4th gen lift

[memphis34]

I have an 08 SR5 4WD and I'd like to lift it to get rid of the horrible rake. I stopped by a local 4WD shop today to check out my options besides what I've researched on here. They have a 2.25''/1.5'' Daystar kit there for $160.
I'm just exploring all options. So far I know of
Daystar/ Cornfed poly spacers
Pro Comp metal spacers
Coil setup and
3" FJ Lift w/ front & rear coils - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
Bilstein adjustable shocks
Bilstein Height adjustable front and matching 5100 Rear shocks - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

My questions are which is best. I would like a firmer ride and will tow a small car/trailer occasionally 3500lbs. Not looking to serious off road or for anything fancy just something to raise and level and improve the ride.
Does getting the Bilsteins mean I would have to ditch the XREAS?
TIA

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

V8 or v6? How many miles? A spacer lift alone will not have much impact on ride quality whereas coils would firm up the ride a bit and also have less sag when towing. It really comes down to money. Do you have a budget set? Also, are you positive you have XREAS? I didn't think it was available on the SR5's, but I could be wrong there. If you do, you are correct, you'll have to ditch it to use the Bilsteins (or any aftermarket shock).

 

[Casper421]

Pick up a set of Bilstein 5100's and set the fronts at .85" or 2.25" with a 1.5" rear spacer or toytec superflex coils. Ive heard a spacer lift is too much work for almost no result.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

If budget allows, the setup Casper mentioned would be great. Spacer lifts have their purpose. Most you hear about them around here is coming from folks who off road. Spacer lifts are purely for looks/tire clearance/ground clearance. They don't offer any more control in the rough terrain or added flex. It seems most who go the spacer route do so for the reasons I mentioned, but after having it for a while decide they want the added benefits a full suspension setup provides.

Since the OP is not focused on off road performance, I think going with the Daystar 2.5/1.5, FJ springs, and possibly air bags in the rear would be a great setup for less money. The 5100/superflex rear coils would be better off road, and probably slightly better on road, but this comes at an additional cost that may or may not be worth it, thus back to the budget question.

Casper, I agree 100% with you, that seems to be a very well liked setup (I've only got 5100 fronts so can't really comment on the rear). I'm just pointing out that spacer lifts do have their place. If I didn't need new shocks I'd still be running one.

 

[Casper421]

If I didn't need new shocks I'd still be running one.

Totally agree! Back in March i wanted either the CF 3/2 or DS 2.5/1.5 and wait for the snow to melt to install it. Soon after, my shocks started to go, so i decided to give her a whole new set up. Thats the only reason i didnt run a spacer lift and im glad because these 5100's ride 300% better than the XREAS did!! Good luck with your choice! :thumb3:

 

[yellowssm]

So the bilsteins 5100's are from an FJ? So I just need the springs and shocks off a stock FJ? If it is, is it off a particular FJ? (2wd or 4wd fj) The reason I ask is because I work at a toyota dealership and they do lifts here for FJ's. If they do one I can probably get the OEM shocks and springs off an FJ for pratcially nothing.

 

[Ducman]

5100s

Another vote for the Bilstein 5100s. I am a long time Bilstein user and they still caught me off guard by how much better the truck rode afterwards. Money well spent.

You need to decide if you are going for a minimal rake or like no rake at all though.

The reason I say that is the 4th Gen wheel wells actually are kind of an optical illusion... I have 5100s front and rear with stock springs (front 5100s set to .85" lift) and my running boards are dead even to the ground front and rear but I still have like 7/8" more wheel well space in the rear than in the front. So it's less rake than stock but still some rake.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

So the bilsteins 5100's are from an FJ? So I just need the springs and shocks off a stock FJ? If it is, is it off a particular FJ? (2wd or 4wd fj) The reason I ask is because I work at a toyota dealership and they do lifts here for FJ's. If they do one I can probably get the OEM shocks and springs off an FJ for pratcially nothing.

5100's are different from the Bilsteins that are found on the FJ. Some have speculated they are nearly identical with the exception being the 5100 fronts are adjustable for lift. Many do use the OEM FJ shocks/coils on the 4runner and are pleased with the results. I used just the OEM FJ coils and they greatly improved the ride. If you use OEM FJ shocks, you'll need 2007-2009 ones as they are a direct swap, the newer models aren't. You'll need to make sure the coils are off a 4wd FJ.

