4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

So I just got my first 4Runner about 3 weeks ago. First thing I am looking at doing lift wise is the Toytec 3/2 spacers and springs with bilstein 5100s all around. Would it be worth it to just go with new springs in the front as well for the extra $200? This is going to be for a DD with occasional beach riding, and some light trails/off-road camping. Also I'd like to go with a 275/70 or ~32x11.5 does anyone have firsthand experience with this setup working? Am I going to need any drop brackets or UCAs right off the bat? All help and guidance appreciated! :yo:

Generally, if you're sticking to the pavement, spacers are fine. Once you start doing any decent off-roading, you're going to want a stiffer suspension, i.e. lift springs. I would go lift springs over spacers IMO.

Depending on how old your vehicle is, your springs/shocks have probably sagged a bit (mine were down a full inch). Probably worth replacing them while you're in there.

I'm currently rocking a 3" lift and haven't done the UCAs yet. I'll get around to it later this year. Not required, but I don't like the wandering.

 

[having fun]

[MENTION=44866]ARK_SWAMP_RIDER[/MENTION] Since your mainly the man that has been compiling info on suspension, figured I would add additional info here and you can add to your list or knowledge of wisdom.

Back ground- 08,v-6, bumper/winch, plates, sliders, roof rack. 3 + yrs. 885/5100 "0" setting.
3"spacer on stock, - 1yr changed to Overland 3" w/ 1 3/8 spacer driver side.

I needed to change my front isolators due to springs finally cut through them, let alone squished them to nothing ( new when I installed lift ). Went to Whiteline poly W44106 kit, never replaced strut upper bushing on lift.
Helped get me back to stock rake now, between worn out isolators and 3+ lift on rear coils.
When I pulled apart and cleaned up components, decided to measure my coils. D-15.5",
P- 15 23/32". Almost a full .25" difference. Obviously I switch sides as I still had a slight driver lean, gone now. Also after settling, gained .5" lift on front, close to factory rake.

Just some feed back for you, and thanks for your help with knowledge when I needed. PMs and write ups.

 

[trailsurfer92]

Generally, if you're sticking to the pavement, spacers are fine. Once you start doing any decent off-roading, you're going to want a stiffer suspension, i.e. lift springs. I would go lift springs over spacers IMO.

Depending on how old your vehicle is, your springs/shocks have probably sagged a bit (mine were down a full inch). Probably worth replacing them while you're in there.

I'm currently rocking a 3" lift and haven't done the UCAs yet. I'll get around to it later this year. Not required, but I don't like the wandering.

Thank you for the feedback! Do you think the Toytec coils/bilsteins will hold up to either bumpers or a RTT in the distant future?

 

[Rodtheviking]

I'm looking at the Toytec Ultimate lift with the HD coils in the rear for the roof toop tent option too.

Thats my plan.

 

[goobmiester]

New to this

Hey no even sure if im doing this post right, but I am new to the off-roading life and im interested in lifting my 2005 v6 limited 4runner up as well as putting some new tires on it. My friend goes off-roading almost every weekend to some pretty gnarly trails. I am new to this but want to dive into it. Im not looking to go mudding, just trail riding. Any comments

 

[flipflopnfly]

Toytec BOSS kit

I got it installed today. Boss Suspension System for 03-09 4Runner, 07-09 FJ

BOSS kit comes with rear bumpstop extenders, front swaybar relocate. I heard good reviews about it, somehat comparable to an ICON Stage One kit. Threaded coilovers, 2" lift rear springs 10% stiffer than stock. Tested and tuned for the 4Runner. I wanted a full kit instead of mix and match.

Toytec says the shocks are their own design and manufacture with Eibach coilsprings, unlike the Ultimate Lift Kit which is threaded body Bilstein 5100's. Little bit stronger setup than the 5100's, IMO.

Is the extended rear bumpstops why the Boss kit differs from ICON? Icon Stage One must have more uptravel so they don't need a 2" bumpstop extension.

 

[flipflopnfly]

Toytec BOSS kit

I got it installed today. Boss Suspension System for 03-09 4Runner, 07-09 FJ

BOSS kit comes with rear bumpstop extenders, front swaybar relocate. I heard good reviews about it, somehat comparable to an ICON Stage One kit. Threaded coilovers, 2" lift rear springs 10% stiffer than stock. Tested and tuned for the 4Runner.

Toytec says the shocks are their own design and manufacture with Eibach coilsprings, unlike the Ultimate Lift Kit which is threaded body Bilstein 5100's. Little bit stronger setup than the 5100's, IMO.

Is the extended rear bumpstops why the Boss kit differs from ICON? Icon Stage One must have more uptravel so they don't need a 2" bumpstop extension.

