4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

This may have been answered before but can you run daystar spacers on top of radflo adjustable coilovers for a little extra boost or is that a bad idea?

Agree with Mike, bad idea. If you extend the coilover, you push the front end components past their designed range of motion. This is why even the extended travel setups are only 1/2" longer than standard travel, any longer and you could run into issue. Also, when you add the spacer, the shock can now compress further than before (since bump stops haven't been dropped) and this could cause damage to the shocks. Overall, just not worth it.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Sanity check!

I've been seriously mulling over the options for my 4Runner for a few weeks now and want to have a sanity check from those with experience with the main suspension options that have been discussed in this thread and elsewhere.

Now that I bought my wife a new Honda Odyssey and sold my tuned Civic Si Sedan, she has the Honda as her vehicle for toting our four children around and I have officially claimed the 4Runner as my daily driver, work truck (I do solar panel system design and install on the side), tow vehicle and trail vehicle for the thousands of miles of offroad driving that surround me in the Eastern Sierra Nevada and Northwestern Mojave Desert. Needless to say, the itch to modify has begun.

One of the tasks I use my 4Runner for is to tow a new tandem axle 14' trailer 600 miles empty and then at max gross for the return trip so I opted to install the Air Lift air bags so I can adjust the rear end to compensate for the big change in weight on the rear axle. It turns out that leaving 10-15 PSI in the air bags when I'm not towing gives me a nice improvement in the handling but makes the front end suspension seem way too soft and under dampened as well as the increased rear end height makes the forward rake even greater so I began searching for solutions.

Right now I'm completely convinced the front end needs an upgrade. 2-3 inches of suspension lift up front seems like the way to go (not interested in any other kind of lift or larger tires, etc.) and I'm not really sold on going with a high-dollar solution (Fox, etc.) so I'm leaning towards going with the Bilstein 5100 shocks up front with OME 884 springs as my minimum change. Ride height with the air bags on back is perfect but I'd consider going with the 5100s and possibly the Superflex springs for the rear. I've just ordered the front components but am considering waiting on the rears until I get to test things out and see what changes need to be made.

If you've got any thoughts about these ideas, I'd greatly appreciate your input! I haven't been offroading with the air bags yet so I don't know if they become any kind of hindrance for the rear end that would be better solved with springs and shocks.

Thanks,

David

 

[Ohcrymore]

Tax return came through, my 884's, Superflex's and 5100's will be on their way as of Monday! :thumb:

 

[jsmith21]

Tax return came through, my 884's, Superflex's and 5100's will be on their way as of Monday! :thumb:

Exactly what I did with my return too! Same setup except tacoma springs for the front. I'm excited to say the least :thumb:

 

[ebg18t]

I've been seriously mulling over the options for my 4Runner for a few weeks now and want to have a sanity check from those with experience with the main suspension options that have been discussed in this thread and elsewhere.

Now that I bought my wife a new Honda Odyssey and sold my tuned Civic Si Sedan, she has the Honda as her vehicle for toting our four children around and I have officially claimed the 4Runner as my daily driver, work truck (I do solar panel system design and install on the side), tow vehicle and trail vehicle for the thousands of miles of offroad driving that surround me in the Eastern Sierra Nevada and Northwestern Mojave Desert. Needless to say, the itch to modify has begun.

One of the tasks I use my 4Runner for is to tow a new tandem axle 14' trailer 600 miles empty and then at max gross for the return trip so I opted to install the Air Lift air bags so I can adjust the rear end to compensate for the big change in weight on the rear axle. It turns out that leaving 10-15 PSI in the air bags when I'm not towing gives me a nice improvement in the handling but makes the front end suspension seem way too soft and under dampened as well as the increased rear end height makes the forward rake even greater so I began searching for solutions.

Right now I'm completely convinced the front end needs an upgrade. 2-3 inches of suspension lift up front seems like the way to go (not interested in any other kind of lift or larger tires, etc.) and I'm not really sold on going with a high-dollar solution (Fox, etc.) so I'm leaning towards going with the Bilstein 5100 shocks up front with OME 884 springs as my minimum change. Ride height with the air bags on back is perfect but I'd consider going with the 5100s and possibly the Superflex springs for the rear. I've just ordered the front components but am considering waiting on the rears until I get to test things out and see what changes need to be made.

If you've got any thoughts about these ideas, I'd greatly appreciate your input! I haven't been offroading with the air bags yet so I don't know if they become any kind of hindrance for the rear end that would be better solved with springs and shocks.

Thanks,

David

If you are going to be running the Mojave and other area where you have lots of washboard and whoops I would really consider some of the higher priced options. They make washboard much more comfortable and resist overheating.

