Bought a 2009 4runner trail edition over the weekend, have some questions.

[chmura]

I bought a CPO 4runner trail edition with 50k miles over the weekend. I bought it on the east coast and drove it home 1750 miles. 4runner drives nice, very smooth going 80mph than my Tacoma that I had before. I started slowly cleaning the rig. Its in clean condition but I want detail it (wax exterior, take out seats and shampoo carpets, etc). In a week or so I'm going to do a full transmission flush and a bunch of other maintenance items.

Cant wait to go off roading in this thing. Going to Death Valley in a few weeks so need to prep my rig for the trip!

I have some minor questions:

I want to level out the truck. I am thinking of going Bilstein 5100 with stock coils and daystar 1.5 spacer in the rear. Will this give me the same lift as the daystar 2.5/1.5 lift? What setting do I have to put the 5100 on to achieve the same 2.5/1.5 lift?

It comes with 265/70r16 tires. Seems like its hard to get bigger size tires for these size rims. Will these FJ rims fit the 4runner? I am thinking of going 275/70r17. Will I have any rubbing? Here are the rims FJ Cruiser OEM Wheels/Tires 2012 Near New

 

[Nathana92]

What in the world is this? I've never seen a Trail Edition Badge on a 4th gen or an E-Locker button. What's going on?!?!
Edit- the stickies should hold most if the info you're looking for related to 5100's and leveling.

 

[got556]

What in the world is this? I've never seen a Trail Edition Badge on a 4th gen or an E-Locker button. What's going on?!?!
Edit- the stickies should hold most if the info you're looking for related to 5100's and leveling.

I think it was only for '09 4th gens. All I know is they are extremely rare.

 

[Nathana92]

I think it was only for '09 4th gens. All I know is they are extremely rare.

That's awesome. I want one.

 

[got556]

That's awesome. I want one.

Here ya go

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/131981-shadow-mice-trail-edition.html

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

What in the world is this? I've never seen a Trail Edition Badge on a 4th gen or an E-Locker button. What's going on?!?!
Edit- the stickies should hold most if the info you're looking for related to 5100's and leveling.

Yeah they made them but they're rare. They're kind if like a UrbanRunner, rare and not many make. Though the Trail Edition was only for the 2009 model year.

 

[ridefast]

Nice find!!! But dont ruin your trucks ride by putting a spacer lift on it. They ride kinda harsh.
This is always a good option for under $800 and the nice thing about it is you can part it together as you save up.
eibach springs 1.6'' lift
5100s set at .85
eibach springs 1.5'' lift
5100s in the back at .85


You can go one series size bigger on tires with stock suspension. You should be able to fit 265-70-16 tires on there with no lift. Some aggressive at or mt tires will rub without trimming. The lift and one series bigger will look great!!!

 

[chmura]

Nice find!!! But dont ruin your trucks ride by putting a spacer lift on it. They ride kinda harsh.
This is always a good option for under $800 and the nice thing about it is you can part it together as you save up.
eibach springs 1.6'' lift
5100s set at .85
eibach springs 1.5'' lift
5100s in the back at .85


You can go one series size bigger on tires with stock suspension. You should be able to fit 265-70-16 tires on there with no lift. Some aggressive at or mt tires will rub without trimming. The lift and one series bigger will look great!!!

Thanks for the suggestion I will look into it!

Does anyone know what setting (1.75 or 2.5) do I have to set the 5100's to match the rear so its level when using the rear daystar spacer? I searched and read many threads for about 2 hours and came up empty. Lots of FJ springs threads though.

I will be using stock springs as I cannot find a set of FJ springs.

 

[ridefast]

Go to tacomaworld.com for suspension Info. You will find several topics on 5100 settings and results of guys setting them at different settings.

I personally would not go any higher than .85 on the billies as you will get a rougher ride the higher you go up. Also if you go higher than about 2.75" lift you will need UCAs.

These guys have good lift options and fj springs.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/
Also check out down south motors. I think they will install springs to the shocks before they ship out your setup. Then all u have to do is unbolt yours and bolt in the new ones. Go to the alignment shop and call it a day.

 

[chmura]

Go to tacomaworld.com for suspension Info. You will find several topics on 5100 settings and results of guys setting them at different settings.

I personally would not go any higher than .85 on the billies as you will get a rougher ride the higher you go up. Also if you go higher than about 2.75" lift you will need UCAs.

These guys have good lift options and fj springs.
Home - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
Also check out down south motors. I think they will install springs to the shocks before they ship out your setup. Then all u have to do is unbolt yours and bolt in the new ones. Go to the alignment shop and call it a day.

I'm looking for a mild lift. I do not want to lift the front more than the rear stock (I think this is 2.5 inches?). Once I get the vehicle level I wouldn't mind to have a .5inch rake in the rear. Maybe putting a FJ rear coil in the rear will achieve that without the use of a rear spacer?

Will setting the 5100's to 1.75 make the vehicle level with the rear stock height?

 

[got556]

FYI the front fender sits lower than the rear. So you can still level out the frame front/rear and it will still achieve the "rake" effect.

 

[chmura]

FYI the front fender sits lower than the rear. So you can still level out the frame front/rear and it will still achieve the "rake" effect.

Thank you, I didn't realize that.

 

[LTDSC]

top hate style spacers dont change ride quality, the kind that preload the spring do.

 

[chmura]

After searching the forum seems like setting the 5100's to 1.75 will make the vehicle level according to this forum member.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/919018-post9.html

Maybe I should go with adjustable coilovers in the front. If I go this route I want to select the coilover that allows me to change height settings while they are installed on the vehicle.

So many options makes it harder to decide which method is best to do!