Do the 5th Gen 4Runner Suspension Parts fit the GX470?

[gooserunner]

Hey everyone,

Do the 5th Gen 4Runner UCA's and springs/shocks fit the 03-09 GX platforms? I have a new 4Runner and am thinking of the Icon setup, but with the GX breaching 90k I will soon have to look into a new suspension sooner or later.

Was thinking if the parts from my 4Runner would swap over, I buy some time. If not, I may start building the GX instead and move to OME for it.

There is for sure fitment of the 4th Gen 4Runner since it is pretty much the same platform, but with the air springs in rear vs coils. So far so good and the entire suspension and shocks are working, but can tell the GX ride is starting to show its age. Rear shocks alone are almost $2,000 since they are electronically dampered so going own from Lexus Is a no go.

Anyone know off hand? Thanks!

 

[Hellaflushfj60]

Not sure, though your really can't go wrong with OME.

 

[xravexboix]

The FJ, 4Runner and GX share many components but I'd check w your parts manufacturer just in case.

 

[Jhalko]

Even if it fits the ride may not be very good as there is likely different valving and spring rates. The $2000 damping system you refer to, do you mean KDSS? That should not impact shocks and springs as that is tied to hydraulic sway bars. If you have an air ride which I thought some Gx's had in rear that would be an issue.

 

[<<<<]

There is No KDSS in GX470, XREAS possibly but KDSS - No.

 

[Jetboy]

Yes and no. No they do not directly fit. The GX470 is a 120 platform. The 10-?? 4runner is a 150 (gx460).

However - yes you can pretty easily swap quite a few of the parts between them with minor adaptors.

On the front the GX470 will have a 12mm lower coilover bolt. The 5th gen uses a 14mm bolt. So the coilover will not directly fit. However, you could likely use a reducer spacer. If you have higher end coilovers like Fox/king/Icon/SAW or similar, it's a very easy conversion. You just use a different set of misalignment spacers. I have Fox shocks from an FJ Cruiser (early 07-09) in my 5th gen. But for the spacers they are identical. So the conversion was $40.

Front upper control arms ate exactly the same.

In the rear I think everything is a direct swap suspension wise except air springs. So it will depend on the model you have. I have run GX460 air springs in my 4runner and the top side is identical but the axle needed a small spacer. GX470 air springs are not the same as GX460. The top air fitting locations are not the same - so 470 air springs don't fit a 5th gen or 460 springs won't fit a 470. But the coils from a 5th gen should fit right into a 470. Unfortunately they are probably a lighter spring rate.

So basically any of the suspension with spherical bearing shocks should swap over, the rubber bushing shocks probably are a harder transfer. The suspension design is identical. There are just a few very small differences that can be a deal breaker if you're not a fabricator.

 

[chiz45]

There is No KDSS in GX470, XREAS possibly but KDSS - No.

I think you have this backwards, many GX470s have kdss but not xreas; that's a 4Runner feature.

OP your rear air system may be aging out. If you wish to remove your airbags Metal Tech and Southern Style have conversion kits:

https://www.metaltech4x4.com/gx470-rear-coil-conversion-stage-2/
GX470 air to coil spring conversion kit ? Southern Style OffRoad

When I called Icon about compatibility of my 5th gen stg2 kit between trucks, I was told I only needed sway bar relocation brackets (I think she thought I had KDSS) but otherwise it would port right over once I did the above-mentioned spring conversion. If you look at part numbers however, the coilovers are different, consistent with what Jetboy wrote. The rear springs and shock and UCA part numbers are the same.

If you are on Facebook, the GXOR group is quite active and they have many downloadable files. You might not even need to have an FB account to access.

 

[<<<<]

GX 470 did not have KDSS where GX 460 does have similar system. I do stand corrected: No XREAS on 470 but Air System known as Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).

 

[gooserunner]

There is No KDSS in GX470, XREAS possibly but KDSS - No.

GX 470 did not have KDSS where GX 460 does have similar system. I do stand corrected: No XREAS on 470 but Air System known as Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).

Even if it fits the ride may not be very good as there is likely different valving and spring rates. The $2000 damping system you refer to, do you mean KDSS? That should not impact shocks and springs as that is tied to hydraulic sway bars. If you have an air ride which I thought some Gx's had in rear that would be an issue.

The Rear shocks are electronically controlled via comfort and sport ride. Here is a link to wholesale Lexus parts:

LEXUS OEM FACTORY REAR SHOCK SET 2003-2009 GX470 48530-69485 x2 | eBay

 

[gooserunner]

GX 470 did not have KDSS where GX 460 does have similar system. I do stand corrected: No XREAS on 470 but Air System known as Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).

Actually KDSS was an option on the GX470, and more than half of the models were produced with it.

I don't have it on mine personally but had it on a 2010 TE. Great system, but saw the cost to replace. Once you see that, you don't ever want it.

 

[gooserunner]

I think you have this backwards, many GX470s have kdss but not xreas; that's a 4Runner feature.