 

[marc_l71]

Ok so i have searched and searched to no resolution on coil spacers. Not looking on going to lift the 4Runner any higher but just to give the appearance. I have seen on here that everyone has used the DS 1.5" budget lift. Has anyone used the Toytec 1.5" coil spacer?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Ok so i have searched and searched to no resolution on coil spacers. Not looking on going to lift the 4Runner any higher but just to give the appearance. I have seen on here that everyone has used the DS 1.5" budget lift. Has anyone used the Toytec 1.5" coil spacer?

So are you just wanted to lift the front and keep rear stock (remove the rake)? A few run the Toytec spacer in combination with FJ coils. If you're talking about front spacers, I believe Toytec only offers a 1/2" lift and 1" lift version, not a 1.5. Both Toytec and Daystar are good kits, more go with Daystar because it's more affordable.

 

[marc_l71]

So are you just wanted to lift the front and keep rear stock (remove the rake)? A few run the Toytec spacer in combination with FJ coils. If you're talking about front spacers, I believe Toytec only offers a 1/2" lift and 1" lift version, not a 1.5. Both Toytec and Daystar are good kits, more go with Daystar because it's more affordable.

Sorry Ark i should have been more specific on this. I already installed the front with Daystar, now i am wanting to do the rears. But with Daystar i have seen 2 styles. P/N Kt09127bk($40) i am told wont work since it is mainly for FJ coils( as told by the rep at Daystar). the P/N i need is kt09118bk($130) rep said this is what i need for mine. Toytec offers a 1.5" for $90 P/N FJRS-15. So trying to find out if anyone has used the Toytec version and also if this spacer is for the FJ coils only as well as the KT09127BK?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Sorry Ark i should have been more specific on this. I already installed the front with Daystar, now i am wanting to do the rears. But with Daystar i have seen 2 styles. P/N Kt09127bk($40) i am told wont work since it is mainly for FJ coils( as told by the rep at Daystar). the P/N i need is kt09118bk($130) rep said this is what i need for mine. Toytec offers a 1.5" for $90 P/N FJRS-15. So trying to find out if anyone has used the Toytec version and also if this spacer is for the FJ coils only as well as the KT09127BK?

Thanks for the clarification, makes sense now. Use the $40 fj spacer, it fits either the 4runner or FJ. Toytec uses the same spacer for both, not sure why Daystar doesn't (considering they are interchangeable). The only difference I've found is the 4runner spacer installs above the bumpstop, and the FJ spacer installs between the coil and bump stop.

 

[marc_l71]

Thanks for the clarification, makes sense now. Use the $40 fj spacer, it fits either the 4runner or FJ. Toytec uses the same spacer for both, not sure why Daystar doesn't (considering they are interchangeable). The only difference I've found is the 4runner spacer installs above the bumpstop, and the FJ spacer installs between the coil and bump stop.

Thanks ark! Now this saves me about $80.... Glad to know this forum has great people for advice!

 

[guardsred944s]

CV Boot (One month past lift)

So it's been about one month (~800 mi) since I put in my Toytec Lift:

The CV boots seem to be leaking from the clamp joint. Luckily, I was not able to find any tears on the boot anywhere. Also, it only seems to be the inboard boots which are affected.







Although I doubt anyone is surpised by this I thought that I would share for anyone considering doing this, as it seems to be fairly likely to occur.

 

[avgas]

rear shock install

I'm nearly done with my lift, but I can't get the rear bilstein 5100 shocks on. My problem is that the lower mount angle just doesn't match up to the lower mount, not even close. I tried bolting the top on, and hammering the bottom on but I just ended up with a nasty looking gouge where it dug in. I think I could mount it on bottom first, and then push the top over but I often regret it when I resort to forcing things.

Am I missing something here? Is there some way to rotate the axle so it lines up better?

 

[gfluff]

I'm nearly done with my lift, but I can't get the rear bilstein 5100 shocks on. My problem is that the lower mount angle just doesn't match up to the lower mount, not even close. I tried bolting the top on, and hammering the bottom on but I just ended up with a nasty looking gouge where it dug in. I think I could mount it on bottom first, and then push the top over but I often regret it when I resort to forcing things.

Am I missing something here? Is there some way to rotate the axle so it lines up better?

Install the bottom first or lube and a rubber mallet...

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

So my OME 884's for the front, Toytec Superflex springs for the rear and Bilstein 5100s all around are sitting in my garage waiting for me to find time to install them. I was reading the install instructions that came with the Bilsteins to figure out what height to set the perch at to get the lift I'm looking for (looks like the 1.75" setting with the 884's 1" will get me a little under 3" total) and they mention increasing the track of the vehicle to help compensate for the higher than stock center of gravity. So I searched around the forum and read up a good bit on wheel spacers and they seem like something I should be getting even with the fact that I have no plans on changing to a larger than stock tire. Are wheel spacers going to make a noticable improvement to handling after I've lifted the suspension? Are there any other benefits? What about drawbacks to having spacers? From my reading it seems like 1.25" up front and 1.5" in back would provide a nice flush arrangement. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated and if there's a "Mother of all wheel spacer questions" thread that I missed, please point me there!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

