Bilstein 5100's and 5th gen coils on 4th gen V8

[schwein]

Hi Everyone,

A while back I purchased some used coils from a fellow member, he said they had about 100 miles or so on them, they looked brand new and were off a 2016 5th Generation Trail edition. I don't know if there are major differences between the coils from 5th gens (besides the TRD PRO) between the years or from different option packages but i figured I would give these a try to replace the coils on my 2003 V8.

I also purchased 4 Bilstein 5100 shocks and new mounting hardware to freshen up the suspension. The plan was to replace my aging XRES suspension, none of my XRES shocks were leaking but the coils were clearly sagging a bit and were bouncing all over the place nearing the end.

Well below are photos of the outcome, local shop did a great job installing, i had them do their best to level out the suspension, turns out the .85" or "2nd" ring choice was just about perfect. The truck now sits virtually level with just the slightest rake, the photos below do not do it justice, i personally think this is how it should have sat from the factory! It also drives incredibly well, I was a little nervous that this setup would sway in corners too much as i am a 99% on road user however it seems to drive as good if not better than the XRES suspension on the street! the XRES being slightly lower definitely sat a little flatter in corners but i am also not using this vehicle as a race car so its the perfect medium for me.

Parts cost was as follows
2016 Springs : $60
Bilstein 5100's: $290
Various Moog parts: $70
Install (including a number of other fixes that were pending): $330
Total: $750

Final outcome with the 265/70R17 tires
Front Pavement to Fender = 35 1/2"
Rear Pavement to Fender = 36"
Front Center of Wheel to Fender = 20 1/2"
Rear Center of Wheel to Fender = 21"

It now drives like a new truck, i'll have an alignment done this week but i can now highly recommend this setup for anyone who is looking for an inexpensive XRES replacement on their 4th gen 4Runners!

2013 image to show height
<a href="https://ibb.co/x531f1H"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/HgXtxtd/2.jpg" alt="2" border="0"></a>

2017 image to show height
<a href="https://ibb.co/64J1KNC"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/p3rRHnF/2003-4-Runner.jpg" alt="2003-4-Runner" border="0"></a>

2018 After Install Image
<a href="https://ibb.co/tDTbC9V"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/w4FK6f5/IMG-4907.jpg" alt="IMG-4907" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/sFZVp2G"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/xMN7KD0/IMG-4905.jpg" alt="IMG-4905" border="0"></a>

Front Height at Fender from Pavement:
<a href="https://ibb.co/HVXYXwy"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/wRYCYGq/IMG-4958.jpg" alt="IMG-4958" border="0"></a>

Rear Height at Fender from Pavement:
<a href="https://ibb.co/y5XHMd4"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/J2KDbm3/IMG-4959.jpg" alt="IMG-4959" border="0"></a>

 

[0verland]

Doesn't look like the ride height changed any but its hard to tell from the pics. As long as your happy with the results and it rides like new I'd call that a success. Congrats and thanks for the share!

 

[schwein]

Thanks! I should have mentioned in my first post the ride height changes as the images are difficult to see.

Front was raised by roughly 1" and the rear was raised by roughly 1/2".

 

[andreylights]

That's a bit disappointing as I just purchased the same set for my 07 V6 and was hoping for more like a 2" lift %(

 

[schwein]

That's a bit disappointing as I just purchased the same set for my 07 V6 and was hoping for more like a 2" lift %(

I didn't take measurements before and after however the 1/2 inch in the back and 1" in the front is really an estimate, could have been more but definitely not less. If you look at Image 1 and Image 3, you'll notice the trailer hitch is showing significantly more in the 3rd image, that's probably the only way to decipher the lift provided from the new springs from my images.

This being said the truck feels significantly taller than before in person...

If someone knows what the stock dimensions are from ground to top of fender i can throw a tape measure on it tonight and update the thread.

 

[andreylights]

I didn't take measurements before and after however the 1/2 inch in the back and 1" in the front is really an estimate, could have been more but definitely not less. If you look at Image 1 and Image 3, you'll notice the trailer hitch is showing significantly more in the 3rd image, that's probably the only way to decipher the lift provided from the new springs from my images.

This being said the truck feels significantly taller than before in person...

If someone knows what the stock dimensions are from ground to top of fender i can throw a tape measure on it tonight and update the thread.

Can you measure the height right now with the new set up? And also please let me know your tires size because that will affect the overall number as well.

 

[schwein]

Can you measure the height right now with the new set up? And also please let me know your tires size because that will affect the overall number as well.

Hi Audrey, I just measured:

Front wheel at the centerline from pavement to the fender 35 1/2”

Rear wheel at the centerline from pavement to the fender 36”

Front center of wheel to fender 20 1/2”

Rear center of wheel to fender 21”

I have 265/70R17’s on it.

Hope that helps, i have photos I’ll post tomorrow, what’s the stock height supposed to be?

 

[andreylights]

Hi Audrey, I just measured:

Front wheel at the centerline from pavement to the fender 35 1/2”

Rear wheel at the centerline from pavement to the fender 36”

Front center of wheel to fender 20 1/2”

Rear center of wheel to fender 21”

I have 265/70R17’s on it.

Hope that helps, i have photos I’ll post tomorrow, what’s the stock height supposed to be?

Thanks for the info! Yeah it looks like it gained around an 1".

I have the stock set up but smaller tires (255/65/17) and measured at:
Front 33"
Rear 36"

There is about an inch difference in height of our tires so yeah, around an inch for a lift. Although it is odd that we have the same measurements for rear

 

[schwein]

Thanks for the info! Yeah it looks like it gained around an 1".

I have the stock set up but smaller tires (255/65/17) and measured at:
Front 33"
Rear 36"

There is about an inch difference in height of our tires so yeah, around an inch for a lift. Although it is odd that we have the same measurements for rear

Interesting.. it could be my front and rear were sagging a bit and that's some of the "lift" I am noticing, this being said the setup drives incredibly well, dare I say better than stock!

Hope this info helps some of you out!

 

[andreylights]

Interesting.. it could be my front and rear were sagging a bit and that's some of the "lift" I am noticing, this being said the setup drives incredibly well, dare I say better than stock!

Hope this info helps some of you out!

I mean it's a 5100 so the from could be adjusted (also my V6 is lighter) but I don't know how the rear is gonna work out - don't want to end up with a negative rake