4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[Heffernan]

Thanks that makes sense. Then it sounds like they work fine with OEM springs?

Yup, that's what the notches are for, use for OEM springs. There are 4 setting. Stock height, .85", 1.75" and 2.5".

I actually bit the bullet and just order them for my 2008 Sport to replace the XREAS system. I plan on using them with my stock springs set on the second (.85" of lift) notch setting.

 

[chadw73]

What’s ur budget like? There’s everything from spacers to Bilstein 5100’s variations and coilovers with remote reservoirs that add to the cool factor

The money part isnt an issue i just only want what i need, and not something thats way more than i need. Im wanting to do a 3 inch lift and was considering the toytec/bilstein 3 in. lift but at like $1200 is it more than i need. Also with going 3 inches is it necessary to go with upper control arms. Basically i just want to buy what i need and not what someone wants to sell me just to make a sell. Thanks guys.

 

[06_dark_knight]

The money part isnt an issue i just only want what i need, and not something thats way more than i need. Im wanting to do a 3 inch lift and was considering the toytec/bilstein 3 in. lift but at like $1200 is it more than i need. Also with going 3 inches is it necessary to go with upper control arms. Basically i just want to buy what i need and not what someone wants to sell me just to make a sell. Thanks guys.

What about just a Bilstein lift with toytec/eibach springs. It will give you the lift you want and only about $1000. TTAFCS-HA-0309 - Toytec/Bilstein coilovers for 03-09 4Runner

 

[snucka]

The money part isnt an issue i just only want what i need, and not something thats way more than i need. Im wanting to do a 3 inch lift and was considering the toytec/bilstein 3 in. lift but at like $1200 is it more than i need. Also with going 3 inches is it necessary to go with upper control arms. Basically i just want to buy what i need and not what someone wants to sell me just to make a sell. Thanks guys.

i did the toytec 3" and it was definitely worth it but just keep in mind that while you can get away with doing just that, you will most likely keep sinking money into it for the next 6 months and the rest of your front end will wear out. i did it piece mail and really wish i had just done it all at once. i literally had to replace LCA, bushings, inner and outer tie rods, rack and pinon, inner drive shaft, CV joints, etc. as one by one they kept wearing out once the angle was changed from the lift. best to do everything at once unless you have extra time to do it yourself.

 

[YeloSub]

is anyone compiling what amount of lift people are actually getting? Like the OP says OME 883 gives 1.5" lift verbatum from OME/Toytec/wheelers website. But we all know these are not quite accurate. I have 883s on my 4th gen with a v8 and got 2.5" lift.

 

[Direwolf82]

The money part isnt an issue i just only want what i need, and not something thats way more than i need. Im wanting to do a 3 inch lift and was considering the toytec/bilstein 3 in. lift but at like $1200 is it more than i need. Also with going 3 inches is it necessary to go with upper control arms. Basically i just want to buy what i need and not what someone wants to sell me just to make a sell. Thanks guys.

Well, I'm sure I'm about to look like a jerk even though that is not my intention so please keep that in mind.
I'm not sure I understand your NEED for any upgrade if you don't go wheeling.
If you want something to impress people that don't go wheeling get spacers, if you want to impress people that actually go wheeling then you want to get a complete suspension lift. Impressing people includes just doing it because you like the look, in my head that reads as impressing yourself.
If you want to go 3" lift and 33's your just going to need to spend the money to do it right as what your talking about negatively affects handling, braking and overall on road performance. Please don't cheap out on this stuff.
My opinion, please don't lambaste me to badly.

 

[jrm]

If you want to run 33's yeah...

 

[Bluesky 07]

Yup, that's what the notches are for, use for OEM springs. There are 4 setting. Stock height, .85", 1.75" and 2.5".

I actually bit the bullet and just order them for my 2008 Sport to replace the XREAS system. I plan on using them with my stock springs set on the second (.85" of lift) notch setting.

How many miles on your ‘08? Springs aren’t expensive and my concern would be paying for shocks and installation (or the time & trouble of a DIY install) then riding around on 12-year-old metal wondering how much better the ride would have been with fresh springs. Aside from age, your springs have been hauling around 4,500 pounds of 4R for probably 100K+ miles, right? Just respectfully suggesting that considering new springs is worthwhile if you’re going to replace the shocks.

Also, the “X-REAS delete...” post linked in my sig has some info on removal you may find helpful.

 

[Heffernan]

How many miles on your ‘08? Springs aren’t expensive and my concern would be paying for shocks and installation (or the time & trouble of a DIY install) then riding around on 12-year-old metal wondering how much better the ride would have been with fresh springs. Aside from age, your springs have been hauling around 4,500 pounds of 4R for probably 100K+ miles, right? Just respectfully suggesting that considering new springs is worthwhile if you’re going to replace the shocks.

