Compiled: FJ Springs Lift Info for 4th gen

[Toy4R4Me]

Edit by Mod: Due to the popularity of this swap with 4th gens I am going "stick" this thread. Another very helpful resource for those considering the swap can be found here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/78933-4th-gen-all-whove-done-fj-swap.html :cheers: CJ3Flyr

So, I just did the FJ spring lift and found myself running all over the place to find the information I needed. I've been on many other forums and most others make a lot more use of Stickies for this kind of information that's widely requested. I don't know if we try to keep the number of stickies down or what, but if a mod sees fit to sticky this, that would be great.

Anyways, on to the info. (Disclaimer: I am just organizing information here so it is easy to find, not claiming any of this as my own)

The parts:

You'll need a set of stock FJ cruiser springs, which many members get from Craigslist, eBay, or the FJ community classifieds

any set from an 07-09 4x4 FJ will be a direct replacement for any 03-09 4runner, but those from 2010's require some slight modification. 2WD springs will fit as well, but will not yield the same results.

According to X6RUNNER:
The 2010 front FJ strut's lower joint needs to be modified in order to fit a 4Runner. The rear mounting hole (on the chassis) also need to be enlarged to fit the larger bushing washer. It can be done with some power tools.

The FJ has 3 models, all with different shocks. The base model has Tokico shocks. The Trail Teams and TRD both have Bilsteins, although the shocks are different between the two. The Bilstein's are definitely preferred, but any of them are an upgrade based on the responses I've seen.

It is important to note that there is a difference between the driver and passenger side front springs. The drivers side is about 1/4'' taller and a little stiffer to offset the additional weight of the driver and gas tank. The springs are color coded Yellow/Green on driver side and Gray/Green on the passenger side.

Most people who do this lift add a spacer to the front springs to "level" the truck. There are two ways people define level. First is having the running boards and roof rack level, which is what most prefer and what the following setups should achieve. Others go for equal space between the tire and fender (takes more lift to achieve this). So, if you're a v6 owner wanting equal space between the tire and fender, the 1/2" spacer may need to be considered.

The 1/4'' toytec spacer (1/2'' net lift) is suggested for a v6 runner and the 1/2'' spacer (listed as 3/4'' lift, but actually yields 1'' net lift) for the v8. The cornfed 1'' lift front spacer yields similar results to the toytec 1/2'' spacer. Some also add a full spacer lift on top of the springs such as the cornfed 2/1 or the Daystar 2.5/1.5 to give some extra height.

If you have a 2wd (v6 or v8), the 1/4" spacer is recommended. The FJ springs provide more lift on 2wd's than 4wd's.

toytec 1/4'' spacer

toytec 1/2'' spacer

popular lift installation write-ups
Note: this lift can be done with XREAS; it is highly suggested that you leave the hydraulic lines connected to the shocks/struts and work on them in the wheel well because if you lose fluid from the system it is ruined. However, there are ways to disconnect the XREAS if you so desire.

Many people (including myself) have used and suggest the no spring compressor method for the install.

No Spring Compressor Method

but here are two others just for variety

Daystar (Spacer) installation on 4Runner with XREAS - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

2007 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Lift

Expected Lift

The FJ springs alone net about .5-1'' in the front and .25-.75'' in the rear. 1/2" front is more common on v8 4runners. On 2wds (v8 or v6) and v6 4x4 1" is about average. Most models get about 1/4" from the rear, but some do get as much as 3/4". This difference is what makes it so difficult to suggest an exact setup, there are way too many factors to consider when swapping out the springs. Mainly, all of our 4runners have sagged different amounts on the stock suspension, same for all the FJ's. So, the lift gained depends on how much use your stock springs have and also how much use the FJ springs you have sagged.

Also, many members have been impressed by the change in ride quality. The FJ springs are stiffer, reducing body roll and brake dive. However, the ride is far from harsh and many prefer it to stock.


Pictures

gaterose: V6 2WD FJ springs w/ 1/4'' toytec spacer 265/65 stockers

My V8 4x4 w/ FJ springs and 1/2'' toytec spacer 265/70 BFG ATs

EDness: fj springs with cornfed 1'' spacer

zstamp: fj springs with daystar 2.5/1.5 and 265/70 hankooks

PharmSCRunner: fj springs with cornfed 2/1

and there are probably countless other combinations out there, but these should give you the basic idea.



[Additional comments by ARK_SWAMP_RIDER have been added]


Acknowledgments:

ARK_SWAMP_RIDER's write up

CJ3Flyr's write up

 

[gaterose]

Missing photo from above [MENTION=44866]ARK_SWAMP_RIDER[/MENTION]

V6 2WD FJ springs w/ 1/4'' toytec spacer 265/65 stockers

Another popular option:

FJ springs + Bilstein Adjustable set at 0.85"
265/70R17 BFG AT T/A KO (also spidertraxx 1.25" spacers)

 

[Hi-Fi]

Thanks! Hope to do the front of mine to level it out some this spring.
I'm in the market for springs if anybody has a set they want to sell.
Bill

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That's got most of the basics down. Here are a few notes (no particular order):

There are two ways people define level. First is having the running boards and roof rack level, which is what most prefer and what the listed setups should achieve. Others go for equal space between the tire and fender (takes more lift to achieve this). So, if you're a v6 owner wanting equal space between the tire and fender, the 1/2" spacer may need to be considered.

