4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[Oneluv13T4R]

What brand is the best / longest lasting in the field of level kits? I have an '04 V6 2WD that I want to get off the ground and give it a lifted look, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't make much sense to lift it with shocks and springs as its not 4WD? Which is why I'm looking at level "lifts". If I'm wrong please correct me, and any info helps. Thanks!


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That's one of the most a** nine things I've heard, and for that simple fact you have no business lifting your rig anyways if that is your thinking. Your right you should sell your 2wd drive 4Runner to buy a 4wd 4Runner cause you can lift it.

 

[The Yin]

Lifting 2wd drive?

It would seem [MENTION=141171]slowdawg84[/MENTION] concern is that lifting a 2wd has less benefit since it's off road potential is less then a 4wd. But in my experience (limited) and research (lots of reading), it would seem that unless you are planing to do some serious mudding/river crossing/rock climbing with your 4runner, then you don't have to have a 4wd. Adding a lift to a 2wd, which is what I'm going to do with mine, will still give you better ground clearance for off road and replace your worn out shocks/springs if yours are (and it will look nice).

 

[TCfan]

I just lifted my '04 4x4 with Fox 2.0 and SAW 1.5" in the back and the drivers side is sagging a lot more than the passenger's side. The only thing I can think of is that I had to jack up the driver's side in order to get my tires on. Did I "break in" that spring and not the other by doing that? Or did I install something wrong?

 

[Powder_Hound]

[MENTION=141171]slowdawg84[/MENTION] Why would it not being 4wd matter? Mine is 2wd, look at the pics a few posts up. There are many of us with 2wd's that are lifted.

Cause lifted 4WD's are way cooler than lifted 2WD's Morphious. But you knew that already...:bash:

Just adding a useless remark to an otherwise fantastic thread!!!!

2wd or 4wd doesn't dictate the lift. It's how you use you T4R that should dictate the lift you choose.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

I just lifted my '04 4x4 with Fox 2.0 and SAW 1.5" in the back and the drivers side is sagging a lot more than the passenger's side. The only thing I can think of is that I had to jack up the driver's side in order to get my tires on. Did I "break in" that spring and not the other by doing that? Or did I install something wrong?

Did you seat the springs in the cup or mount properly? Sounds like its not.

 

[t-man]

Drivers side lean. Common issue. Look it up in search if on computer or google "4th gen 4runner drivers side lean"

 

[Mr Mufakka]

Towing a 20' boat with the daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift. Will I run into any problems?

 

[Desert Fox]

Towing a 20' boat with the daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift. Will I run into any problems?

Yep,
The owner of the boat will want it back

 

[SteelStacks]

So after finally getting my bilsteins installed with front set at 2.5 and a 1.5 rear spacer, I'm ready to get new wheels and tires. I've been searching sizes and styles relentlessly and have narrowed down what I wanted.

Wheel choices:

17x9 fuel hostages -12mm backspace

17x9 method standards -12mm backspace

17x8.5 method nv 0 backspace

Do I need the 6x5.5 or the 6x139 bolt pattern?

Do I need the 106 Center bore or is 108 ok?

Tires:

I'm fairly certain I want the Duratracs. My only issue is that I want the 285 70r17 but I don't want to do a BMC. I have read conflict posts where some people say you need one and others say you don't. If I was sure I didn't need one then I'd definitely get the 285s. Otherwise I will get the 265s. Also, would the -12mm backspacing make it more likely to rub if I got 265s?

My other dilemma is that the Duratracs fitment guide for 265s is for a 7-8.5 inch wheel. If I get the 17x9 wheels will the 265s look stupid? Will the tire look stretched? If so then I would just get the 17x8.5 method wheels then. Any help is appreciated because all this research is giving me a headache and I'm new to all of this. Thanks!



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[Fergmonster45]

Question.... I have an 2005 4Runner SR5 4WD. I installed 1.5" spacers on the front struts, which from my understanding, was to lift the car 3" in the front..... However, I measured the height of the wheel well before and after and the true 1.5" thick spacers only lifted the car 1.5". So now I'm confused.... I was thought that even tho the spacers are only 1.5" thick, b/c of the way the strut sits or something that it actually was so post to lift the truck 3". But that was not the case... The only thing I can think of is that when I installed the spacers I put the left strut on the right side and the right strut on the left to keep the front of the coils facing forward... Maybe this messed up the way they sit on the spacer...??? Idk has anybody encountered this problem b4?

 

[Wile.E.Coyote]

So after finally getting my bilsteins installed with front set at 2.5 and a 1.5 rear spacer, I'm ready to get new wheels and tires. I've been searching sizes and styles relentlessly and have narrowed down what I wanted.

Wheel choices:

17x9 fuel hostages -12mm backspace

17x9 method standards -12mm backspace

17x8.5 method nv 0 backspace

Do I need the 6x5.5 or the 6x139 bolt pattern?

Do I need the 106 Center bore or is 108 ok?

