4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
Yea, UCA = Upper Control Arm. When you lift 3" or more, it becomes harder to get the caster in spec for your front end alignment. Aftermarket UCA's have a wider range of adjustment and are used to get the alignment back into spec. With 3", some have issues, others don't. I think a lot of it depends on how much effort the shop doing the alignment is willing to put in to get it right.
Click to expand...

Right on, thx! Yeah no issues with alignment yet, but I go to Toyota for everything I don't do. Was going to put UCA's in too, but I was told it wasn't needed. :)

-Daniel Kent
 
CJ04T4R said:
Thanks Ark. I only plan on running 265/70/r17, is the lift going to be excessive, or nose high? I was reading in the compiled FJ swap sticky and now I'm hesitant. I know around 3" lift you get into the range of new UCAs and diff drop upgrades, and I'm not interested in doing that right now. Should I use the 1.5 spacer in the back, and use something else in the front? If so, do you have a recommendation with a link to get it?
Click to expand...

You're right, that probably would be high in the front. My suggestion (if you use the FJ coils) is to use the Daystar Budget Boost front spacer and Daystar 1.5" rear spacer. Both run ~$40 each, so even cheaper than the 2.5/1.5 kit. I would expect at or just under 3" lift in the front (which should be safe) and 2" or slightly under in the rear.
 
Hey ARK, great info in this thread!

Now my question...Do you think I will need to bother with an alignment after doing FJ coils only?
 
I am to assume that the Tacoma struts with a 2" front coil spacer from Toytec along with the tacoma strut would lift the 4runner 3"?
 
Help! I'm installing my fj coils and bilstein 5100's and I can't get the inside strut mount bolt off. How has everyone else done this? Please help. Runner is on jacks now.
 
Ark,

Thanks for the great info, been trolling for awhile and think I am nearing the decision point on my new project. I recently learned I am moving from Hawaii to Rhode Island, and with a promotion coming in Sept I am looking for an upgrade.

I am very happy with my current setup but like anyone else I want more. Right now I have DS 2.5/1.5 with 265/70/17 Dueler AT over an upgrade to sport wheels. This is on a 2007 SR5 V6 4WD

I want to install Icon UCA's with Bilstein 5100 and OME 885 (with spacer) up front and OME 895 in back. Also I'd like to do swaybar relocate and 1" body lift (with rad drop). My uneducated guess is that this will give me a 3" susp lift (with my V6T4R) and a 1" body that will be able to accommodate 285/70/17's (when my Duelers need replacing). I am not planning a diff drop.

My question is whether you think I will need to do a body mount chop or if you see a problem with the Bilstein/885 combo. I have heard that there is some interference issues with the icon UCA's as well onstock wheels.

Thanks!
 
guardsred944s said:
Ark,

Thanks for the great info, been trolling for awhile and think I am nearing the decision point on my new project. I recently learned I am moving from Hawaii to Rhode Island, and with a promotion coming in Sept I am looking for an upgrade.

I am very happy with my current setup but like anyone else I want more. Right now I have DS 2.5/1.5 with 265/70/17 Dueler AT over an upgrade to sport wheels. This is on a 2007 SR5 V6 4WD

I want to install Icon UCA's with Bilstein 5100 and OME 885 (with spacer) up front and OME 895 in back. Also I'd like to do swaybar relocate and 1" body lift (with rad drop). My uneducated guess is that this will give me a 3" susp lift (with my V6T4R) and a 1" body that will be able to accommodate 285/70/17's (when my Duelers need replacing). I am not planning a diff drop.

My question is whether you think I will need to do a body mount chop or if you see a problem with the Bilstein/885 combo. I have heard that there is some interference issues with the icon UCA's as well onstock wheels.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The only interference I'm aware of is that with 285's, the tire will rub the UCA if you run stock wheels with no spacers. You'll need wheel spacers to clear the UCA (this applies to stock and aftermarket).

If you're set on the OME/5100 setup, the 885's will give you over 3" of lift. Most with a v6 run the 884's for 2.5"-3". If you're planning to add weight to the front, then you should go with the 885's. For the rear, if you're adding weight the 895's will be fine, but for stock weight I'd go with the Toytec Superflex coils.

The chop is hit or miss, I haven't noticed any rubbing on mine but each setup is different.

My only question, why the Icon UCA's? The Light Racing UCA's would save you a couple hundred and they will still allow you to get the alignment back into spec (main reason for upgrading the UCA's). The money saved could go to a set of adjustable coil overs for the front, and would be money better spent IMO. You could probably do the Toytec coil overs in the front (I'd buy the fronts unassembled and re-use your stock top hats, it'll save a ~$200), 5100s rear with Superflex coils, and LR UCA's for about the same price. Benefit is that you'll be able to dial the front in to the exact height you want instead of being stuck with whatever you get from the coils and any spacers. Nothing wrong with your planned setup, but the adjustability is nice and is in your budget if you go with LR instead of Icon UCA's (unless there's a specific reason your set on the Icons).
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
You're right, that probably would be high in the front. My suggestion (if you use the FJ coils) is to use the Daystar Budget Boost front spacer and Daystar 1.5" rear spacer. Both run ~$40 each, so even cheaper than the 2.5/1.5 kit. I would expect at or just under 3" lift in the front (which should be safe) and 2" or slightly under in the rear.
Click to expand...

