4th gen- For all who've done the FJ swap....

[dirtysparks]

I want a similar look to daystar 2.5/1.5. What is my best options for setting up bilstein + FJs?


I'm thinking possibly:
1.75+FJ front
FJ rear + 1 inch cornfed or some other 1 inch spacer? (suggestions welcome)

2008 SR5 V6 4WD

Closest thing I can find is gm350sometingorother's setup, but I can't quite make out the rest of the userid.

 

[bagginz]

I did the fj swap. Used 2011 fj TT springs with bilsteins. Front set at 1.75 and a cornfed rear 1 inch spacer. I gained about 2.5 inches in front and about 1.5 inches in the rear.
Final measurements after about 5000 miles and towing a seriously heavy trailer from washington to California, im at around
Front: 36 inches
Rear: 37 inches
the measurements arent exact but thats pretty close. Passenger side is about a 1/4 inch higher front and rear.
Tires are the OEM 265/65r17s

 

[ronsta]

I am looking into pulling the xreas out and putting the bilsteins all around and fj springs up front. I am hoping that I can keep the rear air suspension because it would seem like a lot more work to remove them. Any input? Is it possible to keep the rear air while removing the xreas? Or at 162+k miles should I replace everything? How long should the air suspension last?

Your xreas is still good at 162 + k miles ? That's amazing, I'd say keep the air susp, always wanted one !

 

[ndbuck09]

2011 Front FJ Springs Install

I did the fj swap. Used 2011 fj TT springs with bilsteins. Front set at 1.75 and a cornfed rear 1 inch spacer. I gained about 3 inches in front and just under 2 inches in the rear.

Bagginz, I have read through what some other guys have done to get the post 2010 FJ Springs in. What did you have to do to get the fronts to work?

I am going to be installing Front 2011 FJ Springs this weekend and wanting to get the full picture of what I should be doing for great fitment.

Thanks,

Josh

 

[bagginz]

spring install

Bagginz, I have read through what some other guys have done to get the post 2010 FJ Springs in. What did you have to do to get the fronts to work?

I am going to be installing Front 2011 FJ Springs this weekend and wanting to get the full picture of what I should be doing for great fitment.

Thanks,

Josh

You shouldn't have any issues with the springs fitting. Its only the FJ shocks you need to worry about. The real kicker is that everybody gets so many different height gains from the FJ springs. So figuring out where you want to set your Bilsteins and what spacers to use can be a crapshoot. I was going for a 2.5/1.5 lift but ended up gaining a bit more than that with the 2011 TT springs. Good Luck and let me know how it goes. The ride is 100 times better. So happy with the ride and handling with this spring and shock combo.
Tom

 

[bagginz]

fj lift

I want a similar look to daystar 2.5/1.5. What is my best options for setting up bilstein + FJs?


I'm thinking possibly:
1.75+FJ front
FJ rear + 1 inch cornfed or some other 1 inch spacer? (suggestions welcome)

2008 SR5 V6 4WD

Closest thing I can find is gm350sometingorother's setup, but I can't quite make out the rest of the userid.

Ive got the lift combo you want on my runner. let me know if you have any questions

 

[cksutler]

So I am interested adding the FJ springs with 5100 Bilsteins shocks to my 04 Sport 4Runner and was reading in another forum that I need to find parts from 07-09 FJ Cruisers. I seem to have came to the table late in the game when it is hard now to find later model FJ springs, especially springs with low mileage. Reading this article it seems you can use newer FJ springs but not the shocks which I was not planning on. Can anyone verify this?

 

[Doozi]

So I am interested adding the FJ springs with 5100 Bilsteins shocks to my 04 Sport 4Runner and was reading in another forum that I need to find parts from 07-09 FJ Cruisers. I seem to have came to the table late in the game when it is hard now to find later model FJ springs, especially springs with low mileage. Reading this article it seems you can use newer FJ springs but not the shocks which I was not planning on. Can anyone verify this?

You can use the coils from any year FJC. It's the 2010+ shocks that require some tweaking to use on a 4th Gen, but seeing that you've chosen the 5100's you're good to go!

 

[bagginz]

Hello, I was hoping you 4th geners could help me.
I am looking to try out some FJC coils on the rear of my 3rd gen.
My main concern is that you guys are seeing a huge variance in lift amounts 0-1.25 inches.
I would like to make sure I am not buying the "wrong" FJC coils.
Did the OEM FJC coils vary over the years?!
From what I know about 3rd gens and fj80's it isn't uncommon for toyota to change the springs for different production years.
Thanks for you help!

