4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

here is what I found, Thank Tony, very helpful lead!

How To: Convert RAS to Coils - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Here's a link to my thread on this forum, a bit more info/discussion.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/120196-how-convert-ras-coils.html

Since I did the conversion initially, Metal Tech came out with a kit. I ended up redoing mine using their kit, no particular reason other than I feel it's a better setup since it mimics the factory design.

Lexus GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Kit

The MT kit comes with directions on how to disconnect the electronics for the ride height control. I found with the sensors tied up, the compressor would still run.
 
I am new and have done mostly electrical work to my T4R to date. I want to lift it next and I searched this thread but had a hard time finding much about the Toytech kit (although there are a billion posts so it's probably somewhere in there...). Hopefully someone will give me the thumbs up on this proposed lift.

For reference...

-- 2004 SR5 V8
-- 135k miles
-- Want lift and marginally better performance
-- 99% on road vehicle (daily driver)
-- Occasional light off road (beach, dirt roads, etc.) but no plans for anything crazy (rock crawling)

All that said, I found a great deal on the 3" Toytech Bilstein 5100 lift (3" Lift W/ Bilstein 5100 Height Adj Coilovers FJ/4Runner) and I plan to have a friend who is a Toyota mechanic install it.

-- Will this be good enough for my purposes (lift and somewhat improved performance)?

-- What would a decent install price be (paid cash direct to the guy)?

-- Any issue with keeping the stock UCAs?

Future improvements will include larger tires. Plan to keep the 17" wheels that I have and maybe add 1.25" spidertrax as well. Also how goofy will this look if I have it for a few months before upgrading the tires :) ?

My wheels (not my photo)...
img_0441-jpg.102138


My tires are P265/65R17
 
Last edited:
I am new and have done mostly electrical work to my T4R to date. I want to lift it next and I searched this thread but had a hard time finding much about the Toytech kit (although there are a billion posts so it's probably somewhere in there...). Hopefully someone will give me the thumbs up on this proposed lift.

For reference...

-- 2004 SR5 V8
-- 135k miles
-- Want lift and marginally better performance
-- 99% on road vehicle (daily driver)
-- Occasional light off road (beach, dirt roads, etc.) but no plans for anything crazy (rock crawling)

All that said, I found a great deal on the 3" Toytech Bilstein 5100 lift (3" Lift W/ Bilstein 5100 Height Adj Coilovers FJ/4Runner) and I plan to have a friend who is a Toyota mechanic install it.

-- Will this be good enough for my purposes (lift and somewhat improved performance)?

-- What would a decent install price be (paid cash direct to the guy)?

-- Any issue with keeping the stock UCAs?

Future improvements will include larger tires. Plan to keep the 17" wheels that I have and maybe add 1.25" spidertrax as well. Also how goofy will this look if I have it for a few months before upgrading the tires :) ?

My wheels (not my photo)...

My tires are P265/65R17

You really only need a good suspension lift if you plan on doing moderate-hardcore offroading, otherwise it is kind of a waste of money. Coilovers (which is what you linked) are more for hardcore offroad use.

You could get away with some bilsteins+FJ springs, or if you really want to cheap out you can just get a simple spacer lift, but that doesn't include swapping out the springs and shocks and will not improve the ride quality. These run for ~$200 to get a full 1.5-2" of lift all around but it doesn't improve your ride quality, it only lifts you a bit.

Of course all you linked was front coilovers, and that set doesn't include anything for the rear. To get something similar for the rear you would need some more springs and shocks and you're looking at another $300+ for those.

For example, I love offroading and rock crawling and I go pretty frequently, I'm actually going to easter jeep safari with some friends next month. I ordered this lift Radflo 2.0" 03-Current 4Runner Suspension Kit for mine and will be installing it by myself when I get it in the next few weeks.

Installing looks to be pretty easy as long as you have all the tools. Watch this video to get an idea of how it is done, and you can do your yourself in a weekend to save some money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9-0hMzv_RU&list=WL&index=1 This video is for a true suspension lift though.

If money is not an issue, then going all out with coilovers for the front and new shocks/springs for the rear should drastically improve the offroad ability of your rig along with the ride quality.
 
You really only need a good suspension lift if you plan on doing moderate-hardcore offroading, otherwise it is kind of a waste of money. Coilovers (which is what you linked) are more for hardcore offroad use.

You could get away with some bilsteins+FJ springs, or if you really want to cheap out you can just get a simple spacer lift, but that doesn't include swapping out the springs and shocks and will not improve the ride quality. These run for ~$200 to get a full 1.5-2" of lift all around but it doesn't improve your ride quality, it only lifts you a bit.