The Toytec is a 1/2" thick spacer, listed to give 3/4" lift. In reality, you get 1" from it. The Cornfed 1" spacer gives identical resuls, as both use 1/2" of material.

If you have a 2wd (v6 or v8), the 1/4" spacer is recommended. The FJ springs provide more lift on 2wd's than 4wd's.

From what I've seen, most with v8's gain ~1/2" from the spings in the front, 1/4" in the rear and most v6's gain ~1" front and 1/4" rear. Some have gotten more, some less, it strictly depends on how worn the stock suspension is.

You want the shock/coils off of a 4x4 FJ, the 2wd ones are different (will fit, the 4x4 ones are preferred though for the most improvement).

The FJ has 3 models, all with different shocks. The base model has Tokico shocks. The Trail Teams and TRD both have Bilsteins, although the shocks are different between the two. The Bilstein's are definitely preferred, but any of them are an upgrade based on the responses I've seen.

That's all I can think of for now, I'm sure something else will come up later.

 

[zstampe]

Awesome thread! Thanks for including my truck as well. If anyone has any questions about my truck pm me. I also just got done fabbing a new light bar up with 2 Hella 500's on it. Will post pics soon

 

[Toy4R4Me]

gaterose and ARK, thanks for your input, your comments have been added to the initial post.

ARK - are you sure about the average lift numbers? Before doing the lift I was under the impression that 1'' front .75'' rear was the general consensus? It was almost exactly what I got, too.

 

[JB.]

Compiled: FJ Springs Lift Info

Great thread. Thanks for putting in the time.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

gaterose and ARK, thanks for your input, your comments have been added to the initial post.

ARK - are you sure about the average lift numbers? Before doing the lift I was under the impression that 1'' front .75'' rear was the general consensus? It was almost exactly what I got, too.

I've not written down the numbers and averaged them, so no not 100% sure. That's just the best I can remember what most have gotten. Some have gotten the amounts you listed, but from what I remember 1/2" front is more common on v8 4runners. On 2wds (v8 or v6) and v6 4x4 1" is about right for the average I'd say. I do think all models get about 1/4" from the rear, but I have seen some get 3/4". This difference is what makes it so difficult to suggest an exact setup, there are way too many factors to consider when swapping out the springs. Mainly, all of our 4runners have sagged different amounts on the stock suspension, same for all the FJ's. So, the lift gained depends on how much use your stock springs have and also how much use the FJ springs you have sagged.

I'd prefer to state lift gained as a range between the numbers I posted and the numbers you posted, as that's much more accurate than saying one specific number.

I've wanted to compile a spreadsheet with members names, setups, and lift gained for reference, but I've not had the time lately.

Also, don't forget to check your local craigslist for the FJ shocks/coils, I've seen some good deals there from time to time.

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

gaterose and ARK, thanks for your input, your comments have been added to the initial post.

ARK - are you sure about the average lift numbers? Before doing the lift I was under the impression that 1'' front .75'' rear was the general consensus? It was almost exactly what I got, too.

I got about 1" in the front and .75" in the rear with the FJ coils and Bilstein5100s and I have 2WD.

 

[Toy4R4Me]

Gotcha, your comments have again been added. Let me know if you ever do that spreadsheet. I think that would be very helpful for those looking for a specific setup.

Also, does anyone know how I might go about getting this thread stickied? It feels like every fourth thread is someone with an FJ lift question that this thread could hopefully answer.

 

[message]

Excellent right up guys!

 

[8086bruce]

Great info and good write up. I did the fj springs and bilsteins with the 1/4 spacer on my 07 V6 and love it.

 

[8086bruce]

Great info and good write up. I did the fj springs and bilsteins with the 1/4 spacer on my 07 V6 and love it.

 

[EDness]

Great info! Thanks for the write up.

 

[4RBob]

"any set from an 07-09 4x4 FJ will be a direct replacement for any 03-09 4runner, but those from 2010's require some slight modification"

what is the required modification for the 2010 FJ springs? btw - I am going to try the 2010 FJ TT springs/shocks on a 5th Gen 4R.

thanks

 

[Paul_R_Canada]

Excellent info and pics, cheers!! Much appreciated

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm not real familiar with what's required on the 2010 FJ suspension onto the 4th gen, and know nothing about the 5th gen. Here's some info I've found on it relating to the 4th gen:

Originally Posted by X6RUNNER
Warning: The 2010 front FJC strut's lower joint needs to be modified in order to fit your TR4.
The rear mounting hole (on the chasis) also need to be enlarged to fit the larger bushing washer. It can be done with some power tools.

 

[Toy4R4Me]

^ added

Thanks again, ARK

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've created a thread to begin gathering info from members so that I can make a spreadsheet with accurate info on the results of the FJ swap. So, for all of you guys who have used any of the FJ components to lift your 4runner, please post your info in this thread. Thanks!

 

[12guns]

Another popular option:

FJ springs + Bilstein Adjustable set at 0.85"
265/70R17 BFG AT T/A KO (also spidertraxx 1.25" spacers)

That's exactly what my 05' Sport is about to look like!
I'm ordering 5100's now and I already have the FJ springs. The rear are already installed and I love them. Can't wait to get the fronts on with the new shocks. It may be a week or two, but I'll post some pics when it's done.
Without having to search too much, anyone know what size tires I can fit w/ this same set up?