FJ - 4R Suspension Similarities?

[btaylorbarry]

I have been looking around the web and am frankly disappointed at how many FJ suspenions lifts are available compared to the low number of 4Runner lifts available. I know there are still a few good options for the 4R and I am running one currently. Im talking about more lift.
There is a Pro Comp 6" lift for a FJ and I was wondering if anyone knows the suspension/chasis differences between the two Yotas that would make this inapplicable to the 4Runner.

Heres the link to the lift FYI: Pro Comp

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Check over on yotatech too since there's more FJ owners over there and plenty with lifts.

I don't think the two are compatible tho'.

 

[btaylorbarry]

Ok so maybe way off base there. I havent looked at the FJs suspension in person and thought the FJ and 4R were similar maybe even shared the same setup.

So moving on then, what about tacoma? Is the front setup similar enough to Use a taco front lift and maybe a custom rear setup? Like a 6" front with maybe the rear being springs and spacers with sway drop brackets and longer shocks and whatnot.

Im nearly sure if it were possible that someone would have done it already.

Any thoughts on why theres no 6" lift for 4Runner? I know the cross member would probably have to be cut and dropped but they did the same thing for the FJ. Maybe the demands not there? I know theyd sell at least one here

 

[TRBenj]

Ok so maybe way off base there. I havent looked at the FJs suspension in person and thought the FJ and 4R were similar maybe even shared the same setup.

Im not convinced that it wouldnt work. The FJ and 4Runner do share many mechanicals, and I believe the suspensions are closely related. At least a few have swapped over to FJ rear coils. I thought that at least 1 or 2 people swapped the front as well. I have a pair of FJ coils to try out, so I will know for sure at some point soon.

If someone claims that they wont work, Id love to hear the reason why.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Tacomas and 4Runners are definetly not compatible.

Here's a sticky on yotatech with lift kits for 4th gens.....
http://www.yotatech.com/f117/modifications-accessories-faq-4th-gen-4runner-95442/


I figure most sites that offer a lift for the FJ and the 4th gen do list them as separate kits.

 

[btaylorbarry]

Yeah I read all those options...still disappointed about the lack of height.

It seems the only way would be to fabricate something yourself.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Part of teh problem is the nature of the 4Runner itself and it's limitations and considerations to reliabilty on and off road.

 

[Thai]

From MY understanding:

FJ and 4runner do indeed share very similar suspension design and parts. The major difference is in the anti-roll bars, which are smaller on the FJ to provide more wheel travel.

The Tacoma is different because of the rear leaf springs...but the IFS should be similar.

 

[TRBenj]

From MY understanding:

FJ and 4runner do indeed share very similar suspension design and parts. The major difference is in the anti-roll bars, which are smaller on the FJ to provide more wheel travel.

That is my understanding as well. Ive read somewhere that to compensate for the smaller anti-roll bars, the FJ coils are stiffer. Theyve been proven to lift the rear of the 4Runner ~1". Im curious if the front coils will give add any height to the front end of a V8.

 

[btaylorbarry]

I knew the tacoma rear would be night and day from the 4runner but the front was what i was thinking about...a tacoma 6" front lift with something custom for the rear...I dont know, maybe 2" spacers and OME 895's (or similar) in the rear for 4" inches total. Plus of course longer shocks and possible drop brackets for the sway bar and maybe other modifications to stock linkages. My understanding is in order to compensate for the nose grade on the 4runner you need more lift in front than back. well if a 3" lift is like a 3"/2" setup it seems conceivable that a 6" lift would be a 6"/4" setup.

 

[Good Times]

Yeah I read all those options...still disappointed about the lack of height.

It seems the only way would be to fabricate something yourself.

how much lift do you really want? and if so, what's your purpose on the lift anyway? to look cool or more for functionality? You would be surprised how much a stock 4runner (no lift) can do on a trail

o btw fj = 4runner (except for the slight swaybar diameter size) (suspension wise)

good luck

 

[btaylorbarry]

I would like the height for both the capabilities and the look. I already have the only lifted 4th gen in town, why not make it really high? Anyway i was just curious if it could be done, Im a ways off from that project. Of course thanks to alexjet I now know it can be done, and using FJ parts at that! Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[Good Times]

additional height will give you the "looks" that you want (not sure how high you want to go but the sky is the limit). as for additional height for functionality, well that all depends on how you lift it and what kind of application you use it for.

bracket lifts are common but their biggest issue is the lack of clearance under the front diff. Though you are taller your clearance under the front diff does not change. Therefore your actual offroad capabilities are still the same as a stock vehicle w/ the same size tire on the sides.

The biggest benefit to the bracket lift will be the ability to run larger tires due to the vehicle being separated beyond the traditional means. You also gain a better approach/departure angle along with the breakover angle.

If you really want a true functioning height for looks and awesome offroad capabilities, you'll want to remove your factory IFS setup as that is your biggest limiting factor. Swap it out with a solid axle up front and the world is the limit. If you want to go beyond your traditional solid axle conversion route, you can even add portal axles to give you a better diff clearance.

Anything is possible, you just have to a lot of cash and the knowledge to get it done.

good luck

 

[AlexJet]

I have custom 7" lift using FJ Fabtech drop bracket with custom rear.
You can do it with ProComp as well, but you'd also have to work out some custom solutions as FJ big lifts are not direct bolt-on (cut something here, grind there, weld over there). Those changes are not that big, but you should be aware that they will be.
PM me if you need further details.

 

[05Rrunner]

Hi Guys , New guy and was just thinking of doing this

 

[05Rrunner]

I have custom 7" lift using FJ Fabtech drop bracket with custom rear.
You can do it with ProComp as well, but you'd also have to work out some custom solutions as FJ big lifts are not direct bolt-on (cut something here, grind there, weld over there). Those changes are not that big, but you should be aware that they will be.
PM me if you need further details.

I would love some details , I am ready to do it on mine
I tried to PM but no luck. Any help would be great
Thanks
Rob

 

[AlexJet]

I would love some details , I am ready to do it on mine
I tried to PM but no luck. Any help would be great
Thanks
Rob

It's not finished yet. I'll reveal the details as soon as I finish.

PM if you need some advice.