Ark: Just the info I am looking for. I'll be adding Daystar Budget Boost and FJ springs to front XREAS and Daystart 1.5" and FJ springs rear. I was considering the 2.5/1.5 kit but was concern about having to get UCA.
 
wheres the cheapest place to purchase the daystar 2.5/1.5 kit online and what product number is it.. i know theres two different ones.. or just post a link to it please ... im ready to purchase..
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
The only interference I'm aware of is that with 285's, the tire will rub the UCA if you run stock wheels with no spacers. You'll need wheel spacers to clear the UCA (this applies to stock and aftermarket).

If you're set on the OME/5100 setup, the 885's will give you over 3" of lift. Most with a v6 run the 884's for 2.5"-3". If you're planning to add weight to the front, then you should go with the 885's. For the rear, if you're adding weight the 895's will be fine, but for stock weight I'd go with the Toytec Superflex coils.

The chop is hit or miss, I haven't noticed any rubbing on mine but each setup is different.

My only question, why the Icon UCA's? The Light Racing UCA's would save you a couple hundred and they will still allow you to get the alignment back into spec (main reason for upgrading the UCA's). The money saved could go to a set of adjustable coil overs for the front, and would be money better spent IMO. You could probably do the Toytec coil overs in the front (I'd buy the fronts unassembled and re-use your stock top hats, it'll save a ~$200), 5100s rear with Superflex coils, and LR UCA's for about the same price. Benefit is that you'll be able to dial the front in to the exact height you want instead of being stuck with whatever you get from the coils and any spacers. Nothing wrong with your planned setup, but the adjustability is nice and is in your budget if you go with LR instead of Icon UCA's (unless there's a specific reason your set on the Icons).
Click to expand...

After some light research I do agree that Light Racing is the better option for UCA's and will adjust accordingly. I'm willing to pay up for coil-overs if they give the right ride quality and lift ... but from what I read the 885/Bilstein is the best of both worlds.

I want a lift that will settle above 3" over stock front and back (I don't mind a little rake). I will add weight (passengers, cargo, sliders), and don't mind a slightly firmer ride (but not ridiculous... it will be a DD). The superflex coils are my concern as they settle to about 2" lift but this is mitigated by my ability to add in my DS spacers if I want to go higher out back with those springs. Since the V6/V8 weight difference out back is negligible, I lean more towards 895's (with stock shocks) as an option.

I am definitely open to criticism, I want my truck to function well, form will follow!
 
ddnww said:
wheres the cheapest place to purchase the daystar 2.5/1.5 kit online and what product number is it.. i know theres two different ones.. or just post a link to it please ... im ready to purchase..
Click to expand...

You need either KT09115BK (4runner) or KT09124BK (FJ). Either will work, the main difference is the rear coil spacer and the placement of the isolator. I have no idea why it's different, but either will work. I ordered my Daystar spacer through Amazon, since I had a Prime membership it was the best deal I found.

guardsred944s said:
After some light research I do agree that Light Racing is the better option for UCA's and will adjust accordingly. I'm willing to pay up for coil-overs if they give the right ride quality and lift ... but from what I read the 885/Bilstein is the best of both worlds.

I want a lift that will settle above 3" over stock front and back (I don't mind a little rake). I will add weight (passengers, cargo, sliders), and don't mind a slightly firmer ride (but not ridiculous... it will be a DD). The superflex coils are my concern as they settle to about 2" lift but this is mitigated by my ability to add in my DS spacers if I want to go higher out back with those springs. Since the V6/V8 weight difference out back is negligible, I lean more towards 895's (with stock shocks) as an option.

I am definitely open to criticism, I want my truck to function well, form will follow!
Click to expand...

I don't like 895's for stock weight (i.e. no aftermarket rear bumpers/tire carriers, fridge, or drawer systems). They are too stiff IMO. They are ~45% stiffer than stock where the Superflex coils are 10% stiffer. If you want a middle of the road, look into Icon or All Pro coils, they are 15%-20%. I wouldn't go with anything over 20% unless there as a constant weight in the rear such as the stuff I mentioned.

For the front, that's up to you. I've not ran the Toytec coilovers but they get great reviews. I have ran the 885/5100 setup and it seems like it would fit your needs, the only downside is having to play with spacers to get the height you want.
 
Ok so its my turn to ask the questions that have probably been asked before....

How high can you go with lift before the LR UCAs run out of adjustment? Right now I'm running stock springs, billys set at 1.75 and a 1in spacer, is it possible to set the 5100s up to the 2.50 position.

I wanted to get rid of the spacer and get FJs coils but I don't think it will give me as much lift as I want.
 
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