4th Gen: Need Advice for FJ Suspension Swap

[silverSEV8]

First off..it's great this forum is here. Lots of info to take in. I have been reading all of threads about the FJ spring swap and since my '05 4runner (Sport Edition, 4x4, V8) XREAS is now leaking, I am doing it. I've decided to let a shop do the work, but I have a couple of questions that I need feed back on -

Question #1:
I bought all springs and the front shocks from a '08 FJ 4x4 that had ~2,500 miles (basically new) when they were removed. It's my wife's 4runner that doesn't go off road, but I do at times, 1-3 times a year, tow boats and trailers in the 5,000 lb range. Should I just buy new rear FJ shocks and do that swap or is the Bilstein setup the way to go? I have 90K miles on the car now and will most likely keep it for another 90K. There is obviosuly a large cost difference between the two options and that is why I question it. Looking for opinions...

Question #2:
The FJ parts I have are the 4 springs, two front shocks and 4 thick rubber spacers(?) that must have been at the top or bottom of the spring. Do I need them and should there be any other smaller pieces needed to do the swap? I need to reuse the current plates from the 4runner suspension, right?

Quesiton #3: I'm probably getting the Toyotec 1/2" spacer for the front. Is this the best product to go with? I want to bring the front up a little and it seems like the most common way to do it.

Question #4: I'm not taking the car to Toyota, just a local import mechanic. I have the XREAS .pdf that shows points to disconnect the fluid lines. Is there anything else I should tell the guy that would help him out with the process? It seems that was only odd part of this spring/ shock swap out.

If I am asking for info that is out there, sorry. I read a bunch on this topic and may have missed one that explains everything I asked. Any help is greatly appreciated. If there is anyone that did this swap near Columbia, SC and wants to do it again, I will pay you! Thanks.

 

[sonerick]

With regards to questions #1 and #3:

From what I understand, the Bilstein 5100s are far superior to stock FJ shocks in terms of ride quality (unless you got the Bilstein-branded FJ shocks, of course!). If you decide to go the Bilstein 5100 route, you can use the adjustable front shocks to raise the front a bit and avoid having to purchase the ToyTec spacer altogether. They're not too $$ either and have a lifetime warranty.

I just picked up a set of FJ springs myself and am planning to install them along with the 5100s in the near future. I'm interested in responses to your questions #2 and 4 also.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

1) What brand are the front shocks (Tokico's or Bilstein's)? You can find used shocks pretty easily, or you can get the rear blue/silver Bilstein's (OEM FJ shocks from a Trail Teams) for about $100 shipped new. These would work well and be cheaper than most aftermarket shocks. It's really up to you, but search ebay, craigslist, and fjcruiserforums.com for the rear shocks if you go used (it's really up to you, I'd do the new FJ Bilstiens personally unless you were to buy all 4 new shocks). With very much towing, it may be a good idea to invest in air bags for the rear and do that install at the same time.
2) Are the front shocks assembled? Not positive on the rubber peices if they are. All you need are the coils and shocks, you can reuse everything else from the stock shocks.
3) For the v8 4x4's the 1/2" Toytec spacer works great. With it I got about 1.5" of lift. If you haven't read my write-up, link is in sig and there are pics there.
4) Since you're trashing the XREAS, really nothing extra to know. Disconnect at those points, then it's up to you whether to leave the lines there (doesn't matter either way).

Any further questions just ask, good luck with the swap.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

For optimum ride and off road performance, your best option is 5100's front/rear with the FJ springs. My reply above was assuming you wanted to stick with the front shocks you have. 5100's will run about $375 for the set, and would ride better (IF you have the Tokico front's) and also perform better off road. As said, I don't believe there would be a huge difference between 5100's and stock FJ Bilstein's, so it all boils down to what brand the front shocks you have are.

Personally I'm about to go 5100's, but that's only because folks are charging an arm and a leg for the stock Bilstein setups. The 5100 fronts set on the second notch (.85) combined with FJ springs will net around 1.6" lift in the front, .25-.5" in the rear.

 

[silverSEV8]

All good info...thanks.

I have the tokico front shocks so I'm leaning more towards buying the 5100 Bilstiens for all 4. I didn't think about not needing the spacer with the 5100's. That is good to know and reduces the expense some.

The 4 rubber pieces are about the size of a doughnut. They must have been at the base of the coils. Just didn't know if I could or should reuse for any reason.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

If you have the money I would go that route, the 5100s will be noticeably better on and off road. Are the front struts assembled?

 

[Sonicpilz]

hey guys I am talking with a guy about buying a set of FJ cruiser springs from him. He has a set of 2007 FJ cruiser shocks+springs (Factory Bilsteins) with about 25k miles on them.

