4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[pliance04]

Hope I can get some relief and figure out my lift soon. So I am going to be taking off the xreas and put a lift on. Im not wanting to do spacers as well. I am not wanting to go much over 2" as well. Still want good ride quality and less body roll and brake dive. Looking for something cost effective as well.

I already have rear 5100s, so im thinking of 5100s for the front as well. Also have the v8.

Hope i can figure this out soon, thanks.

 

[sport2004]

So I finished my install last weekend. Still need to get bigger tires and will do so as soon as these wear out a little more.

2005 4Runner Limited 2WD V8
Front: Bilstein 5100's @ 1.75", OEM FJ Springs
Rear: Bilstein 5100's, OEM FJ Springs, 1.5" Daystar FJ spacer
Tires: Bridgestone Dueler 840 265/65/17
Wheels: Stock Limited Wheels

Center of wheel to bottom of fender measurements:

Before:

Front: 18 3/8"
Rear: 21 3/8"

After:

Front: 22"
Rear: 23 3/8"

What is your opinion on the ride with those springs? Bumpy and you like it? Bumpy, but it takes getting used to? Hate the bumps? No difference from stock?

 

[ParotHead]

Sport2004,

The ride is amazing. It drives a little more like a truck, so it's a little stiffer, but still really smooth. It rides/handles so much better than the stock suspension.

The guy who helped me with the install told me before we started that he was worried that the ride was going to be really harsh because of the FJ springs, but he was also amazed at the ride once we were done.

I would not hesitate to recommend this setup to anyone.

Let me know if you have any other questions/need any more details.

 

[sport2004]

Sport2004,

The ride is amazing. It drives a little more like a truck, so it's a little stiffer, but still really smooth. It rides/handles so much better than the stock suspension.

The guy who helped me with the install told me before we started that he was worried that the ride was going to be really harsh because of the FJ springs, but he was also amazed at the ride once we were done.

I would not hesitate to recommend this setup to anyone.

Let me know if you have any other questions/need any more details.

Thanks...

 

[williamteichroeb]

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.

Hey man!

I'd go with a 255/75R17 (true 32") tire or if you want you could probably fit a 255/80R17 tire (true 33") but may need to do a bit more trimming for that to fit. I chose a 255/75 because a spare will fit in the stock spare location under the vehicle. I don't think any bigger will. In my opinion the 285 was just too wide for me, and doesn't perform as well according to most research. Hope that helps

 

[theoutbackdream]

I've done quite alot of research on lifting my rig but I cannot really pick what I want to do.. But one things for sure. Bilsteins 5100's struts. As for springs, I can't decide; moogs for the t4r and fjc or stock spring (but not really liking this option).... I'm leaning towards the moog fjc springs since it's already a good lift and I can adjust it in the front with the bilsteins but...

The only things keeping me back from the both moogs is that I keep reading that they don't fit well on the spring perch on the rear axle so I'm worried it'll pop out while in use. Something noone would desire, or have a liking for.

That said..

Has moog recently fix this problem? Most posts I come across are about 2 or more years old, and I'm just hoping that moog has fixed this in the recent years. Does anyone know?

Does this issue affect both the moog fjc and t4r springs? or just the fjc ones?

Thanks

 

[Rodtheviking]

Im looking at the Moog FJ springs myself, and from what I have read all you have to do is cut about an inch off the spring "tab" to get a good fit. If thats all, thats easy.

 

[Crikeymike]

Im looking at the Moog FJ springs myself, and from what I have read all you have to do is cut about an inch off the spring "tab" to get a good fit. If thats all, thats easy.

They mustn't be making the spring ends properly if you're having to modify them. It seems pretty strange. 4th gen, 5th gen and FJ cruiser all share the same spring ends top and bottom.

 

[aznxfactor]

Just get oem fj springs for the rear.

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

 

[theoutbackdream]

Im looking at the Moog FJ springs myself, and from what I have read all you have to do is cut about an inch off the spring "tab" to get a good fit. If thats all, thats easy.

The issue with that is A) Don't have the proper tools to do that. B) seems quite dumb to buy something only to modify it. C) These are hollow coils, aren't they? If they are i'd be worried about the integrity of it..