OP your rear air system may be aging out. If you wish to remove your airbags Metal Tech and Southern Style have conversion kits:

https://www.metaltech4x4.com/gx470-rear-coil-conversion-stage-2/
GX470 air to coil spring conversion kit ? Southern Style OffRoad

When I called Icon about compatibility of my 5th gen stg2 kit between trucks, I was told I only needed sway bar relocation brackets (I think she thought I had KDSS) but otherwise it would port right over once I did the above-mentioned spring conversion. If you look at part numbers however, the coilovers are different, consistent with what Jetboy wrote. The rear springs and shock and UCA part numbers are the same.

If you are on Facebook, the GXOR group is quite active and they have many downloadable might not even need to have a FB account to access.

Thanks for the info! I just replaced one bag and the ride did not improve. So not sure if it's the bags, I'm thinking it's actually the shocks not keeping up, and they are too pricy. Since the other bag will need to be replaced and the shocks can be swapped out for non variable selector shocks, why not just lift and move on, right?

 

[JSparky]

I can vouch for that metaltech kit, we installed it on my friend's gx and it worked great. He's running 4Runner fox 2.5 coilovers and icon uca's in front and it handles fine.

 

[chiz45]

I can vouch for that metaltech kit, we installed it on my friend's gx and it worked great. He's running 4Runner fox 2.5 coilovers and icon uca's in front and it handles fine.

What height is he running in the front? And what does he have in the rear?

 

[yotantexas]

The GX470 Sport trim came with KDSS. The KDSS and the wood grain on the interior being a dark gray color are the 2 main differences.

 

[gooserunner]

I can vouch for that metaltech kit, we installed it on my friend's gx and it worked great. He's running 4Runner fox 2.5 coilovers and icon uca's in front and it handles fine.

Please provide info! This is what I'm trying to learn. A lot of metal tech kits I have seen installed show the ass end way up high compared to stock, but no one details what springs they used with the kit, and even metal techs description of their kit says you get a 2 " lift but they do not provide the rear springs in the kit and make no mention of which ones to use.

I wasn't looking for a huge lift but some people have mentioned that after installing their iron man front coil springs and strut they are getting huge lifts out of it.

 

[JSparky]

What height is he running in the front? And what does he have in the rear?

Please provide info! This is what I'm trying to learn. A lot of metal tech kits I have seen installed show the ass end way up high compared to stock, but no one details what springs they used with the kit, and even metal techs description of their kit says you get a 2 " lift but they do not provide the rear springs in the kit and make no mention of which ones to use.

I wasn't looking for a huge lift but some people have mentioned that after installing their iron man front coil springs and strut they are getting huge lifts out of it.

He's running fox 2.5 coilovers set at around 2.5" of lift and old man emu medium coils in back which lifted him probably 2.5-3" at first but settled to around 2" after a couple trips. He's using a bilstein shock in the rear but I'd have to check his truck in person to figure out which model, neither of us can remember. His truck is definitely big but nothing out of the ordinary, I've got my 4runner set at 2.5" in front and at least 3" of lift in the rear and it's visibly taller. The gx body is narrow and tall so it can play tricks on you. All in all I don't think the metaltech coil conversion kit for the rear has much effect on ride height over stock but you'd have to call to confirm, that's me going off of my observations of it works firsthand but I'm not an engineer. Choose your suspension right and you should be good to go .

Probably the best photo I have showing it's ride height, this is fully loaded but before he got his winch bumper. Tires are cooper stt pro 285/70/17 on fn countersteer x. We've got my old budbuilt sliders that we're gonna try to mount next, I can let you know how that goes. Hope that helps!

 

[gooserunner]

He's running fox 2.5 coilovers set at around 2.5" of lift and old man emu medium coils in back which lifted him probably 2.5-3" at first but settled to around 2" after a couple trips. He's using a bilstein shock in the rear but I'd have to check his truck in person to figure out which model, neither of us can remember. His truck is definitely big but nothing out of the ordinary, I've got my 4runner set at 2.5" in front and at least 3" of lift in the rear and it's visibly taller. The gx body is narrow and tall so it can play tricks on you. All in all I don't think the metaltech coil conversion kit for the rear has much effect on ride height over stock but you'd have to call to confirm, that's me going off of my observations of it works firsthand but I'm not an engineer. Choose your suspension right and you should be good to go &#55357;&#56397;.

Probably the best photo I have showing it's ride height, this is fully loaded but before he got his winch bumper. Tires are cooper stt pro 285/70/17 on fn countersteer x. We've got my old budbuilt sliders that we're gonna try to mount next, I can let you know how that goes. Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for this info - I may PM you down the road and see if I can connect with your buddy. I really like the way his GX looks. Tons of clearance under there.

Now I just need some money. If I start a go fund me page, who's willing to donate?

 

[SnrDisregardo]

I saw this on their site for stock height springs. https://www.metaltech4x4.com/gx460-rear-coil-conversion-stage-3-stock-height/