I am looking to run 265/70/17 BFG all terrains. Will this spring/shock combo give me enough clearance? Since its factory Bilsteins they are not adjustable correct? Do I need a spacer for the front to go with them?

Thanks

 

[silverSEV8]

The front shocks/struts are not assembled.

So who provides the best price / delivery service for the 5100's?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Not sure on where to buy from, I'm looking into that right now. There is a rubber isolator that goes in the front strut assembly, one for each side. That's two of them. I've not messed with the rear suspension at all, but I'm sure the other two fit in there. Here's a couple pics I found from my spacer install (only did the front, so that's all I have info on).

 

[LEO98]

I'm also looking for those rubber isolators (between top shock mounts and the springs). I seem to have thrown mine away after I did the old version DE 2.5/1.5 lift. I also threw the shorter bolts away by accident.

Toyotapartszone sells the top shock mount for about $55 (says it's a new replacement model from the previous mount). I'm hoping the dealer will sell me the individual parts, unless someone online is selling or not needing theirs.

 

[silverSEV8]

That must be what I have here. The rubber isolators off the FJ. Thanks for that pic.

 

[silverSEV8]

Just ordered the shocks and expect to have them in on Friday with a local place doing the work on Saturday. Will take before and after pictures. Thanks for the help.

FYI...These shocks are VERY hard to get right now. Took me a while to track them down. I know 4wheelparts.com has a couple front sets left as of now, but seems like everyone else is dealing with a Bilstein back order that pushes orders into May / June.

 

[silverSEV8]

Today's the day...

Taking in the 4runner this morning to get the FJ springs and 5100's swapped in. Going with the .84 setting. Local shop is charging $300 without the alignment-best I could find around here. Will post pics when I have a chance.

I was thinking just last night how I was glad to learn of this option in place of the XREAS replacement - quoted at $2700 from dealer. Then I came across a mailer from them this morning saying "replace your timing belt at 90K". I have 90K as of yesterday! Quick forum searches report ~$1500 for belt, pump etc. I guess I will be shelling out that much cash anyway but getting more done.

 

[silverSEV8]

Done.

Before the write up, quick question....Are FJ cruiser REAR springs the same height. My 2008 FJ sprimg set just had one gray paint mark on both. I measured them as the same height and the 4runner looks straight to me, but i was curious.

Got the 4runner back yesterday. First impressions are good. Based on some other comments, I was expecting a tighter ride. I wouldn't consider it tight, but more like "controled" which is what I wanted back after loosing the XREAS. In my opinion it is not the extra nice ride of XREAS, but a nice compromise given the $1500+ savings. I need to get exact measurements, but my guesstimate is a gain of ~2" in the front and ~1" in the rear. I will say that I probably should have gone with the higher setting (1.25?). The setting I used maintained the nose down look of stock, but did a good job of increasing the tire/fender clearance. I was hoping for a more leveled look - oh well, its my wife's car and she likes it. Having AWD and V8 probbaly kept the front lower.

I have 265/70/17 Michelin LTX M/S on there now and they probably don't help stiffen the ride any. My next set will have better side walls.

In the end I say this is a good way to get good ride quality back after XREAS springs a leak. After today's alignment($80), FJ springs/ bilstein shocks ($450) and swap labor ($280) I will be around $850.

Will get pics / measurements soon....

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The next setting Bilstein claims is 1.75". I got my 5100's in yesterday and did some measuring. The settings are evenly spaced. Assuming that the first notch is indeed 0" lift, my guesstimate is 0", 1", 2", and 3" are the true settings. I know a guy who did the swap with the second notch, he got right around 1.5" lift (approx .5" from FJ springs) which verifies my numbers above.

 

[LEO98]

SilverSEV8: the 2007 rear FJ springs I got had painted purple marka on them.

Does anyone know what the difference is?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The rear springs as far as I know are not side specific. They are identical. Only the front's have markings showing which side is which. Not sure on the different colors, I know there are also different ones on some of the fronts.

 

[silverSEV8]

Got it. Thanks.

I would go with the 1.75" setting....

 

[4runner55]

Replacing the Off Road pkg Bilstein's on my 2011 FJ with Bilstein 5100's and putting the O/R Bilstein's on my wifes 80k mile 04 4Runner SE using stock springs. Has anyone else done this and how was the ride and handling compared to the X-REAS.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

A lot of people really like that setup, but most swap springs as well. I only know of one person who has used 2010 shocks and they had to be modified to fit. I'm not sire if 2011s would be the same way.