Adjustable Ride Height Question For Lifts

[Red]

Rear Air Suspension Lift Discussion.

Last weekend I went out and upgraded from a 1995 4Runner to a 2007 V8 Limited. I've always wanted to get into the 4th Gen section haha.

Anyways, I have some questions, obviously I'm going to be doing some mods/upgrades in the near future and I've spent the last few days reading this forum and Toyota120 trying to figure out what suspension lift/leveling kit I want to go with and I'm not 100% sold on anything so far.

My question for right now though is If I have the adjustable vehicle height feature on my 4Runner does that limit my choices for lifts? I'd like to keep that feature.

I'm trying to keep my ride quality at stock or better, I don't want to sacrafice any quality for an inch of lift, i'm also trying to do the lift a way that is easy on the components, I don't want to wear anything out prematurely (thats what she said).

right now I'm thinking FJ coils all around (if I can find them, anyone have hints?) and a 1" daystar in the front and a 1.5" daystar in the back.

but first I need to know if I can do any of that with my adjustable ride height feature.

I'll get some pics up this weekend and update my sig etc etc

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

By adjustable ride height I'm guessing you're talking about the rear air suspension. If that's the case, there are no coils in the rear and no companies make anything to lift the rear. Your only options are either just leveling the front out or you can trick the air system into riding higher so you can do more lift. I have this system and have the front lifted about 2.25" and the rear adjusted to level it out.

 

[Red]

By adjustable ride height I'm guessing you're talking about the rear air suspension. If that's the case, there are no coils in the rear and no companies make anything to lift the rear. Your only options are either just leveling the front out or you can trick the air system into riding higher so you can do more lift. I have this system and have the front lifted about 2.25" and the rear adjusted to level it out.

So you only have Bilstein 5100s and FJ coils in the front then just adjusted your air suspension to level it out? No spacers or anything?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Correct. There are not any spacers available that are compatible with the rear air system. Since you have the ras, you also have xreas. To run 5100s, I had to ditch this system. I'm currently running the regular OEM shocks on the rear, I've been told longer shocks can cause issues.

 

[Red]

Ok so how about I go with front FJ coils and maybe a 1" daystar spacer, would that level me out, improve the ride and get rid of the rake? I just wont touch the air suspension or the xreas until they need to be replaced.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That daystar spacer will give you close to two inches of lift, plus about 1/2" from the fj coils. That'll be too much with the rear stock. Before this setup, I had fj coils and a 1/2" spacer which gave me 1.5" lift. Perfect setup imo, only reason I swapped is because I wanted to be higher. Pics and info on my last setup can be found here.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/63618-finally-done-lift-tires.html

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Also, if you're interested, I might be selling my front fj coils within the next month. I've got a set of ome lift coils ordered, gonna try them out. I may switch back so I don't want to sell the fj coils right away but will eventually.

 

[Red]

ARK, what is your current set up? and why did you decide to go a bit higher?
Do you have a thread link that shows what you did with your rear suspension? how did you get that up a bit higher?

Unless I can be convinced to go to your current set up then I will probably just go with your original set up, 1/2" toytec and FJ coils in the front.

Hopefully I can find a nice AT tire to go on my limited wheels though.

 

[Red]

Also, if you're interested, I might be selling my front fj coils within the next month. I've got a set of ome lift coils ordered, gonna try them out. I may switch back so I don't want to sell the fj coils right away but will eventually.

Yes, I might be interested. let me know when the time comes, how much use have the coils gotten? they aren't too expensive I might just order some brand new ones.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Biggest thing is I'm never content, always gotta be changing stuff up. I started out with a bone stock 03 4runner. I added the FJ coils and 1/2" thick Toytec spacer. Loved the setup, drove much better than stock, and looked much better as well. I had this done at ~130k miles, springs had less than 10k miles when I got them. At ~150k, I decided it was time for new shocks, so I went with the 5100's and used them to provide the lift. I honestly miss my XREAS to a point. Strait line driving is improved, but I get more body roll in turns and more nose dive (everyone else who has done this swap is the other way around, it's better for them, not sure why mine didn't work out).

My advice to you (assuming you're going for looks and don't off road frequently) is to keep the XREAS and use spacers. What I did was adjust my rear suspension to where I thought I wanted it and drove around like that for a few weeks to make sure I was satisfied with the ride quality. Once I saw that I could lift the rear to the desired height, I lifted the front higher than I had it previously. Adjusting it is pretty easy, takes about 10 minutes. I'll attach the PDF from the factory service manual showing the adjustment (look at the last page in the document). You undo one bolt, slide it up, retighten, then repeat for the other side and you're done.

As far as AT tires, there are a ton depending on what your needs are. Do you off road much? You'll need to decide on a size, which may be the hardest part. Personally, I love the 275/65/17's, good compromise between looks, performance, and gas mileage. You will loose some mpg, so if that's a major concern you might want to stick with 265's, but maybe a 265/65/18.

I love the FJ setup, so I'm just going to try the OME setup out. I've got a slight bit of rubbing, I'm hoping going up another 3/4" will take care of it. Also, with the OME's I should have less nose dive when braking and less body roll in turns. Both were improved when I added the FJ coils to XREAS, but got worse when I swapped to 5100's. I'm gonna try the OME's out, keep the FJ coils long enough to make up my mind which I want to use. If I sell the FJ coils, it will be reasonable I assure you.

 

[Red]

Cool Ark, keep me posted.

At this time I think I am going to keep Xreas , add a 1/2 inch spacer and FJ coils, then maybe throw on a 265/65/18 on them.

I don't off road, im going for looks and better tires.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Sounds like that setup will be perfect for you, I know I loved it. It all depends on how big of a hurry you're in, I'm not sure when I'll get the new coils put on.

 

[Red]

Sounds like that setup will be perfect for you, I know I loved it. It all depends on how big of a hurry you're in, I'm not sure when I'll get the new coils put on.

I'm in no rush at the moment, we'll see how it goes, if it works out then cool but you'll probably have no problem selling them later.

 

[Red]

Sounds like that setup will be perfect for you, I know I loved it. It all depends on how big of a hurry you're in, I'm not sure when I'll get the new coils put on.

Is this the kit that you bought?

Front Top Plate Spacer Kit - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

hope this link works.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yep, that's what I used.

 

[Red]

One other quick confirmation.

For the FJ coils, what years of FJ do they have to come out of? 07-09 is what I think I read previously. Also it has to be out of an "Off-Road" or "Trail Teams" package FJ right?

Thanks.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The info you posted is only for the shocks. Any year 07+ coils can be used, only thing is they need to be off a 4x4 FJ. From what I've heard, the 2010+ coils are a little beefier than previous years. There is no difference in coils between the trim levels (base, trd, tt).

 

[TRDCal]

I'll attach the PDF from the factory service manual showing the adjustment.

That PDF is awesome, I'm definately going to adjust mine for some lift, did you get that off the internet or do you have the service manual on disc or something? Gotta admit the the first 3 steps have me a bit worried tho: Release parking brake, shift into neutral, and start engine lol...sounds like a recipe for disaster haha

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Found that posted somewhere on here a while back, came in handy when I got ready to lift mine.

 

[Red]

Question about changing the normal height of the rear air suspension.

If I make the normal height position 1.5" higher, will the rear still raise if I select the taller position? or does the functionality of adjusting the rear air suspension up and down go out the window if I adjust the "normal" height position?

Also are there any issues with doing this as far as stress on components? or performance issues?