Better ride quality

[jonb2]

Hi. 2007 4runner 2wd v6. Currently have Bilstein 5100s at .85 lift, Toytec spacer, and stock coils. Ride is just a little stiff for us--maybe because the front end is light. Looking for smoother ride on street.

Thinking about getting FJ coils, resetting Bilsteins to -0- lift and using Toytec spacer. Hoping that might improve ride smoothness on road.

Before I buy anything, I'm not sure that will improve things much. Any thoughts?
thanks.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

youll probably end up with a very similar ride, the fj coils are stiffer than oem 4runner, so having the 5100s at 0 may not net any improvement. best option i think for a smoother ride would be oem parts and a spacer lift if you don't want to shell out for full coilovers from icon, king, fox, etc. that are much smoother over bumps

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Cheap lift lifts kits (including cobbled together ones like the FJ Coils and 5100's) are not bad persay, but you get what you pay for in terms of compromise for affordability. Higher end systems tend to be valved better for onroad and offroad handling.

What tires are you running and what pressure?

 

[X6RUNNER]

Hi. 2007 4runner 2wd v6. Currently have Bilstein 5100s at .85 lift, Toytec spacer, and stock coils. Ride is just a little stiff for us--maybe because the front end is light. Looking for smoother ride on street.

Thinking about getting FJ coils, resetting Bilsteins to -0- lift and using Toytec spacer. Hoping that might improve ride smoothness on road.

Before I buy anything, I'm not sure that will improve things much. Any thoughts?
thanks.

Man..man man! Find a good set of 06-09 Sport Edition springs then pair them with Bilstein HD 4600 (Yellow shock). You'll be a happy camper. They are very smooth but stable, plus these struts/ shocks are very reasonable price. I've installed three sets of these on two Limiteds and a SR5, the owners are very happy. I'm still riding on the Bilstein 5100 for another year or so (15k miles) then I'll replace them with the new set up. Just got the two front few months ago for Amazon.com (onsale) for $110 bucks shipped. Hope this helps.

 

[Parker1938]

Man..man man! Find a good set of 06-09 Sport Edition springs then pair them with Bilstein HD 4600 (Yellow shock). You'll be a happy camper. They are very smooth but stable, plus these struts/ shocks are very reasonable price. I've installed three sets of these on two Limiteds and a SR5, the owners are very happy. I'm still riding on the Bilstein 5100 for another year or so (15k miles) then I'll replace them with the new set up. Just got the two front few months ago for Amazon.com (onsale) for $110 bucks shipped. Hope this helps.

Good suggestion to go with OEM but which set of springs are you recommending here; 06-09 4Runner, 06-09 4WD 4Runner, 06-09 FJ Cruiser? New or used?

 

[JimInTN]

If you want stock ride use stock parts and lift spindles.

 

[X6RUNNER]

Good suggestion to go with OEM but which set of springs are you recommending here; 06-09 4Runner, 06-09 4WD 4Runner, 06-09 FJ Cruiser? New or used?

06-09 4Runner Sport Edition springs (They were used but in excellent condition and I don't know if it came from 2WD or 4WD. Both owners got them used from Craigslist).
Except the SR5 owner bought them new from dealer. I drove all three of them after installation and I can't tell the differences between the NEW and the OLD springs. However, the SR5 seemed to be not as smooth as the Limited and little noisier due to the BFG tires.

 

[RPS13]

The ride is rough because 4Runners have solid rear axles. So the rear sprung/unsprung weight ratio is high, which will ALWAYS ride like crap on choppy pavement. Toss some bags of water softener salt in the back, and it'll improve a tiny bit because you're improving the ratio and reducing the impact of the solid rear axle. Don't use sand bags, it'll work its way out of the paper bag. The water softener salt is in plastic bags, pretty cheap, and if it does "leak" it's in big chunks of salt so it's easy to vacuum up (never had one leak personally, even after many months of living back there).


Lots of travel with really soft rates helps mask some of it at the expense of killing the handling, especially since the front suspension geometry is fairly bad on 4Runners with lots of travel (not much camber gain).

TLDR - nature of the beast, some weight in the rear helps some.

 

[Gatafly]

How long have you had tge upgrade? I have the 5100s with FJ springs and it was stiff at first. Not BAD, but more than I wanted. After driving for awhile and letting things settle in it has vastly improved and even my 76 yo Dad thinks it rides really good.

 

[jonb2]

Thanks for all the comments. Using FJ springs with the Bilstein 5100s sounds like a great idea to try. Since I only have the factory coils right now, I decided to experiment by setting the Bilsteins to the stock -0- lift setting and then inserted a Daystar budget boost spacer on top. The spacer is 1" thick but gives 2" of lift.

So far the ride for us is much smoother although a little more sway and leaning so we'll see how it goes. The ride is much smoother compared to the 0.85 or 1.75 lift setting especially. I might try the FJ spring and smaller spacer a little later and see how that compares.

Now I also realize you're not really supposed to use spacers (except maybe a very small one no more than 0.25-0.5") on the Bilstein 5100s. Most of what I read said it is not recommended but I was also unable to find any bad things happening from this. Vehicle is a 2wd only and my application is 90% street/highway roads so I am willing to give it a try and see what happens. I know living on the edge!

 

[zimm298]

Did the FJ springs and 5100's currently set at stock height and the ride is fantastic! I like it better than our Sequoia. It's great on the highway, and I had it up the mountain yesterday and it did really well. Haven't messed with it too much yet, still running stock wheels and tires.

 

[jonb2]

Wow great to know and another positive opinion of the FJ setup. That will definitely be something to try soon.
thanks!

 

[rgwest61]

Improving 2009 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 ride quality

Looking to change coil springs and shocks on my 2009 Toyota 4Runner to improve ride quality as recommended using Sport Edition springs and Bilstein 4600 HD shocks. With multiple version of springs made for 2006 - 2009 V8 Sport Editions I am having trouble determining the appropriate version and part number to order such. Contacted several Toyota part shops and they can not provide such information. Also, are there other parts required for installation of the springs and Bilstein shocks since not same OEM version. Thanks....

 

[Urbanite]

Ride comfort is not a 4Runner feature. I recently drove my cousin's 2008 Highlander and I noticed a marked difference, I wished we had in our 4Runners, but that's another story!