Compiled: FJ Springs Lift Info for 4th gen

[jmb12]

Hey all - I have all the parts on hand for my lift, but I am struggling to make a decision on the adjustable 5100s. I've clicked through every page in this thread and a few hundred on the lift thread, but I still can't decide how to set it up.

4runner is a 2006 SE V8 4wd - obviously this is among the most heavy in the front.

Parts for the lift: 5100s all around, lightly used last gen FJ coils, 1.5" daystar rear spacer

My debate is whether I set the fronts at 1.75" or 2.5" - I have seen so many pics that look so different, even among V8s, and all of the data is making my head spin. I don't mind a rake similar to the factory setting, but I wouldn't want anything more severe than that. About halfway between factory rake and level sounds great.

• With the fronts at 1.75" using the rear spacers, I am worried that the weight of the V8+4wd will leave a substantial rake.
  
• On the flip side, with the 2.5" setting, I really don't want a reverse rake, and I absolutely don't want to do any damage to the UCA and other assemblies that start to reach their limits at that range of lift.
  
• One alternative I am considering is biting the bullet and buying the 1" cornfed rear spacer to pair with 1.75" front - this seems like it would minimize the risk of both of these outcomes above... but maybe I am overthinking it??

So after 70+ pages of commentary, I am still up in the air on this, and I feel like I am changing my mind on every page. The last wrinkle is I have no garage or tools to do the work myself, so will be hard to adjust after the fact if I don't like the outcome.

In my position, do you think there is substantial risk to setting front at 2.5"? What do you think the likelihood of ending up with a reverse rake at that setting is, vs. ending up with a greater-than-factory rake if I set at 1.75" with the spacer?


Thanks in advance - this site has been an incredible resource so far!

 

[summit21]

View attachment 251779I just had the 5100's (front @ 2.5") w/ FJC Moog coils done on my Sport V8, no spacers. Just put a level on the step rail and it has the slightest bit of reverse rake. I will reassess after I put new tread on it.

 

[theoutbackdream]

I just had the 5100's (front @ 2.5") w/ FJC Moog coils done on my Sport V8, no spacers. Just put a level on the step rail and it has the slightest bit of reverse rake. I will reassess after I put new tread on it.

Where did you order your FJC Moogs from and did you have issues with fitment on the rear perch?

 

[summit21]

Where did you order your FJC Moogs from and did you have issues with fitment on the rear perch?

I ordered from Rock Auto and no fittment issues. There was a thread or two with pictures of how others coils seated and mine is the same. One was the DIY for the Moog coils install thread.

 

[theoutbackdream]

I ordered from Rock Auto and no fittment issues. There was a thread or two with pictures of how others coils seated and mine is the same. One was the DIY for the Moog coils install thread.

Thanks for that information. Interesting. Maybe I'll just order the rear springs from Rock Auto since it seems like most people are having issues with the moogs from Amazon... haha

 

[mikesam82]

Got mine installed yesterday by a local shop. I went with the FJC (4WD) Moog coils and Bilstein 5100's, $447 for the coils and springs. The shop set the front at 2.5".

Hey Summit- Nice setup. I'm installing the 5100/FJs this week, and think as well that I'll go the full 2.5" in front. I'm assuming you did 5100/FJ in the rear as well? If so, what'd you set that lift at?

 

[ZebRuaj]

Hey Summit- Nice setup. I'm installing the 5100/FJs this week, and think as well that I'll go the full 2.5" in front. I'm assuming you did 5100/FJ in the rear as well? If so, what'd you set that lift at?

Rear 5100's are not height adjustable.

 

[mightyduck]

So I just thought I would throw this out there for everyone.


Iv been considering an FJ/5100 setup for a long time and almost pulled the trigger until I started reading about shock valving.