They mustn't be making the spring ends properly if you're having to modify them. It seems pretty strange. 4th gen, 5th gen and FJ cruiser all share the same spring ends top and bottom.

Yea, apparently they've built them about a 1/4"+ too small.

Just get oem fj springs for the rear.

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

I was thinking about that.. but..
1. Worried that since the fjc are quite old now, I'd get some used springs which will have some sag.
2. spring rate might be a throw off with moogs in the front.

 

[Rodtheviking]

The issue with that is A) Don't have the proper tools to do that. B) seems quite dumb to buy something only to modify it. C) These are hollow coils, aren't they? If they are i'd be worried about the integrity of it..


Yea, apparently they've built them about a 1/4"+ too small.


I was thinking about that.. but..
1. Worried that since the fjc are quite old now, I'd get some used springs which will have some sag.
2. spring rate might be a throw off with moogs in the front.

I have to convert from air bags anyway, so not worried about cutting a little of the end of the spring too much.

Besides Rock Auto has then for about 80.00 a pair.

 

[theoutbackdream]

I have to convert from air bags anyway, so not worried about cutting a little of the end of the spring too much.

Besides Rock Auto has then for about 80.00 a pair.

I'm honestly just worried about the integrity of the spring if I do cut off the end...

Thats true.. amazon even has them for $55!

 

[Streams]

Hi all,
I'm going to be lifting an 08 4x4 with 2.5/1.5 spacers & 265/70/17. As for a rear shock upgrade, what would you suggest for something modest & budget friendly to help with the added trailer weight? Thanks!

 

[niko303]

Hey there -- looking at doing bilstein 5100's, 1.85 in the front. I have a daystar 1.5" spacer for the rears (so when weight is in the car I don't get a reverse rake).

Question being -- just found a brand new pair of 2015 4runner springs on CL for $60. How comparable are these to FJ springs. Do I really still need the spacers in the back?


I found pretty limited info on 5th gen spring son 4th gen

 

[NoScopes]

Can anyone point me in the direction of how to install steering rack bushings?


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[jrm]

scrape the 1.5 spacer

Hi all,
I'm going to be lifting an 08 4x4 with 2.5/1.5 spacers & 265/70/17. As for a rear shock upgrade, what would you suggest for something modest & budget friendly to help with the added trailer weight? Thanks!

and go with a rear coil in the 220# range if the boat is the only weight added. T12s or dobinson 59-599s come to mind. If you travel with lots of weight + the boat the OME 895e would be nice. Most of these should yield you aboutthe same lift values as the 12.5 spacer and deliver a much better ride.

 

[Heezydoesit]

You guys are gods for this!

Thanks to everyone that contributed on this thread...this is perfect! Happy muddin' 4runner family!

 

[Heezydoesit]

Hi all,
I'm going to be lifting an 08 4x4 with 2.5/1.5 spacers & 265/70/17. As for a rear shock upgrade, what would you suggest for something modest & budget friendly to help with the added trailer weight? Thanks!

Definitely go with the Bilstein 5100s...they allow for addition locking at .5 inch intervals....for 175$-150$ a pair.

 

[summit21]

I've done quite alot of research on lifting my rig but I cannot really pick what I want to do.. But one things for sure. Bilsteins 5100's struts. As for springs, I can't decide; moogs for the t4r and fjc or stock spring (but not really liking this option).... I'm leaning towards the moog fjc springs since it's already a good lift and I can adjust it in the front with the bilsteins but...

The only things keeping me back from the both moogs is that I keep reading that they don't fit well on the spring perch on the rear axle so I'm worried it'll pop out while in use. Something noone would desire, or have a liking for.

That said..

Has moog recently fix this problem? Most posts I come across are about 2 or more years old, and I'm just hoping that moog has fixed this in the recent years. Does anyone know?

Does this issue affect both the moog fjc and t4r springs? or just the fjc ones?

Thanks

I had my Moog coils installed by a shop yesterday without modification as have many others recently. There is a thread titled "Bilstein and FJ Suspension install" by Nova46. He used Moog coils. Apparently now it just takes a "little elbow" grease to seat them.

 

[summit21]

I'm honestly just worried about the integrity of the spring if I do cut off the end...

Thats true.. amazon even has them for $55!

I paid $105 shipped for all 4 Moog coils from Rock Auto two weeks ago.