Also, the “X-REAS delete...” post linked in my sig has some info on removal you may find helpful.

I have 79k miles on my 2008. I'm not concerned about the springs, but you are correct the OEM springs are cheap if someone wants to swap new ones in. For me personally I plan on using the ones already on the truck.

Thanks - I'll check out your link.

 

[JBend]

Let me say I'm sorry before I tell you I'm new here.

I joined the 4runner community Monday after finally finding a truck that checked all my needs. But before I get into anything else I want to apologise for, 1.) Probably posting in the wrong thread about my questions here in a minute. 2.) Possibly tagging someone in this a reply to their question but I don't think I did. 3.) For being brand new to off-roading and lifts. Before I ask said questions I have spent numerous hours on here since I got home from purchasing and thoroughly cleaning my runner Monday night. I have compiled some information and bits from this great community and just want to make sure what I've put together is somewhat accurate and reasonable for what I want to do.

I won't be crawling or doing crazy off-roading, this will be a daily driver and camper/trail boy. I purchased a 2007 v6 4wd runner with 150k on it. Good service history and clean truck all around outside of the front bumper but that will be replaced in the next 6 months. So here we go.

For daily driving and a bit of minimal pedestrian off-roading I have come to conclusion that Bilstein 5100's and OME 884's on all 4 corners would make sense for me. I'll be purchasing FN five star wheels that are 16x8 I do believe? And you all have convinced me that BFG KO2's will be wrapped around them. I don't want a crazy lift so I was thinking setting the rates at 1.75'. will that be a level lift without raising the back or will I need to raise the rears? Also if I run 265/70/r16 tires will I need wheel spacers? And are UCA upgrades a requirement/suggested/option?

I'm also debating between a pioneer AVH-2550NEX and Kenwood DMX7706S head unit? Didn't know if anyone had opinions on those.

Thanks for this. Sorry for this. Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I figured I may get a healthier reply here than in the new member thread. Though I'm sure I'm wrong! Thanks!!!!

 

[andreylights]

I joined the 4runner community Monday after finally finding a truck that checked all my needs. But before I get into anything else I want to apologise for, 1.) Probably posting in the wrong thread about my questions here in a minute. 2.) Possibly tagging someone in this a reply to their question but I don't think I did. 3.) For being brand new to off-roading and lifts. Before I ask said questions I have spent numerous hours on here since I got home from purchasing and thoroughly cleaning my runner Monday night. I have compiled some information and bits from this great community and just want to make sure what I've put together is somewhat accurate and reasonable for what I want to do.

I won't be crawling or doing crazy off-roading, this will be a daily driver and camper/trail boy. I purchased a 2007 v6 4wd runner with 150k on it. Good service history and clean truck all around outside of the front bumper but that will be replaced in the next 6 months. So here we go.

For daily driving and a bit of minimal pedestrian off-roading I have come to conclusion that Bilstein 5100's and OME 884's on all 4 corners would make sense for me. I'll be purchasing FN five star wheels that are 16x8 I do believe? And you all have convinced me that BFG KO2's will be wrapped around them. I don't want a crazy lift so I was thinking setting the rates at 1.75'. will that be a level lift without raising the back or will I need to raise the rears? Also if I run 265/70/r16 tires will I need wheel spacers? And are UCA upgrades a requirement/suggested/option?

I'm also debating between a pioneer AVH-2550NEX and Kenwood DMX7706S head unit? Didn't know if anyone had opinions on those.

Thanks for this. Sorry for this. Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I figured I may get a healthier reply here than in the new member thread. Though I'm sure I'm wrong! Thanks!!!!

Hey man! Welcome!

265/70r16 is the same overall size as stock 265/65r17 so as far as fitment is concerned you are all good there. Next, 5100 is a decent entry level shock, I bet half of this forum is running it. I had it for a year too and it would perform okay with your user case. The second settings will raise it about 1.85" over the stock height, which will make it higher than the rear (stock rake is 1" so you will be .85" higher). I would suggest you look into the Tacoma TRD take offs more as they are quite similar in performance with 5100 but will be cheaper. You also would get new springs and I get your springs are quite tires after 13 years and 150k miles. As far as rear is concerned - look up some old man emu or dobinsons springs. You can also get spacers but I hated the feel of the spacer and was constantly bottoming out on the trails with a lil bit of gear. So to sum it up I have 3 advices:

1) think of how you are going to use it and also try to estimate the added weight of your gear. My rttent + stuff + coolers + water + etc is about 300 lbs when I am loaded and stock springs were not up to the task. Its way cheaper to buy it once correct and not go through the hassle of reselling.

