Advice on tire/suspension combo

[sunnywala]

Hello all,

I purchased a 2007 V6 SR5 4wd with 88k a couple or weeks ago. Finally joined the club(been wanting one since the 90's). I've been doing a lot of reading on here and want to say you guys have some amazing rides, you guys rock!
I have some of catching up to do, hopefully before the wife notices.

First off I do a ton of driving for work 3-4k miles a month, with about 10-50 miles a week off road(but no crazy crawling)

Goals for now: (need to be completed in the next couple weeks)

Tires- want to go up on size but would like them somewhat quiet... but beefy looking tread and a larger sidewall. Currently have 265/65/17 would like to stay at 265

Lift- eliminate nose dive on braking and cornering, fit larger tires. After looking into toytec 3/2 spacer I am leaning towards 5100s for the front and leaving the rear stock, do I need springs also or will the stocks work? also thinking of doing 1/2" body lift.
Spidertrax spacers - improve stance, 1.25" or 1.5"

Can't wait to get this stuff over with so i can start on the "easy weekend mods"

Oh and yes i read the 4g suspension thread, but it does not take into account wheel spacers for tire sizes.

ugly pre mod pic...

 

[gm350reratliff]

I like how my 4th gen rides with Fj springs and Bilstien 5100s all around. As for tires, I'm a fan of the BFG KOs (I'd go for the KO2s if you find them) but I've also had good luck with the Hankook ATs as well.

Really, it just depends on how far you want to take your build and your budget.

 

[philskeeter]

Personally if you're doing new shocks I'd at least get new front coil springs or you won't really help out the nose dive during breaking. If you're looking for a bigger tire but would like to keep 265's then go with a 265/70/17. Wheel spacers add rubbing on most setups so if you get a bigger tire and add spacers my bet is you have rubbing BUT it probably won't be bad and you can fix it by pushing the fender liner up. A beefy but quiet tire is the goodyear duratrac and ALOT of people have them on hear. The bfg a/t's are good but they make more noise and are heavier. The new bfg a/t ko2's sidewall kills them for me. Theres plenty of good silent all terrains but IMO thhe duratracs are on the top of the looks list. Nitto terra grapplers are a good choice also. and on a sidenote what makes you want the bodylift?

 

[sunnywala]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

I'd like to keep total cost with labor around 1500. (labor will be cheap from a mechanic friend)

My thought process was that if I only do the bilstiens in the front i will have no lift in the back, and this would give it a bit extra height and seems really cheap. if this is a horrible idea please let me know.

please forgive me, I am completely new to the 4x4 world.

 

[philskeeter]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

I'd like to keep total cost with labor around 1500. (labor will be cheap from a mechanic friend)

My thought process was that if I only do the bilstiens in the front i will have no lift in the back, and this would give it a bit extra height and seems really cheap. if this is a horrible idea please let me know.

please forgive me, I am completely new to the 4x4 world.

It's not that it's a terrible idea but you won't really be lifting the whole 4runner, you'll just be leveling the front out by being able to adjust the front shocks. Unless you also add the bodylift. Then you'll lift it 1/2" and level it. I think most will agree but when you start to lift it you tend to want more and then you regret not doing it from the beginning. I'm not recommending a 1k+ suspension lift but maybe some moog coils or something to go with your 5100s

 

[truc.karl]

For the tires, I would recommend the the Duratracs and Trail Grapplers. These tires can be considered as a mix of AT and mud tire.

 

[swapmeet]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your truck. I'm in DFW also.

I agree with philskeeters post. Buy once, cry once.
There are a lot of lift options out there. 5100's are very popular. I went with Toytec Coilovers for "bang for the buck" in the $ range I was looking at. I installed it myself.

As far as tires go, Terra Grapplers have been great for me, and Duratrac's are the site favorite. Both are great all around tires. Not too noisy, but decent on the trail. I saw an advertisement from Nitto recently that a new second gen or G2 of the tire allows it to get 60k miles.

Let me know if you want to go hit up Bridgeport Off Road Park sometime.

