Compiled: FJ Springs Lift Info for 4th gen
- Thread starter Toy4R4Me
- Start date
MSBX4RUNNER
New member
2005 SportEdition
2wd
v8
FJ Coils off a 2007 FJ with 26K miles on them
Bilstein5100s set at 0.85"
Before measurements:
Front Driver 33 7/8" Front Passenger 33 3/4"
Rear Driver 35 1/4" Rear Passenger 35 7/8"
After measurements:
Front Driver 35 7/8" Front Passenger 35 7/8"
Rear Driver 36 3/8" Rear Passenger 37 1/8"
I ended up gaining a little over 2" in the front and 1.125-1.253" in the rear.
2wd
v8
FJ Coils off a 2007 FJ with 26K miles on them
Bilstein5100s set at 0.85"
Before measurements:
Front Driver 33 7/8" Front Passenger 33 3/4"
Rear Driver 35 1/4" Rear Passenger 35 7/8"
After measurements:
Front Driver 35 7/8" Front Passenger 35 7/8"
Rear Driver 36 3/8" Rear Passenger 37 1/8"
I ended up gaining a little over 2" in the front and 1.125-1.253" in the rear.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
You should be able to fit most 265/65/18's stock. That size is equivalent to the 265/70/17, which is a very popular upgrade in stock form. With the leveling kit, you shouldn't have any issues at all unless you do wheel spacers. If you've got a v8 4x4, go with FJ springs and the 1/2" thick spacer, if you're a 2wd go with the 1/4" spacer.
The FJ springs do make the ride more firm, but this is not a bad thing. The result is that a lot of the small bumps and imperfections in the road are not as noticeable as before. I have only the front springs on mine, and the front is way smoother over bumps than the rear. Definitely do springs front/rear (I can't because I have rear air bags).
The FJ springs do make the ride more firm, but this is not a bad thing. The result is that a lot of the small bumps and imperfections in the road are not as noticeable as before. I have only the front springs on mine, and the front is way smoother over bumps than the rear. Definitely do springs front/rear (I can't because I have rear air bags).
bigwebb83
New member
Thanks for the response. I'm thinking of just doing the fj springs because I just want an ever so slight bump up in the front. For some reason I don't think what others on this board call "leveled" is actually leveled. It seems like everyone is caught up on the wheel well gap where I'm looking more at the overall stance of the vehicle. I think even a .5-.75" bump up in front would be fine for me. I may actually do fj springs all around and the 1/4" spacer up front with 265/65/18's.
I'm a v8 4x4 by the way
I'm a v8 4x4 by the way
Thanks to ARK and several others Im staring mine soon as well. Just got my springs and shocks are on the way. You may want to note that you need to be aware of the xreas suspension on the sports and some limiteds (I think). I have this and if you are having to replace 1 shock, you really are replacing two @ the cost of $1,000+ from what I have read (not confirmed). To do all FJ springs and 4 bil 5100's its gonna cost me $650 including alignment. Thats installed at a shop. The costs vary depending on how you aquire your springs/how much, if you can provide the labor, where you take it to be done, etc.
Ill be setting the front shocks @ the second setting = .85". No spacers. This should level out the front and back pretty well. Plus give a slight lift in the back. Ill post measurements/pics when its done.
Bil 5100 info: These are for 03-up 4runners
Allshocks.com - $356.00 shipped
Ebay - 379.00 OBO - shipped
Front (Adjustable 0-2.5") Part # - BE5-C475-H1
Rear Part # - BE5-E703-HO
**Not all websites will show they are compatible - but they are confirmed. Both the allshocks and ebay sites list them as 4runner compatible.
Ive read a few threads about replacing the bushings on the sway bar as well to offer stiffer handling.
Ill be setting the front shocks @ the second setting = .85". No spacers. This should level out the front and back pretty well. Plus give a slight lift in the back. Ill post measurements/pics when its done.
Bil 5100 info: These are for 03-up 4runners
Allshocks.com - $356.00 shipped
Ebay - 379.00 OBO - shipped
Front (Adjustable 0-2.5") Part # - BE5-C475-H1
Rear Part # - BE5-E703-HO
**Not all websites will show they are compatible - but they are confirmed. Both the allshocks and ebay sites list them as 4runner compatible.
Ive read a few threads about replacing the bushings on the sway bar as well to offer stiffer handling.
2005 SportEdition
2wd
v8
FJ Coils off a 2007 FJ with 26K miles on them
Bilstein5100s set at 0.85"
Before measurements:
Front Driver 33 7/8" Front Passenger 33 3/4"
Rear Driver 35 1/4" Rear Passenger 35 7/8"
After measurements:
Front Driver 35 7/8" Front Passenger 35 7/8"
Rear Driver 36 3/8" Rear Passenger 37 1/8"
I ended up gaining a little over 2" in the front and 1.125-1.253" in the rear.
So how does it ride now that you've had em on for a little while? Im waiting on my Bil 5100's to arrive (already got the springs)!! Woohoo!
jpless
New member
Can someone please add instructions to this thread for identifying which coil is for the driver's side and which is for the passenger side? This seems to be the only piece of information missing from this thread for the install and I'm getting ready to do it in about a week.
Thanks!
Thanks!
krupnation
New member
Ditto. I received my Billie's yesterday and me and two buddies are going to do the swap tomorrow afternoon. I might be delayed as one of my Bilstein's (front) did not come with a spring seat! What the duece! I called ORW right away (glad I looked through all the boxes as soon as they showed up) and they are trying to get a spring seat up to me by tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath...:redbrick:
Toy4R4Me
New member
This is in the original post. I assume this is the info you were looking for?
jpless
New member
Finished the fronts on saturday with great results! Doing the rear today in an hour or so. I took all my before measurements so I'll post up my results this week with pics. We paused yesterday so we didn't get into a time crunch and because I didn't have a full write-up for the rear, only for the springs.
