Compiled: FJ Springs Lift Info for 4th gen

[JVC8790]

No, I got them for $70 shipped from an owner on an FJ Cruiser forum. He took them off when he lifted his 2007 FJ after a few thousand miles and had them sitting in his garage ever since. In retrospect, I may have overpaid a bit for them but on the other hand, they were exactly as promised, the guy shipped them immediately, and they were perfectly packed so I was happy with the transaction.

Good to know! I figured I might just snag the Moog replacement ones and give them a go, I'll make sure to measure before and after to make sure we know for a fact if the aftermarket replacements have the same lifting effect or if they are different in some manner.

 

[stuffinit]

I now have a bobble sound coming from the passenger front. its a muffled or dampened sound, not a sharp clunk. Sometimes its one bob and other times a full bobble, by that Im meaning a vibrating type noise. Anyone have any idea what this might be? Everything i loosened i tightened. could it be a skid plate or the sway bar? I took a look the day after and didn't see anything. It drives as good as it did before except the noise.

I completed my fj spring lift last weekend. Moog springs front and rear off rockauto for like 120 shipped. I would definitely say that factory takeoffs are better, i like the stock springs tapered coil ends that make everything sit straight without effort.

5100's up front at the second notch .85. I retained the stock rears but they were clearly blown out, i will replace soon.
my numbers were
before
drf 33 7/8 pf 33 3/4
dr 35 1/8 pr 35 7/8
after
drf 36 1/2 pf 36 1/8
dr 36 1/8 pr 37 7/8

before. Grampa styled

after, i also painted my grill black and broke my emblems clips. and some 255/75r17 cooper ats come next week

 

[MotherPrometheus]

I pulled my springs and shocks from my 04 V8 Sport and my top hats are rusted and seized to the frame. Has anyone had this happen or have suggestions on how to remove it?

 

[SCY7H3]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Hoping to hear back from you kind folks on the questions I have below.

Hey everyone, amazing compilation. Been reading it for the last couple days and going cross-eyed. I'm trying to figure out the following and haven't had much luck in getting an answer for specific questions. I'm also not an expert with suspensions.

I have a 2008 4Runner V6 Limited, no XREAS, stock everything including the 18" wheels. I find that the truck drives more rough now and wondering if the shocks/struts/coils are finally getting to their end. Only have 98K miles. I also have a 2012 Infiniti FX35 with the same mileage and find it's much more comfortable which I can understand it being a luxury vehicle but I don't quite remember the 4Runner being that rough in the last few years.

So what I'm trying to do is make the ride more comfortable and see if any suspension changes will make it more like the Infiniti or close to it. Not looking to raise it too much, maybe about 1-1.5 in the front and 1 in the back. Mostly used in the city.

My questions are as follows and I'm hoping you awesome folks can help me out:

1. Difference (spring rate/ride quality) between FJ 07-09 and FJ 2010+ coils (front/back)?

2. Difference between 4th gen limited shocks/struts vs FJ 07-09 shocks/struts vs FJ 2010+ shocks/struts?

3. Read in one of the threads that the spring rate on the FJ coils are lower than the T4R but they're longer so it gives it more lift/travel. What would be the pros/cons?

4. Looking at the part numbers for the FJ Cruiser there's a stock strut/shock (Tokico) and an off road edition (Bilsteins). What's the difference between the two?

5. Read that some have experienced a lean on the driver's side and not sure if this is a FJC 07-09 coil issue which was later corrected in the FJC 2010+ coils?

6. I'm looking to do one of the following but not enough data to see which one would be a better fit for me. All parts would be new.

08 4Runner Limited V6 shocks/struts(OEM Tokico) with FJ 07-09 coils

08 4Runner Limited V6 shocks/struts(OEM Tokico) with FJ 2010+ coils

FJ 07-09 shocks/struts (OEM Tokico) with FJ 07-09 coils

FJ 07-09 shocks/struts (OEM Tokico) with FJ 2010+ coils

FJ 07-09 shocks/struts (OEM Bilsteins/Off Road Edition) with FJ 07-09 coils

FJ 07-09 shocks/struts (OEM Bilsteins/Off Road Edition) with FJ 2010+ coils


Thanks in advance

 

[Jasonredwood]

I don’t have really specific answers to most your questions but here’s my experience. 2006 v8. Tired xreas was leaning and nose diving at 160k. Ordered the 2:1 cornfed level kit. It’s designed to compensate for the lean. Jason at cornfed suggested setting the adjustable bilstiens at the lowest setting so they can function at 100% as designed, since I wasn’t looking to lift much. Also replaced the draglinks and lca’s that came with the ball joints. Ride is enjoyable now. It’s stiff but not too stiff and looks great, no more nose dive.