 

[trailrazer]

I went with 5100's all around with FJ coils and DS spacers. I was all in at around $500. If you're on a budget, it's hard to beat. I did add a 1/2" body lift and I'm really happy with it. My tires are 265/70-17's and went with the Cooper ATP's from America's Tires. I didn't want my fuel economy to suffer too badly or I would've went with 285's. I did upgrade to poly bushings.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[beliy25]

I went with 5100's all around with FJ coils and DS spacers. I was all in at around $500. If you're on a budget, it's hard to beat. I did add a 1/2" body lift and I'm really happy with it. My tires are 265/70-17's and went with the Cooper ATP's from America's Tires. I didn't want my fuel economy to suffer too badly or I would've went with 285's. I did upgrade to poly bushings.

Good luck on your choice.

eric ,would you be able t provide me with links to where you bought all the 5100s and fj coils?i am in need of doing mine too and have questions about how high should i go on front and back?what spacers to use?

i have v8 sport with 16" wheels but tires are 275 nitto terra grapplers and id like to keep em

 

[Burnzy]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

I'd like to keep total cost with labor around 1500. (labor will be cheap from a mechanic friend)

My thought process was that if I only do the bilstiens in the front i will have no lift in the back, and this would give it a bit extra height and seems really cheap. if this is a horrible idea please let me know.

please forgive me, I am completely new to the 4x4 world.

If the $1500.00 is for the suspension. Toytec Boss. I just installed it a couple weeks back and I love it so far. It's about $ 1,200.00. Tires as you can see in my Sig 265/70/17 Terra Grapplers. They have been very nice on and off road, and not noisy at all.

 

[28.]

Did the 5100s with FJ springs all around and love the set up.. Also did the Duratracs..

 

[sunnywala]

Wow, I didn't expect this many responses, especially for a first time poster.
Thanks guys

Looks like I will be doing
5100s with Fj coils and a 1.5 DS lift in the rear
Should I be looking for certain years in the FJ coils? 4x4 only?

1.25" wheel spacers, are spidertracs preffered for a reason? are there cheaper options?
Might add a 1/2 inch body lift if i feel the need for more lift.

I'm really liking the tread, price point and warranty on the Duratracs. Will def be going with these.

swapmeet, will def hit you up when I'm ready

 

[Adumb]

I think I found cheaper wheel spacers on eBay, but they are no-name brand. i went with 1.5" all-pro. they are just as reputable as spidertrax.
I decided not to skimp on the wheel spacer with safety in mind. I would hate to lose a wheel in the middle of nowhere or on the interstate.

Nice 4runner too. I like the white. Have fun modding!

 

[Neumonic]

Wow, I didn't expect this many responses, especially for a first time poster.
Thanks guys

Looks like I will be doing
5100s with Fj coils and a 1.5 DS lift in the rear
Should I be looking for certain years in the FJ coils? 4x4 only?

1.25" wheel spacers, are spidertracs preffered for a reason? are there cheaper options?
Might add a 1/2 inch body lift if i feel the need for more lift.

I'm really liking the tread, price point and warranty on the Duratracs. Will def be going with these.

swapmeet, will def hit you up when I'm ready

No need to buy used springs, look at rockauto . com and buy whatever springs you want brand new. I paid $44 for my front pair of Moog springs that are a direct replacement for my stock V8 springs but actually come out to be just slightly taller and slightly stiffer than the FJ coils from Toyota. Check Arkswamprider's sticky about all the coil springs specs to help you with your decision.

 

[bdubbin]

I went with Duratracs, too. Awesome tire. Decent in winter, which is what I was looking for. I like the Duratracs because of the siping on them and the fairly aggressive sidewall profile. I got the C load because they're lighter and I don't need the more durable sidewall.

Also, if you want your front and rear wheels to stick out the same distance, you should go 1.25 front and 1.5 in the rear... this is the reason I went with All-Pro... Spidertrax only came in the one size when I bought mine.

As for lift... well, I don't do heavy off-roading... it was more for appearance for me so I saved some cash and went with the daystar spacer lift. No regrets.

Good luck in your decision-making!