weeks after I put my 2019 TRD Suspension on).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tironeous]

2005 4x4 V8. Considering adding 3rd gen Tacoma TRD off-road shocks. Also have 4x4 FJ springs to add to the rear. How much height can I expect to gain? Would like to keep slight rake and wondering if I should get a spacer for the rear?

 

[Bluesky 07]

FYI for anyone doing this swap: as you know, the front coilovers have colored dots on them. According to the pics in this post, the red over green dots go on the driver's side and red over blue on the passenger side. (Several Tacoma owners chimed in confirming this in that thread, which is a good read overall.)

Someone also suggested that the top plates will only line up correctly on one side to where the bottom sleeve is in the right place to take the mounting bolt so that could be a verification that the gear is on the correct side.

I just picked up an entire set w/UCAs taken off a 2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road at 3,700 miles so I'll post an update once I have a chance to do the install. I got the straight sleeve bushings instead of the hourglass and will be interested to see 1) what the hourglass types on my current install look like, and 2) how the new ones go one with the straight sleeve.

 

[TheHoboExpress]

V8

Been jumping around these threads but can’t ever find my exact situation. I have an 07 V8 without XREAS. I scored a set of 2018 TRD OR suspension for free. I plan on using the bilstein B12. I’m not going to run spacers, I just wanted to improve ride quality and have leveling. Has anyone achieved results on this configuration?

 

[Bluesky 07]

I've been a proponent of the Tacoma swap since I installed the gear off a 2015 Tacoma TRD OR on my 2007 Sport Edition 2 years and nearly 50K miles ago, and still am based on my experience with the ride on and off the pavement. In fact, I recently picked up another OR Tacoma set taken off a 2020 at 3,700 miles. But...read on.

The fronts are a no-brainer b/c the two vehicles are essentially the same up there, and I never bought into the argument that the Tacoma rears are too soft b/c that wasn't my experience. But I did wonder whether it matters that the Tacoma has leaf springs. I decided to watch for a Black Friday deal on the Bilstein 24-186049, the 4600 made for the 4th Gen 4Runner. I found a new pair for $140 shipped at AJUsa (great service btw) so I bought them and that's when it got interesting. I was pretty surprised at the difference between the Tacoma rear shocks (L) and the one made for 4th Gens (R), which is noticeably larger:

I haven't installed the new ones yet so I can't comment on any ride differences, and this isn't to knock the Tacoma swap or dissuade anyone from doing it. Just wanted to share this so people considering this move can make a more informed decision.

 

[Bluesky 07]

On Sunday I installed new 4Runner-specific rear 4600s on my '07 Sport. As noted above, I've had 2015 Tacoma OR shocks front and rear for about 2 years and 50K miles. While I still feel the Tacoma swap is a solid choice, especially given the cost relative to a whole new setup, some owners may definitely prefer to use the 4R version of the 4600 for the rear. So far I have a couple of hundred miles on the new rear shocks; I like the ride a lot and the 4R version of the shock is noticeably beefier, something that surprised me when the shipment arrived a few days ago. Here's a side-by-side:

I still have a front set of shocks, coils, & UCAs from a 2020 Tacoma OR I plan to install up front. Those aren't a concern b/c the vehicles are nearly identical up there whereas the Tacoma has leaf springs vs. coils on the rear.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Swapped in UCAs and coilovers from a 2020 Tacoma TRD Offroad to complete my latest suspension setup (installed 4Runner 4600s on the rear a couple of weeks ago).



Notes:
- Installing coilovers is (obviously) much easier with the UCA removed.
- Tacoma UCAs are plug and play on 4th Gen 4Runners.
- Steering is noticeably tighter with much less drift.
- Battery removal is not necessary to install the driver's side UCA. The clearance issue when sliding the long bolt forward comes down to fractions of an inch and involves 1) the bracket holding the cabling to the positive side of the battery and 2) the tray itself. Just remove the 10mm bolt holding the bracket and swing it out of the way as shown in the pic below. Then undo the battery hold-downs and lift the battery & tray just a smidge and it will clear.



- The FSM calls for a new castle nut and clip to attach the UCA to the knuckle. I debated this, figuring the old ones would almost certainly be fine. Found out I could get new nuts & clips for $6 at Cobb County Toyota and decided it was a good investment considering the consequences of a failure, however unlikely it might be.



- These LED lights are very handy. Note it hanging from the fender in the wheel well shot above. There's a magnet in the swingout hook so it can be attached in many places where good light is needed.



Finally, a question: the driver's side suspension droops noticeably more than the passenger side when the truck is jacked up from the center. This is true whether jacking the front center point or the pumpkin. It was the same with the stock X-REAS, my first suspension setup, and the current one.

Is this a manifestation of the driver's side lean? Something else? Interesting in whether others have seen this and whether it's a concern. TIA.

