4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[Run-4-Ever]

Thanks for all the input in doing an FJ swap, coils and shocks installation went smoothly.

 

[bojanglesSR5]

Thanks for all the input in doing an FJ swap, coils and shocks installation went smoothly.

Looks great. What setting did you go with in the front?

 

[Run-4-Ever]

Looks great. What setting did you go with in the front?

Thanks!
I have it set at second groove from bottom (.85)

 

[ddnww]

dilemma: what should i do?

i currently have stock springs and daystar 2.5/1.5

im getting new wheels and 285s in a couple weeks( i already did the research for the proper wheel backspacing)

i was going to get bilstein 5100s and fj springs installed at the same time,
but Im planning on getting a aftermarket winch bumper next year. So
i was going to wait on the springs to get the proper springs for the added weight of the bumper. I dont really want to do the bilsteins either, since i would rather take all that apart only once and do the shocks and springs at the same time(next year with the bumper).

the dilemma is >>> will the daystar spacer lift be enough to fit the 285s ?
I understand i will need to trim and the possible chop.

thanks for the help guys:brushteeth:

 

[zanderspeed]

Thanks for all the input in doing an FJ swap, coils and shocks installation went smoothly.

Looking good! V6 or V8? 2WD?

 

[Run-4-Ever]

Looking good! V6 or V8? 2WD?

07 SR5, V6, 2WD, 83k miles
2012 Front Coil Springs w/ 20+k miles
2013 Rear Coil Springs w/ 2k miles
Front Shocks Bilstein 5100 (24-186711) @ .85
Rear Shocks Bilstein 5100 (33-187174)
Wheels - 2013 FJ Cruiser 17" Wheels
Tires - Nitto Terra Grappler LT265-70-17

With new coils, shocks and bigger tires, front is up 4" (36-3/4") and rear is up 1-1/2" (37-1/8").

I pull a trailer every once in a while so I decided on the Nitto TG LT's since the P's max PSI is only 35.

I considered Duratracs but a coworker put them on his F150 4x4 and his MPG dropped by 4-5mpg.

 

[rcdeppen]

Quick question.

Just purchased a 2006 2wd SE with the V8. I really love the truck but loath the raked out stance. What is my best option for leveling it? Simple spacer 1" 2"?? Or do I need something else. Never going to see off road other then my dirt driveway in Loxahatchee LOL

 

[Frostythe4Runner]

For an '04 V6 4x4:

If Bilstein 5100s, are put in both front and rear, and the front are set at .85 with FJ springs all around, how big of a spacer will be needed for the rear? I don't want a reverse rake.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Quick question.

Just purchased a 2006 2wd SE with the V8. I really love the truck but loath the raked out stance. What is my best option for leveling it? Simple spacer 1" 2"?? Or do I need something else. Never going to see off road other then my dirt driveway in Loxahatchee LOL

You'll want to measure fender heights front and rear so you don't end up too high in the front, but usually the Daystar budget boost front spacer works well on the 2wds. It'll lift the front 2".

For an '04 V6 4x4:

If Bilstein 5100s, are put in both front and rear, and the front are set at .85 with FJ springs all around, how big of a spacer will be needed for the rear? I don't want a reverse rake.

You most likely won't need a rear spacer. You're looking at around 1.85" front, .25" - .5" rear. That should put you pretty leve look without being too high in the front. If that's still a concern, the ome trim packer for the rear is .4" thick and would probably be all you need.

 

[Frostythe4Runner]

Thanks Ark!

About how high would it over all become with fj springs, bilstein 5100s, and a daystar 2.5/1.5? And with the DS lift do you need to adjust the bilsteins?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks Ark!

About how high would it over all become with fj springs, bilstein 5100s, and a daystar 2.5/1.5? And with the DS lift do you need to adjust the bilsteins?

Count on 1" front and 1/4"-1/2" rear from the FJ coils. Going over 3" in the front isn't recommended with stock UCAs. You can do the Daystar budget boost in the front (2" lift) along with the Daystar 1.5" lift. It should end up around a 3" front, 2" rear when combined with the FJ coils.

 

[cloh09]

Do 275/65/18 fit with...

I want to make sure I'm doing this properly. Will 275/65/18 cooper at3 fit with fj springs and 5100 at .85? The back will get bilstein hd with the stock air bags (possibly adjusted to add some lift).
I didn't buy spidertrax spacers and I don't really want to if I don't have to.
I have already trimmed the bumper and pushed up the wheel well, and trimmed the mud flap. I'll remove if necessary.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I want to make sure I'm doing this properly. Will 275/65/18 cooper at3 fit with fj springs and 5100 at .85? The back will get bilstein hd with the stock air bags (possibly adjusted to add some lift).
I didn't buy spidertrax spacers and I don't really want to if I don't have to.
I have already trimmed the bumper and pushed up the wheel well, and trimmed the mud flap. I'll remove if necessary.

