Bilstein 5100's FJ Springs & AllPro Spacers Done

[OdinWiski]

Shocks on my 06' SE with X-REAS were starting to leak. Thanks to the wealth of information on this forum, I decided to get rid of the X-REAS and put in Bilstein 5100's and FJ springs (4x4 with 900 miles) all around.

I posted a thread earlier trying to get opinions on using the 0.85" and 1.75" settings. Against the majority of the recommendations, I went with the 1.75" setting on the Bilstein fronts, figuring that with a V8 and a brush guard I might not run the risk of ending up with a slightly reversed rake. And I'm very glad with the "risk" I took - it came out great! It would've looked like nothing had I opted to use the 0.85" setting. The rear is still almost 1" taller than the front now - I often haul my dogs with crates in the back, roof basket gets used fairly often too, and occasionally tow, none of which I'll have to worry about now about having a heavily rear-sagging funny look

When I ordered the wheel spacers from AllPro, I was wanting 1.25" for the front and 1.5" for the rear, but the 1.25" were out of stock and I'd have to wait for 3 weeks at least. So I went with 1.5" all around, which I'm glad I did! By the way, I was reading somewhere that AllPro would end up charging you for shipping even though they advertise free shipping for orders above $150, which proved to the true! $18 is really nothing, but the experience - NOT cool!!

A friend and coworker of mine, who is a mechanic in the company, and I did the project yesterday - I was just helping for the most part lol. Took us over 5 hours - we spent quite a bit of time looking for a nut we lost somewhere in the chasis of the truck (didn't find it in the end) LOL. I had time to have an alignment done at the shop on the same day after we were done. We did it in such a careful way and surprisingly the alignment was not off by much if at all after the install - at least I couldn't feel it. Steering wheel was centered fine and the truck wasn't pulling to either side. But I went ahead and had the alignment done anyways - just to be sure

I confirm many observations other members have made on the ride quality. Sitting in the driver seat, I can definitely feel that I'm sitting taller. Ride is a lot firmer, but not harsh at all. The nose-dive while braking is definitely not as pronounced as before. I think the cornering feels a lot better too even without the X-reas. I don't know whether it's the bilstens and the firmer FJ springs, or the spacers that give the truck a wider tire tracks now. Maybe both. And besides, with 70k miles on the X-reas shocks, they started to feel crappy. I can't really remember how they were when they were brand new. But now after the install, I do feel a huge difference instantly

Took some pictures of the truck. I know there's been quite a lot of data already on similar setups, but I was researching, I wasn't able to find the exact setup on 06-09 model years with a V8 and maybe a little bit of additional weight on the front. Wheel spacers too - there seems to be a ton of data and pictures with the 1.25" spidertrax and pre 2006 models which have narrower fender flares, but I couldn't find much on 1.5" on 06-09 model years. Hopefully these will provide some additional references

These were ready to go on ....

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After the install. She really needs a wash, but big backpacking trip is coming up next weekend - why bother

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<a href="http://s1186.photobucket.com/albums/z367/OdinWiski/?action=view&current=Runner7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z367/OdinWiski/Runner7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Looking good! I can't believe that it ended up being that level on the 3rd notch. I wouldn't have thought the brush guard would have made that much difference, but it seems to have done so. I just got my swap done Friday, much better than before. I went with the 1.75" setting as well, but I had to raise my rear to get it fully level. If you have any measurements, please post up in the link in my sig (last one). I'm trying to keep all the data together.

 

[OdinWiski]

Looking good! I can't believe that it ended up being that level on the 3rd notch. I wouldn't have thought the brush guard would have made that much difference, but it seems to have done so. I just got my swap done Friday, much better than before. I went with the 1.75" setting as well, but I had to raise my rear to get it fully level. If you have any measurements, please post up in the link in my sig (last one). I'm trying to keep all the data together.

Thanks. Yes, seems like the V8, brush guard, and possibly the roof basket all might've played a role in overall height. I posted the measurements in your thread. Can't find the measurements before the install, but these are the aftermath:

Front Driver: 35 5/8
Front Passenger: 35 3/4
Rear Driver: 36 5/8
Rear Passenger: 36 7/8

 

[Aquabear]

Great job my friend, she's looking SWEET!!!! Have fun backpacking! I look to be on a mountain soon myself!

 

[Doozi]

Lookin' awesome!!

 

[Casper421]

Nice set up! :bravo: I might install the same over summer.

 

[kai920]

Looks real good! I like it a lot!

I see the sticker and the dogs in your pic.....you do Schutzhund training?

