4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[Angry_shoe]

with the ARB stuff b/c its proven to be very reliable. consider what tires you want ot use when considering coils..

My plan was to wear out the tread in the tires I have now, and use the time to figure out what tires I should replace them with. In the mean time I would upgrade suspension, because what I got is worn out and I plan on taking on a bit more weight.

I think the internet as a whole hates my plan. Not that I am resting everything on what the Internets say, I am just seeking wisdom from others that went down the same path.

I made a reddit post. I think the one guy thinks I am an idiot.

 

[4rcybr]

Please forgive the loaded question, but I am looking to build an overland style rig. I need good general offroad capability (not baja or rock-crawling) that can handle extra weight. Max budget is ~$2k. I think can get a 20% discount @ ARB.

I am thinking of getting what looks like the semi-standard 3/2 lift with new UCA.

What setup offers good value vs performance for what is out there now?

I see that toytec offers a Boss based setup not in the first page, is that one much of an improvement over what they had a few years ago?

I have looked at ICON stage II but I am a bit scared that you are just paying a lot for the name.

Would coil-covers be worth it or should I go with OME (because of the discount)?

Get the sonoran steel kit and call it a day. And (having gone through your reddit thread) please get sliders with kickout. Those are my heaviest hit piece of armor by far.

 

[Angry_shoe]

Get the sonoran steel kit and call it a day. And (having gone through your reddit thread) please get sliders with kickout. Those are my heaviest hit piece of armor by far.

Thank you for the suggestion Sonoran Steel. They were completely off my radar. What kit were you suggesting? I have not heard a lot of good things about Bilstein shocks. If I can keep the cost down, I might get sliders. I have heard that a few times now.

 

[4rcybr]

Thank you for the suggestion Sonoran Steel. They were completely off my radar. What kit were you suggesting? I have not heard a lot of good things about Bilstein shocks. If I can keep the cost down, I might get sliders. I have heard that a few times now.

Bilstein are not high end. They are better than stock (except for some of the new models that come stock with newer bilstein shocks). That said, instead of paying ~3 grand for high end shocks right out of the gate, I think bilstein is a very good option. You'll get a bit more travel, a bit more durability. You probably want to pair that with a new UCA as well, probably just go the ebay route for now (search for ebay UCA and you'll find it).

I'm actually running a sonoran steel kit right now (Sonoran Steel Toyota 4 Runner Lift (2003 to 2009) - $1,360.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts) and it does quite well. I do plan on upgrading this year, as I get fade more often that I'd like, but SoCal deserts are a fairly unique environment in that sense.

Sliders are probably the most important piece of armor for the wheeling that most people do. If you're not picky about what they look like you can probably find some used on some forums or your local CL for not too much.

 

[Angry_shoe]

That is why I was looking at OME.

 

[jrm]

Theres also

That is why I was looking at OME.

slee that offers two OME kits. And further off the radar is dobinson whose 4th gen kit is cheaper than the OME stuff but i cant comment on its quality..

 

[ryanm123]

I've tried making a thread about this, but it won't let me, so I'll pray that someone here sees this.
I want to get the Rough Country Series 2 lift w/ XREAS, but what if I decide to remove XREAS in the future? Do I have to remove the lift too?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Johnnibanner4run]

2013 FJ coils to 2005 SR5 4runner

I am trying to install 2013 FJ coils to front of my 4runner to get some lift on the front. I read that its a direct swap for coils but I was hoping to see a post of someone showing how its done and with what year FJ coils it was used from. please anyone with a link or response will help. Thank you.

 

[Dry-fly]

Help me, I'm an idiot!

I'm really clueless here, and I admit it.... but I'm up against a time deadline and need help with tire fit issues. I just had the following Toytech lift installed on my 2007 V8 4Runner (Limited 4X4) and its awesome.

Boss Suspension System for 03-09 4Runner, 07-09 FJ

The ride is so much better. Now I need tires. Ive read tons of pages of info here and thought I had a good idea of what size to start at. Discount Tire mounted a 265/65/18 which is a size up from what I have and you guessed it...it looked too small still, but they claim the *next* size up will not fit. So many of y'alls posts are on 16 and 17" wheels, which is confusing me. I definitely have 18" wheels. Obviously anything recommended needs to be tested first, but I dont have enough knowledge to tell these tire guys what size I really need. I dont mind trimming inner plastic fender wells, but nothing major. Thanks guys.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I'm really clueless here, and I admit it.... but I'm up against a time deadline and need help with tire fit issues. I just had the following Toytech lift installed on my 2007 V8 4Runner (Limited 4X4) and its awesome.

Boss Suspension System for 03-09 4Runner, 07-09 FJ

The ride is so much better. Now I need tires. Ive read tons of pages of info here and thought I had a good idea of what size to start at. Discount Tire mounted a 265/65/18 which is a size up from what I have and you guessed it...it looked too small still, but they claim the *next* size up will not fit. So many of y'alls posts are on 16 and 17" wheels, which is confusing me. I definitely have 18" wheels. Obviously anything recommended needs to be tested first, but I dont have enough knowledge to tell these tire guys what size I really need. I dont mind trimming inner plastic fender wells, but nothing major. Thanks guys.

If you can do a body mount chop, you can probably go up to a 285/65/18. Around a 33" tall tire will fit, how wide will depend on how much you want to trim.

 

[DT04R]

We wanted to use the 4R for a long trip this past week, so I wound up just getting new shocks (new front calipers/rotors/lines too), and I'll reinvestigate a spring / lift option a little later.

Went with the 5100s, got them for $350 to my door, had the local Toyota dealer do the install, one of their master techs is really good and very comfortable with aftermarket parts.

