Difference in suspension 4th and 5th gen

[Rubberdown]

So I have been looking at suspension upgrades and see a lot of the parts, like upper a-arms etc are listed for 4th gen+ 4runners. What are the differences between the two. Do 4th gen coilovers bolt up to 5th gens, but the spring rates are different or what's the deal. I tried to search but haven't found a diff initiate this is concrete what the differences are.

Ryan

 

[Jeremy556]

Mostly the same, major differences come from KDSS having the swaybar connect to the LCA instead of knuckle.

 

[eddiebx]

I believe the upper control arms are all the same for +03 4runners. As far as shocks, maybe you can try looking up the part numbers listed by Bilstein here: Bilstein, Innovation and High Quality Since 1873 and seeing if the part numbers are the same or not. And for spring rates, it all depends on how high you want to lift, how much extra weight you have, and what not. There's no simple answer to that one.

 

[twelve1]

Basic suspensions are all the same... only when you get reservoirs then the brackets are different depending on the year. also the sway bar relocator kit is different. If you are buying Icon with resis, Kings or fox. make sure they are the same gen or year if from FJC. UCA is the same.

 

[05Rrunner]

Some Differences between 5th and 4th gen suspensions:

5th Gen Changes : Lower Control arms Redesign for strength and caster (including lower ball joint) , Front lower shock mounts (Larger on 5th gen) however retains same bolt size, Alignment cams and pockets, Sway bar and mount, Knuckles (Redesign for strength),CV Boots (inner redesign) for flex and durability improvements.Larger more robust rack and pinion, Larger tie rod ends.

Notes: 5th gen oem front shocks will not fit 4th gen due to larger lower shock bushing, Aftermarket shocks fit all years because they use smaller bushing. oem 4th gen shocks will fit 5th gen. 5th gen lower control arms have a larger pocket for shock.

 

[t-man]

Hey guys, old thread revival time! Could a 5th Gen suspension components, lca, uca, spindle, cv axle, rack and pinion, etc bolt up to the 4th gen? Excluding kdss. Will the 5th Gen lca fit in the cam pockets on the 4th? I know the uca is the same. And is the cv on the 5th stronger?

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[Jetboy]

The bolt on the lower control arm in a 4th gen is IIRC 12mm dia shaft. The 5th gen uses a 14mm shaft bolt for the bolt to secure the coilover bushing to the lower control arm. So the answer is technically - no. A 4th gen coilover will not be a direct fit. However, if you have any of the ones that use a spherical bushing with misalignment spacers, it's a matter of buying different spacers. For Fox suspension it cost me $9ea, or $36 total for the correct spacers. I have a set of older Fox 2.5's from a 4th/FJcruiser in my 5th gen I bought because they were $400 for the set. Otherwise they fit as normal. The top end was correct and length was okay. My only issue was that to set at stock height I was at the very limit of the threads on the coilover. I could not go any lower than maybe a 1/4" lift. I don't know if that is due to a slight difference in geometry or just normal for the shock set.

 

[t-man]

The bolt on the lower control arm in a 4th gen is IIRC 12mm dia shaft. The 5th gen uses a 14mm shaft bolt for the bolt to secure the coilover bushing to the lower control arm. So the answer is technically - no. A 4th gen coilover will not be a direct fit. However, if you have any of the ones that use a spherical bushing with misalignment spacers, it's a matter of buying different spacers. For Fox suspension it cost me $9ea, or $36 total for the correct spacers. I have a set of older Fox 2.5's from a 4th/FJcruiser in my 5th gen I bought because they were $400 for the set. Otherwise they fit as normal. The top end was correct and length was okay. My only issue was that to set at stock height I was at the very limit of the threads on the coilover. I could not go any lower than maybe a 1/4" lift. I don't know if that is due to a slight difference in geometry or just normal for the shock set.

What about the lca where it bolts to the frame? Is it the same size to where it could slide into a 4th gen?

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[wfo9]

Hey guys, old thread revival time! Could a 5th Gen suspension components, lca, uca, spindle, cv axle, rack and pinion, etc bolt up to the 4th gen? Excluding kdss. Will the 5th Gen lca fit in the cam pockets on the 4th? I know the uca is the same. And is the cv on the 5th stronger?