This thread is so long I think a lot of people have turned off notifications from it unfortunately

 

[SCY7H3]

I don’t have really specific answers to most your questions but here’s my experience. 2006 v8. Tired xreas was leaning and nose diving at 160k. Ordered the 2:1 cornfed level kit. It’s designed to compensate for the lean. Jason at cornfed suggested setting the adjustable bilstiens at the lowest setting so they can function at 100% as designed, since I wasn’t looking to lift much. Also replaced the draglinks and lca’s that came with the ball joints. Ride is enjoyable now. It’s stiff but not too stiff and looks great, no more nose dive.

This thread is so long I think a lot of people have turned off notifications from it unfortunately

I know, its been a while. That's probably why not many are responding.

Appreciate the info and every piece of information helps. So after you did the switch, when you go over any bumps, manhole covers, etc, does it feel like a hard hit or more of the suspension taking the hit but recovering quickly so the car doesn't move around too much? Also what tires/wheels are you using? I'm on the stock 18" rims. I'm wondering if tires have a big impact on the suspension. Always thought that when a tire is like a donut compared to low profile, the bounciness of the donut sized tire will cause the suspension to bounce more or even more so, causing the uneven pavement to "wedge" into the tire more then causing it to rebound into the suspension making it feel more rough. Hope that makes sense lol. I just know that with low profile tires they don't have alot of give whereas "fatter" tires do hence it has more bounce.

I have a feeling that with thicker springs, it not only will give me some lift allowing for more suspension travel as well maybe make it harder for the car to bottom out and not hit the bump stops that easily. Though reading up on one post, the FJ springs have a lower compression rating so that's confusing.

 

[Dearthvader]

Informative post!

 

[ELock3rdGen]

Bilstein 5100

Will the adjustable tundra Burstein 5100 we used in our 3rd gen fit our 4th gen? Assuming I get new springs? Reason I ask is I put in some new 5100 on my 3rd gen a few month back but now I'm debating on selling it. I already have a 04 4runner v8 so of it was compatible I was going to take them off and use them on the 4th gen.

 

[Sharkseed]

Will the adjustable tundra Burstein 5100 we used in our 3rd gen fit our 4th gen? Assuming I get new springs? Reason I ask is I put in some new 5100 on my 3rd gen a few month back but now I'm debating on selling it. I already have a 04 4runner v8 so of it was compatible I was going to take them off and use them on the 4th gen.

Yes it will fit

 

[ELock3rdGen]

Yes it will fit

Thanks!

 

[MotherPrometheus]

fJ Springs with Bilsteins 5100

So Im in the process of installing FJ Springs with Bilstein 5100 Shocks. I've set the Bilsteins at 1.75 and now the springs are so compressed I cant jack up the control arm, the springs don't want to compress any more and when trying to jack up my lower control arm, the whole truck lifts and the shock and spring wont compress any further. Thoughts?

 

[Rodtheviking]

So Im in the process of installing FJ Springs with Bilstein 5100 Shocks. I've set the Bilsteins at 1.75 and now the springs are so compressed I cant jack up the control arm, the springs don't want to compress any more and when trying to jack up my lower control arm, the whole truck lifts and the shock and spring wont compress any further. Thoughts?

Spring seat on upside down?

 

[crete01]

XREAS is shot....

The rides been getting rougher and rougher, and found my XREAS is leaking at the central control module on both sides on my 06 Sport 4WD V6. 130k miles. I plan on ripping it out and therefor, need to replace all my shocks. Figure I'd do the coils as well.

After reading a lot (wow, this forum is an incredible resource), I think I'm going to do the 5100s with Moog Coils, with new KYB shock mounts, but am currently looking at the 4runner Moog coils (81045-back and 81090-front). I'm only on dirt roads/mountain roads occasionally but this is more of our play vehicle, so I'd like about 1.5"-2" of lift, and would like to level out the front which has horrible sag right now. My current plan is to do a Daystar 1.5" spacer in the back and set the 5100s on 1.75" in the front. From what I've seen, that (with new springs) does a pretty good job leveling things out. The Moog 4R coils have about .5" more height than OEM.

