4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[The-Wood]

That looks really good. But wouldn't stock springs be softer than OME?

Yes, by 2% (590 vs 580) But using stock springs notched up with 5100s puts a pre-load on the spring, making it much stiffer. Whereas you can achieve the same lift desired with new springs without putting a preload on the spring.

End result is that the stock springs would in fact have a higher spring rate with that configuration.

If you just want to lift the front to level it out on the cheap, go with a top out spacer. Won't change the ride quality.

 

[sport2004]

Notching up the stock worn out coils with the 5100s made the ride too rough. New shocks and springs make it ride awesome!

I have this setup right now. Very happy with how it turned out.

OME 883 front
Wheeler T13 rear
Bilstein 5100s

Hub to fender 22" up front and 23.25" out back.

Sitting on the same 265/75r16 Falkens.

That is exactly what I would like to end up with.

But, i'm not sure what this means: "Notching up the stock worn out coils with the 5100s made the ride too rough."

 

[JBend]

FWIW, the suspension post linked in my sig has a pic of FJ springs side-by-side with OEM springs. Scroll to the very bottom. In my case, the FJ springs added about .25” of height.

Right. I was just wondering if there was a spring that would give me another inch over FJ's to give me a 2inch lift in the rear.

 

[newton22]

Yes, by 2% (590 vs 580) But using stock springs notched up with 5100s puts a pre-load on the spring, making it much stiffer. Whereas you can achieve the same lift desired with new springs without putting a preload on the spring.

End result is that the stock springs would in fact have a higher spring rate with that configuration.

If you just want to lift the front to level it out on the cheap, go with a top out spacer. Won't change the ride quality.

Amazing how just a few words from a stranger on the internet led me to an instantly lighter wallet. Just purchased some 883s. Ugh thanks! ound:

 

[The-Wood]

That is exactly what I would like to end up with.



But, i'm not sure what this means: "Notching up the stock worn out coils with the 5100s made the ride too rough."

The Bilstein 5100s let you adjust the front ride height. 4 settings, stock, .85", 1.75", and 2.5". This is done by adjusting the bottom spring perch. In reality this is putting a pre-load on the spring by compressing it, similar to some spacer lifts (when the spacer I'd on the spring inside the strut vs top spacer).

Hope that helps.

 

[The-Wood]

Right. I was just wondering if there was a spring that would give me another inch over FJ's to give me a 2inch lift in the rear.

Wheeler/Eibach T13 gave me about 1.25" lift. The T12 springs give about 2-2.25 from what I have read.

 

[The-Wood]

Amazing how just a few words from a stranger on the internet led me to an instantly lighter wallet. Just purchased some 883s. Ugh thanks! ound:

Your welcome [emoji857]

 

[andreylights]

The Bilstein 5100s let you adjust the front ride height. 4 settings, stock, .85", 1.75", and 2.5". This is done by adjusting the bottom spring perch. In reality this is putting a pre-load on the spring by compressing it, similar to some spacer lifts (when the spacer I'd on the spring inside the strut vs top spacer).

Hope that helps.

Please Read: Bilstein 5100 - Preload/Harshenss Explanation

 

[Direwolf82]

Thanks for the info, Really all im trying to to figure out is if i do the 3 inch suspension lift do i need to do UCA's also. Money is not the issue i just was trying to say i dont need a lift with super high end shocks and things like that because it wont be off-road much. Im just trying to get a good all around lift and just suggestions as to what i should go with and if i will need UCA's or not

Gotcha.
I would think your on the verge of needing them but honestly if I was in your shoes I wouldn't bother with them at first. Get the lift on it and and see where your alignment is, you may be marginally ok. You may have to go back in and do the uppers.
If your lifting with springs you have to get longer shocks, no way around it that I'm aware of besides ridiculous work.
Spacer lift will just go in and work with what you have shock and spring wise. Not sure if you can get a full 3" front spacer lift though.
As far as kits go there are many available. Get something basic, no need to spend 2 grand on resi shocks if your never going to need the cooling performance when a standard tube style will suffice.
People love getting the best of the best when in reality the best of the best is so far above what most average people really need. I can get a 5 thousand dollar fly rod and a 500 dollar rod. I won't really be able to tell the difference between the two of them and a 200 dollar rod has all the performance my skill level requires for now.
Food for thought?
I know that doesn't help you with brand specifics and stuff but it may help to steer you in a good direction hopefully?