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

FYI KDSS is a pretty rare thing on a 5th gen. Lots of people here have it, but overall its uncommon.

Pretty sure LCA mounts are different between 4th and 5th. I know the cam tab gusset kits are different between 4th and 5th gens (09 vs 2010 fj). Almost sure 5th gen is slightly wider. You will also notice the Long travel arms from TC.. have a different part number for 2010+

Spindles are the same. CVs are beefed up a bit in 2010+, but same dimensions.

I have no idea on the rack and pinion.

 

[t-man]

FYI KDSS is a pretty rare thing on a 5th gen. Lots of people here have it, but overall its uncommon.

Pretty sure LCA mounts are different between 4th and 5th. I know the cam tab gusset kits are different between 4th and 5th gens (09 vs 2010 fj). Spindles are the same. CVs are beefed up a bit in 2010+, but same dimensions.

I have no idea on the rack and pinion.

Ok, cool. Do you know if the 5th Gen cv fits in a 4th? I would assume as the clamshell and of the spindle is the same. What about wheel bearing?

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[wfo9]

Ok, cool. Do you know if the 5th Gen cv fits in a 4th? I would assume as the clamshell and of the spindle is the same. What about wheel bearing?

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

CVs fit for sure (exact same dimensions and splines...) same front diff... Pretty sure wheel bearings are all the same, but don't take my word for it. Look up part #s to be 100% sure.

 

[t-man]

Thanks guys!

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[Jetboy]

What about the lca where it bolts to the frame? Is it the same size to where it could slide into a 4th gen?

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

That I do not know. I'd take a guess that it does, but I also wouldn't have thought they'd change a single bolt size from 12mm to 14mm when I've never heard of any issue with them being a problem.

 

[dunerinaz]

I'll add to the questions here. I have a 2015 Tacoma that I planned on lifting and already purchased Icon extended travel coilovers for and have now decided to trade it in for a new 4runner. Does anyone know if the coilovers will work on the 5th gen 4runner?

 

[CF_Machete]

can any one confirm if the 4th gen front coil overs will fit a 5th Gen? different part numbers, but it seems at that the 5th gens have move space and 4ths are more restrictive.

 

[t-man]

can any one confirm if the 4th gen front coil overs will fit a 5th Gen? different part numbers, but it seems at that the 5th gens have move space and 4ths are more restrictive.

4th Gen has slightly smaller bushings on the bottom where it connects to the lca. Get bushings for the 5th Gen, press them in and bolt up.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[Mammoth Man]

Aftermarket suspension

If I had a 4th gen with with Icon coilovers w/resi (front and rear), would I be able to install them on a 5th gen with no issues?

 

[Jetboy]

If I had a 4th gen with with Icon coilovers w/resi (front and rear), would I be able to install them on a 5th gen with no issues?

No. Read this thread from the beginning. The lower bushings or misalignment spacers will be the wrong size. They are generally swap-able for the correct ones. Call ICON and have them send you the right parts and they will transfer. For FOX shocks it costs about $40 total. Fox tech support told me that even a 2014 won't fit on a 2015, but I suspect that ICON may have more knowledgeable tech support. If they say no - call a suspension shop like poly performance.

Good luck!

This image might help:

 

[Jeffy]

Sorry to bring this back up but this info might help someone in the future:

I just got off the phone with Radflo and they confirmed that the only difference between their 4th gen and 5th gen coilovers is the swaybar relocation bracket. I had a 2003 and ran their ET 2.5 shocks for 40k miles, then totalled that car and swapped the coilovers onto my 2011 and they've been on there for another 40k miles, no issues whatsoever except needing a rebuild.

I can't speak for other companies, but Radflo for sure has no difference other than that bracket between the 4th and 5th gen coilovers. The different SKU number for the different generation just tells them to include the different bracket. I hope that helps someone.

Side note: Radflo customer service is top-notch, super friendly and extremely knowledgeable and helpful.