Continuously Improving the FJ Cruiser Coil Setup

[Xntrik7]

I’ve been running the FJ Cruiser coil springs with the 3rd Gen Bilstein 5100s for the past 8-months. They replaced OEM springs (100k miles) paired with Bilstein 4600HDs (13k miles).

It had very nice ride characteristics and felt very planted when doing some light off-roading to trailheads. It got us here faster:

I added an Airlift 1000 kit a couple months later:

I usually ran them with 6.5-7 psi for daily driving and 8-12psi with load. The Airlift helped improve stability when I had my roof basket full of cargo during trips to Southeastern Idaho.

I have since deleted the Airlift 1000 kit and replaced them with OME 10 trim packers.

While deleting the Airlift, I upgraded to [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] end links. They’re top-notch quality. He’s also a very nice guy:

OEM rear:

Front:

I am really enjoying this setup and believe that this will be a great long-term solution.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jimi900]

I like your set up. I have a 02 that needs refreshing. Can I ask what the 10 mil spacer are for? I don’t know about them. I understand the air bags buy do the spacer help do what the air bags were doing? Also how much lift did the FJ springs do for you?

Sorry for all the questions

Jim

 

[firemanj92]

I like your set up. I have a 02 that needs refreshing. Can I ask what the 10 mil spacer are for? I don’t know about them. I understand the air bags buy do the spacer help do what the air bags were doing? Also how much lift did the FJ springs do for you?

Sorry for all the questions

Jim

The trim spacers take care of the Toyo lean when installed on the drivers side and give additional lift. The T4R, (Tacos), FJs all lean to the drivers side due to the added weight of the battery and fuel tank on this side. I've been running FJ springs and airbags for several years. The FJ springs give approx 1.5" lift to the rear.

Hope that helps.
-J

 

[Xntrik7]

I like your set up. I have a 02 that needs refreshing. Can I ask what the 10 mil spacer are for? I don’t know about them. I understand the air bags buy do the spacer help do what the air bags were doing? Also how much lift did the FJ springs do for you?

Sorry for all the questions

Jim

Thanks! I added the trim packers to give me a little more rake so that it can be more level when loaded. FJ springs are really nice and kept the geometry pretty close to stock in the front and eliminates the need for a diff drop.

If you were interested in keeping it close to stock I would recommend the 99’ talls, FJs or 5th gens T4Rs.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Bandit Runner]

What was your reason for getting rid of the air bags?

 

[Xntrik7]

What was your reason for getting rid of the air bags?

I go backpacking a lot more often and dont need to carry as much weight. I also like having a little more articulation when going to trailheads or more challenging fishing holes. The Air bags worked great with load leveling and never leaked any air.

 

[Wallymjw]

Thanks! I added the trim packers to give me a little more rake so that it can be more level when loaded. FJ springs are really nice and kept the geometry pretty close to stock in the front and eliminates the need for a diff drop.

If you were interested in keeping it close to stock I would recommend the 99’ talls, FJs or 5th gens T4Rs.

Cheers,
Dan

I noticed on another thread that you originally ran the front 5100's on the second perch. Is that where you still have it? I just installed the FJC springs with 3rd gen 5100's today. I went with the 2nd perch but I'm wondering if I should have gone with the lowest perch instead.

 

[TheRandyMan]

Another option if you want a little more height is the Moog FJ Cruiser springs. They're supposed to be the stock replacements for FJCs, but they're longer with a slightly smaller spring rate. They gave me about 3" of lift when first installed, but sagged with much weight.

 

[Xntrik7]

I noticed on another thread that you originally ran the front 5100's on the second perch. Is that where you still have it? I just installed the FJC springs with 3rd gen 5100's today. I went with the 2nd perch but I'm wondering if I should have gone with the lowest perch instead.

I have them set on the lowest perch now. I didn’t have it set at perch number 2 for very long to notice a difference in handling characteristics. It looked more level but now it has a little more rake that favors the rear. Even more so with trim packers.

How are you liking it so far?

-Dan

 

[Wallymjw]

I love it, rides great! I am going to go down to the lowest perch. I actually ended up with a revere rake on mine. I think it will be perfect on the low perch. Thanks for blazing the trail...made it easy for me.

 

[Xntrik7]

I love it, rides great! I am going to go down to the lowest perch. I actually ended up with a revere rake on mine. I think it will be perfect on the low perch. Thanks for blazing the trail...made it easy for me.

Awesome, I’m glad that you love it! Let me know how the first perch goes. Shout out to [MENTION=99901]seads505[/MENTION] for inspiring me to use the FJ coils.

-Dan

 

[seads505]

Awesome, I’m glad that you love it! Let me know how the first perch goes. Shout out to [MENTION=99901]seads505[/MENTION] for inspiring me to use the FJ coils.

-Dan

Thanks Dan, I'm glad this has helped out others. I'm still enjoying the setup all these miles later, no complaints.

 

[VanIslT4R]

[MENTION=137924]Xntrik7[/MENTION] or [MENTION=99901]seads505[/MENTION] do you guys remember what front spring colour codes correspond to which side? For the front I think its:

Left (Drivers) - Green/Yellow
Right (Passenger) - Green/Gray

 

[VanIslT4R]

[MENTION=137924]Xntrik7[/MENTION] or [MENTION=99901]seads505[/MENTION] do you guys remember what front spring colour codes correspond to which side? For the front I think its:

Left (Drivers) - Green/Yellow
Right (Passenger) - Green/Gray

For anyone wondering I confirmed it is:
Left (Drivers) - Green/Yellow
Right (Passenger) - Green/Gray

 

[Dani3lh]

I’ve been running the FJ Cruiser coil springs with the 3rd Gen Bilstein 5100s for the past 8-months. They replaced OEM springs (100k miles) paired with Bilstein 4600HDs (13k miles).

It had very nice ride characteristics and felt very planted when doing some light off-roading to trailheads. It got us here faster:

I added an Airlift 1000 kit a couple months later:

I usually ran them with 6.5-7 psi for daily driving and 8-12psi with load. The Airlift helped improve stability when I had my roof basket full of cargo during trips to Southeastern Idaho.

I have since deleted the Airlift 1000 kit and replaced them with OME 10 trim packers.

While deleting the Airlift, I upgraded to [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] end links. They’re top-notch quality. He’s also a very nice guy:

OEM rear:

Front:

I am really enjoying this setup and believe that this will be a great long-term solution.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's awesome!

 

[xcmtb83]

I’ve been running the FJ Cruiser coil springs with the 3rd Gen Bilstein 5100s for the past 8-months. They replaced OEM springs (100k miles) paired with Bilstein 4600HDs (13k miles).

It had very nice ride characteristics and felt very planted when doing some light off-roading to trailheads. It got us here faster:

I added an Airlift 1000 kit a couple months later:

I usually ran them with 6.5-7 psi for daily driving and 8-12psi with load. The Airlift helped improve stability when I had my roof basket full of cargo during trips to Southeastern Idaho.

I have since deleted the Airlift 1000 kit and replaced them with OME 10 trim packers.

While deleting the Airlift, I upgraded to [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] end links. They’re top-notch quality. He’s also a very nice guy:

OEM rear:

Front:

I am really enjoying this setup and believe that this will be a great long-term solution.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info!

One important bit of info I didn't find, what are your measurements from center of hub up to the top of the wheel well opening? People say this is about a 1.5" lift but with so many variable stock heights through the years it becomes unclear. Thanks again.