4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[jrfrank]

Check that the spring seat is the right way up. People sometimes install it up side down and that causes too much lift.

#nailedit.

Thanks for the help. Should I be worried about this? I havent driven it and I'm going to pop them off and flip it, but is anything likely hurt here?

 

[techno]

It's unlikely that anything is hurt, but I would inspect the cv boots to make sure they are still seated properly. Shame you have to do the rework because that's a complete tear down. You should find it assembles easier though.

I installed 5100's a few weeks ago but had a shop assemble them. I zip tied the instructions that come in the box to the strut and highlighted the spring seat orientation pictures. I was worried they would do what your guys did.

 

[basing110]

05 4th gen has bilstein 5100 all around and it is leveled in the front. Can i put a 1.5" body lift on it and do the body mount chop and fit 285s?
Ive searched again and again and everyone i have seen run spacers and never seen anyone juat do a body lift on top of the front level

 

[NinjaOne]

OME 884: Stock front weight. 2-2.5 inch lift.

OME 895E: Medium 1.5 inch lift coils.

That is what I would do

and 884 for 3"s so if you use the 884s it seems like youll be nose hi. You could do the 883s with a spacer.

Slee - Toyota 4Runner Suspension

With the V8, its closer to 2.5"

I'm running 884 springs with Bilstien shocks and a 1.5" spacer in the rear.

 

[calebcalandra]

Yes, a great tire. I ran a set on my 3rd gen for a year. They look super tough and their off-road and deep snow traction was more than adequate. I had load range e and found them too firm for my needs so I sold them.

Would you get load range D next?

 

[techno]

No, they don't make them in a 'D'. 'C' is the next load rating down for the LT range in 265/75-16 size. I went back to P-metric tires instead, much more comfortable.

 

[calebcalandra]

The stock struts on my 04 4Runner have 118,000 miles on them, so it's probably smart to replace them soon. I was thinking about getting some after market shock like Bilstein or something, and putting the 3"-2" Toytec spacer lift on top of it. I was wondering what input yall have on that, and what shocks I should get. Overall I want a 3"-2" lift, but need new shocks soon, and want to keep my ride quality.

 

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

So I just swapped out my rear coils with 896s. I have the 885s in the front (winch + BudBuilt plate + light bumper bar). In the back, I have my drawer setup (roughly 50-60lbs), plus the gear (100lbs), and I still need to throw in my jack (60lbs-ish).

Either way, the back sits way too high now. . Not sure what to do, I kinda jumped the gun on 896s because I didn't want it to sag much, but I should've just gone with 895s I think. I got a solid 2.5-3" lift in the back with these it seems.

Thoughts? I guess I could still get some 895s and sell these, they're basically brand new. I dunno. #ragrets.

 

[techno]

So I just swapped out my rear coils with 896s....
Either way, the back sits way too high now. . Not sure what to do...
Thoughts? I guess I could still get some 895s and sell these, they're basically brand new. I dunno. #ragrets.

Looks exactly where it should be to me. The running boards are level. 4Runners are design to have the rake look, so when you load them up with passengers and cargo they sit nicely, don't point to the sky, doesn't adversely effect steering or braking efficiency and doesn't mess up the headlight aiming.

 

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Looks exactly where it should be to me. The running boards are level. 4Runners are design to have the rake look, so when you load them up with passengers and cargo they sit nicely, don't point to the sky, doesn't adversely effect steering or braking efficiency and doesn't mess up the headlight aiming.

Ooh, so this looks okay? This is sorta about where it was before with my FJs/Daystar setup in the back (2.5" lift about), but when I loaded it up with gear, it kinda settled to just about level.

The boards are level, that is true. The other side looks way higher because I also swapped out the shock on that side. It needs to settle, I need to hit a trail, lol.

 

[gmhokie]

"Heavy" towing --> Suspension upgrade?

All,

New here - thanks in advance for any advice offered.

I've read about 100 posts discussing various towing/suspension questions. My question is very specific, and I haven't been able to determine what the collective opinion of T4Rorg would be, so here I am - joining, and replying, since I can't start a thread yet.

I have an '08 Limited, V8, 4WD w/XREAS. I plan to tow a travel trailer that weighs in at about 4400 dry, and will avoid any unnecessary cargo weights such as full water tanks, etc. I've got 130k miles, so the T4R will likely pull for a year or two before I start looking at Tundras.

I will tow with a WD hitch and dual cam sway control.

So I'm primarily wondering if I should consider upgrading to stiffer springs. If this is recommended, can it be done without affecting/involving the XREAS?

FTR, I am not particularly worried about tolerating a stiffer ride the other 350 days a year when I'm not towing.

I know this is the suspension thread, but I'm also wondering if it would be recommended to add another tranny cooler (I think people do that, right?), and any recommended models. As I said, I see a Tundra in my future, so I don't want to go TOO crazy with mods to the T4R. But the reality is that I can't afford to buy a Tundra at the same time as the TT. Need some time to recover.

Thanks!
gmhokie

 

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

All,

New here - thanks in advance for any advice offered.

I've read about 100 posts discussing various towing/suspension questions. My question is very specific, and I haven't been able to determine what the collective opinion of T4Rorg would be, so here I am - joining, and replying, since I can't start a thread yet.

I have an '08 Limited, V8, 4WD w/XREAS. I plan to tow a travel trailer that weighs in at about 4400 dry, and will avoid any unnecessary cargo weights such as full water tanks, etc. I've got 130k miles, so the T4R will likely pull for a year or two before I start looking at Tundras.

I will tow with a WD hitch and dual cam sway control.

So I'm primarily wondering if I should consider upgrading to stiffer springs. If this is recommended, can it be done without affecting/involving the XREAS?