For the OP, the FJ coils would firm up the ride somewhat and sag less than the stock 4runner coils. They would be excellent paired with the 5100's for a low budget setup (not as good as aftermarket coils such as superflex, but those come with a price).

 

[Casper421]

So the bilsteins 5100's are from an FJ? So I just need the springs and shocks off a stock FJ? If it is, is it off a particular FJ? (2wd or 4wd fj) The reason I ask is because I work at a toyota dealership and they do lifts here for FJ's. If they do one I can probably get the OEM shocks and springs off an FJ for pratcially nothing.

No. FJ's come with bilsteins but not 5100's. If you can get a set of FJ TT 4x4 shocks and coils they will give you ~.5 lift front and rear.

ARK, always beating me to the point, with way more info!

 

[yellowssm]

5100's are different from the Bilsteins that are found on the FJ. Some have speculated they are nearly identical with the exception being the 5100 fronts are adjustable for lift. Many do use the OEM FJ shocks/coils on the 4runner and are pleased with the results. I used just the OEM FJ coils and they greatly improved the ride. If you use OEM FJ shocks, you'll need 2007-2009 ones as they are a direct swap, the newer models aren't. You'll need to make sure the coils are off a 4wd FJ.

For the OP, the FJ coils would firm up the ride somewhat and sag less than the stock 4runner coils. They would be excellent paired with the 5100's for a low budget setup (not as good as aftermarket coils such as superflex, but those come with a price).

thanks for the help. That sucks that I would need 07-09 because I only have access to get the new ones for free lol. I guess Ill take the springs off them if those work and buy some 5100's.

 

[Casper421]

If your gonna tow your M3, you might wanna invest in an airbag kit for the rear. Airlift1000 and Firestone is highly recommended!

 

[yellowssm]

If your gonna tow your M3, you might wanna invest in an airbag kit for the rear. Airlift1000 and Firestone is highly recommended!

I figure one day I will when I turn it into a full on race car but not just yet. thanks for the suggestions :biggrin2:

 

[deedst4r]

is it possible or "advised" to run the first link (the 3 inch springs) with stock shocks?

 

[memphis34]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll have to double check and see if I do have xreas. I just thought all T4Rs came with it.
So basically a DS/CF spacer is just is the poor man's version of a lift.
To answer the question above its a V6 and my budget isn't in the thousands range but obviously is spend more than $200 to do it right.
I like the FJ option but id like a little more than 0.5

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Fj option is good combined with either spacers or 5100s, and as mentioned has its place.
Yellow ssm, you can make the newer ones fir, just requires slight modifications.

 

[8086bruce]

If you can find a spring shock combo from the trail teams FJ that is not a bad way to go. I have that set up and the Bilsteins ride great. Alot cheaper too!

 

[yellowssm]

Fj option is good combined with either spacers or 5100s, and as mentioned has its place.
Yellow ssm, you can make the newer ones fir, just requires slight modifications.

What kind of medification? And by doing this do we get any lift out of it? More leveled than stock?

If you can find a spring shock combo from the trail teams FJ that is not a bad way to go. I have that set up and the Bilsteins ride great. Alot cheaper too!

What's a trail team fj?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I think on the front you have to getting the bushing to make it larger and on the treat you have to enlarge a mounting hole. You will gain some lift, less than 1", check link in my sig for lift amounts.

The fj comes in three models, base, trd, and trail teams. The base model comes with tokico shocks, threw others have upgraded bilsteins (the trd and trail teams use different bilsteins, not sure if one is better than the other). The bilsteins are preferred over the tokicos.

 

[stanleybb50]

I posted this on another thread, but thought it might help.

Just sharing my latest thought on my 'future' lift.

I'm thinking Bilstein's all the way around, with front set at .85'' and then adding a 1'' (.5'' to net 1'') topout spacer to get almost 2'' of lift in front while not making the ride as harsh as the Billies set at 1.75. (I think that's how it works).

Then for the back, I plan to likely just install the 1.5'' daystar spacer, so I'll still have a good bit of rake. I also have the Air Lift 1000 already installed, I just hope this would still work with the rear spacer.

No diff drop planned, and hoping that won't cause issues.


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Diff drop is a waste of money based on what I've read so you should be fine. I have mine at 1.75 and love it, probably gonna max them out soon though.