Of course all you linked was front coilovers, and that set doesn't include anything for the rear. To get something similar for the rear you would need some more springs and shocks and you're looking at another $300+ for those.

For example, I love offroading and rock crawling and I go pretty frequently, I'm actually going to easter jeep safari with some friends next month. I ordered this lift Radflo 2.0" 03-Current 4Runner Suspension Kit for mine and will be installing it by myself when I get it in the next few weeks.

Installing looks to be pretty easy as long as you have all the tools. Watch this video to get an idea of how it is done, and you can do your yourself in a weekend to save some money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9-0hMzv_RU&list=WL&index=1 This video is for a true suspension lift though.

If money is not an issue, then going all out with coilovers for the front and new shocks/springs for the rear should drastically improve the offroad ability of your rig along with the ride quality.

Thanks for the thorough reply. The link I meant to post (not sure what you're seeing?) has the following...

--- TTHA-CK-RCC

Complete 3" lift kit for 2003-2009 4Runner with Bilstein 5100 front shocks

INCLUDED IN KIT----

Front Lift:

Fully assembled front coil over using Toytec aluminum top mounts and urethane bushings:
- Bilstein 5100 height adjustable front shocks
- Toytec/Eibach 112620 front lift coils

Preset at approximately 3" of front lift.

Rear Lift:

- 2" Rear Lift "Superflex" coil springs- 10% increase in load capacity/spring rate and a great ride quality.
When used with provided shocks they add 2" of more overall rear flex to the suspension

or Heavy duty HD RCC2.5 coils for additional constant load.

- Extended length Bilstein 5100 rear nitrogen gas shocks for optimum performance on and off road

Also includes:

----- Toytec Lifts Front Diff Drop Kit

So it should include the rear as well (springs and shocks)
Basically I can get it for almost half off so I'm thinking despite the fact that it's unnecessary it'll definitely be worth it.

I'll also check out the youtube link to see how hard the install is. I would definitely need to buy a few things although I would probably need these anyway so it's probably worth it...

-- High lift floor jack (mine doesn't lift high enough)
-- High lift jack stands (mine are too short :()
-- Torque wrench (have impact wrench but want one I can measure with)
-- Not sure what else?

Anyway, let me know if the above description changes any of your thoughts and thanks again!
 
Thanks for the thorough reply. The link I meant to post (not sure what you're seeing?) has the following...







So it should include the rear as well (springs and shocks)

Basically I can get it for almost half off so I'm thinking despite the fact that it's unnecessary it'll definitely be worth it.



I'll also check out the youtube link to see how hard the install is. I would definitely need to buy a few things although I would probably need these anyway so it's probably worth it...



-- High lift floor jack (mine doesn't lift high enough)

-- High lift jack stands (mine are too short :()

-- Torque wrench (have impact wrench but want one I can measure with)

-- Not sure what else?



Anyway, let me know if the above description changes any of your thoughts and thanks again!


I'm Looking at the exact same lift. How are pulling half off?
 
2004 T4R V8 w/ 117k

I just purchased a cherry 2004 Toyota 4Runner V8 with 117,000 miles. Everything is stock and I need to upgrade the stock suspension. Would like to do a lift while I'm at it. I want a healthy upgrade so I won't have any issues down the road with bigger 17's. Any suggestions on what all I should start with?
 
I just purchased a cherry 2004 Toyota 4Runner V8 with 117,000 miles. Everything is stock and I need to upgrade the stock suspension. Would like to do a lift while I'm at it. I want a healthy upgrade so I won't have any issues down the road with bigger 17's. Any suggestions on what all I should start with?

I just installed this one last weekend by myself with no previous knowledge or experience doing it.

Radflo 2.0" 03-Current 4Runner Suspension Kit

Ride quality is good so far, but it comes with sway bar relocates that cause the sway bar to bang around on the front skid plate. I took the skid plate off and I'm going to have to build a custom one I think.
 
I just purchased a cherry 2004 Toyota 4Runner V8 with 117,000 miles. Everything is stock and I need to upgrade the stock suspension. Would like to do a lift while I'm at it. I want a healthy upgrade so I won't have any issues down the road with bigger 17's. Any suggestions on what all I should start with?

I plan on camping mostly but i don't want to be turned away by any 4x4 only trails. I've been leaning towards the Toytec 3" Ultimate Lift with UCA's.
 