So my OME 884's for the front, Toytec Superflex springs for the rear and Bilstein 5100s all around are sitting in my garage waiting for me to find time to install them. I was reading the install instructions that came with the Bilsteins to figure out what height to set the perch at to get the lift I'm looking for (looks like the 1.75" setting with the 884's 1" will get me a little under 3" total) and they mention increasing the track of the vehicle to help compensate for the higher than stock center of gravity. So I searched around the forum and read up a good bit on wheel spacers and they seem like something I should be getting even with the fact that I have no plans on changing to a larger than stock tire. Are wheel spacers going to make a noticable improvement to handling after I've lifted the suspension? Are there any other benefits? What about drawbacks to having spacers? From my reading it seems like 1.25" up front and 1.5" in back would provide a nice flush arrangement. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated and if there's a "Mother of all wheel spacer questions" thread that I missed, please point me there!

I just helped [MENTION=108497]NC4runAR[/MENTION] install the same setup on his 4runner. If you use anything other than the lowest setting, you will end up higher in the front than rear. The 884s with the 5100s at the 0 setting give right at 3" lift in the front with the v6. See pics in this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/167085-nc4runars-build-thread.html

IMO, spacers are mostly for looks. I'm sure it helps stability, but personally I didn't "feel" the difference. I've had great luck with Spidertrax, they are a quality spacer with no major drawbacks.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

I just helped [MENTION=108497]NC4runAR[/MENTION] install the same setup on his 4runner. If you use anything other than the lowest setting, you will end up higher in the front than rear. The 884s with the 5100s at the 0 setting give right at 3" lift in the front with the v6. See pics in this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/167085-nc4runars-build-thread.html

IMO, spacers are mostly for looks. I'm sure it helps stability, but personally I didn't "feel" the difference. I've had great luck with Spidertrax, they are a quality spacer with no major drawbacks.

Thanks for the advice regarding correct height settings. When you look at OME's website they only claim 1" with the 884s!

I'm still pondering the spacers. If they really aren't necessary then I'll probably pass. If the argument can be made that they help offset some of the handling losses that might come with a lift then I'd probably pull the trigger. If I decide to install spacers after I've installed the suspension upgrade and had an alignment would I need to get another alignment? I wouldn't think so but I don't have the experience to know so.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks for the advice regarding correct height settings. When you look at OME's website they only claim 1" with the 884s!

I'm still pondering the spacers. If they really aren't necessary then I'll probably pass. If the argument can be made that they help offset some of the handling losses that might come with a lift then I'd probably pull the trigger. If I decide to install spacers after I've installed the suspension upgrade and had an alignment would I need to get another alignment? I wouldn't think so but I don't have the experience to know so.

Wheel spacers shouldn't affect alignment at all, no issues if you do the lift and decide to add them later on.

 

[AUSig]

I just found some 2012 Tacoma 4x4 Front Bilsteins & Coils locally. I have read that these will give more lift and a similar ride to the FJ coils. Does anyone have any experience with these/ any insight on how much lift I will get?

I was planning on running FJ Coils with Bilstein 5100s @ the 2.5 setting. How big of a spacer would I need to run to get a similar lift?

 

[cgv69]

So it's been about one month (~800 mi) since I put in my Toytec Lift:

The CV boots seem to be leaking from the clamp joint....

Although I doubt anyone is surpised by this I thought that I would share for anyone considering doing this, as it seems to be fairly likely to occur.

This does seem like a common occurrence so what steps should be taken at the time of the install to avoid this situation?

 

[ebg18t]

Thanks for the advice regarding correct height settings. When you look at OME's website they only claim 1" with the 884s!

I'm still pondering the spacers. If they really aren't necessary then I'll probably pass. If the argument can be made that they help offset some of the handling losses that might come with a lift then I'd probably pull the trigger. If I decide to install spacers after I've installed the suspension upgrade and had an alignment would I need to get another alignment? I wouldn't think so but I don't have the experience to know so.

My 2 Cents..

It is really hard to quantify. The spacers effectively increase your track width by 2.5" (1.25" each side). Increasing your ride height changes your center of gravity [COG], but increasing your track width isn't a 1:1 ratio when looking at offsetting COG increase. As we increase COG the load and deflection angle changes on the tire (assuming you maintain the same tire). We would also have look at the dampening and effective spring rate and load. The next variable we would need to address is the affect on the sway bars (ie link angle) and the load transfer from the links at the new angles to the sway bar. And this is just the beginning.

At the end of the day are spacers going to offset the change in COG and aid in handling, probably. But you need a lot of baseline information to truly quantify it. I liked the look of the wider track with spacers. In my mind I 'felt' it handled better, but I never quantified it.

Knowing that you are towing I would simply just adjust the load equalizing hitch system (sway control) your using. I just picked up a blue ox sway pro that I am adding to our camper yo give me a little more control. SwayPro By Blue Ox