Another FJ Spring/Bilstein 5100 set up question

[bkm]

Hello all,
First off I just want to say thanks for the wealth of information on here, its helped me make several decisions! Its about time to replace the stock cross terrains and as a result am planning on putting on the FJ springs/shocks that Ive had sitting around for a little while. Rather than using the stock FJ or 4Runner Tokico shocks Im considering picking up some adjustable Bilstein 5100's. Ive read every thread I can find on FJ springs and bilstein 5100's but havent found any end results for 4th gens using the FJ springs with the 5100's on the 1st non stock groove (0.85" lift?).

My question is how much lift did you see with the FJ Spring Bilstein 5100 0.85 lift combo? I guessing around 2". Also, I know both the FJ springs and 5100's will both firm up the ride, but is the combo overly stiff or uncomfortable for a daily driver?

The 4runner is an '08 SR5 V6 4x4. She is my DD and sees about 85% onroad use and 15% light trails. Im looking for a little more clearance and to firm up the ride some while maintaining good onroad manners, not worry about my CV boots, and still fit in my ridiculously low garage.

Tire plans are most likely some 255/75r17 hankook dynapro atm rf10s or GYSA. 265/70r17 duratracs or bfg at's are in the running too although I dont want to deal with rubbing.
Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

I'm going to be going with the same setup. FJ springs F/R, Bilstein 5100's F/R. I'm going to use the .85 setting also, I think the 1.75 will be to high with only the FJ springs in the rear. I personally want the firmer ride, can't stand the nose dive while braking and feeling every bump in the road. Suspension is way to soft for me. I'm also upgrading the tires to a 70 series so the extra little bit of sidewall, may tone the firmness down just a bit. We'll see. As for the shocks, good luck finding them. Bilstein has a national backorder. Tirerack has a few left, but they will cost a bit more. $95 each + shipping. I still can't find the rears anywhere yet. When I finally get everything installed, i'll post pics and my thoughts on the setup. I'm sure i'm gonna love it though. I haven't read one bad review about the FJ setup.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

If the shocks documentation is 'net' lift rather than a direct measurement of where the groove is .85 should be great. Many have used FJC springs with .5" (1" net lift) spacers and had great results. I have spacers that are about .4" thick. If the .85" is a net lift spec it should be perfect. If it's not then 1.75"+ in the front...
:cheers:

 

[bkm]

Thanks for the replies guys! I was hoping to hear from you B480- Ive been following your thread since we seem to have similar taste. I havent had much luck in finding the rear 5100's either. Ive seen a couple places have the fronts online and one of the local 4x4 shops has the fronts too (but they want like $115 lol). If I find the rears Ill drop you a line B480.

 

[chaz]

wheelers offroad may have the 5100 rears, but if u think 115 for the fronts is high, the rears are more on they're site.

 

[90scman]

Well i got i bit of info for you, i just installed(last night) my 5100s and fj springs on all 4 corners and couldnt be happier, i did max out the shocks to the highest setting so i cant comment on the other settings but you will like the ride over all. its so much better than the stock ride. im running a 1.5 spacer in the rear as well. i got it from daystar.

Ps i waited for 3 months for the shocks to come in.

 

[borgzman]

It looks like many have problem getting it. Its already backordered online when I got it. I went to to local 4WP and they never mentioned Bilstein 5100 was backordered few months ago. So you might try to visit local stores if they can surely get it for you. Mine was 3 days since I'm in CA, they just transfered it from a warehouse in socal.

