Best replacement shocks?

That was a little high, more like $150 each on the fronts, about the same on the rear. My plan on the stock system was to run FJ coils and the toytech 3/4 inch spacer (that's lift height not spacer thickness). However, with the KYB I'm not sure if I should run FJ coils or not. If not, I'll have to find another way to get my 1.5-1.75 inches of lift. I just really wish I could find a way to make the bilstein's work, but doesn't look promising.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
That was a little high, more like $150 each on the fronts, about the same on the rear. My plan on the stock system was to run FJ coils and the toytech 3/4 inch spacer (that's lift height not spacer thickness). However, with the KYB I'm not sure if I should run FJ coils or not. If not, I'll have to find another way to get my 1.5-1.75 inches of lift. I just really wish I could find a way to make the bilstein's work, but doesn't look promising.
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Use the FJC springs, the KYB shocks don't do anything to ride height. The reason the Bils do is they alter the bottom spring mount. An OE or OE replacement shock have fixed bottom spring mounts in the same place hence the same height...
:cheers:
 
So same gains by adding FJ coils as with the OEM suspension. Do you think the KYB setup would be comparable to the OEM XREAS? I know it will meet or exceed the standard suspension, just not sure how it compares to my XREAS equipped 4runner. Thanks a lot for your help, I apprecaite it!
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
So same gains by adding FJ coils as with the OEM suspension. Yes. Do you think the KYB setup would be comparable to the OEM XREAS? Very similar I would speculate... I know it will meet or exceed the standard suspension, just not sure how it compares to my XREAS equipped 4runner. Thanks a lot for your help, I apprecaite it!
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:cheers:
 
Good deal. Well, since I can't make the Bilstein's work, I'll more than likely be getting the KYB setup. Any other suggestions before I put this thread to rest? Thanks!
 
have you considered Old Man Emu? seems like there are a lot of people happy with their stuff too. not sure if it fits your criteria or not.
 
I put in a full new front and back FJ Suspension that was a take off . I love it and cost shipped for front and back was 35.00 . All brand new shock and spring all the way around and pulled all Xreas and am very happy.
 
I had The 5100's on my 08' Tacoma 4x4.. Lifted the front 1.75 to level it out and it rode better, handled, and preformed better offroad than any other shock i've ever had...

I just purchased a 08 runner 4x4 sr5 and all ready ordered a full set frt and rear... I purchased 5100's that were custom valved buy rcd (dont know if they all are) from downsouthmotorsports.....

I'm quite certian when I fit them to my runner I will be just as happy... I will report back....

-Thomas
 
Falls: I've read several of your posts about the full FJC suspension. This was the route I had planned to go, but I ran into the same issue as with the Bilsteins (which were my second choice). The rear FJC shock is longer than the OEM 4runner shock, and this will "mess up" my rear air suspension (so I've been told).
TThomas: Great news, I look forward to reading your reply back!

The biggest reason I want the Bilstein's is the adjustability. 1.75" in the front would be nearly perfect, and there isn't a spacer made to give 1.5-1.75" of lift (besides custom Cornfed). I can adjust the rear air suspension to give me approx. one inch of lift in the rear. I'm thinking about doing this and running the fronts at 2.5" of lift, which would still level out very nicely. I'm not positive I'd want to keep it that way, and I don't wanna have to be buying a lot of different spacers just to "test". The main reason I looked at the FJC suspension is because the front springs alone give .5-.75 lift and I can run a Toytec 1/2" thick spacer to get the rest of the lift I want. Those are the reasons I really want to make one of those two setups work. I'm going to try to contact Bilstein to see what they say about the rear (I think there may be a standard lenth replacement shock other than the 5100 series HD). Thanks guys!
 
dont forget, depending of which full fj setup you get for the front, they may already come with bilsteins as the shocks. something to think about.
 
yea, the bilsteins come with the trail team fj setup only, if you can get the complete regular fj coilovers & rear springs for 50 bux, & your sure to want to remove the xreas, id say use em, you'll still get around 3/4 lift up frt.& they'll give you near stock non-xreas ride. you want/need more , put a 1/4-1/2 spacer over the CO.
 