I plan on camping mostly but i don't want to be turned away by any 4x4 only trails. I've been leaning towards the Toytec 3" Ultimate Lift with UCA's.
Great choice! I chose OME with Toytec rear HD springs as I wasn't interested in an ajustable coil over set and it was $400 less. I didn't get UCA's yet and I can't get castor in spec.

Enjoy your new and soon to be lifted T4R
 
I plan on camping mostly but i don't want to be turned away by any 4x4 only trails. I've been leaning towards the Toytec 3" Ultimate Lift with UCA's.

The stock 4runner is an extremely capable machine. I chose the lift I did because I'm going to be doing hard trails in Moab and need the extra clearance.
 
Great choice! I chose OME with Toytec rear HD springs as I wasn't interested in an ajustable coil over set and it was $400 less. I didn't get UCA's yet and I can't get castor in spec.

Enjoy your new and soon to be lifted T4R

Thank you, Hound! So OME coil overs that aren't adjustable but are still 3" on the front?
 
Yes...I have the V-8 and chose the 885. It's hard to state the "exact" lift as I had a Daystar 2 1/2 / 1 1/2 lift before, but it is taller now. There should be a side by side of the before and after on my build thread.
 
Great choice! I chose OME with Toytec rear HD springs as I wasn't interested in an ajustable coil over set and it was $400 less. I didn't get UCA's yet and I can't get castor in spec.

Enjoy your new and soon to be lifted T4R

Do you notice any swaying while driving without the UCA's? I've read that these 4th gen T4R's tend to sway when lifted above 3".
 
Not really. When I get above 60-65 it feels a little floaty, but it tracks straight as an arrow. With the castor at .5 vs >2.5 I'll prob replace UCA's down the road.
 
Last edited:
lift question

I am currently planning to lift my girlfriends 2008 2wd. We got a good deal on wheels for a set of tires we have already available. 275/60/20 (33x10.8). 20x9 0mm offset. My question is really a matter of which route to go. i see most clearing a 285/70/17 (33x11.2) with 3" of lift. some with minor trimming, some with trim and body mount chop. here are the 2 routes i am considering. bear minded im not looking to get a full OME lift or toytec ultimate. pretty much a street ride anyway. i would make a thread but i just joined and dont have enough posts or permission yet to start a thread. lol

A) 3"/1.5" Toytec spacers or cornfed 3/2. It appears her stock front struts/coils are sagging some so i thought about adding fresh ones there as well. I also know i will likely need new UCA's to get caster back in line. may have to add 1" body lift if it scrubs bad but id like to avoid that if possible. my concern here is the amount of trimming that may need to be done and the amount of scrubbing w/ just the 3" spacer. it seems to vary greatly per vehicle on posts ive read.

or

B) 4" lift spindle-source spindles. I know this route will keep all of the stock geometry right and no need for UCA's. with the minor sagging stock struts/coils i think it would end up around 3.25-3.5" lift. this route seems to me like it will also be a more true 4" of lift since nothing will settle. Alignment will be easier and ill just find a 1.5" spacer for the rear. my concern here is it being too much lift or consequently not enough with the 3/4" added track width the spindles add to the front. it may scrub worse then. ive never dealt with a spindle lift before. also im concerned with it looking weird with front out farther than the rear. i could add a 1/4" rear spacer to combat some of the offset but that is as far as id be willing to go as to not compromise stud strength.

Any input here is greatly appreciated.
 
ANother great thread. New guy on the block here and i cant start a post yet, but working my way there. Anyhow, I got my sisters 03 4runner a couple years ago which is all stock. I just put on some 265/70 R17 tires which improves the look and ride of the car so far. I'm going to give this to my 17yr oild son, so i'm trying to pimp it out a bit for him to make it feel and look like he's not getting the old man's car. I know squat about cars, so please forgive me, and I'm also a full time student again at 46. The suspension has never been changed and it's got 187000 miles on it, so Im needing to upgrade. been looking here and on suspension connection for front and back shocks. What do I need to order? I was going to get the spacer from Jason on here to lift the front up 1" to level her out a bit for the new tires, but knowing I need shocks, I cant seem to spend $250 on a spacer and installation with crap shocks. from what I gather the Bilinstein 5100's should be able to give that 1' lift with the adjustment factor without spacers correct? And the only shocks i'm seeing are these..2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner 4wd - Bilstein Heavy Duty Shock Absorber (REAR) Yellow. And then I need front as well. Then all the talk of the 07 fj spings would be a great add on if I can find a set. Would I need these if I got suspension? Sorry for the winded post. I just want to hook my son up whos been a great kid. Thanks for your help or suggestions.
 

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top