I'm not endorsing any vendors but the advantages of getting it from local stores:
1. Bils have lifetime warranty, they said they can claim it for me incase. No need to keep receipts, ship back to where online, etc..
2. You are facing their computer, if no stock in their store, they'll ship it from other warehouse where it is really there..no uncertainty ..its 3-5 days pickup in store - free shipping (stores can have diff policy, its my experience only)
3. Its $10-$15 more but right now its 10% off/all bilsteins. Financing is avail also - good as cash for few months term ( it may vary)
4. discounted allignment
5. discounted install(if you'll let them - just give them the FJ springs)

I admit some stores are hard to deal with. I usually call inquire about the the product, ask for a qoute and ask to whom I am talking to, then check online if he is the manager, I'll go there and look for him, not the store salesman, then politely ask for a good price, he should know until where he can go lower with the price. :biggrin2:

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

My fronts just arrived from Tirerack, they look awesome!!! I just ordered the rears from a place called eCommerce Website Design - eCommerce Web Development/Applications/Web Hosting - Retail/B2B/Automotive - San Diego, CA. Found them on tacomaworld.com forum. Great guys, excellent customer service and cheaper prices!! I know they have one set of the fronts available if anyone is looking for them. As for the rears, I think I snagged the last set. Wheelers is out of stock right now, but they will put you on a backorder list. Most places are first come first serve. Thought that was cool of them.
BKM- Yeah it sounds like we are looking for the same results in our setups. I know there are some people who have done this setup, but it was hard find any info on this specific setup, most used the factory FJ bilsteins and a spacer. It seems as though more are trying this setup. Well the lucky few that are able to find parts!! I think this will be a great setup and am really looking forward to it. Later on down the road if I want to add more lift I can increase the fronts and add a spacer to the rear coils. (Rear 5100's will work for 0-2" of lift). I'm sure we both will love this setup! Happy shock hunting!

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

90scman, How was the install? I found this link on toyota120forum and was thinking about using this method. OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum Did you use a spring compressor or take the fronts to a shop? What tire size are you running? Any tips/tricks would be appreciated.

 

[bkm]

Thanks for the lead on Down South Motorsports B480! The guys are awesome and they happen to be local for me (San Diego). I picked up the last set of Bilstein C475 (C477) they had last week and some E703's today. The put the fronts and the FJ springs together for me too no charge

They may have 1 set of the E703's left if anyone else is looking for the rears- check em out!
Downsouth Motorsports - King Shocks - Fox Shocks - Bilstein Shocks

 

[borgzman]

Thanks for the lead on Down South Motorsports B480! The guys are awesome and they happen to be local for me (San Diego). I picked up the last set of Bilstein C475 (C477) they had last week and some E703's today. The put the fronts and the FJ springs together for me too no charge

They may have 1 set of the E703's left if anyone else is looking for the rears- check em out!
Downsouth Motorsports - King Shocks - Fox Shocks - Bilstein Shocks

Good..

Did they give you the "LIFE TIME WARRANTY"? I believe you have the C477.

Diff. between C475 and C477
Post no. 11 Bilstein 5100's rear part # - Tacoma World Forums

 

[2slo2go]

Can anyone post some pics of what the end results look like? Thanks!

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

BKM- Glad I could provide you with some help and everything worked out with DownSouth Motorsports. I would recommend them to anybody and definitely purchase from them again. I got my rear shocks in also now, its just finding the time to do the install. Not to mention its still 110 here in AZ! Post up pics when finished please.

Borgzman- I was told the reason for a different part # was because the shocks came from a company called RCD (Race Car Dynamics). I guess they buy them and repackage them. Didn't know they carried a different warranty. Good post, never saw it on Tacomaworld. Wonder which is true, maybe both. May, not really matter because Bilstein will void the warranty if they were used offroading (they have to prove that though).

Brian

 

[THEROK]

Question for you guys: Why FJ springs?

I believe the 5100s were designed to work with the stock 4R springs, but maybe they're really one in the same?

I just used the stock front springs on mine with the full 5100 all around with the rear OME spring for a 2.5" lift which is max on the bilstein height adjustable shocks.

awesome factory ride (no noise, no issues, better dampening).

