Hello. I purchased a 2003 SR5 2wd v8 this weekend. It has 197000 miles and the stock front springs are shot. Not much clearance to the bump stops and current rake is 3 inches. I'm trying to stay on a budget and want to replace the front springs and add a spacer to level. 1). Anyone seen this amount of sag before? 2). Care to take a stab at the lowest cost set of springs and the correct spacer to level? Currently the rear is at 36inch and the front is at 32.5 inch. Rear tires are new and .5 inch taller. Any input welcome and thank in advance. Todd
4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ
- Thread starter ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
- Start date
If the springs are sagging that bad go on rockauto and order front springs for an FJ cruiser. This will get you back up where you belong and give you an extra 1/2" lift on the front. They're like $35-$45 depending on the brand.
MN4RNR
New member
No. This is current
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/199352-sammy-build-exploration-thread-2.html#post2125167
Yes and yes. Corrected the post. With 884s up front I concur that the 895 is the rear would be the optimal choice. Remember those springs are quite a bit more stout than your stock ones so I am assuming you will see less sag than you do now...and it rides so nice loaded.
I'm okay with slightly stiffer, but don't want it to ride too stiff. How about a spacer for that combo? 1 inch? Appreciate the quick feedback. Looking at the suspension thread seems there are a lot of options.
Spacer will work of you want more, or you can go with bilstein 5100 shocks and set them for the lift you want. 5100's will control better than stock too. FJ coils will give you a slightly higher spring rate, but after 2 days I couldn't tell the difference in the rear. It's been a month now and I never notice them anymore. They were definitely an improvement over stock!
Here's a screenshot of what it does. Will be 1.25 inches wider than stock, close to stock fitment on the inside of the tire. You may need to trim the body mount, but you won't know until you put them on. Also I'm sure there will be a slight need to pull that stupid fender liner forward as well. I don't remember what you have done already.
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Mushroom_Cap
New member
Thanks for that! Awesome. I'd like to start a new thread specific to this ARB application but I don't think I have enough posts yet. Would be nice to hear from a few other ppl who have gone with ARB springs and shocks on this gen of 4Runner. I think I probably have enough info anyway to make an educated decision.
MN4: I can't get the pics to open on my stupid work computer but i'll look at them later at home.
I'm leaning toward the 884/895 combo. Seems that the final lift #'s will vary vehicle to vehicle. I'd rather err on the side of a little more lift than I wanted than a little less lift than I wanted.
In the fall hunting season we often drive on pretty crappy roads. Big ruts and so on. Would be nice to get that front skid plate up as high as possible without the lift looking silly.
Plan is to get the OME suspension work done, ride out the existing Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires in 265/65/17 until the spring/summer, and then replace them with 265/70/17s. Wouldn't get the Cooper's again, but that's another discussion for another day.
The lift might look a bit funny with the stock size tires but I can handle it for a few months.
bhest
New member
Looking for lots of feedback!!
Okay so Im hoping I can get a lot of feedback! I have a 2WD 4runner, it is my DD and I only take it offroad about 2 times a month. Right now I have a daystar 2.5 front and 1.5 back spacers, and I want to make my 4runner taller. I'm just a college kid so i don't have a lot of money to spent. Here is just a few options
1. Just bigger tires
2. Toytec spacer with rear springs + bigger tires
3. Something with spindles + bigger tires
4. Toytec Kit -coilovers with bilsteins all around and rear springs + bigger tires
Basically I am trying to find a setup that would give me the most height for the money. I hope this makes sense.
Okay so Im hoping I can get a lot of feedback! I have a 2WD 4runner, it is my DD and I only take it offroad about 2 times a month. Right now I have a daystar 2.5 front and 1.5 back spacers, and I want to make my 4runner taller. I'm just a college kid so i don't have a lot of money to spent. Here is just a few options
1. Just bigger tires
2. Toytec spacer with rear springs + bigger tires
3. Something with spindles + bigger tires
4. Toytec Kit -coilovers with bilsteins all around and rear springs + bigger tires
Basically I am trying to find a setup that would give me the most height for the money. I hope this makes sense.
Lift spindles for the front, lift springs for rear. Can throw spacer on top if still need more height.
bhest
New member
Thanks!!!
What size tires you thinking of?
bhest
New member
32's or 33's
Oh OK. You only need about 2.5"-3" of lift for that. You'll have to cut the body mount and pull the inner liner forward, but that's normal routine for bigger tires.
