5th gen suspension

B

bobdod04

New member
This may be a dumb question for various reasons, but I tried searching and didn't find an answer so here it goes:

Is the suspension on the 5th gen swapable to a 4th gen? Would it be a direct fit, and if so, is it worth it to do so? I've got about 125k miles on my 05, and I was looking at putting in a full swap from an FJ cruiser, but then was wondering if a 5th gen suspension was an option. I don't off-road, so I don't intend on spending money for a lift or some crazy suspension. There are lots of good things said about the FJ swap, but is a 5th gen swap (like from a Trails edition) do-able?
 
Register to hide this ad
I seriously doubt it. You'd have to put both up on lifts and compare. Companies usually don't share many parts (if any) from one generation to the next. It's usually a ground up re-design.
 
I doubt the trail suspension is since it uses KDSS, but the rest of the suspension parts should work since most companies offering 4th gen lifts offer the same lift kits for 5th gens.
 
I sold my 5th gen Trail suspension parts to a forum member that had a 4th gen and everything bolted right up.
 
In the case of the 4th and 5th Generation 4Runners they are actually built on the exact same frame with little changes in between generations in terms of suspension and drivetrain components.

The 5th Generations KDSS system is just a re-valved and repainted version of the original XREAS System offered in the 4th gens, the suspension system is still the same components as they did not change anything really drastically frame wise.

The Trail Edition Suspension swap may be a little more difficult because off the KDSS system and IIRC (I haven't actually seen it yet...) the brouchure mentions something about disconnecting sway bar links option.

Honestly though, I wouldn't put the money into swapping a 5th gen suspension in, its roughly the same components but will most likely cost more because of the vehicle being newer.
 
MikeInNH said:
I seriously doubt it. You'd have to put both up on lifts and compare. Companies usually don't share many parts (if any) from one generation to the next. It's usually a ground up re-design.
Click to expand...

C'mon Mike, you're smarter than that. One look underneath is all you need to see they are essentially identical.
 
The 5th gen weighs around 400 lbs more than the 4th gen I believe. Because of this you will find different part number for aftermarket and OEM shocks. They all have different valving to accommodate the extra weight. The 5th gen coils and shocks will bolt up to a 4th gen 4Runner with no issues. All the bolt diameter's, coil buckets, etc are the same. Below are some pics I took of my 4th gen stuff vs. my 5th gen stuff before I sold the 5th gen stuff.

Yes KDSS is not swappable, mainly because all the sway bar mounts are different. A couple pieces are welded into the frame, then others are bolted up. You would need all new computers as well, because the KDSS gets input from quite a few sensors. But it doesn't sound like the OP was even wondering about this, so its kinda irrelevant.

The two on the left are from the 5th gen Trail, 4th gen on the right.
40545ccc.jpg~original


5th gen on the right, 4th on the left
7d89432a.jpg~original


Sway Away 1.5" lift coils left, 5th gen middle, 4th gen right
(5th gen has one extra wind and has a thicker diameter coil)
95edb0c8.jpg~original
 
Thanks for all of info. I know that the 2010+ FJ components are not a direct fit for a 4th gen, so that is why I am curious about the 5th gen stuff being a direct fit. I've seen barely used 5th gen stuff up for sale for pretty cheap, so that might work better for me than trying to find barely used stuff from an older FJ thats just been sitting for a few years.
 
ClockWork said:
C'mon Mike, you're smarter than that. One look underneath is all you need to see they are essentially identical.
Click to expand...

Here we go again. I'm reading through an interesting thread, enjoying my coffee, and then.....another sarcastic passive-aggressive thread by V8Brah (Clockwork). It's unfortunate.

His response will no doubt deny any allegations of sarcasm, telling me to relax, etc. , followed by continuous posts to multiple topics he is apparently quite knowledgable of.
 
Carl_G said:
Here we go again. I'm reading through an interesting thread, enjoying my coffee, and then.....another sarcastic passive-aggressive thread by V8Brah (Clockwork). It's unfortunate.

His response will no doubt deny any allegations of sarcasm, telling me to relax, etc. , followed by continuous posts to multiple topics he is apparently quite knowledgable of.
Click to expand...

Lol. Accurately put.


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android
 
iDRiVaT4R said:
The 5th gen weighs around 400 lbs more than the 4th gen I believe. Because of this you will find different part number for aftermarket and OEM shocks. They all have different valving to accommodate the extra weight. The 5th gen coils and shocks will bolt up to a 4th gen 4Runner with no issues. All the bolt diameter's, coil buckets, etc are the same. Below are some pics I took of my 4th gen stuff vs. my 5th gen stuff before I sold the 5th gen stuff.

Yes KDSS is not swappable, mainly because all the sway bar mounts are different. A couple pieces are welded into the frame, then others are bolted up. You would need all new computers as well, because the KDSS gets input from quite a few sensors. But it doesn't sound like the OP was even wondering about this, so its kinda irrelevant.

The two on the left are from the 5th gen Trail, 4th gen on the right.
40545ccc.jpg~original


5th gen on the right, 4th on the left
7d89432a.jpg~original


Sway Away 1.5" lift coils left, 5th gen middle, 4th gen right
(5th gen has one extra wind and has a thicker diameter coil)
95edb0c8.jpg~original
Click to expand...

IDIVAT4R:
Do the 4th & 5th gen. springs have the same height?
Do the 4th & 5th gen. rear shocks have the same height, bolt fitment?
Thx.
 
The 5th Gens seem to be a thicker coil with more wraps at least the front ones do perhaps to accommodate the extra weight. Really happy to hear they are direct swaps for the 4th Gen though. About to lift my 5th Gen and my buddy's 4th Gen needs some updating at 205k miles. Thanks to all that contributed to the thread, very helpful!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 342 (members: 2, guests: 340)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,068
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top