 

[Alsafi92]

Thoughts...

Have a 2003 4runner v8. 253k. Recently just "upgraded" suspension with 2016 tacoma set up and new coils in the back. Took her in for an alignment. The shop suggested i get a new car. cambers and caster are to far out to do it? What should i do? I mean i have a manifold leak.

Front -0.04 total toe

Steer ahead 0.21

Rear -0.10 total toe
Thrust angle 0.06

Not sure what these mean.

 

[sentinel89]

Been researching suspension lift options for my new to me 2005 Limited V8 4WD, going cross-eyed poring over the forums and looking at all the options. Aiming to get about 2.5" lift out front and enough out back to either level or have a slight positive rake. No plans to add bumpers or other built on weight although I will be carrying gear around on a frequent basis. Was originally intending on putting a Fox 2.0 setup on this vehicle but decided to go with a more budget friendly option since this isn't the cleanest example to start out with.

Right now my intended combo is-

Bilstein 5100 struts & OME 884 coils out front
Bilstein 5100 shocks & OME 895E coils in the rear

Will be using a Metal Tech kit and OEM isolators to rid myself of the air suspension in the rear. Would like to avoid putting aftermarket UCA's on it but if it comes down to it I will have to go for them. Anyone see any issues with pairing up the combo's above? Of course OME recommends using their shocks/struts with their coils but seems like more people pair them with the Bilsteins.

 

[cjm2022]

Just purchased the Eibach stage 1 prep truck lift kit. It doesn't come with rear springs and am looking to improve from the 155k mile original rear shocks. I've been reading fj could are quite popular, but what if I wanted an extra inch lift in the back. Or do those fj coils give it over the stock springs? Trying to figure out the best rear spring to swap in for the oem. The fronts can be adjusted up to 2.75" while the rear shocks are firm at 1". Would love some input from a newbie who just ordered his first mod. Thanks.

If this isn't allowed I apologize I will delete this post.

I've got new in box Eibach 1 inch lift rear springs for sale on the classifieds.

Also if you ordered the whole stage one lift it comes with all 4 springs you need at least the 4th gen version did

 

[Heffernan]

Wheeler/Eibach T13 gave me about 1.25" lift. The T12 springs give about 2-2.25 from what I have read.

I thought I saw that the T13 springs were for +2010 4Runners? Do they work on 4th gens as well?

This is what is listed on Wheelers site in reference to the T12 springs:

"These coils provide approx 1.5" of lift and a comfortable 12% increase in spring rate (200 lb/in) on the 2003-2009 4Runner and 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser. 2010+ 4Runner gets approximately 2.5" lift."

 

[The-Wood]

I thought I saw that the T13 springs were for +2010 4Runners? Do they work on 4th gens as well?

This is what is listed on Wheelers site in reference to the T12 springs:

"These coils provide approx 1.5" of lift and a comfortable 12% increase in spring rate (200 lb/in) on the 2003-2009 4Runner and 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser. 2010+ 4Runner gets approximately 2.5" lift."

Yup. Just not that much lift, so they don't market them that way. The 4th and 5th gens use the same size coils front and rear. Just provide different amounts of lift. Same reason they don't market the OME 883 fornthe 4th gen.

Also, with the T13s I have almost 1.5" lean in the rear. Thinking mating a T13 on the right and a T12 on the left rear might match up well.

Anyone wanna trade?

 

[Gkhuang]

Been researching suspension lift options for my new to me 2005 Limited V8 4WD, going cross-eyed poring over the forums and looking at all the options. Aiming to get about 2.5" lift out front and enough out back to either level or have a slight positive rake. No plans to add bumpers or other built on weight although I will be carrying gear around on a frequent basis. Was originally intending on putting a Fox 2.0 setup on this vehicle but decided to go with a more budget friendly option since this isn't the cleanest example to start out with.

