A_S_R's Build Thread

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've looked at the saw coils but haven't decided yet. I have no idea what happened, but the reason I've wanted to swap to rear coils was poor ride quality. I didn't touch the rear, but for some reason it is even riding way better than before, so I probably won't swap anytime soon. I love the auto level feature, don't want to loose that as long as it's working.

Deeds, I already had the 5100s installed, just swapped from fj coils to omes on the front.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Yea I have been watching those SAW coils. Would you happen to know what the rate is on the toytecs? For some reason 15% comes to mind.

I was actually thinking the opposite. I'm pretty sure they are ~10% over stock but I will have to check that myself.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I was actually thinking the opposite. I'm pretty sure they are ~10% over stock but I will have to check that myself.

Looks like you quoted me before I edited. It is 10%. Still debating if I want to make the swap.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Thanks for sharing your build for the rest of us! I will definitely keep up with your mods as we have similar tastes & (almost) the same truck! haha. The new lift looks great, I may be needing to give my XREAS the boot here pretty soon so I can do a "real lift" ha.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks! I couldn't be happier now, after almost 160k miles it rides and drives better than ever. I notice you've done the led interior lights, that's on my list as well, makes a huge difference.

 

[deedst4r]

would ome springs work with stock shocks? And how would if effect the ride and shock itself?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

It can be done but I don't know that the stock shocks would have enough rebound/dampening to control it. Some one else will have to answer that one more specifically.

 

[8086bruce]

Looks great A_S_R!!!

 

[sonerick]

Looks great! You have me contemplating ditching FJ coils and going with some lift springs instead. What setting did you use for the 5100s with the OME 885's?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks guys! 5100s are on the lowest setting, the 885s provide 3" so no need for the perch adjustment.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Still waiting on a chance to get some better pics, but for the time being here's a couple more cell phone pics.

OME vs stock FJ coil

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

i'm not sold on a lift...only because i find our runners look narrow already, and lifted, look even thinner. do you find handling suffers because it higher?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I purchased my 4runner with 120k miles on the stock xreas, a lower mileage setup may be different though. I can honestly say that my 4runner handles way better than any prior setup I've had, including stock. I can take corners just as fast if not faster than stock. At no point (with any of my setups) have I felt that it was too top heavy. I do have wheel spacers now (bought for looks mainly, didn't feel the wider stance was needed) which helps I'm sure.

You don't have to do a full lift. Simply adding a small spacer to the front to get rid of the rake does wonders for these rigs, and has very little if any impact on handling/ride quality. A lot of folks will say go big or go home, but that's not always best. There are a ton of options out there ranging from a simple leveling kit to a 3" lift, just figure out what your goals are with the 4runner and go from there. Something that really helped me is I found a local member with the setup I wanted and went for a ride with him. This answered all my questions/concerns.

 

[sonerick]

Did you use the top plate spacer w/ the springs up front? Any significant driver's side lean that needs to be corrected?

Sorry for all the questions, but I was literally about to install 5100s w/ FJC springs and a Daystar rear spacer this weekend, but I think I'm gonna hold off and order new springs all around instead. I'm thinking OME 885s up front and the superflex for the rear.

 

[yellowssm]

Thanks guys! 5100s are on the lowest setting, the 885s provide 3" so no need for the perch adjustment.

could you get more lift if you adjusted the 5100's higher or would you run into probelms if you did?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Sorry for the delay guys. I did not use the top plate spacers, I was afraid of ending up with too much lift. In the end, looks like I'm right at 3" lift, and within 1/4" left/right on the front. My rear is a little over 1/2" difference with a full tank of gas. I've got the rear air bags and can't adjust them individually, so I've just gotta deal with the lean. *IF* I had rear coils, adding a spacer to the rear would be the proper solution, not the front.

4th gen 4runners max out at about 3" of lift. Any more and you're putting too much stress on the front end components. Also, many have reported not being able to get a proper alignment with stock UCA's and over 3" lift. Aftermarket UCA's fixes this issue, but others are still present. I asked a similar question in this thread, I think it explains much better than I can.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Nice build thread ASR,
Your rig looks great. Starting to resemble your truck
Thanks for all the info and all the off-line help.

Best regards,
Doug

 

[Dkon82]

I hear you man. I love my setup but i already want to go bigger! I'm waiting to get new tires then I'm going to the top notch on my 5100's and going to put bigger coils in the rear to lift it (undecided on what brand). My wife and I just bought a house so cash is low but probably next year after our tax return. Stoked to see your next setup. We have very similar tastes.

krupnation: I'm about to pull the trigger on the 5100's + springs myself and learned about a pretty good set up I thought I would share you and everyone else who may be interested. Since you already have the 5100's I've heard the best spring option is OME's for the rear and Pro Comp's in front. That will give you an evenly leveled 3" lift without the need of any spacers. Another advantage to this spring/shock combination is: by allowing the springs to do all the lifting, you actually set your 5100's to 0 (it's natural position/0 preloaded pressure) which allows for maximum travel and less added pressure on the shock (increases longevity of shock). Sorry to butt in off topic, just thought I'd spread the word incase anyone finds this to be helpfully.

A_S_R: your rig looks great BTW!!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

OME's are much stiffer than stock, over 40% stiffer. Many have said they are too stiff if you're at stock weight in the rear. They've got the 895e, I haven't seen the rates on those, they may be better. I think Toytec Superflex (10% stiffer) are a better choice for a stock weight 4runner.

Unfortunately, mods have came to a halt on the 4runner for the time being. Just purchased a 09 Camry v6 XLE for my wife, pretty much fully loaded and only 29k miles. Makes our trips much nicer, but has taken all of my mod money. I'll hopefully be able to pick back up at the first of the year. Here's couple pics from today of the new ride.

 

[Casper421]

Congrats on the new ride! Looks nice and comfortable! When your back on the mod wagon, what's next on your list?