4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[aaronmjr]

The above assumes you're using stock wheels and no wheel spacers.

Follow up question to this! I understand running a 3" lift and 285/70/17s with stock wheels will introduce rubbing, but regarding rubbing on the UCA, will aftermarket adjustable UCAs provide more clearance? I'd like to avoid buying spacers since I'll be replacing the stock wheels later on. Hoping my new UCAs will help get me by in the meantime!

Thank you so much for putting this together! Very helpful for a newb like me.

 

[jrm]

275/70/17 with 6112 set @ 2.13"

the first post on this thread sez 3/2 is needed to run 275/70/17s. Im using P 265/70/17 hankooks now that measure 31.7" and the 275/70/17 C falken WPs i ordered are a whopping 32.4 and their 265/70/17 F is 31.9.

Im wondering if the 275/70/17s will fit without having to compromise the fender liners or chop anything or if i should change the order and go with the 265/70/17 F instead. Im using FJ 8 hole rims and have SPC UCAs installed. I dont intend to use any wheelspacers..

Thanks in advance

 

[SHagood]

What's are the advantages of going with lifted coils over the spacers for the rear end? I do some amateur off road once a week or so.

If you aren't doing articulation or difficult "wheeling," you won't need to upgrade shocks and springs. Spacer kits are affordable and allow you to run larger tires. Having said that, they are not made for any sort of articulation as you are simply stretching out the OEM suspension components. I had the Toytec spacer kit (which is XREAS compatible) for >35k miles before I sold it to a friend. The spacer kit was cheap and gave me plenty of time to plan a new route once I started going on more trails.

Toytec has a discount code for forum members- 10650 I believe.

Link to Spacer-
FJ3-RSP - ToyTec Lift / Leveling kit for FJ & 4Runner- Works with XREAS

YouTube explaining different lift options by LLOD-
YouTube

Benefits of upgrading OEM parts-

Hope this helps!

 

[BackOff]

Wanted to clarify what i said about the Top-hat.
If you look at the top of the mount you can see how much thread is left on top of the mounting bolts, hence my 1/4" statement.

Found an example pic in the 'for sale' section.

Its really not hard to disassemble these, "no spring compressor method".
Link from member plasticsnaks...
YouTube
YouTube

Last thought... adjust your headlights after you mess with your suspension.

 

[sport2004]

If you're not adding any rear spacers, set to .85". Suspension geometry in the front nets double the lift you set it at. So .85" should net you about 1.6-1.7" in the front. This should level you out.

i've seen this mentioned more than once, but a WOR rep just told me the .85 will give about .85 of lift...

it turns out the most important and difficult decision is, which springs?

don't want to do too much too soon, i'm concerned enough to just get the 5100's all around, lowest setting up front, and leave the stock springs there, and see what the stance and ride is like

any thoughts, welcome...:thumb:

 

[aaronmjr]

Does anyone recommend using Bilstein 5100s and OME Springs to achieve a 3/2 lift? I keep reading people saying that running 5100s on the 2.5" setting makes them ride like crap. If that's the case, I'm just going to go with the $500 Skyjacker 3" lift kit.

 

[jrm]

Its not a good idea

Does anyone recommend using Bilstein 5100s and OME Springs to achieve a 3/2 lift? I keep reading people saying that running 5100s on the 2.5" setting makes them ride like crap. If that's the case, I'm just going to go with the $500 Skyjacker 3" lift kit.

to compress a lift spring using a 5100. If you want to achieve a 3/2 lift do it with lift coils and a non adjustable strut. With that lift you might need UCAs as well.

Dobinson, who has a thread here on the forum can set you up with a kit that will yield you what your looking for sans the guessing that comes when you mix and match based on other peoples results which are going to vary largely.

 

[aaronmjr]

Thank you for the info! Good to know that the 5100s aren't a good fit for a 3" lift. I've heard great things about Dobinson's and been on their website, unfortunately it's a bit more than I'm willing to spend at the moment. I'll definitely be doing UCAs. I'm buying the adjustable units from SPC/Light Racing so I can get the extra castor adjustment for proper tracking at highway speeds.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Thank you for the info! Good to know that the 5100s aren't a good fit for a 3" lift. I've heard great things about Dobinson's and been on their website, unfortunately it's a bit more than I'm willing to spend at the moment. I'll definitely be doing UCAs. I'm buying the adjustable units from SPC/Light Racing so I can get the extra castor adjustment for proper tracking at highway speeds.