I'm looking for some help for lifting my 2005 SR5 V6. I was e-mailing back and forth with a local shop, here is a copy/paste of the conversation:
What I'm wanting is a 3" suspension lift for rock crawling.
He's saing the Bilstein 5100 is a spacer lift, but i don't think he is including the fact I would be replacing coils too.
I have no idea what a good place is to buy parts at online (I want to compare prices) and exactly what I want.
I really like this build and it has OME 884s in the front, and Toytec Superflex coils in the back, with bilstein 5100s all around.
Should I trust this shop that they know what they are talking about? Should I talk to someone else at it? They only sell stuff, they don't install.
"Hey I've got a stock 2005 4runner sr5 and am looking to get a 3" lift in the next few months.
I don't want a simple spacer kit, I'm pretty serious about offroading and would like a rock crawling rig for Moab, but it still has to be good on road as a family suv.
3" lift front and back is what I want.
I was thinking about bilstein 5100 front and rear shock absorbers but have not decided on coils yet. Not sure if I want coils for medium load or heavy load though.
I would like an estimate on how much this would cost and what some options are for coils that you guys have."
RESPONSE:
The Bilstein 5100 is essentially a spacer lift. You run the stock coils and adjust the shock to how much lift you are wanting. if your thinking of running the OME coils, you need to run their struts. Here is the ARB application guide: http://arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyota4Runner.pdf the tallest is going to be 2" without any additional spacer. depending on the weight you are carrying, it may sit higher or lower. if you want a true 3" lift, you may need to consider doing after market coil overs so you can set them where you want them. and in the rear, you may do the coils plus a spacer to achieve that. and at that point ,the 5100 will not work in the rear either. you would need to run either OME or measure and we can get a shock that will work for you. I hope this helps, if there is anything you are looking, send it over to me, and i can try to price it out for you and check availability.
the Toytec is just a spacer lift, we sell one also, but yes, if you did the OME coils and added a spacer, you can achieve 3" of lift. We do only Toyota and Suzuki's no jeeps, and we sell parts for all years of Toyota. The boss' wife drives a 4th gen 4runner. I can sell you what you like, i think a diff drop is worth the install, but to each their own, (you know how opinions are). we offer a spacer lift to get 3" of lift, and you maintain the factory ride quality. it is much cheaper, but whatever you like, we can get it for you. just let me know what you need and i will get it written up for you. the bilsteins 5100 are intended for 0-2" of lift, and i don't think they will work with 3" of lift, it may limit the amount of travel your getting. we do have them though they sell for $94.27 each.
OME Front Coil Springs - Light Load, Stock Weight, No Bar or Winch, 2.5-3" Lift (2884)
Old Man Emu OME Rear Coil Springs, Medium Load (2895)
Toyota Tacoma Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Front Shock, (90000)
Old Man Emu OME Nitrocharger Sport Shock (60004)
$880.12 for the ome parts.
I don't want a simple spacer kit, I'm pretty serious about offroading and would like a rock crawling rig for Moab, but it still has to be good on road as a family suv.
3" lift front and back is what I want.
I was thinking about bilstein 5100 front and rear shock absorbers but have not decided on coils yet. Not sure if I want coils for medium load or heavy load though.
I would like an estimate on how much this would cost and what some options are for coils that you guys have."
RESPONSE:
The Bilstein 5100 is essentially a spacer lift. You run the stock coils and adjust the shock to how much lift you are wanting. if your thinking of running the OME coils, you need to run their struts. Here is the ARB application guide: http://arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyota4Runner.pdf the tallest is going to be 2" without any additional spacer. depending on the weight you are carrying, it may sit higher or lower. if you want a true 3" lift, you may need to consider doing after market coil overs so you can set them where you want them. and in the rear, you may do the coils plus a spacer to achieve that. and at that point ,the 5100 will not work in the rear either. you would need to run either OME or measure and we can get a shock that will work for you. I hope this helps, if there is anything you are looking, send it over to me, and i can try to price it out for you and check availability.
the Toytec is just a spacer lift, we sell one also, but yes, if you did the OME coils and added a spacer, you can achieve 3" of lift. We do only Toyota and Suzuki's no jeeps, and we sell parts for all years of Toyota. The boss' wife drives a 4th gen 4runner. I can sell you what you like, i think a diff drop is worth the install, but to each their own, (you know how opinions are). we offer a spacer lift to get 3" of lift, and you maintain the factory ride quality. it is much cheaper, but whatever you like, we can get it for you. just let me know what you need and i will get it written up for you. the bilsteins 5100 are intended for 0-2" of lift, and i don't think they will work with 3" of lift, it may limit the amount of travel your getting. we do have them though they sell for $94.27 each.