I'm going with bzizzi's write-up:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/93397-installed-bilstein-5100s-rear-big-diff.html
hopefully we'll figure out a good trick for the top shock bolt since you really need two wrenches in that small space to get it off.
One issue during front install was snapping a bolt for the driver's side swaybar bushing. Tried one of those reverse screw removal tools, drilled and tapped it in and then that broke off. I'll be paying a shop to fix that problem when I go get an alignment tomorrow (i'm faily toe'd in currently).
FYI, we didn't use a spring compressor and we didn't disconnect the lower a-arm. We realized it would give us more room but we were able to "screw" the front struts in and out because it was really the coil wraps that made it too big to just pull out.
I love the ride so far but can't wait for the back to stop bouncing around in a couple hours!
I'm going with bzizzi's write-up:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/93397-installed-bilstein-5100s-rear-big-diff.html
hopefully we'll figure out a good trick for the top shock bolt since you really need two wrenches in that small space to get it off.
One issue during front install was snapping a bolt for the driver's side swaybar bushing. Tried one of those reverse screw removal tools, drilled and tapped it in and then that broke off. I'll be paying a shop to fix that problem when I go get an alignment tomorrow (i'm faily toe'd in currently).
FYI, we didn't use a spring compressor and we didn't disconnect the lower a-arm. We realized it would give us more room but we were able to "screw" the front struts in and out because it was really the coil wraps that made it too big to just pull out.
I love the ride so far but can't wait for the back to stop bouncing around in a couple hours!
Last edited:
Converting 2003 4runner struts to 2011 FJ struts; Modifications?
Great Information source, However, I there is one bit of information I can not seem to locate. I have a 2003 4runner and am going to convert over to 2011 FJ struts/springs, shocks/springs. Can anyone please tell me what exactly the modifications to the shocks/struts or the vehicle that I will need to make in order for them to fit. Thanks.
Great Information source, However, I there is one bit of information I can not seem to locate. I have a 2003 4runner and am going to convert over to 2011 FJ struts/springs, shocks/springs. Can anyone please tell me what exactly the modifications to the shocks/struts or the vehicle that I will need to make in order for them to fit. Thanks.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Ill have to post more details when I'm not on my phone. On one set, you have to make the bushing at thw top narrower and on the other set you have to enlarge to hole on the mounting bracket I believe.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Only member that I recall using the new ones and posting any details used a cone bit and drill to enlarge the whole and I believe a grinder to narrow the bushing. I'll have to dig around and find the post to back this up.
2011 FJ strut modification
Thanks ARK; Did a search and found it:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/643542-post8.html
I don't think you have any problems if you get some helps from your buddy. All you need is an electric or air grinder to sand down the thickness of the buckeyes (Lower part of the front shock where it connects to the chasis). I've to grind it down from 41mm to 39mm. Also, you need a drill with a cone bit to enlarge the mounting holes on the rear chasis for the rear shocks.
BTW, use a long prybar as a leverage when working with the front. This is a one man job and I was manage to get it done in less than 3 hrs with profesional tools and a lift. Good luck
Thanks ARK; Did a search and found it:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/643542-post8.html
I don't think you have any problems if you get some helps from your buddy. All you need is an electric or air grinder to sand down the thickness of the buckeyes (Lower part of the front shock where it connects to the chasis). I've to grind it down from 41mm to 39mm. Also, you need a drill with a cone bit to enlarge the mounting holes on the rear chasis for the rear shocks.
BTW, use a long prybar as a leverage when working with the front. This is a one man job and I was manage to get it done in less than 3 hrs with profesional tools and a lift. Good luck
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Yep, that's the post I was referring to. Doesn't sound bad. The only thing that concerns me is enlarging the rear mounting hole. If you ever swap, you'll have to swap to 2010-2011 FJ shocks and not 4runner shocks due to the enlarged hole. Not a major deal, but just a concern.
Flatlander
New member
Post Swap Alignment Question
I just finished getting the swap done tonight with a 1/4 spacer on my '03 V6 4x4. If it wasn't for some of the shooting the **** it would have been done in less than 2 hours for all 4 corners and that was even dealing with the air bags I had in the rear coils. I noticed the rear went up 1/2" and the front dropped 1/4" but I had a 2 1/2" spacer on there before. The ride seems to be stiffer and I don't think thats just in my head. It did get rid of some clunking in the front end but we noticed that my front sway bar bushings need replacing, this will eliminate the last of the clunking I'm sure of it.
My question though. If it drives straight should I take it to get an alignment done, I'm thinking so and if so what do you give them for specs? I don't think they asked for any when I had the 2 1/2" spacers added but I know they have on others trucks we've had lifted.
I just finished getting the swap done tonight with a 1/4 spacer on my '03 V6 4x4. If it wasn't for some of the shooting the **** it would have been done in less than 2 hours for all 4 corners and that was even dealing with the air bags I had in the rear coils. I noticed the rear went up 1/2" and the front dropped 1/4" but I had a 2 1/2" spacer on there before. The ride seems to be stiffer and I don't think thats just in my head. It did get rid of some clunking in the front end but we noticed that my front sway bar bushings need replacing, this will eliminate the last of the clunking I'm sure of it.
My question though. If it drives straight should I take it to get an alignment done, I'm thinking so and if so what do you give them for specs? I don't think they asked for any when I had the 2 1/2" spacers added but I know they have on others trucks we've had lifted.
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