Now I'm wondering if I should do the Moog FJ coils (81081) in the rear instead and skip the spacer, which according to a coil rate chart that I found here, which have 1.2" most coil height to them, but also appear to have a lower spring rate than the 4Runner Moog coils. Any thoughts? I've read that the Moog FJ coils don't fit well in the rear and require modifications.

As I mentioned before, we mainly use the 4runner for going up canyon roads in the winter, fire/dirt roads in the summer for backpacking/climbing, and occasionally will take it to Moab on some rougher roads, but never do anything that a stock vehicle wouldn't be able to get through. Some extra clearance and a fresh ride is really all I want.

 

[SCY7H3]

Alright so this past weekend I finally pulled the trigger and did my upgrade. I chose to stick with the stock 2007-2009 FJC Tokico shocks and the 2010+ FJC coils and wow, what a difference it made in handling.

No more bottoming out (front end) over speed bumps at very low speeds, no more feeling the imperfections of the road at any speed either.

Cornering definitely improved. Braking and accelerating also feels tighter now. Before I could feel the truck tilt when braking and accelerating.

Before the "upgrade" I could tilt the truck side to side and it would wobble a few times but now it wobbles maybe twice and then stops.

Here's some before and after measurements from the ground to the bottom of each fender. The difference from left to right was really tiny, like 1/16" in both before and after which is why the measurements look perfect.

Before Upgrade: Stock OEM T4R Limited Suspension on V6 4WD

Front Left: 32 3/4"
Front Right: 32 3/4"
Rear Left: 35 1/4"
Rear Right: 35 1/4"


After the Upgrade: 2007-2009 FJC OEM Tokico Shocks and 2010+ FJC coils

Front Left: 33 3/4"
Front Right: 33 3/4"
Rear Left: 35 3/4"
Rear Right: 35 3/4"

Front Difference: 1" gain
Rear Difference: 1/2" gain

I'm really happy with the results and wasn't looking to raise it much as it is mostly always driven in the city. It's been about 11 years on the old suspension and about 90k miles.

There was nothing special I needed to do in order to have the two different years of FJC parts work. Everything bolted up just fine.

For those who are curious or interested in this mod, I listed the shocks and coils below.

PARTS LIST:

Front Shock (Left/Right): 48510-80397
Front Coil (Left): 48131-35670
Front Coil (Right): 48131-35660

Rear Shock (Left/Right): 48530-80461
Rear Coils (Left/Right): 48231-35420


This concludes the chapter of this upgrade on my T4R. Thanks for all the information from everyone.

 

[crete01]

The rides been getting rougher and rougher, and found my XREAS is leaking at the central control module on both sides on my 06 Sport 4WD V6. 130k miles. I plan on ripping it out and therefor, need to replace all my shocks. Figure I'd do the coils as well.

After reading a lot (wow, this forum is an incredible resource), I think I'm going to do the 5100s with Moog Coils, with new KYB shock mounts, but am currently looking at the 4runner Moog coils (81045-back and 81090-front). I'm only on dirt roads/mountain roads occasionally but this is more of our play vehicle, so I'd like about 1.5"-2" of lift, and would like to level out the front which has horrible sag right now. My current plan is to do a Daystar 1.5" spacer in the back and set the 5100s on 1.75" in the front. From what I've seen, that (with new springs) does a pretty good job leveling things out. The Moog 4R coils have about .5" more height than OEM.

Now I'm wondering if I should do the Moog FJ coils (81081) in the rear instead and skip the spacer, which according to a coil rate chart that I found here, which have 1.2" most coil height to them, but also appear to have a lower spring rate than the 4Runner Moog coils. Any thoughts? I've read that the Moog FJ coils don't fit well in the rear and require modifications.

As I mentioned before, we mainly use the 4runner for going up canyon roads in the winter, fire/dirt roads in the summer for backpacking/climbing, and occasionally will take it to Moab on some rougher roads, but never do anything that a stock vehicle wouldn't be able to get through. Some extra clearance and a fresh ride is really all I want.