OME Front Coil Springs - Light Load, Stock Weight, No Bar or Winch, 2.5-3" Lift (2884)
Old Man Emu OME Rear Coil Springs, Medium Load (2895)
Toyota Tacoma Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sport Front Shock, (90000)
Old Man Emu OME Nitrocharger Sport Shock (60004)
$880.12 for the ome parts.
What I'm wanting is a 3" suspension lift for rock crawling.
He's saing the Bilstein 5100 is a spacer lift, but i don't think he is including the fact I would be replacing coils too.
I have no idea what a good place is to buy parts at online (I want to compare prices) and exactly what I want.
I really like this build and it has OME 884s in the front, and Toytec Superflex coils in the back, with bilstein 5100s all around.
Should I trust this shop that they know what they are talking about? Should I talk to someone else at it? They only sell stuff, they don't install.
OME is good, and I agree with the bilstein 5100 shocks. They are a great entrance upgrade but if you want a crawler I'd go with coilovers. You will get much more performance with them. Cost more of course, but work way better. I'm not saying OME is bad either, I just think for what you are saying you want the coilovers are going to be much better.
Wait, so I'm confused on all the lingo. I thought coilovers were the same as the coils (spring looking things)
Do coilovers only go on the front, for IFS? and in the rear you'll have coils + a shock absorber?
I was looking at both Toytec and OME complete kits just to make things easier:
Toytec
OME
Is there a major difference in off-road capability between these 2? I think I was leaning more towards the toytec kit.
Coilovers are just for the front. Coilovers are a coil that goes around a shock, much like our front setup. The difference is the coilover has threads to adjust the springs up and down. Regular shock/coil setup has a non-adjustable perch like your stock setup. Bilstein 5100 shocks let you adjust that perch up and down for lift, much like a coilover. Now, of the 2 kits you listed the toytec one is just bilstein 5100 shocks that the front has been converted to the coilover threads. They are still Bilsteins. The OME kit is arguably a better kit overall. Fox, camburg, icon, King, etc will have much better coilover designs. They are better valved and controllable.
You don't necessarily need better shocks for rock crawling, but you do need good armor. Skid plates, sliders, etc. Also, long travel is great for rock crawling as it let's your suspension flex more so you can climb things easier. Camburg, total Chaos, and Allpro make kids for the front. Metal tech makes me for the rear. Rock crawling is expensive. Hell anything offroad is! It just depends on your budget. I guess a better question for me to ask is what your total build funds are currently? Based off that we can give you a couple options to suit your budget until you can do more later.
Right now I'm just focusing on a lift. I'm young, married, have a child, work full time and school full time.
I live in Utah and we do a lot of local offroading and Moab crawling also. I'm on a budget of around $1,000 for all of the suspension for now. I'm going to very slowly build my 4runner.
I'm starting with suspension, then probably in the next few months I'll also get some sliders, but one of my offroad friends said he can build some for cost of the parts (he welds). So far my stock skid plates have done me a really good job, I've slid around on them quite a bit in Moab and they've held up well for skid plates. I do want to look into better armor replacements for all of them though, and I'm still on edge for a front bumper since that will be so expensive, although I would love to have one if budget wasn't a concern. I might see if my welding friend could help build one.
I don't care to have the most well built one in the offroad group, I just want to be able to keep up with all the jeeps in moab. Especially with my budget, I won't have an amazing rock crawler anytime soon, it just needs to be more capable than stock.
This 4runner is also my daily driver.
That helps! My bad for not asking the correct questions to start! So, personally I have only had the Bilsteins. I have flogged the hell out of them and I can say I'm not overly impressed. My understanding is that they are just a little stiffer to help with towing and/or heavier tires which I feel they do a decent job at. Big improvement over stock IMHO. Now, I hav3 read of several people switching to OME and saying they are drastically better than the billys. So, with that in mind and your budget I would go with the OME setup. I took a screen shot of what I would order which is in your budget.
Now, if you can swing it you can buy the Radflo kit from Metal Tech for ~$1500. http://www.metaltech4x4.com/p-626-radflo-20-03-current-4runner-suspension-kit.aspx
This is a true coilover setup, 2" shocks that will perform much better. You can also add parts as needed, control arms front/rear, and all those other goodies later. (as with anything you go with) In the end it's up to you of course. Make sure you start a build thread and show us what you do!
I plan on making my own sliders too. Need to find a welder friend myself. Lol
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