Coil Rates: OEM 4runner, OEM FJ, Moog, & Others

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've see a lot of discussion regarding the FJ swap and whether or not the Moog FJ coils were a better option than OEM FJ coils. After doing some searching, I've found some of the numbers for the Moog coils, and paired that with some info I already had.



A couple notes:

1. The measurement for the OEM 4runner front coils is for a V8 4wd. The front coils on a v6 4wd are .2" shorter. 2wd 4runners use a different coil, but so far I haven't found specs on those. All models use the same rear coils.
2. I couldn't find the spring rate for the front OEM FJ coils. I saw numbers all over the place, ranging from 530 lb / in to 630 lb / in. Most seemed to be in the 550 lb / in range, but from my experience the FJ coils are slightly stiffer than the OEM T4R coils, so that number doesn't add up.
3. The 540 lb / in number for the Tacoma coils doesn't make sense either. I found the same number in several places (could have been all from the same source) so I posted it. Based on my experience, I'd say the Tacoma coil is stiffer than the FJ.
4. Some aftermarket coils only show the % increase over stock, so I tried to calculate the spring rate. These numbers are in dark blue and in bold.

It's hard to compare the OEM FJ to Moog FJ coils since I don't have all the numbers. What I can tell is that front Moog FJ coils have the same spring rate as the OME 886 coils, which is very stiff. If I were to order Moog coils, I'd order the 4runner version (v6 or v8 depending on how much lift you want) for the front. I can't say on the rear since Moog did not provide the coil rate for those. I'd expect a minimum of 1" lift in the rear with the Moog coils based on the height. My only concern would be spring rate, and whether or not it'd be too stiff.

The majority of this data was pulled from the following pages:
Coil Rates - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
Rear Spring Comparison - Page 13 - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
Federal-Mogul Resource Center - Vehicle Look-up

 

[NuclearN8]

this is where I get my OME specs from: http://www.arbusa.com/Uploads/PDF/onlineManualsGuides/OME_Guide_current.pdf (check page 121/122 for OME coil spring specs)

I motion to put this in the first post of the suspension sticky thread.... seems like you're the man for the job [MENTION=44866]ARK_SWAMP_RIDER[/MENTION] since you're the OP of both...

 

[bagginz]

What a great thread! Seriously useful info for someone wanting to change their suspension. Thanks ARK!
:bravo:

 

[xpeppyx]

I haven't installed my Moog's yet, but I guess I won't have to worry about changing front springs if I decide to get a steel bumper, lol.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

this is where I get my OME specs from: http://www.arbusa.com/Uploads/PDF/onlineManualsGuides/OME_Guide_current.pdf

I motion to put this in the first post of the suspension sticky thread.... seems like you're the man for the job [MENTION=44866]ARK_SWAMP_RIDER[/MENTION] since you're the OP of both...

Thanks for the OME link, didn't have that one. I plan to add this in to the FAQ thread sometime over the next few days. I have several other updates I need to make (such as removing Overland Warehouse since they closed quite a while back).

What a great thread! Seriously useful info for someone wanting to change their suspension. Thanks ARK!
:bravo:

Glad to see this folks getting benefit from this info. It's all stuff I've had (minus the Moog specs) bookmarked from various places, just haven't seen anything on this forum.

I haven't installed my Moog's yet, but I guess I won't have to worry about changing front springs if I decide to get a steel bumper, lol.

From the specs, sounds like you'll be fine from a weight handling standpoint, but you may want more lift. The Moog FJ coils will give 1.25-1.5" less lift than the OME 886. I believe these will give 3" lift with a steel bumper.

 

[RunnerAK]

Thanks for compiling this! Do the V6 and V8 4Runners share the same OEM front coils?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks for compiling this! Do the V6 and V8 4Runners share the same OEM front coils?

Not sure, but my assumption is no they do not. On 120 they list that as the v8 specs. I'll look into this some more.

 

[jsmith21]

This really helps clear up a bunch of my questions I had about what springs I want to run, however I have a question. On the rear coils, I see the Superflex, Icon, and All Pro are all relatively the same spring rate. I believe they're all 2 inch lift too. But i've read that super flexes start to sag really bad and show the yota lean. Do the Icon and All Pro resist this any better or will this happen no matter what springs I buy?