 

[andyman32392]

Hey guys I don't know much about suspension but when I could not get the rear bilstiens from wheelers since they were on backorder I ended up just get a set of OME shocks for the rear and they seem to work quite well.My suspension is a little stiff but that is from the spacers that I have in to give me the extra lift to fit 33"s on my 4runner. I have around 5.5" of lift in the front from the 5100 adjustables and spacer kit.

 

[BlairB]

I have around 5.5" of lift in the front from the 5100 adjustables and spacer kit.

Do you have aftermarket UCA's? I would read over this thread since (especially post 8) it goes over some of the issues you will encounter running that much lift. It's not just the CV's but also the general design of our suspension that can lead to issues.

How High is Too High? - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

 

[90scman]

90scman, How was the install? I found this link on toyota120forum and was thinking about using this method. OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum Did you use a spring compressor or take the fronts to a shop? What tire size are you running? Any tips/tricks would be appreciated.

i used a spring compressor for both front and rear, the rear cause i put in the spacer. take the spring and strut out as one unit. you need to take off the sway bar links and loosen mounts for the bar. then you can spin the bar, then take off the up control arm, o and the tie rod. Dont use a pickle fork 2 get the tie rod and upper control arm off you will rip the boot, also be very careful with the castle nut of the control arm. it will strip easy. to seperate them i made sure the bolt and end of the nut were flush and hit it with the hammer. this takes some time as well, I would get extra nuts just in case. hope this helps. Don

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

90scman- Thanks for the input on the install, that helps alot. Kinda small world, I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Moved to AZ after college in 2000. I'm originally from Amherst, lived right by UB north campus. Where abouts are you if you don't mind me asking?

Brian

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

Question for you guys: Why FJ springs?

I believe the 5100s were designed to work with the stock 4R springs, but maybe they're really one in the same?

I just used the stock front springs on mine with the full 5100 all around with the rear OME spring for a 2.5" lift which is max on the bilstein height adjustable shocks.

awesome factory ride (no noise, no issues, better dampening).

THEROK- Goals for my rig were 2" of lift max (suspension, not including lift from upsizing the tire) and to be able to run a 31"/32" tire. I went with the FJ springs because I'm not looking for a very large lift (FJ springs will yield about .5-1" on the V6), they are very cheap and I would like to firm up the ride. The stock suspension is way to soft for me. Originally I was going to use the full FJ stock suspension (springs, Bilstein shocks), but people have written that although its better, it still could be firmer. I was going to include a spacer to get the rest of the lift I wanted to level out the vehicle and run a larger tire. Well, then my shocks started leaking and I found the Bilstein 5100's. These would give me the lift I wanted (no need for a spacer anymore)and replace my leaking shocks. I plan on using the .85" setting on the shocks, so the little bit of preload should give the ride i'm looking for and keep me within the lift range I stated as my goal. I believe the Bilstein 5100's and the FJ springs will be perfect. (Only one way to find out!) As far as fitment, from what I could find out was that the FJ and T4R basically have the same suspension setup. I really don't think there will be a problem. The FJ, Tacoma and T4R all use the same part # for the 5100's. The shocks will not have a problem with the FJ springs since the same shock is recommended for the FJ.
I haven't decide on tire size yet, I'm back and forth between a 265/70-17 (31.7") or a 255/75-17 (32.1"). (I'm thinking about the Hankook Dyanpro's AT'm's in the 255/75. If anybody has suggestions, i'm all ears). 90-95% of my driving is on road, a little offroad when camping, but nothing major. I want an AT tire that is good on the street. A few people I know have these and love them. All the online reviews have been great and they are ALOT cheaper then the REVO 2's.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

When I bought mine, I hadn't known of anyone around here with them. I've had great luck with Hankooks in the past, and with all the good reviews I gave it a shot. I'm like you, 90% highway driving, a little mild off road during hunting season. I wanted Revo's but didn't care for the price. I ended up getting the 255/75/17 Hankooks and love them. I don't think I could have been more pleased with any tire on the market. For a bit more info, check out the link in my sig, a few others have commented on them as well on the last page of the thread.