Small update, ordered the 5100s and some other parts. Ended up getting the Moog FJ coils for the front, and the Moog T4R coils for the rear. Both arrived horribly packaged, with each coil having at least 10+ chipped sections throughout the powercoat or whatever the finish is. They are scratched to the point where it looks like they have almost been installed before. I've order paper towels that came with more protective packing...

Decided to return all of the coils, including the 1.5 rear spacer, and am going to bite the bullet and go for the T1/T12 coils, with only a 1/4" spacer on the FL to level out the driver's sag based on: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/236245-mrpinks-build-thread.html . I thought about doing the OME stuff, but the heavier spring rate, combined with some comments around here about the valving for 5100s not playing the best pushed me towards the Wheeler's stuff.

Will update when everything arrives!

 

[4RUNNINGNY]

Can somebody confirm if I have the correct springs and spacer? I have a 4WD 2006 4runner. I ordered the 5100 4Runner/FJ and KYB 4Runner/FJ front strut mount already and looking to pair up the springs and rear spacers.

I found the MOOG coil springs cheapest on ebay as of right now (Please feel free to chime in if somebody has found them cheaper somewhere else!)

Front:
Front Constant Rate 660 Coil Spring Set Moog For Toyota FJ Cruiser Tacoma 4WD | eBay

Rear:
Moog Coil Spring Set For 2007-2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 81081 | eBay

Rear 1.5 Daystar spacer
Daystar, Toyota FJ Cruiser 1.5" Rear Lift Kit, fits 2007 to 2014 2/4WD, all t... 814423011006 | eBay

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Frontier4Runner]

Can somebody confirm if I have the correct springs and spacer? I have a 4WD 2006 4runner. I ordered the 5100 4Runner/FJ and KYB 4Runner/FJ front strut mount already and looking to pair up the springs and rear spacers.

I found the MOOG coil springs cheapest on ebay as of right now (Please feel free to chime in if somebody has found them cheaper somewhere else!)

Front:
Front Constant Rate 660 Coil Spring Set Moog For Toyota FJ Cruiser Tacoma 4WD | eBay

Rear:
Moog Coil Spring Set For 2007-2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 81081 | eBay

Rear 1.5 Daystar spacer
Daystar, Toyota FJ Cruiser 1.5" Rear Lift Kit, fits 2007 to 2014 2/4WD, all t... 814423011006 | eBay

Thanks in advance guys!

I think you can beat those prices at Advance Auto Parts - they will almost always give you 25% off if you throw them in the cart and then wait a day. But even at that with the 15% code at the top of the site you'll be a few bucks ahead I bet

 

[Bluesky 07]

[MENTION=323153]4RUNNINGNY[/MENTION], IIRC, Daystar is among the few manufacturers whose specs indicate the thickness of the spacer, not the lift gained, which is double the spacer thickness. I’m not sure if the geometry is the same front & rear but in the front, my understanding is that a 1.5” spacer gives you 3” of lift. Can someone with a deeper knowledge than mine confirm that this is also true for the rear?

If so, just be aware that with Daystar gear, you’ll be lifting the rear 3”, not 1.5.

 

[BackOff]

[MENTION=323153]4RUNNINGNY[/MENTION], IIRC, Daystar is among the few manufacturers whose specs indicate the thickness of the spacer, not the lift gained, which is double the spacer thickness. I’m not sure if the geometry is the same front & rear but in the front, my understanding is that a 1.5” spacer gives you 3” of lift. Can someone with a deeper knowledge than mine confirm that this is also true for the rear?

If so, just be aware that with Daystar gear, you’ll be lifting the rear 3”, not 1.5.

Rear is 1 to 1.
So the rear at 1.5" = 1.5".
Your just lifting straight up at the coil.


Front is almost 2 to 1...or just under.
Front at 1.5" = just under 3"... in theory. 2x1 ratio. has to do with the geometry ratio with the A-arms. Think of it like a lever.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Rear is 1 to 1.
So the rear at 1.5" = 1.5".
Your just lifting straight up at the coil.


Front is almost 2 to 1...or just under.
Front at 1.5" = just under 3"... in theory. 2x1 ratio. has to do with the geometry ratio with the A-arms. Think of it like a lever.

Thanks for clarifying that.