Tires:

I'm fairly certain I want the Duratracs. My only issue is that I want the 285 70r17 but I don't want to do a BMC. I have read conflict posts where some people say you need one and others say you don't. If I was sure I didn't need one then I'd definitely get the 285s. Otherwise I will get the 265s. Also, would the -12mm backspacing make it more likely to rub if I got 265s?

My other dilemma is that the Duratracs fitment guide for 265s is for a 7-8.5 inch wheel. If I get the 17x9 wheels will the 265s look stupid? Will the tire look stretched? If so then I would just get the 17x8.5 method wheels then. Any help is appreciated because all this research is giving me a headache and I'm new to all of this. Thanks!



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I have P265/70r17 on 17x9 and they fit fine and look fine. Picture below. P-series 265s fit on 9" but I was told LT 265s will not. Probably something with the sidewall not flexing enough.

Also, 6x5.5 is the same as 6x139.7 I believe. Can't answer your other questions.

 

[JLRSR5]

Another question about a lift?

I have OME 884's and am considering installing these and am curious how FJ coils plus a daystar 1.5'' spacer would look in the rear paired with 884's up front with no top plate spacer. Shocks will be bilstein 5100's all around.

Wondering if this will look nose high, or if it will maintain some of the factory rake and look good?

 

[slowdawg84]

It would seem [MENTION=141171]slowdawg84[/MENTION] concern is that lifting a 2wd has less benefit since it's off road potential is less then a 4wd. But in my experience (limited) and research (lots of reading), it would seem that unless you are planing to do some serious mudding/river crossing/rock climbing with your 4runner, then you don't have to have a 4wd. Adding a lift to a 2wd, which is what I'm going to do with mine, will still give you better ground clearance for off road and replace your worn out shocks/springs if yours are (and it will look nice).

Thank you for the great advice Yin.

 

[mizak82]

probably a dumb question.. but can you just replace springs to get a lift and keep the xreas intact? or basically you need elongated shocks to pair with the lift springs..

I need tires in probably 10k miles.. want to go a little bigger.. but hate to just trash the xreas since it still works fine..

thanks..

 

[NinjaOne]

Downside of running long travel springs with standard shocks? (Bilstiens 5100s) I know I wouldn't get the full benefit of long travel, but is there a problem with installing these without the rest of the long travel components?


FJ Cruiser/4Runner Rear Long Travel Coil Spring

 

[morphious]

Downside of running long travel springs with standard shocks? (Bilstiens 5100s) I know I wouldn't get the full benefit of long travel, but is there a problem with installing these without the rest of the long travel components?


FJ Cruiser/4Runner Rear Long Travel Coil Spring

I am currently running these in Medium Duty with 5100's. I plan on upgrading my shocks down the road but since my 5100's are still good, thought I would use them for a while longer. I have experienced no issues thus far.

 

[tc05runner]

I just ordered mine last Friday. I can't wait to install them once they get here. My stock coils with a spacer sag so bad and I have so much body lean/roll because of that


I won't have long travel shock either. Just my extended length pro comp pro runner series shocks. I'm glad to hear some feedback on them

Now I just need to figure out what I need for my front end. I've been looking at going OME/bilstein shocks. But I need a full 3 inches of lift with a v8. Still debating on what coil I will go with

 

[Powder_Hound]

probably a dumb question.. but can you just replace springs to get a lift and keep the xreas intact? or basically you need elongated shocks to pair with the lift springs..

I need tires in probably 10k miles.. want to go a little bigger.. but hate to just trash the xreas since it still works fine..

thanks..

You can, but it's not ideal. It's similar to adding spacers which also extends the XREAS shock. In either scenario you still need to disconnect the front shocks to install the springs or spacers. If your going to do it I would encourage you to replace shocks and springs at the same time. IMO

 

[mizak82]

ok... if i get shocks they will be the Bilstein 5100s..

now I see a lot of people use the fj springs and a spacer in the rear with these..

wouldn't it be better to just use a bigger lift spring with no spacer? is it that much more expensive?


and do i need to purchase anything for the front or rear suspension other than the shock and the spring? is there any insulators, mounts or anything else I'd need?


thanks

 

[Powder_Hound]

ok... if i get shocks they will be the Bilstein 5100s..

now I see a lot of people use the fj springs and a spacer in the rear with these..

wouldn't it be better to just use a bigger lift spring with no spacer? is it that much more expensive?


and do i need to purchase anything for the front or rear suspension other than the shock and the spring? is there any insulators, mounts or anything else I'd need?


thanks

Yes, springs will out perform a spacer lift. There are many good kits out there. If you want run Billsteins take a look at the Toytec Ultimate kit. It comes with everything you need for about $1300. I think the FJ springs might be a little shorter in the rear and many will opt for spacers to help level it out (appearance). I didn't concider this option so I'm not 100% clear on the "why". However, if you look most agree that spacers do not improve performance the way a spring does.

I'd recommend saving the $$$'s and replacing the entire system.