 

[896359]

Still a little confused

thank you for the wonderful description it has answered many of my questions however I am still am lacking a little information that I was looking for.

About the truck:
I have a v6 2005 Toyota 4runner with four wheel drive, the truck will frequently haul a roof top tent, motorcycle hitch carrier, and camping gear. In the future I plan to add a front bumper, rear bumper/tire carrier, full skid plates, and rock sliders.

Planned suspension setup:
I was planning to run bilstine 5100 shocks all around with OME 886 front coils, and toytec superflex HD rear coils.

What I am confused on:
I would like to know if when I do the lift what gain I should expect, also, without the weight of the bumper what would the ride be like or would it even be tolerable? Also when I do the lift will I have to do more upgrades such as a long arm kit, slip yoke eliminator, longer drive shafts, etc.

If you could also provide me with a quick photo if you have this setup with 265 tires it would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[Hawaiian Hillbilly]

thank you for the wonderful description it has answered many of my questions however I am still am lacking a little information that I was looking for.

About the truck:
I have a v6 2005 Toyota 4runner with four wheel drive, the truck will frequently haul a roof top tent, motorcycle hitch carrier, and camping gear. In the future I plan to add a front bumper, rear bumper/tire carrier, full skid plates, and rock sliders.

Planned suspension setup:
I was planning to run bilstine 5100 shocks all around with OME 886 front coils, and toytec superflex HD rear coils.

What I am confused on:
I would like to know if when I do the lift what gain I should expect, also, without the weight of the bumper what would the ride be like or would it even be tolerable? Also when I do the lift will I have to do more upgrades such as a long arm kit, slip yoke eliminator, longer drive shafts, etc.

If you could also provide me with a quick photo if you have this setup with 265 tires it would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Howzit friend! I went with the 885OME coils because of what ive learned from this forum. The general thought as noted on the first post of this thread is that the 885 coils are good for a nice lift and some added weight if you have a v6 T4R with added weight (bumpers etc) or a V8 stock. The 885s and bilstein 5100s that I installed on my 04 v6 T4R are relatively sturdy on the road and handles well off road. Ive got the bilsteins on the second notch as of right now. Depending on your plans the adjustable 5100s are a very good purchase initially with the OME886 coils IMHO. Since I'm planning on a front bumper in the future I don't consider it a nuisance to drive around till then. There are no other upgrades "needed" for a 3 inch lift. However, there are a bunch of "wants" lol perhaps some after market upper control arms in the future. When you get into a lift higher than a 3" you'll most likely need upgrades in other areas. Things like sway bar relocates, diff drop kits, etc. I installed Procomp fj lift coils in the rear with bilstein 5100 shocks as well. Don't know much about the superflex as you've mentioned but I'm sure it will work just fine. Heres a pic of my T4R as of right now. aloha from Hawaii!

 

[896359]

Nice runner!

Howzit friend! I went with the 885OME coils because of what ive learned from this forum. The general thought as noted on the first post of this thread is that the 885 coils are good for a nice lift and some added weight if you have a v6 T4R with added weight (bumpers etc) or a V8 stock. The 885s and bilstein 5100s that I installed on my 04 v6 T4R are relatively sturdy on the road and handles well off road. Ive got the bilsteins on the second notch as of right now. Depending on your plans the adjustable 5100s are a very good purchase initially with the OME886 coils IMHO. Since I'm planning on a front bumper in the future I don't consider it a nuisance to drive around till then. There are no other upgrades "needed" for a 3 inch lift. However, there are a bunch of "wants" lol perhaps some after market upper control arms in the future. When you get into a lift higher than a 3" you'll most likely need upgrades in other areas. Things like sway bar relocates, diff drop kits, etc. I installed Procomp fj lift coils in the rear with bilstein 5100 shocks as well. Don't know much about the superflex as you've mentioned but I'm sure it will work just fine. Heres a pic of my T4R as of right now. aloha from Hawaii!

Thank you for the response, you have answered all of my questions and I am now more confident that I am on the wright road, you have saved me from buying and returning 886 coils. Also, your truck looks great, even the same color as mine, I don't see moded gold t4rs often especially not in Hawaii! P.S. what tires are you running?

 

[Hawaiian Hillbilly]

Thank you for the response, you have answered all of my questions and I am now more confident that I am on the wright road, you have saved me from buying and returning 886 coils. Also, your truck looks great, even the same color as mine, I don't see moded gold t4rs often especially not in Hawaii! P.S. what tires are you running?