That's going to be a tight fit, I'd probably use the 1.75 setting and adjust the rear up a little. I'll snap a pic of mine tomorrow, I just lowered mine to 2.5" lift (was at 4") on 275/65/18 Duratracs. I also have the rear air bags, I adjusted them for the rear lift. It's tight, but no rubbing so far. Not sure you could do it with under 1.5" lift (what you'd have with the .85 setting).

 

[RallyBud]

I just had my Kings installed last week. I need to take it back to have the Toyota Lean dialed out. The rears are 38.5" (fender to ground). The driver's front is 37" and passenger 37.75".

I mentioned to the tech I want it even on all four corners. He said he wouldn't go above 38" in the front.

Two questions:
1. Should they raise the drivers front via the coil over or with a spacer? I am not sure if it will have different handling with one shock extended 3/4" more than the other.

2. Other than appearance, is there any negative handling with the rears a 1/2 higher than the fronts?

 

[cloh09]

That's going to be a tight fit, I'd probably use the 1.75 setting and adjust the rear up a little. I'll snap a pic of mine tomorrow, I just lowered mine to 2.5" lift (was at 4") on 275/65/18 Duratracs. I also have the rear air bags, I adjusted them for the rear lift. It's tight, but no rubbing so far. Not sure you could do it with under 1.5" lift (what you'd have with the .85 setting).

Ok. How easy is it to adjust the rear? Do you have to do it with it running to get the right lift?
Thanks for the quick response. I also have the front spacer. Should I transfer that into the new system for added lift?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I just had my Kings installed last week. I need to take it back to have the Toyota Lean dialed out. The rears are 38.5" (fender to ground). The driver's front is 37" and passenger 37.75".

I mentioned to the tech I want it even on all four corners. He said he wouldn't go above 38" in the front.

Two questions:
1. Should they raise the drivers front via the coil over or with a spacer? I am not sure if it will have different handling with one shock extended 3/4" more than the other.

2. Other than appearance, is there any negative handling with the rears a 1/2 higher than the fronts?

You'll have no problem adjusting one side a little extra to even things out, it's a small enough difference you won't notice. For your question about the rear height, as long as you have shocks matched to your lift height, shouldn't be any issues with handling. Main thing is aesthetics.

Ok. How easy is it to adjust the rear? Do you have to do it with it running to get the right lift?
Thanks for the quick response. I also have the front spacer. Should I transfer that into the new system for added lift?

It's very easy, one 12mm bolt per side. Loosen it, then slide the adjuster up the bracket. You'll have to play with it a little to dial in the height, but only takes a few minutes to adjust. There is a PDF attached at the bottom of the first post that shows the adjustment procedure. You'll adjust with the vehicle off, then turn it on when finished and it should adjust to the new height. Since the 5100s are longer than the factory shocks, it is not recommend to use a spacer with them. I'd stick to using the adjustment perch on the shocks.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I want to make sure I'm doing this properly. Will 275/65/18 cooper at3 fit with fj springs and 5100 at .85? The back will get bilstein hd with the stock air bags (possibly adjusted to add some lift).
I didn't buy spidertrax spacers and I don't really want to if I don't have to.
I have already trimmed the bumper and pushed up the wheel well, and trimmed the mud flap. I'll remove if necessary.

My setup is currently 2" lift in the front with the air bags adjusted to level it out. I'm also running 1/2" body lift, so 2.5" total. I'm also running 1.25" wheel spacers, which causes more issues with rubbing. Here's a couple pictures of mine just to give you an idea. If you went with the .85 setting + FJ coils, you'll end up with 1.25"-1.5" lift. You may be able to fit them, but it will be tight.





Rear clearance of front tire - hard to tell but less than 1/4".


Front clearance of front tire - with liner pulled forward.

 

[cloh09]

My setup is currently 2" lift in the front with the air bags adjusted to level it out. I'm also running 1/2" body lift, so 2.5" total. I'm also running 1.25" wheel spacers, which causes more issues with rubbing. Here's a couple pictures of mine just to give you an idea. If you went with the .85 setting + FJ coils, you'll end up with 1.25"-1.5" lift. You may be able to fit them, but it will be tight.





Rear clearance of front tire - hard to tell but less than 1/4".


Front clearance of front tire - with liner pulled forward.

Thanks. I'll post it up when it's all said and done. Looking forward to having a new feel when driving. I've never put new shocks in a car before, so I'm pretty excited!
Looks like I'll be going with the 1.75 and adjusting the rear then. I'm happy I don't have to add wheel spacers. I was worried I would have to use them to clear the UCAs, which I heard may be an issue. I got the moog springs and I heard they offer pretty good lift. We'll see. The tires only look to be a half inch wider and taller than my BFGs so hopefully it won't be too bad.
Sounds like I'll be needing to put the running boards back on. I don't plan I doing too much heavy off roading, so they might be useful again.

 

[ddnww]

im a little confused, is it at or above 1 inch body lift that you need steering spacer etc.?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

im a little confused, is it at or above 1 inch body lift that you need steering spacer etc.?

Optional with a 1", required on anything over that.