FJ Coil Alternatives

[ellroy2]

I am getting ready to put new Bilstein shocks/struts on my 08. Looking on the forum, I am now sold on putting FJ coils on as well. However, I am having a problem locating a used front and rear set. Are there any other decent options other than OEM FJ coils that would be worth exploring?

I wouldn't mind a little lift, but it certainly isn't a priority. The truck only goes off-road a few times a year. I mostly want an overall better ride for daily driving.

The truck has 82k on it and I have a mechanic friend who is only going to be available for a couple more months, so I want to get a lot of stuff done while I can. I will probably do new brakes and rotors, sway bar bushings and links, and maybe a coolant flush. Then next winter I will do new tires. So since there is other stuff that needs to be done, I don't want to spend my whole budget on the suspension...

Thanks

 

[Cygan1008]

The moog springs for the fj on rock auto are a good choice and inexpensive. Also the front springs from an 05 and up tacoma. They will give more lift than the fj's to.

 

[subspd]

Take a look at this thread...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engines-suspension-wheels-tires-audio-accessories/71224-fj-vs-tacoma-springs.html

Basically looks like the Tacoma TRD front springs and shocks are actually a better way to go than the FJs. And far more common to get used...

 

[OzarkRunner]

You should also check this thread out.
I just received my 5100s and Moog 81088 springs for the front to replace X-REAS. No coil change for the rear, just going to 5100 rear shocks.
I expect about 3/4" of lift in the front, but we'll see on Tuesday when they go on.

 

[swanny]

You should also check this thread out.

I just received my 5100s and Moog 81088 springs for the front to replace X-REAS. No coil change for the rear, just going to 5100 rear shocks.

I expect about 3/4" of lift in the front, but we'll see on Tuesday when they go on.

Really interested to see how this turns out. I've been thinking of doing similar to my wife's 2006. It's got nearly 140k with original suspension still

 

[jimmied]

also want to know how this install goes tuesday! please update as soon as completed!

 

[chitown40]

I just did 5100s and new moog fj Springs all around. The ride is great. Not harsh in the least bit. Smooth over small bumps and firm in corners with significantly less body roll and nose dive than stock. Front struts set at. 85". Level stance with about a 1-1.5" lift.

 

[ellroy2]

I just did 5100s and new moog fj Springs all around. The ride is great. Not harsh in the least bit. Smooth over small bumps and firm in corners with significantly less body roll and nose dive than stock. Front struts set at. 85". Level stance with about a 1-1.5" lift.

I think this is what I am leaning towards. Did you have to buy any other components other then the 5100s and springs? I hear people talk about spacers on one of the sides, rubber covers, and strut mounts. I don't much about suspensions, so I want to make sure I get all the right parts for my mechanic to do the job. Also, do I tell him to just set the fronts at .85" or does he need to know anything else?

There is still a chance I may just put the 5100s on and leave the oem springs. I just really want improved ride and not so worried about the lift.....

 

[xxaarraa]

I think this is what I am leaning towards. Did you have to buy any other components other then the 5100s and springs? I hear people talk about spacers on one of the sides, rubber covers, and strut mounts. I don't much about suspensions, so I want to make sure I get all the right parts for my mechanic to do the job. Also, do I tell him to just set the fronts at .85" or does he need to know anything else?

There is still a chance I may just put the 5100s on and leave the oem springs. I just really want improved ride and not so worried about the lift.....

You will need springs for improved ride quality. The stock springs are very wimpy, especially when you see it in comparison to FJ or equivalent. The spring and bilstein firm up the steering nicely, that alone is worth the money.

 

[ddnww]

I've got 5100s and moogs coming in the mail

 

[chitown40]

I bought new top plates from Oreilly's. I couldn't remove the top nuts on my stock struts due to age/rust so I took them out as a unit. The new top plates were pretty cheap so I just swapped them out. No other spacers or trim packs were used.

 

[swanny]

I just did 5100s and new moog fj Springs all around. The ride is great. Not harsh in the least bit. Smooth over small bumps and firm in corners with significantly less body roll and nose dive than stock. Front struts set at. 85". Level stance with about a 1-1.5" lift.

Did you get the 81108 for the rear also or a different number?

 

[bojanglesSR5]

Did you get the 81108 for the rear also or a different number?

81081 is the part number for the rear.

 

[ellroy2]

One last thing. Will the truck need an alignment after the new suspension is put on?

 

[ebg18t]

One last thing. Will the truck need an alignment after the new suspension is put on?

Yep.

 

[Neumonic]

You should also check this thread out.
I just received my 5100s and Moog 81088 springs for the front to replace X-REAS. No coil change for the rear, just going to 5100 rear shocks.
I expect about 3/4" of lift in the front, but we'll see on Tuesday when they go on.

Wanted to ask what year FJ you used for ordering your springs? I typed in 2009 and came up with 81108 for the Moog front springs.

 

[bojanglesSR5]

Wanted to ask what year FJ you used for ordering your springs? I typed in 2009 and came up with 81108 for the Moog front springs.

You are correct looks like he ordered the moog 4runner front springs. 81108 is the FJ part number for the front springs.

 

[OzarkRunner]

Sorry for the delay in updating; I had to go out of town and didn't get the coils / shocks until today. As bojanglesSR5 mentioned, I did get the 4Runner springs. Also, this is with 5100s all the way around, with the fronts set at the bottom notch (0.0" lift). No coil change in the rear.
Results for the front are as follows:
From ground to bottom of fender, before / after: 33" / 34"
From wheel center to bottom of fender, before / after: 19" / 20"
Disclaimers: measurements taken hastily, and went from 265/65 to 265/70 tires (Cooper AT/3).

Initial impression is that I should have done this much sooner. My X-REAS must have been in pretty bad shape, because I noticed a big difference on some bumps / train tracks that I go over each day. While the 1" difference doesn't sound like much, I think it looks much better. Below is a crappy iPhone pic to give you a basic idea.

 

[ellroy2]

Do most of you guys replace the front and rear swaybar bushings and end links when doing the suspension? What about the control arms(mine look a little rusty but I don't know if they wear out). If so, what brands should I look at? I would like to replace whatever is else is convenient while doing the suspension.

 

[ellroy2]

Does anyone know what the Moog part number is for the rear 4runner coils(not FJ)? The fronts are 81081 and I can find those online, but not the rears....