Downey rear 4th gen coils?
- Thread starter SofaRider
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Are you talking about the "2003 4 Runner Suspension" kit listed on this page:
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/SuspensionComponents/FrontCoil.html
2003 4 RUNNER SUSPENSION
Didn’t have to reinvent the wheel this time, just had to make a pricey little modification to it. Since Bilstein won’t have a 2003 4 Runner shock available for eons, we’ve had to go the expensive route. Bilstein disassembles their existing #2284 Tacoma shock, heli-arcs Downeys’ 3.75" chromoly bottom eye extension onto the shock, reassembles, recharges, reships, then we repaint. Yep, there’s a big labor charge for doing all of this, but when strength-of-shock must be equal to strength of the whole suspension kit, there can’t be anything flimsy or make-pretend about what we do. The real coil spring was simple, we sent a 2003 coil to Mid-West, told them to crank it up 2 ½" and toughen it up 20%. They did the math, then churned out the bitchin product. All we had to do is add the bitchin silver powder paint finish.
48003-4RPD Pro Desert Kit (includes 48003-4R & 48231-03) $1031.75
48003-4R 2003 Front Struts only, pair $854.93
48231-03 2003 Rear Coils only, pair $231.12
I would like to know more about it also. They seem to be suggesting that the rear lift is 2.5 inches. What is the difference between a shock and a strut and why is this kit supplying front struts while the Revtek kit supplies rear shocks?
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/SuspensionComponents/FrontCoil.html
2003 4 RUNNER SUSPENSION
Didn’t have to reinvent the wheel this time, just had to make a pricey little modification to it. Since Bilstein won’t have a 2003 4 Runner shock available for eons, we’ve had to go the expensive route. Bilstein disassembles their existing #2284 Tacoma shock, heli-arcs Downeys’ 3.75" chromoly bottom eye extension onto the shock, reassembles, recharges, reships, then we repaint. Yep, there’s a big labor charge for doing all of this, but when strength-of-shock must be equal to strength of the whole suspension kit, there can’t be anything flimsy or make-pretend about what we do. The real coil spring was simple, we sent a 2003 coil to Mid-West, told them to crank it up 2 ½" and toughen it up 20%. They did the math, then churned out the bitchin product. All we had to do is add the bitchin silver powder paint finish.
48003-4RPD Pro Desert Kit (includes 48003-4R & 48231-03) $1031.75
48003-4R 2003 Front Struts only, pair $854.93
48231-03 2003 Rear Coils only, pair $231.12
I would like to know more about it also. They seem to be suggesting that the rear lift is 2.5 inches. What is the difference between a shock and a strut and why is this kit supplying front struts while the Revtek kit supplies rear shocks?
Good Times
New member
It's actually about 1.5-1.75".
It's real soft too btw so if you like the soft feel this is the way to go.
It's real soft too btw so if you like the soft feel this is the way to go.
Good Times
New member
It's really not recommended to get a lift w/o extending the shocks because you can potentially over extend the shocks and damage them.
As long as the lift is mild and within the limitation of the shock then it's ok.
Thus the reason why revtek's kit comes w/ the rear shock.
As long as the lift is mild and within the limitation of the shock then it's ok.
Thus the reason why revtek's kit comes w/ the rear shock.
HuntRunner
New member
Good Times said:
So do you think having this spring is softer than the stock spring with a spacer?
Good Times
New member
i'm not a big fan of spacers so that said, i'm more comfortable w/ coils.
but for me i have both the downey coil and daystar spacer because i had 200# of weight in the back (bumper and tire carrier/tire) so adding both was a necessity or else i couldn't offroad.
but for me i have both the downey coil and daystar spacer because i had 200# of weight in the back (bumper and tire carrier/tire) so adding both was a necessity or else i couldn't offroad.
Good Times
New member
relax ya'll.
we all understood what the word was, there's no need to address it.
we all understood what the word was, there's no need to address it.