Iv heard a lot of mixed reviews about the ride quality of the 5100/fj setup and I think that the 5160 might address part of this issue. Basically, if you don't know, the 5100 is valved to match the spring rate of the stock springs which have a lower spring rate than the fjs' or moogs or others. So, when you pair the 5100 and the FJ coil, the rebound of the shock wont be [ideally] matched for the spring rate....apparently it is much more noticeable in the rear but I suspect that a lot of the mixed reviews of this setup stem from whether or not people attune to the sensation that this valving/rebound dynamic creates. Anyway, the 5160 has a slightly higher rebound rate than the 5100 and is therefore (theoretically) a better match for the fj coils.


Also, I am still considering buying some aftermarket coils (even tho I have 20k 07 oem fj coils on the way)....here are some random things Iv learned from my research so far:

- The Wheelers T12 '1.5"' will actually yield 2"+. I forget exactly but I think it has a spring rate of ~200

- The Wheelers T13 (which I think may be intended for 5th gen but should work on 4th gen?) has the same mounting as the T12 and is the same spring, just 1" shorter (should actually yield ~1" of lift). So, the T13 could be a really good option for those who are considering the Moog rears but don't want to deal with the fit issues, and the T12 are probably a good option for those planning to run the front at 1.75 (keeping a bit of rake) and running fj+spacer in the rear.

Unless I change my mind last minute Ill be going with oem fj coils front/rear matched with 5100 adjustable up front (.85) and 5160 in the rear. I am hoping this provides a bit better ride quality over the full 5100 setup but we shall see....


Im hoping to do this in the next few weeks....Ill follow up with pics and measurements and a review!

 

[theoutbackdream]

Installing Moog FJC's with Bilstein 5100's. I'm wondering... Would I need a rear spacer if I set the front's to 1.75? I don't want reverse rake, but I would also like to maximize the amount of lift I get as well. :biggrin2:

 

[mightyduck]

Installing Moog FJC's with Bilstein 5100's. I'm wondering... Would I need a rear spacer if I set the front's to 1.75? I don't want reverse rake, but I would also like to maximize the amount of lift I get as well. :biggrin2:

My understanding is that you probably will need a spacer in the rear to prevent the reverse rake. I think most people use a 1.5" spacer altho I feel like 1" should work too (I think it comes down to what you consider "level"). You should probably double check this as i'm not entirely sure. I was actually wondering something kinda similar which is whether 1.75 in the front and T13 coil in the back will produce slight-rake...AND if I the truck will still be within a fairly conservative range of alignment numbers.

 

[theoutbackdream]

My understanding is that you probably will need a spacer in the rear to prevent the reverse rake. I think most people use a 1.5" spacer altho I feel like 1" should work too (I think it comes down to what you consider "level"). You should probably double check this as i'm not entirely sure. I was actually wondering something kinda similar which is whether 1.75 in the front and T13 coil in the back will produce slight-rake...AND if I the truck will still be within a fairly conservative range of alignment numbers.

I've tried, but there isn't that much information available.. Doesn't help either that someone just posts "Just installed Bilsteins with Moogs" with no specs at all.. :/

 

[schwein]

Thanks for your write up, I am looking forward to your review.

I currently have 102k on my 03 4runner limited with XRES and would like to replace them before they burst, the runner is currently in for front brakes and a timing belt swap so hopefully once thats complete you'll have your review in and I can order the same parts!

Thanks

So I just thought I would throw this out there for everyone.


Iv been considering an FJ/5100 setup for a long time and almost pulled the trigger until I started reading about shock valving.


Iv heard a lot of mixed reviews about the ride quality of the 5100/fj setup and I think that the 5160 might address part of this issue. Basically, if you don't know, the 5100 is valved to match the spring rate of the stock springs which have a lower spring rate than the fjs' or moogs or others. So, when you pair the 5100 and the FJ coil, the rebound of the shock wont be [ideally] matched for the spring rate....apparently it is much more noticeable in the rear but I suspect that a lot of the mixed reviews of this setup stem from whether or not people attune to the sensation that this valving/rebound dynamic creates. Anyway, the 5160 has a slightly higher rebound rate than the 5100 and is therefore (theoretically) a better match for the fj coils.