 

[Wolfpackman]

I just did this swap last week on my 2003 v8 limited, with Xreas. One of the rear shocks was leaking fluid and was contributing to a soft tippy feeling. I picked up a set of 4600s off of a 2018 Trd Off-Road Tacoma, from a guy on craigslist.

My install took probably 4 hrs on the fronts, and 2 on the rears, but I encountered several rust-welded nuts on the strut towers. These took some care to not round the nuts over, while attempting to put enough torque into a wrench to loosen them. That took approximately 2 of the 4 hrs. Also installing the struts by yourself is interesting, I figured out how to coordinate 3 limbs to stick that sucker in there. The only thing you need to buy is the aforementioned 3/4" energy bushings for $10 on amazon, I pressed the old ones out with 2 sockets and a vise easily.

Overall I feel like the ride quality is much better, especially under braking there is much less forward tipping. It looks like I gained about 2.25" of lift in the front, and now it sits very level. Final measurement from the top of the tire to the bottom of fender flares: is about 5.25" up front, and 6" in the rear. +/- 1/8" the gas tank lean to the driver side. Right now I've got 265/65/17 Cooper HTP's , but the 4r looks more like a 4x4 now that the rake is gone. Probably will go up to 265/70 AT's next time it's time to get tires.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Finally got a side view showing the stance with my new setup. Tires are stock size & I have Spidertrax spacers.

 

[P4Runner]

Have a set of shocks and struts from a 2020 TRD Offroad and also have a pair of radflo fj springs (C1500-500-220) that I am going to install. I was wondering how much lift I would get in total and what size front spacer would I need to level it out if I need one at all. I am gonna install the rears myself and have a shop install the fronts for me so I would like him to just toss on the spacers as well to save me some time and hassle. This is going on a V6 2WD.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I have no affiliation or relationship with this person, I just ran across this Facebook Marketplace listing and wanted to post it in case anybody is looking for a set.

 

[Gmac4121]

Bluesky- Did these new shocks firm up the back end any? I have the Tacoma shocks in the back with the 5th gen 4runner springs and they are a little bouncy. Looking to firm up the rear a bit but it sits perfect for me right now, its about 1" higher in the back...

 

[Bluesky 07]

Bluesky- Did these new shocks firm up the back end any? I have the Tacoma shocks in the back with the 5th gen 4runner springs and they are a little bouncy. Looking to firm up the rear a bit but it sits perfect for me right now, its about 1" higher in the back...

Yes, I don't find the back bouncy at all. I think the difference is that the Tacoma has leaf springs vs. coils on a 4Runner and that's why I went with the 4Runner-specific 4600 this time.

Also, I see you're new - welcome. This forum is an amazing resource. A tip for you since I only happened to see your post since I'm interested in this thread: if you use the @ sign with someone's exact user name (for example, [MENTION=613717]Gmac4121[/MENTION]), they will get a "mention" notification so they'll see your post for sure.

 

[Gmac4121]

Yes, I don't find the back bouncy at all. I think the difference is that the Tacoma has leaf springs vs. coils on a 4Runner and that's why I went with the 4Runner-specific 4600 this time.

Also, I see you're new - welcome. This forum is an amazing resource. A tip for you since I only happened to see your post since I'm interested in this thread: if you use the @ sign with someone's exact user name (for example, [MENTION=613717]Gmac4121[/MENTION]), they will get a "mention" notification so they'll see your post for sure.

[MENTION=8912]bluesky[/MENTION] thanks for the warm welcome and tip. I haven't used the online forums in a long time. Couple last questions...

Did you notice any difference when you changed rear shocks?
I'm assuming these shocks will be ok to use with a 1" lift in the rear?
I'm trying to get rid of the spongy ride in the rear. Wondering if its the taco shocks in the back or the 5th gen 4runner springs or both.

 

[Bluesky 07]

[MENTION=8912]bluesky[/MENTION] thanks for the warm welcome and tip. I haven't used the online forums in a long time. Couple last questions...

Did you notice any difference when you changed rear shocks?
I'm assuming these shocks will be ok to use with a 1" lift in the rear?
I'm trying to get rid of the spongy ride in the rear. Wondering if its the taco shocks in the back or the 5th gen 4runner springs or both.

You're very welcome.

1. Yes, the ride is firmer with the 4R-specific 4600s.

2. This answer is a little more complicated. Bilstein says the 4600 is made for stock-height vehicles and the 5100 is for lifted trucks. But...as I understand it, the 5100 is also designed to take heavier loads on the assumption that a lifted truck likely has additional weight (gear, armor, tire carriers, etc.). That may be why many people who don't carry extra weight find the 5100 too harsh.

I've had the Tacoma ORD rear shocks and now the 4R-specific 4600, both with FJ rear springs that offer about 1" height over stock and the shocks have been fine to me, but of course ride comfort is subjective.

3. My best guess would be the shocks since the Tacoma version is engineered for leaf springs, but take that with a grain of salt since I have zero experience with 5th Gen springs.

Hope you get the ride where you want it.