So that's 5100s on a '08 Limited V8/AWD, formerly with a [leaking] X-REAS system. So far I like it! It's pretty compliant, weight transfer under braking is controlled, predictable (new brakes are terrific). A _little_ more lean vs. what I can remember of the truck new, but way better vs. the blown out shocks of course.

I didn't take a measurement, but it looks like it's sitting about 1" higher, I thought the 5100s with the stock springs would be the exact same, but this is welcome. We used a click up on the front adjustment so it's sitting level vs. the slight factory front rake.

 

[flipflopnfly]

Please forgive the loaded question, but I am looking to build an overland style rig. I need good general offroad capability (not baja or rock-crawling) that can handle extra weight. Max budget is ~$2k. I think can get a 20% discount @ ARB.

I am thinking of getting what looks like the semi-standard 3/2 lift with new UCA.

What setup offers good value vs performance for what is out there now?

I see that toytec offers a Boss based setup not in the first page, is that one much of an improvement over what they had a few years ago?

I have looked at ICON stage II but I am a bit scared that you are just paying a lot for the name.

Would coil-covers be worth it or should I go with OME (because of the discount)?

Theoretically, I think the Toytec Boss kit is meant to be an improvement over the Toytec Ultimate, but I don't have a direct personal comparison experience.

Toytec Boss vs Toytec Ultimate, the Ultimate are Bilstein 5100's in front but a threaded body so adjustable while on the truck. I believe the Boss front shock body is a wee bit larger, 46mm for the 5100 and 50mm for the Boss.

I've read the Boss shocks both front and rear are rebranded Eibach shocks, Toytec claims the Boss shocks are their own brand made by them. I have a hard time believing Toytec has a shock absorber manufacturing facility. More likely they're Eibach shocks but threaded by Toytec same as Toytec did with Bilstein 5100's.

The Boss kit I have seems ok but I haven't driven any other lift kits to compare it to other than a Baja Tacoma (Bilstein 9100's front, Bilstein 5165's rear). Seems a good allaround kit, handles well IMO onroad and offroad, handles well on washboards.

 

[Angry_shoe]

That is what I took away from my internet research. Not a lot of first hand. I am still very much not sure.

 

[EDECEKO]

Informative thread, what little I've been able to read thus far. Thanks for all the time and effort many have dedicated to it.

I've got a 2008 Sports Edition 4runner with the V8. I want to give it a more aggressive look with a lift, but it will also be my daily driver as well. I travel a lot for work, meaning mostly interstate driving.

Anyone with any lift/spacer & tire recommendations? I previously drove a JGC with a 3" lift, so now my 4runner feels almost like a car.

 

[derekjmiller913]

Informative thread, what little I've been able to read thus far. Thanks for all the time and effort many have dedicated to it.

I've got a 2008 Sports Edition 4runner with the V8. I want to give it a more aggressive look with a lift, but it will also be my daily driver as well. I travel a lot for work, meaning mostly interstate driving.

Anyone with any lift/spacer & tire recommendations? I previously drove a JGC with a 3" lift, so now my 4runner feels almost like a car.

I'm filling a similar role with my Runner. I chose 255/75/17 tires (32" tires, a touch skinnier to reduce weight and not touch economy as much), and I'm conducting a budget lift with FJ springs and 5100's for a mild lift for tires and weekend warrior shenanigans. Thus far, I've not seen any negatives to driveability or efficiency.

 

[EDECEKO]

Okay, running a 2008 Sports Edition 4Runner with the 4.7 (if that matters). Has about 120k miles on it. Just bought it.

If I buy the following kit and install it myself....

3" lift / leveling kit for FJ & 4Runner

... what else should I do? Replace xreas shocks or control arms/sway bars or anything?

Also, what is the max tire size I can install, with no rubbing?

 

[RIP Ol' Red]

I done a spacer lift up front and coils in the rear
Big mistake. The front only lift about 1.5 while the rear lifted 4. Wish i read into this more. Got any ideas to left remove the rack i got. Lift was pose to lift and level it out 3 inches

 

[theoutbackdream]

Lift amounts range from ½” to 3”. With spacer lifts, it’s important to determine you want. Some people use these to simply get rid of the factory rake. This is accomplished by raising the front 1”-1.5” (most common, some have used different amounts). Others choose to lift both the front and rear. It is common for the kits to be sold in unequal sizes. The front is typically 1” higher than the rear, which also helps to get rid of the factory rake. It is important to note that you will gain double the spacer thickness in lift in the front ONLY. For example, a 1” thick spacer will provide 2” lift. A 1.5” rear spacer would net 1.5” lift.

Sorry for the very noob question. But i'm confused.

So I read that we can go up to 3" lift before having to worry about the CV's. That said, since a front lift is considered doubled the lift, does that mean we can only go up to 1.5" thick spacer lift without having to worry? Or does this mean a 3" thick spacer lift?

Thanks!

 

[Inv4drZm]

Sorry for the very noob question. But i'm confused.

So I read that we can go up to 3" lift before having to worry about the CV's. That said, since a front lift is considered doubled the lift, does that mean we can only go up to 1.5" thick spacer lift without having to worry? Or does this mean a 3" thick spacer lift?

Thanks!

1.5" thick spacer for 3" measured lift.

3" measured/suspension lift is as high as you should really go with the independent front suspension because the ifs design is limited on how much your tire can droop down at that lift amount.

 

[theoutbackdream]

1.5" thick spacer for 3" measured lift.

3" measured/suspension lift is as high as you should really go with the independent front suspension because the ifs design is limited on how much your tire can droop down at that lift amount.

Got it. Do you know if daystars lift is a 2.5" measured lift?

Also, any opinions on the 3" rough country lift for our cars?