Also, I am still considering buying some aftermarket coils (even tho I have 20k 07 oem fj coils on the way)....here are some random things Iv learned from my research so far:

- The Wheelers T12 '1.5"' will actually yield 2"+. I forget exactly but I think it has a spring rate of ~200

- The Wheelers T13 (which I think may be intended for 5th gen but should work on 4th gen?) has the same mounting as the T12 and is the same spring, just 1" shorter (should actually yield ~1" of lift). So, the T13 could be a really good option for those who are considering the Moog rears but don't want to deal with the fit issues, and the T12 are probably a good option for those planning to run the front at 1.75 (keeping a bit of rake) and running fj+spacer in the rear.

Unless I change my mind last minute Ill be going with oem fj coils front/rear matched with 5100 adjustable up front (.85) and 5160 in the rear. I am hoping this provides a bit better ride quality over the full 5100 setup but we shall see....


Im hoping to do this in the next few weeks....Ill follow up with pics and measurements and a review!

 

[sport2004]

Basically, if you don't know, the 5100 is valved to match the spring rate of the stock springs which have a lower spring rate than the fjs' or moogs or others.

I'm wondering what the down side is to just going with stock springs, new or used...?

 

[mightyduck]

I'm wondering what the down side is to just going with stock springs, new or used...?

By "stock" I assume you mean 4runner stock? Anddd...there are subjective downsides but I don't think there is really an objective downside to staying with the stock springs.

Personally, I wouldnt want to run stock 4runner springs because I want a little lift (and unless your old springs were 1000% wrecked your not gunna get a lift out of new 4runner coils). Also, I imagine the slightly stiffer coil rate of the FJ springs to provide a slightly tighter, more responsive, more predictable ride...less nose dive, lean around corners, etc.


I think the benefit of sticking with stock 4runner springs is that the spring rate would be more optimally matched for the dampening of the 5100. And again, from what I have read, this is a more noticeable issue in the rear than the front...hence why I am about to run 5160 in the rear and 5100 in the front.


Maybe someone else can chime in tho...I really have no idea what im talking about

 

[theoutbackdream]

Bilstein 5100's at 1.75" in the front with Moog FJC springs all around. Looks like reverse rake because of the body lines, but the wheel well measurements say otherwise.

 

[schwein]

Do you think that this is roughly the look I would get form my V8 as well? or would I need to jack it up to 2" in the front?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bilstein 5100's at 1.75" in the front with Moog FJC springs all around. Looks like reverse rake because of the body lines, but the wheel well measurements say otherwise.

 

[TampaBay_4Runner]

Bilstein 5100's at 1.75" in the front with Moog FJC springs all around. Looks like reverse rake because of the body lines, but the wheel well measurements say otherwise.

Looks very good! So you only used the Bilsteins and Moog springs? No 1.5" spacer or anything for the rear?

 

[theoutbackdream]

Do you think that this is roughly the look I would get form my V8 as well? or would I need to jack it up to 2" in the front?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bilstein 5100's at 1.75" in the front with Moog FJC springs all around. Looks like reverse rake because of the body lines, but the wheel well measurements say otherwise.

I believe I saw a V8 on here with the same specs, and their car looked like it had little to no rake.

 

[theoutbackdream]

Looks very good! So you only used the Bilsteins and Moog springs? No 1.5" spacer or anything for the rear?

Thanks! Yup, only Bilsteins and Moog's. No spacer in the rear... Although, I'm contemplating getting a pair, but not sure since I do like how it sits right now.

 

[schwein]

Thanks! Yup, only Bilsteins and Moog's. No spacer in the rear... Although, I'm contemplating getting a pair, but not sure since I do like how it sits right now.

how is the ride compared to the XRES? mine dont have any leaks but they are getting old and I rub a little bit with my 1.25" wheel spacers so i am wanting to jack it up a little bit and dont want to mess with the 2.5? spacer lift i bought.