ARB Bull Bar

[austinsmith666]

I'm sure this topic has been posted a million times but i have a 4th gen 4runner and i want to get an ARB bull bar with a winch and such. I am wondering if i will need to get new suspension. If so, i am thinking i want some OME suspension. Would i need it for the rear as well. What is the least amount of lift i could get from those? there is also an option between soft or hard suspension what would each of those do? and last but not least how much will that affect the steering and on-road driving....i rly dont want to have my steering inhibited because of my mods....Thanks for the help

 

[HB 4X4]

I'm sure this topic has been posted a million times but i have a 4th gen 4runner and i want to get an ARB bull bar with a winch and such. I am wondering if i will need to get new suspension. If so, i am thinking i want some OME suspension. Would i need it for the rear as well. What is the least amount of lift i could get from those? there is also an option between soft or hard suspension what would each of those do? and last but not least how much will that affect the steering and on-road driving....i rly dont want to have my steering inhibited because of my mods....Thanks for the help

No you cannot do a bumper and winch on stock suspension. OME is a good choice, but you will be looking at about 3" front and 2.25" rear lift.

A V8 4Runner with bumper/winch will need 886 front coil/springs. If it's a V6 with the bumper/winch, you will need the 885.

If you don't plan on added weight in the back such as a rear bumper, then you will need the 895 and N141's for rear parts.

The front parts that I gave you will be VERY stiff without the bumper/winch, so I would do it all around the same time. It will ride stiffer, and it will feel a little more top heavy, but steering will improve.

A wider stance from wheel spacers will counter the lift height and make it more stable again.

 

[Kraeken]

Almost the exact question I was going to ask! So what are the options for putting this bumper on a truck with xreas? I probably wouldn't be installing a winch.

 

[BADOOGA3000]

ya would it be ok to just put on a daystar lift on the x-reas or would it just be too soft?

 

[loner]

ya would it be ok to just put on a daystar lift on the x-reas or would it just be too soft?

I did this and lost 3/4" in front height right off the bat. Then there was the additional settling over time. I would not recommend it at all, and I think the same would apply for a cornfed lift.

IMHO, if you get the ARB (even without winch) you should plan on getting the OME heavy springs or adjustable coilovers.

 

[BADOOGA3000]

can i change springs on the x-reas or do i have to get new shocks all together?

 

[pmrowczynski]

You can change the springs to a little stiffer (e.g. FJ Cruiser ones) as the X-REAS is for the shocks only. But if you go to extreme (much longer & stiffer springs) the X-REAS shocks can't keep up and you'll be better off going with a new set of springs/shocks anyhow.

 

[BADOOGA3000]

what springs would be the best do do without replaceing the x-reas? i wanted something like the daystar 2.5/2 but now that springs seem a better alternative whats the best for my money without compromising too much ride?

 

[pmrowczynski]

There's a short answer to this (which I'm following based upon CJ3Flyr's experience):

1. Get some FJ Cruiser springs. They're just longer in the front and stiffer in the rear. Overall this will give you a little more height as you'll have less sag. Plus they're cheap as the FJ Cruiser guys are upgrading their setups to 3" lifts. $50 off of eBay for me but check craigslist too.

2. Get a mild spacer kit. Look for something like 1-2" in the front. I have rear air suspension so I have no knowledge of the rear as I can't do a spacer install back there. $30 off of eBay fo me.

This will gain clearance (both underneath and for larger tires) without costing a lot of money while keeping your X-REAS. Ultimately, that's my goal until my warranty wears out and then I dunno. I have the parts for 1 and 2, but just waiting for the Michelin Cross Terrain tires to wear out (gotta get an alignment) and will swap in some 32" tires as that'll fit the spare tire well too.

BUT if you want to replace the X-REAS shocks too, Ruffian did that and the overall cost isn't much greater (in parts) and the stability is reported to be on par w/ the X-REAS.

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/lift.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=318019#post318019Rear [u
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43714

 

[loner]

can i change springs on the x-reas or do i have to get new shocks all together?

Should we assume this question is still in the context of adding an ARB?

If so, forget spacers and FJ springs, because you won't be happy with that. If you shell out big bucks for a bumper like the ARB or Shrockworks, the $$ you spend on upgrading your suspension right the first time will be money well spent. The suspension is going to affect your driving experience much more than the bumper, so please don't skimp on what matters most.

In my experience, XREAS is better than stock without XREAS. But if you're going to lift, you're better off replacing the XREAS shocks too, especially since you'll have it all apart anyway. And especially when the XREAS shocks start to leak (ask me how I know).

Here's my experience with the bumper and several different suspension configurations. I hope someone else can learn from my mistakes:

ARB + Daystar + XREAS = front sagged down to stock height over time and the rear XREAS shock sprung a leak in less than 20K miles.

This was followed by
ARB + 3.5" custom front spacer lift + XREAS = 2" of lift (apparently the stock coils were worn out by this time). The ride was horrific, with lots of shudders and jarring.

This was followed by
ARB + Icon coilovers = ride is firm but not harsh, height is adjustable and only modest sag after about 5k miles. I think it handles better than XREAS ever did. Time will tell how much of an issue sag will be in the long term.

 

[BADOOGA3000]

whats the pricing on the icon coilovers? did you replace the rear as well?

 

[loner]

whats the pricing on the icon coilovers? did you replace the rear as well?

$1305 delivered, replaced all 4 coils and shocks.

 

[BADOOGA3000]

i think OME looks like the best option for me