FTR, I am not particularly worried about tolerating a stiffer ride the other 350 days a year when I'm not towing.

I know this is the suspension thread, but I'm also wondering if it would be recommended to add another tranny cooler (I think people do that, right?), and any recommended models. As I said, I see a Tundra in my future, so I don't want to go TOO crazy with mods to the T4R. But the reality is that I can't afford to buy a Tundra at the same time as the TT. Need some time to recover.

Thanks!
gmhokie

So yes and no. You can swap out the rear springs technically, but with too much of a lift (which will basically happen with stiffer springs), the shocks won't have enough travel I think.

 

[Rodtheviking]

All,

New here - thanks in advance for any advice offered.

I've read about 100 posts discussing various towing/suspension questions. My question is very specific, and I haven't been able to determine what the collective opinion of T4Rorg would be, so here I am - joining, and replying, since I can't start a thread yet.

I have an '08 Limited, V8, 4WD w/XREAS. I plan to tow a travel trailer that weighs in at about 4400 dry, and will avoid any unnecessary cargo weights such as full water tanks, etc. I've got 130k miles, so the T4R will likely pull for a year or two before I start looking at Tundras.

I will tow with a WD hitch and dual cam sway control.

So I'm primarily wondering if I should consider upgrading to stiffer springs. If this is recommended, can it be done without affecting/involving the XREAS?

FTR, I am not particularly worried about tolerating a stiffer ride the other 350 days a year when I'm not towing.

I know this is the suspension thread, but I'm also wondering if it would be recommended to add another tranny cooler (I think people do that, right?), and any recommended models. As I said, I see a Tundra in my future, so I don't want to go TOO crazy with mods to the T4R. But the reality is that I can't afford to buy a Tundra at the same time as the TT. Need some time to recover.

Thanks!
gmhokie

Have you looked at the air bag helper set-up? I was thinking along this route too.

Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle Firestone Vehicle Suspension F4155

 

[gmhokie]

So yes and no. You can swap out the rear springs technically, but with too much of a lift (which will basically happen with stiffer springs), the shocks won't have enough travel I think.

This is what I'm wondering - I'd want to make sure the springs and shocks play well together, unlike my two lovely children.

Have you looked at the air bag helper set-up? I was thinking along this route too.

I'm definitely not an expert, but I've read on etrailer that air bags are not really recommended for towing, esp not to be used in conjunction with a WDH. Air bags are great for general payload where the weight is forward of the rear axle, and you're just trying to fight the sag. For towing, however, air bags might give folks a false sense of security that their steering is not being affected by the tongue weight. The way I understand it, if you're using a WDH, there's nothing the air bags can do that your WDH shouldn't already be doing.

 

[techno]

It needs to settle, I need to hit a trail, lol.

You and me both bud! :lookout:

 

[Rodtheviking]

This is what I'm wondering - I'd want to make sure the springs and shocks play well together, unlike my two lovely children.


I'm definitely not an expert, but I've read on etrailer that air bags are not really recommended for towing, esp not to be used in conjunction with a WDH. Air bags are great for general payload where the weight is forward of the rear axle, and you're just trying to fight the sag. For towing, however, air bags might give folks a false sense of security that their steering is not being affected by the tongue weight. The way I understand it, if you're using a WDH, there's nothing the air bags can do that your WDH shouldn't already be doing.

Interesting, I will look into this more then.

I was happy that it did say: Firestone Coil-Rite springs fit inside your existing rear coil springs to maximize the effectiveness of your suspension system. The added cushion provided by the air springs allows your vehicle to better handle a heavy load or trailer.

But more research is in order. I was just going to be hauling a two motorcycle trailer so really no where near a loaded camper/gear trailer.

 

[rypajo]

Curious question.

Daystar 1" front kit KT09117BK

I also need to install CV Shafts because of leaking boots. Curious if it makes sense to do this at the same time or not?

Can entirely tell but it appears it wouldn't hurt. not sure if I'm making more trouble for myself or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BawuxQHhTGs

 

[Grey-Rhino]

The stock struts on my 04 4Runner have 118,000 miles on them, so it's probably smart to replace them soon. I was thinking about getting some after market shock like Bilstein or something, and putting the 3"-2" Toytec spacer lift on top of it. I was wondering what input yall have on that, and what shocks I should get. Overall I want a 3"-2" lift, but need new shocks soon, and want to keep my ride quality.

I been running on 2015 Tacoma TRD OFF ROAD 4x4 front struts and coils, rear shocks for about 5k miles before switching to icons. The ride is really good firm but not harsh at all, the rear shocks you need to change the eyes to fit with the 4R shock mount, the eyes for the rear shocks is about 10$, I pick them up for 120$ on craigslist with only 2k miles on them. Then maybe you can add spacers to get 3" in front and 2" in the back.
Remember when you get close to 3" up front then you need uca for alignment.

 

[calebcalandra]

I been running on 2015 Tacoma TRD OFF ROAD 4x4 front struts and coils, rear shocks for about 5k miles before switching to icons. The ride is really good firm but not harsh at all, the rear shocks you need to change the eyes to fit with the 4R shock mount, the eyes for the rear shocks is about 10$, I pick them up for 120$ on craigslist with only 2k miles on them. Then maybe you can add spacers to get 3" in front and 2" in the back.
Remember when you get close to 3" up front then you need uca for alignment.

So did the Tacoma shocks lift your 4R at all? Or leave it at stock height?

 

[Grey-Rhino]

So did the Tacoma shocks lift your 4R at all? Or leave it at stock height?

About 1/2 inch in the front, that's why you need spacers to lift the truck up.

if you are on a budget, or depend how much you want to spend.