Yes they are, I have them and so do several others. Its not recommended to raise the spring seat on the 5100's with a "lift" spring. I use the HD Tacoma front spring from Toytec on the lowest setting, I got 3 inch lift and rides fine. See my sig. I also have the OME 2895's with 5100's on the rear, ride fine. Even my wife doesn't complain, and that is saying something.

 

[aaronmjr]

Yes they are, I have them and so do several others. Its not recommended to raise the spring seat on the 5100's with a "lift" spring. I use the HD Tacoma front spring from Toytec on the lowest setting, I got 3 inch lift and rides fine. See my sig. I also have the OME 2895's with 5100's on the rear, ride fine. Even my wife doesn't complain, and that is saying something.

Sorry, I'm a dumbass and need this spelled out a little more clearly. You're saying that a 3" lift with 5100s is okay, and commonly done?

What do you mean that it's not recommended to raise the spring seat of a 5100 with a lift spring? From what I understand, a 5100's max setting is 2.5", so going any higher would require a lift spring, would it not?

Thank you all for your help. I know these questions have been beaten to death, but I'm still turned around after hours/weeks of reading.

 

[sport2004]

Well, just talked with a reputable shop, meaning if they do the install it will be done right, but it will likely be 5 bills...the guy also tried to talk me out of using the old springs, but he doesn't have near the "Runner sense" that the folks around here do.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Sorry, I'm a dumbass and need this spelled out a little more clearly. You're saying that a 3" lift with 5100s is okay, and commonly done?

What do you mean that it's not recommended to raise the spring seat of a 5100 with a lift spring? From what I understand, a 5100's max setting is 2.5", so going any higher would require a lift spring, would it not?

Thank you all for your help. I know these questions have been beaten to death, but I'm still turned around after hours/weeks of reading.

If you use the factory/stock spring you can raise the spring seat to get the desired lift. If you use a "lift" spring to achieve the lift, don't raise the spring seat, leave it at "0" Lift springs are taller and stiffer than stock and shouldn't be raised with the spring seat.

 

[aaronmjr]

If you use the factory/stock spring you can raise the spring seat to get the desired lift. If you use a "lift" spring to achieve the lift, don't raise the spring seat, leave it at "0" Lift springs are taller and stiffer than stock and shouldn't be raised with the spring seat.

Ah! It all becomes clear! I understand now. Thank you!

 

[KrisB410]

New member. And new 1st time 4runner owner.

I just bought a 04 V8 Limited 4wd. It already has the 5100s installed, but at the 0.85 setting (2nd setting). But I think the front sits to low.

Can I pull the front struts off and move the spring seat higher? Or once they are installed, they are set at that height?

 

[Primetime4370]

New member. And new 1st time 4runner owner.

I just bought a 04 V8 Limited 4wd. It already has the 5100s installed, but at the 0.85 setting (2nd setting). But I think the front sits to low.

Can I pull the front struts off and move the spring seat higher? Or once they are installed, they are set at that height?

You can pull them and raise the clip to a higher setting.

 

[4unnerftw]

I want to fit 255/75-17 tires and according to the OP, a 2/1 lift will work. Is this net lift? Kits listed have net lifts greater than 2/1. I want to avoid lifting higher than needed.

Dont know if you got what you wanted yet, but I have the daystar spacer lift (2.5/1.5) and it works perfectly with that tire size.

 

[Jason B]

New member. And new 1st time 4runner owner.

I just bought a 04 V8 Limited 4wd. It already has the 5100s installed, but at the 0.85 setting (2nd setting). But I think the front sits to low.

Can I pull the front struts off and move the spring seat higher? Or once they are installed, they are set at that height?

I can't explain exactly why, but I have MULTIPLE customers with your same setup that I made spacers for so they could keep the front bils on the lowest setting and it rides better than when turning the bils up in the front. Let me know, won't cost much,.

 

[jrm]

I dont know

[/QUOTE]

that upper control arm (UCA) looks really close to the strut in that pic. If you add more lift you might be touching the UCA...

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

that upper control arm (UCA) looks really close to the strut in that pic. If you add more lift you might be touching the UCA...[/QUOTE]

Thats with his suspension fully drooped. Under normal circumstances it should be just fine. Obviously not what you want for offroad use, but it doesn't look like that what he is going for

 

[Leviinthesky]

Sorry to beat a dead horse

New Member Will this be all I need for my 08 V8 4x4? I do not have XREAS and would like to get all components at once to be installed. I have heard good things in reading through the threads about the Moog FJ springs and I plan on .85 on the Billys. Will I need a spacer in the rear if I am keeping the stock rear spring?

Any advice would be great. Thank you

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SAOS3JWY&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1