 

[4RunnERD]

Looks great! I plan to do the same if and when my X-reas fails. What size tires are you running??

 

[8086bruce]

Congrats looks great! Thanks for the pics!

 

[OdinWiski]

Looks real good! I like it a lot!

I see the sticker and the dogs in your pic.....you do Schutzhund training?

Thanks! Yes, I work them in schutzhund. Actually only working one of them now. Retired the shepherd, just working the malinois now. I've actually been taking a long break from it working on my house Do you work dogs too?

Here's Wiski getting her IPO2 @ 22 months and IPO3 @ 26 months ....

Wiski IPO2: YouTube - WiskiOdin's Channel

Wiski IPO3: YouTube - WiskiOdin's Channel

 

[S p a r k y]

im going to assume those are 265/70's?

 

[krupnation]

Your runner looks great man! That's the exact stance I'm looking for on my T4R. Can't wait to get my 5100's and FJ coil setup. I've been scanning the classified ads on the FJC forum but everytime a set of coils come up there gone in like a day. I really like the 1.5" spacers too.

 

[kai920]

No I dont work dogs. I do have a working breed(Australian shepherd) but he is more of a couch potato than anything.

I've always had a fascination with Schutzhund though. Think its really cool and looks like a lot of work but rewarding. I think the dogs are amazing. I Like the videos. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to get into the sport one day.

 

[OdinWiski]

Looks great! I plan to do the same if and when my X-reas fails. What size tires are you running??

Thanks. 265/70/17. Been running the same size all along. Had Nitto Terra Grapplers before, which I got 55k out of and the treads weren't that bad that I HAD to replace, but I chose to. Probably could've gotten another 10k out of them.

After the install, I did have to move the wheel well liners forward on the front and trim the corners of the front bumper on the front, like most others had to do. It was really easy though. The fronts are still rubbing the splash guards a little in tight turns because of the square shoulders those BFG clones have, but not bad. Anyone who has dealt with that, what did you do??
Never wanted to run 285's because I did not want to have a big lift and then have to trim a lot to avoid the rubbing issues. Besides, 4Runners gas mileage sucks ass as it is without huge tires

 

[OdinWiski]

No I dont work dogs. I do have a working breed(Australian shepherd) but he is more of a couch potato than anything.

I've always had a fascination with Schutzhund though. Think its really cool and looks like a lot of work but rewarding. I think the dogs are amazing. I Like the videos. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to get into the sport one day.

Cool! Aussies are very smart dogs - all herders are It is indeed a LOT of work, but very rewarding. The dogs LOVE it too! They do have to have what it takes to be worked in the sport, otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to the dog.

 

[gaterose]

Best thing to do is figure out what's rubbing and trim the smallest amount you can with a dremel, hacksaw, or razor knife

I removed the mud flaps and trimmed the fender flare a little on mine, but I have the .85" setting so you should probably have to do less than me.

 

[OdinWiski]

Your runner looks great man! That's the exact stance I'm looking for on my T4R. Can't wait to get my 5100's and FJ coil setup. I've been scanning the classified ads on the FJC forum but everytime a set of coils come up there gone in like a day. I really like the 1.5" spacers too.

Thanks! You can check on Craigslist as well. That's where I found mine. I actually saw several local ads. They were taken off with only 900 miles on them when the guy upgraded his suspension (he's a rally racer - doesn't race the FJ though). He was asking $200 for all the shocks and springs. I offered him $50 for the springs, which he gladly accepted. He just wanted to clean them out of his garage Probably could've just paid $30 or 40, but for $50 I think they're totally worth it.

 

[OdinWiski]

Best thing to do is figure out what's rubbing and trim the smallest amount you can with a dremel, hacksaw, or razor knife

I removed the mud flaps and trimmed the fender flare a little on mine, but I have the .85" setting so you should probably have to do less than me.

It's just the rubbing the mud flaps a little now on the front. I might just take the flaps out if it really annoys me. You had to trim the fender flares AFTER you remove the mud flaps?? I'm talking about the rear of the front wheel wells where the mud flaps are mounted, not the front of the front wheel wells.

 

[gaterose]

Yeah that's right. I had to trim the rear of the flare. I didn't have any issues with the bumper and didn't trim it at all, just pushed the liner forward

 

[OdinWiski]

Yeah that's right. I had to trim the rear of the flare. I didn't have any issues with the bumper and didn't trim it at all, just pushed the liner forward

Ok, thanks. I moved the liners forwad and trimmed the corners of the bumper and don't have rubbing issues there. I'll see how bad the rubbing is on the mud flaps and go from there.