Right now my intended combo is-

Bilstein 5100 struts & OME 884 coils out front
Bilstein 5100 shocks & OME 895E coils in the rear

Will be using a Metal Tech kit and OEM isolators to rid myself of the air suspension in the rear. Would like to avoid putting aftermarket UCA's on it but if it comes down to it I will have to go for them. Anyone see any issues with pairing up the combo's above? Of course OME recommends using their shocks/struts with their coils but seems like more people pair them with the Bilsteins.

Pretty much in the same boat as you.
countless hours of going through forums, blogs, FB groups, etc.
Summed down the combo to something quite similar to yours. Are the 5100's and OME combo still viable today? Any long term review of these? Also, is it common to put front + back springs in at once or can you stagger the install phase at all? I would imagine my 13 year old springs are dated but i haven't noticed any sort of poor riding characteristics with them yet (all stock)

 

[The-Wood]

Pretty much in the same boat as you.

countless hours of going through forums, blogs, FB groups, etc.

Summed down the combo to something quite similar to yours. Are the 5100's and OME combo still viable today? Any long term review of these? Also, is it common to put front + back springs in at once or can you stagger the install phase at all? I would imagine my 13 year old springs are dated but i haven't noticed any sort of poor riding characteristics with them yet (all stock)

I got 2.5" out 883s with a v8. Matched with wheeler T13 out back with netted about 1.5".

This picture is how it it's right now with 265/75r16 Falkens. Hope this helps and doesn't just add to your confusion.

 

[Sh4neC]

Wow!

The KYBs aren't bad... I have used them in the past on another SUV. But they are basically stock replacements... which again isnt bad. But the bilsteins are a solid upgrade and worth the money in my opinion.

Dude! No regrets at all! Worked beautifully. I’ll post my hub-to-fender data and parts list soon. Thanks again for the suggestion. She’s riding like a champ!

 

[LaZorChicKen]

Been researching suspension lift options for my new to me 2005 Limited V8 4WD, going cross-eyed poring over the forums and looking at all the options. Aiming to get about 2.5" lift out front and enough out back to either level or have a slight positive rake. No plans to add bumpers or other built on weight although I will be carrying gear around on a frequent basis. Was originally intending on putting a Fox 2.0 setup on this vehicle but decided to go with a more budget friendly option since this isn't the cleanest example to start out with.

Right now my intended combo is-

Bilstein 5100 struts & OME 884 coils out front
Bilstein 5100 shocks & OME 895E coils in the rear

Will be using a Metal Tech kit and OEM isolators to rid myself of the air suspension in the rear. Would like to avoid putting aftermarket UCA's on it but if it comes down to it I will have to go for them. Anyone see any issues with pairing up the combo's above? Of course OME recommends using their shocks/struts with their coils but seems like more people pair them with the Bilsteins.

I just installed OME 885/895 with 5100s all around on my 04 Limited V6. It is amazing for the price. I got about 3 in the front and 2.5 in the rear. Threw on Method 701s with 0 offset and 285s. Rubbed a little on the front fender liners but I just moved them forward. I would go with 885 up front for the extra weight of the V8. I plan on getting a bumber but even without it, it rides really nice. Its not stiff or anything. I went with the 895s because I carry about 200lbs of gear and tools for work. Thia setup is def still viable and is a very popular setup. There are hundreds of post on here all the way back to 2011 about this setup.

 

[eleven14]

I just installed OME 885/895 with 5100s all around on my 04 Limited V6. It is amazing for the price. I got about 3 in the front and 2.5 in the rear. Threw on Method 701s with 0 offset and 285s. Rubbed a little on the front fender liners but I just moved them forward. I would go with 885 up front for the extra weight of the V8. I plan on getting a bumber but even without it, it rides really nice. Its not stiff or anything. I went with the 895s because I carry about 200lbs of gear and tools for work. Thia setup is def still viable and is a very popular setup. There are hundreds of post on here all the way back to 2011 about this setup.

Nice, got any pics? I'm debating 884s vs 885s for mine (V6, SW front bumper, already have 5100s).

 

[Sh4neC]

Dude! No regrets at all! Worked beautifully. I’ll post my hub-to-fender data and parts list soon. Thanks again for the suggestion. She’s riding like a champ!

Some photos and hub to fender measurements
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