Good Times said:
You've got their coilvers too, right? How much lift do you have them cranked-up to? Any pics? Donahoe is suppose to have theirs out next month and I'm looking for options on the rear. All this hinges on me getting brave enough to cut the little rubber hoses on my XREAS.....
Good Times
New member
if you have xreas then you're stuck w/ spacers. sorry 
unless you really want to remove all of that expensive technology it's not worth it.
cornfed will come out w/ spacers which i think is by far the best spacer design for the 4th gen. get that and call it a day. he should also have rear spacers too btw.
he'll be abit slow on the production side as he's active in the military so give him time (it's a part time gig for the cornfed stuff).
Some side info:
entry coilovers - downey
$ coilovers - SAW (now available apparently) and donahoe (april)
OME will have stuff but not for awhile (maybe end of the year).
GOod luck
unless you really want to remove all of that expensive technology it's not worth it.
cornfed will come out w/ spacers which i think is by far the best spacer design for the 4th gen. get that and call it a day. he should also have rear spacers too btw.
he'll be abit slow on the production side as he's active in the military so give him time (it's a part time gig for the cornfed stuff).
Some side info:
entry coilovers - downey
$ coilovers - SAW (now available apparently) and donahoe (april)
OME will have stuff but not for awhile (maybe end of the year).
GOod luck
Good Times
New member
toybox said:
it's ok we still love ya
I've never been a big fan of the XREAS. And I knew when I bought the truck that if I ever lifted it I'd have to yank it out -- I could get the Sport cheaper than adding stuff to the SR5. From what I can tell, there isn't any electronics envolved, it's a passive system and If I disconnect it at the shock, drain the oil out, I can leave everything else in place? I had SAW's on my Taco and had zero problems with them -- just figured I'd try the Donahoe's this time.
My pet spelling peeve that I see in auto forums is people who use "break" when they mean "brake".
But, back to the topic of this thread ...
So this Downey kit:
48003-4RPD Pro Desert Kit (includes 48003-4R & 48231-03) $1031.75
48003-4R 2003 Front Struts only, pair $854.93
48231-03 2003 Rear Coils only, pair $231.12
Provides the rear lift with coils, are the front struts also providing a lift? I don't see the logic, why use the very expensive custom front struts but not use longer rear shocks with the longer rear coils?
But, back to the topic of this thread ...
So this Downey kit:
48003-4RPD Pro Desert Kit (includes 48003-4R & 48231-03) $1031.75
48003-4R 2003 Front Struts only, pair $854.93
48231-03 2003 Rear Coils only, pair $231.12
Provides the rear lift with coils, are the front struts also providing a lift? I don't see the logic, why use the very expensive custom front struts but not use longer rear shocks with the longer rear coils?
Last edited:
Good Times
New member
dcampen said:
The front strut is the coilover itself (looks like typo). The coilover assembly is longer and will be ok w/ the lift. Theoretically you can lift it 6.5" but trust me you don't want to do that lol.
coils + spacers on the rear w/ stock shock will blow out the shock and damage your xreas system. the most you want back there on the stock is 2.5" or less as the travel on those stock's are worthless.
Don't over due the system just because you want to lift it. You can have problems down the road if you max out your suspension.
I definitely don't want a lot of lift. 2-3 inches is what I am looking for. I don't have XREAS.
And, I am still confused, bear with me please ...
So, you say that the things in the Downey photo that look to me like shock absorbers are struts/coilovers? I though a coilover was like a longer coil or something.
If you put longer coils in he back wouldn't it be desirable to also have longer shocks? Why doesn't the Downey kit include longer rear shocks to go with the longer rear coils?
In the photo of the Downy kit there are a couple of items that look like spacers. Any idea what these are?
dcampen said:
The ones in the Downey catalog aren't assembled. I couldn't find a pic of the Downey coilover assembled but click this link to see a Donahoe coilover -- it will give you an idea. I think what you are seeing is the top plate of the Downey assembly and yes it looks like a spacer.
http://www.donahoeracing.com/prod_photo_detail.php?productID=14