I put FJ coils on the back of my friends 3rd gen. His rears were sagging and I had an extra set of FJ rears sitting around so we thought we would try it. It worked great! Not sure how much it added but it actually gave him some rake back instead of the rear sag! he probably gained and inch or so
The only issue was that he already had a spacer lift installed, and the current 3rd gen rear spacer isnt big enough in diameter to sit right on top of the FJ spring. We just jammed it in a little crooked and hes never had an issue.
He doesnt drive off road ever though. If you were planning on driving off road and flexing those rear springs I would suggest replacing the spacers with FJ or 4th gen spacers.
As far as different kinds of FJ springs, Theres a few different types, 2wd, 4wd, 2010 and up and TT springs. Not sure the differences if any. 4wd are probably bigger

 

[bagginz]

So I recently installed a 2013 FJ TT shocks/springs combo and Toytec front 1/2" spacer kit on my 2003 4Runner V8 Sport Edition. I also installed the Energy Suspension polyurethane swaybar bushings. After the install I have noticed that the suspension is a great deal more responsive and I really enjoy it.

There is only one complaint I have. There is a rattling sound coming from the front left wheel. The sound is heard at low speeds when going over speed bumps, driveways/curbs, potholes, etc. It sounds like the shock may be rattling inside the top plate perhaps? I double checked that all nuts/bolts were tight and still could not locate the problem. Any suggestions?

In case you never figured out your problem, I had a rattling type sound over bumps coming from the the left front. It ended up being my slide pin in my brake caliper. It was sitting slightly loose in the pads and causing it to rattle over bumps.
heres the fix:
Theres a retainer type clip that sits on the bottom slide pin and keeps the pads pushed apart. I got another one of these and installed it on the top pin.
Rattle gone!

 

[dodder]

Well, I finally installed the lift. I installed new Bilstein 5100s and FJ 2010 springs in the four corners. The fronts were placed at 1.75" lift. Measurements are after alignment and 50 miles. The rear settled about 1/8" in that time, the front did not budge.
I have to say that this setup is living to its expectations. The ride is improved, a tiny stiffer, but not as much as the OMEs I had in my 3rd gen. The ride is just perfect. This week I am going for a 600 mile drive towing the boat so let's see how that goes.

Measurements before:
FL: 32 15/16" ; FR: 33 1/4"
RL: 35 1/2" ; RR: 35 3/8"
After:
FL: 35 5/16" ; FR: 35 1/2"
RL: 35 7/8" ; RR: 35 7/8"

So about 2 1/4" lift in front and 1/2" in rear. I still want a little bit more in the rear so I may install Cornfed's 1" spacers.
My ride is a 2008 4Runner 4wd V8 with 50k miles and stock 265/65R17 tires.

Bottom line: just do it! I did it alone and it took me the whole day, but was well worth it; including the front spring compression/installation. I will post some details and tips in another post.

EDIT: ok, so here is a report after 1,000 miles. 750 of those were towing a 4,500 lbs boat:
FL: 35 1/16" ; FR: 35 5/16"
RL: 35 5/8" ; RR: 35 1/2"

So a drop of about 1/4" all around..... I hope it stops sagging. I also measure at the running boards and I have about 1/8" rake front-to-rear, so rear spacers are coming on top of Firestone air springs for towing.

Tony, How is this sitting now? I have the same 4runner as you and came across some FJ coils. Does the 1.75" setting work well without any spacers? Hows the rake? Do you have a picture?

 

[tony_4r]

Tony, How is this sitting now? I have the same 4runner as you and came across some FJ coils. Does the 1.75" setting work well without any spacers? Hows the rake? Do you have a picture?

I actually haven't, once it gets warmer out I will do. I already purchased the 0.75" spacers and Firestone air bags. Once I do I will post pictures.

 

[thagin]

Did anyone answer this for you? I am thinking the same thing. Good deal on a complete 2013 FY TT Bilstein setup for my 07 SR5 V6 4x4. No XREAS. I hear the from shocks need fabrication? What fabs are needed?

 

[NCSCOTT]

I have an off the wall set up question. I ordered some Moog 81088 Front springs for my V6 2WD and I have Blistein 5100s for the front. The 81088s are speced for a V8 4WD 4Runner with a free height of 14.31". The 81092s are the Moog replacement for the stock 2WD V6 front spring and they have a free height of 13.43". Both are the same spring rate of 595lbs/in.

I have approx 3" of rake front to back right now. I was going to set the 5100s @ 1.75 spring perch with the new Moog 81088s. I was figuring I would get 2-2.25 inches of lift. I do not want it to be Nose high! But currently with almost 6" from the top of the tire to the bottom of the wheel well rear and 3" in the front it looks terrible IMO. I am already running 265/70s. Have been for years. Does it seem reasonable to think I would get that lift amount in the front.

If I ended up with a Nose High stance I was considering the Moog 81081 FJ 4WD Rear Replacement springs to lift the rear just slightly. They have a free Height of 15.351" verse the 4Runner rear replacement which is the same for 4wd V8 or V6 Moog 81045 with a free height of 14.137.

The FJ Moog replacement springs are different for 2WD & 4WD.

Mine is a road queen. The Factory shocks are shot. so I was just doing a little up grading/lifting with the replacements.

any Thoughts??