Just got a PM back saying they've sold, so no go there. I've got a number for Bilstein, I'm gonna try calling them to see if I can get something worked out. I've still got my fingers crossed that I can get something done there.
 
chaz said:
yea, the bilsteins come with the trail team fj setup only, if you can get the complete regular fj coilovers & rear springs for 50 bux, & your sure to want to remove the xreas, id say use em, you'll still get around 3/4 lift up frt.& they'll give you near stock non-xreas ride. you want/need more , put a 1/4-1/2 spacer over the CO.
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Just remember they are BS branded shocks which means they are still made by BS , but to Toyota specs , NOT BS . I think you would be better off buying reg. BS shocks . Just my 02
 
:iagree: do you have to have the 5100s you stated before? how about using the BS HD frt & rear instead, then use the fj springs on the frt, with a small spacer. and theres no back order on the HD, ive used them on other vec. & they were fine. cost around 318, then whatever the springs & or spacer cost ya. that still keeps the price fairly low maybe little over 400 total.
 
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I would spend a little more and get the OME 885/895 or 885/Toytec Superflex rear coils.
 
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Last week I had pulled my XREAS which had about 85k of them. I switched them out for Bilstein 5100s all around with FJ Cruiser springs. Pics to come tomorrow.

Handling is a lot more responsive. It takes a lot less time for the suspension to set when cornering and it feels more controlable. I feel like more weight is distributed to the rear during cornering so you can better judge the traction to the rear tires.

I haven't been in a t4r with OME setup, but I have been in one with SAW/racerunner 2.0 setup and I must say SAWs are better in that it feels more stock driving around the city. It absorbs small bumps better, and corners better. But the change in cornering isn't as much as a difference between stock vs. the FJ/Bilstein setup, compared to the FJ/Bilstein vs. SAWs.

My local shop which I got the suspension installed has t4r front 5100s adjustables in stock. The rears are supposedly on backorder through Bilstein, but some of their distributors may still have them in stock.
 
hueyduey said:
Last week I had pulled my XREAS which had about 85k of them. I switched them out for Bilstein 5100s all around with FJ Cruiser springs. Pics to come tomorrow.

Handling is a lot more responsive. It takes a lot less time for the suspension to set when cornering and it feels more controlable. I feel like more weight is distributed to the rear during cornering so you can better judge the traction to the rear tires.

I haven't been in a t4r with OME setup, but I have been in one with SAW/racerunner 2.0 setup and I must say SAWs are better in that it feels more stock driving around the city. It absorbs small bumps better, and corners better. But the change in cornering isn't as much as a difference between stock vs. the FJ/Bilstein setup, compared to the FJ/Bilstein vs. SAWs.

My local shop which I got the suspension installed has t4r front 5100s adjustables in stock. The rears are supposedly on backorder through Bilstein, but some of their distributors may still have them in stock.
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Thanks for the information! I'm just holding out until next week to call Bilstein to see if I can get something worked out for the rear.
 
i lifted my v8 limited 2.5 up front and did the ome rear at i think 1.5"?

bilstein 5100s all around. ride is firmer than stock with superior dampening. super quiet. i can't stand spacers. not sure how that xreas guy got a comfier ride and less body roll. you can't have the best of both worlds. just doesn't work out that way w/ trucks and with life in general.

i also dig the silver body color. looks clean.

i like the fact that bilstein also manufacturers shocks for porsche. i have set on my 911, too. quality is there.
 
THEROK said:
not sure how that xreas guy got a comfier ride and less body roll. you can't have the best of both worlds. just doesn't work out that way w/ trucks and with life in general.
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I still hold to my statement. Probably because the shocks are sharing the fluid, instead of 4 individual shocks, it's a system. It "ramps up" when needed.
 
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