 

[Cory619]

This information is so useful!!! I hate having to rely on a dealer's knowledge and then being steered in a different direction. Thank you!!!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

This really helps clear up a bunch of my questions I had about what springs I want to run, however I have a question. On the rear coils, I see the Superflex, Icon, and All Pro are all relatively the same spring rate. I believe they're all 2 inch lift too. But i've read that super flexes start to sag really bad and show the yota lean. Do the Icon and All Pro resist this any better or will this happen no matter what springs I buy?

I can't say for sure, and honestly I hadn't heard about too many issues with the superflex coils. The lean is just the nature of the beast. The driver side weighs more, but the same coils are used on both sides so yes the driver side will be lower. I had this on mine when I ran the OW 2.0 rear setup, I used a 1/2" spacer to correct the lean.

That said, I will give the edge to Icon, they offer a lifetime warranty on their springs that includes sagging. I've never heard of anyone actually using this so not sure what you'd run into there, but it's one thing that most others do not offer.

 

[jsmith21]

I can't say for sure, and honestly I hadn't heard about too many issues with the superflex coils. The lean is just the nature of the beast. The driver side weighs more, but the same coils are used on both sides so yes the driver side will be lower. I had this on mine when I ran the OW 2.0 rear setup, I used a 1/2" spacer to correct the lean.

That said, I will give the edge to Icon, they offer a lifetime warranty on their springs that includes sagging. I've never heard of anyone actually using this so not sure what you'd run into there, but it's one thing that most others do not offer.

The Icon's give 2 inches of lift right? And who makes a .5 inch spacer? I've only seen the 1.5 inch ones.

 

[ebg18t]

The Icon's give 2 inches of lift right? And who makes a .5 inch spacer? I've only seen the 1.5 inch ones.

I think cornfed will make what ever thickness spacer you want..

 

[Cygan1008]

The Icon's give 2 inches of lift right? And who makes a .5 inch spacer? I've only seen the 1.5 inch ones.

Toytec has a 1/4" spacer that gives 1/2" lift and a spacer that gives 3/4" lift.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The Icon's give 2 inches of lift right? And who makes a .5 inch spacer? I've only seen the 1.5 inch ones.

Yes, they're advertised to give 2" lift. I got the spacer from cornfed, I think it was around $40 shipped for a single spacer. They were great to deal with and I had it within 2 days of ordering.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks for compiling this! Do the V6 and V8 4Runners share the same OEM front coils?

Updated my original post with this info. There are 4 sets of front coils (8 springs total). Left and right is different for each.

1. V8 4wd
2. V6 4wd
3. V8 2wd
4. V6 2wd

The coil length in my chart is for the V8 4wd. The V6 4wd uses a coil that is .2" shorter. Both the V8 4wd and V6 4wd use the same spring rate of 580 lb / in. So far, I haven't found any info on the 2wd coils other than they use different part numbers than the 4wd.

 

[Pitbull410]

Looking at this info it seems ot me that FJ coils are negligible in difference compared to the T4R coils (OEM) So why do so many people swap to FJ coils??? Confused..

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Looking at this info it seems ot me that FJ coils are negligible in difference compared to the T4R coils (OEM) So why do so many people swap to FJ coils??? Confused..

Typically you gain .5"-1" lift in the front, .25"-.5" in the rear. The slightly stiffer coils make a noticeable difference in the ride/handling. It may not look like a lot on paper, but it does make a difference. The big benefit was cost, you could get a low mileage set of coils for under $100. Prices have gone up with popularity increasing, but still a great mod if that's what you're after (slight lift, can be combined with spacers/5100s).

 

[JacksonRally]

Does anyone know the free length of their front coil springs on any of these top 3 coilover brands; Icon, King, Fox??? I am trying to piece some coilovers together :wink2:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Does anyone know the free length of their front coil springs on any of these top 3 coilover brands; Icon, King, Fox??? I am trying to piece some coilovers together :wink2:

Radlfo and Icon seem to be the most popular around here. I think both of them use a ~14" coil, but I'll have to try to confirm that. I'm not sure about the Kind and Fox coilovers, not as many run those around here.

 

[kaatahdin]

Icon overland

Also, don't forget icon makes a rear 3 inch Overland spring kit that has a progressive loading rate. I believe it's 3 inch lift with normal weight and then with 400 pounds and drops to 2 inch lift, and with 600 pounds it drops down to 1.75".

You can check out the details on icons page or on wheeler's off Road.

Whenever I have the money for a real lift I'm probably going to go with these, I like the factory rake.