 

[cmoore50]

I have looked through this entire thread and have gone back and forth on set ups...

I have an 04 V6 Sport with about 176,000 miles. The X-REAS aren't leaking, but they're pretty worn. LOTS of body roll and it seems like I feel EVERY little bump and imperfection on the road.

I'm looking at getting the 5100 bilsteins and FJ coils all around. I don't really care about lift as it is driven around town and on the highway. I don't take it wheelin'. Everyone seems to say that this set up feels firmer, but it isn't harsh. I also don't plan on using any spacers.

I debated with just replacing the stock struts with the bilsteins and keeping the stock coils. Then again the stock coils have 176,000 miles on them so they need to go.

Has anyone used this set up after pulling the X-REAS out with 0 or .85 on the fronts? Do you like it better?

 

[Carl Fisher]

Here is the setup I'm putting on this coming weekend.

Moog FJ front and rear coils (81108 and 81081 4wd versions)
Airlift 1000 bags in the rear
Bilstein 5100 on all 4 corners
265/60 18 tires

So my question is in regards to the front height setting. I don't have spacers, but will have the airbags in the rear for towing. Wich would be a better starting point on the fronts? .85 or 1.75?

I would like to be even on all 4 corners as much as possible and take advantage of whatever lift I can get form the FJ coils.

Thanks!

 

[Carl Fisher]

Well I went with the .85 setting. Right now I'm sitting at the following numbers. I forgot to take starting numbers though.

RR: 37 1/4
LR: 37
RF: 35 3/4
LF: 35 3/4

So there is still about an inch to an inch and a half difference between front and rear with a slight rake to the front. I think I'll leave it that way for a while and see how it all settles.

I only have about 5-6 psi in the air bags so they shouldn't be adding to any lift. I'm also waiting for the Moog springs to sit down in the rear. One is about 1/2 seated and the other is a little bit more. The coil size of the Moog are thicker and appear to have problems sitting all the way down on the lower seat in the rear. It was also a PITA to get the spring compressor off once the spring was under tension since there really wasn't enough gap. Had to hammer them out.

Some install notes

Loosen the cam bolts on the LCA and the arms will drop all the way down preventing the need for pry bars or other tricks to extend the lower arm for longer strut installation.

Put the bottom of the strut into the LCA first and hand tighten the bolt. Then use a small floor jack to lift the LCA up and set the strut into place. No need to try and manipulate the strut by hand into the upper mount. A second floor jack was invaluable during install. I have one of the small "big red" jacks that works nicely for small lifts like this while the big jack steadies the frame.

A set of metric ratcheting box wrenches were much preferred over sockets. It made the upper strut mounts on the front and upper shock mount on the back a piece of cake to get to. I probably did 80% of the entire job with these rather than sockets. The ball joint retaining bolts were about the only thing I had to use a socket on.

I'm sure there was more, but those are the highlights for now. I did the entire job myself in about 5 hours total including having to cut off the nuts on the top of the OEM struts since they were seized. Had they come off correctly, the whole job probably took just over 4 hours solo.

 

[eric3187]

NOT FJ Coils

2003 V8 4x4 4Runner
Coils/shocks: 2011 Tacoma 4x4 TRD OffRoad yellow bilstien shocks and coils (progressive spring rate)
Drivers Side Front Before: 33 1/8"
Passenger Side Front Before: 33 1/4"
Drivers Side Front After: 34 3/4"
Passenger Side Front After: 34 5/8"
Total gain:
Drivers Side: 1.625"
Passenger Side: 1.375"

Rides much better! searching for FJ rear coils currently and will installed the Tacoma yellow bilsitens if they fit as they should allow more droop

 

[philskeeter]

Just installed 5100's at .85 setting with FJ Springs all around

Before:
L. Front - 33 1/2
R. Front - 33 1/2
L. Rear - 35 1/4
R. Rear - 35 3/4

After: These are taken with a full tank of gas.
L. Front - 35
R. Front - 35
L. Rear - 36
R. Rear - 36 1/2

I also put on 2010 Trail Edition wheels and Pirelli Scorpion ATR 265/70/17 which add about 1/2 inch in height.

The Trail wheels are each about 1/2 in further offset, so the stance looks great

All in all a noticeable difference in handling and ride, a lot less "floaty".

Do you happen to have any other pictures with these wheels on your 4r I have a silver 06 and can't decide whether or not to get them. Thanks

 

[Robs08Runner]

Well, here's my contribution. 08 Sr5 4x4 4.0 with 5100s all around and FJ front coils only.

Before: LF 33 RF 33.5
LR 35.5 RR 36


After: LF 35 RF 35.5
LR 36 RR 36

Im pretty stoked on how it all turned out. The running boards are spot on level front to back on the passenger side. The driver seems to be 1/8th front high with a half tank of gas. I figure 10 bucks of gas and a driver would make it perfect. Lol