2) same with the tire size. I would recommend you to consider 265/70r17 or 265/75r16 (one step up from stock) for 2 reasons: a) it's bigger but not to the point to trigger a need for other mods b) if you realize later that you want to go with a bigger tire (it happens very often) it is much easier to sell 265/70 ko2 than 265/65 ko2

3) local off road club president gave me an advice (that I didn't listen to lol but should have) which I will pass on to you: don't mode it for half a year. 4runners are very capable stock form and it will take you 90% of the places you want to go as it is right now. It's very common to do a mode, and then later realize you want to go bigger/better and the associated cost increase is annoying lol

 

[JBend]

Thanks! And this was very helpful. But if I got new shocks and coils upfront I should probably do the same in the rear correct? Rather than just new springs? But yes I've got 884/885 OME's in my crosshairs.

 

[MrRoo]

I’m so undecided on what to get for suspension. I have a V8 4Runner. It has factory XREAS. I have a 1” or 2” spacer in the front and airbags on the rear. It sits level with 5lbs in the airbags. I’m always towing something. From a small 2 place snowmobile trailer to a 6800 lb camper. I have to put the airbags at 25 lbs to make it not squat too bad with the camper. All I want is for it to sit level and ride decent. I’ll keep the airbags I think even with different shocks/springs. No decent riding spring is gonna keep a 4Runner level with a load. It’s a daily for me and all around vehicle. That’s what I love about the 4Runner. So many options out there. Just have no idea what to get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bluesky 07]

Welcome, [MENTION=554635]JBend[/MENTION]. I have some suggestions for both suspension & the stereo but will need until at least this afternoon to get it posted here (big, unfortunate life event happening this morning). Appreciate your patience.

 

[JBend]

Welcome, [MENTION=554635]JBend[/MENTION]. I have some suggestions for both suspension & the stereo but will need until at least this afternoon to get it posted here (big, unfortunate life event happening this morning). Appreciate your patience.

TAKE YOUR TIME. Life > my wants/needs. I work from 11-10 today anyway so I won't be able to respond until late. I appreciate it. Hope everything turns out ok.

 

[Jason B]

I have a killer, I mean killer deal running right now on lifts for these trucks.

T4R.org picture thread on our 4th gen lifts - this is the forum post with tons of installed pics on 4th gens that I've sold customers.

4th Gen 4Runner Lifts & Leveling kits at Burtman Industries If you're looking for another size you don't see, call/text 717-319-2100 and can make it.

And here are the SpiderTrax wheel spacers that are also very popular.

SpiderTrax wheel spacers at Burtman Industries

 

[Heffernan]

Posted this in the FJ thread but figured I’d ask here as well. I bought some 5100s with the plan on using the stock springs set to the second notch (.85”). If I were to go with FJ springs on the bottom setting (stock) would I get about the same amount of lift? Really trying to keep it around an inch of total lift.

 

[Bluesky 07]

TAKE YOUR TIME. Life > my wants/needs. I work from 11-10 today anyway so I won't be able to respond until late. I appreciate it. Hope everything turns out ok.

Thanks, really appreciate your sense of perspective. Rough day but tomorrow morning for sure.

 

[chadw73]

Well, I'm sure I'm about to look like a jerk even though that is not my intention so please keep that in mind.
I'm not sure I understand your NEED for any upgrade if you don't go wheeling.
If you want something to impress people that don't go wheeling get spacers, if you want to impress people that actually go wheeling then you want to get a complete suspension lift. Impressing people includes just doing it because you like the look, in my head that reads as impressing yourself.
If you want to go 3" lift and 33's your just going to need to spend the money to do it right as what your talking about negatively affects handling, braking and overall on road performance. Please don't cheap out on this stuff.
My opinion, please don't lambaste me to badly.

Thanks for the info, Really all im trying to to figure out is if i do the 3 inch suspension lift do i need to do UCA's also. Money is not the issue i just was trying to say i dont need a lift with super high end shocks and things like that because it wont be off-road much. Im just trying to get a good all around lift and just suggestions as to what i should go with and if i will need UCA's or not

 

[chadw73]

What about just a Bilstein lift with toytec/eibach springs. It will give you the lift you want and only about $1000. TTAFCS-HA-0309 - Toytec/Bilstein coilovers for 03-09 4Runner

If i go with the 3 inch lift would i need to get UCA's also as im getting some mixed reviews on if they are needed or not.