Thanks for the kind words my friend! I don't see many gold T4R out here either. Most are completely BLACKED out or silver. As for tires they are 285/75/16 on cragar steel rims and 2" wheel spacers. I did do a 2 inch body lift (fat pats) on mines which gave me the clearance I needed to run these tires without any trimming to the body mounts. It was either a "body lift" or a "bracket lift" to run the tires without trimming body mounts and fenders. Considering that the Rough country FJ bracket lift (which is a complete 6 inch bolt on lift) costs $1500 shipped to Hawaii....I was happy to "try" the body lift for right around $130 bucks! I'm glad I went that route instead. Looking forward to seeing your rig up and running!

 

[Johnnibanner4run]

When you lift up a 4runner any height do you need longer cv joints because if so anyone know which are the heavy duty ones.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[t-man]

When you lift up a 4runner any height do you need longer cv joints because if so anyone know which are the heavy duty ones.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Only if you go to a long travel suspension.
If you end up needing a replacement I like the duralast brand from autozone because that have A no questions asked lifetime warranty and it's only $60.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[Johnnibanner4run]

Only if you go to a long travel suspension.
If you end up needing a replacement I like the duralast brand from autozone because that have A no questions asked lifetime warranty and it's only $60.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

Yeah i dont need long range travel. Not for me but i do need to replace my cv joints i have 137*+ and when i do left hand uturns it clinks.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[soloone]

Installed the Icon stage 1 this weekend and new Wheels and Tires today. When I turn enter a driveway I get a double **Beep*. No lights in the cluster. Inner fenders trimmed. I feel like its trying to tell me it is experiencing rub. I did a search but no response with search terms "Lift and Beep". Thanks guys.

 

[jrm]

TPMS sensor

Installed the Icon stage 1 this weekend and new Wheels and Tires today. When I turn enter a driveway I get a double **Beep*. No lights in the cluster. Inner fenders trimmed. I feel like its trying to tell me it is experiencing rub. I did a search but no response with search terms "Lift and Beep". Thanks guys.

do you know if the sensors are intact? or if the system needs to be reset due to the new tire/rims.

 

[soloone]

do you know if the sensors are intact? or if the system needs to be reset due to the new tire/rims.

I had them swap them to the new Wheels. I am typically (Tacoma) used to seeing the tire pressure dash light if something is going on with the TPMS. It has only happened in an aggressive turning maneuver.

I just figure if there is a barking alert I should figure out the cause. Thanks guys!!

 

[t-man]

I had them swap them to the new Wheels. I am typically (Tacoma) used to seeing the tire pressure dash light if something is going on with the TPMS. It has only happened in an aggressive turning maneuver.

I just figure if there is a barking alert I should figure out the cause. Thanks guys!!

Traction control. Probably need to do the zpc. Zero point calibration

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[timbo_slice]

Thought these might be helpful if added to OP

wheel Lug nut bolt: 21mm deep well socket.

Bolt sizes Front suspension
ABS bracket 10mm
sway bar end links 17 mm
tie rod 12mm socket
upper ball joint 19mm
lower shock mounting bolt 19mm socket (Install bolt from the rear, towards the front.)
Uppor shock mounts 14mm wrench (ratchet type works well)

Bolt sizes rear suspension
Upper and lower shock mounts: 17mm wrench(ratchet type works well) and socket
sway bar end links 17 mm
Brake line bracket to frame on driver side: 12mm

Torque:
FRONT Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Brackets 30 ft lb
Stabilizer Link 52 ft lb
Shock (lower) 100ft lb
Shock (upper nuts) 47 ft lb
Wheel 83 ft lb

REAR Suspension
Stabilizer Link 52 ft lb
Shock (lower) 72 ft lb
shock (upper) 18ftlb

 

[flipflopnfly]

Thought these might be helpful if added to OP

wheel Lug nut bolt: 21mm deep well socket.

Bolt sizes Front suspension
ABS bracket 10mm
sway bar end links 17 mm
tie rod 12mm socket
upper ball joint 19mm
lower shock mounting bolt 19mm socket (Install bolt from the rear, towards the front.)
Uppor shock mounts 14mm wrench (ratchet type works well)

Bolt sizes rear suspension
Upper and lower shock mounts: 17mm wrench(ratchet type works well) and socket
sway bar end links 17 mm
Brake line bracket to frame on driver side: 12mm

Torque:
FRONT Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Brackets 30 ft lb
Stabilizer Link 52 ft lb
Shock (lower) 100ft lb
Shock (upper nuts) 47 ft lb
Wheel 83 ft lb

REAR Suspension
Stabilizer Link 52 ft lb
Shock (lower) 72 ft lb
shock (upper) 18ftlb

Great info. How about the two spindle bolts in the front? They're 19mm, I torqued them to 90 ftlb. The panhard rod in the rear is 19mm, my mechanic torqued that to 100.