NorCalBorn
New member
Yes. Combine them with a ball joint spacer out front and you're set. Refer to my build for more info.
~It's nice to see this thread, 5 years later and people still like the idea. Makes me smile knowing it helps.
FJ Cruiser coils: the truth
- Thread starter TRBenj
- Start date
Yes. Combine them with a ball joint spacer out front and you're set. Refer to my build for more info.
~It's nice to see this thread, 5 years later and people still like the idea. Makes me smile knowing it helps.
Another datapoint
While some people have claimed to only get 1/2" out of the rear FJ coils when installed on their 4Runner, I definitely saw 1" and that never settled over the next 100k miles I ran the set up I described above (stock 4x4 V8 front springs with 2" Daystar spacer and 4x4 FJ rear coils).
At 143k miles, it was time to replace the shocks though, and I wanted to include my new datapoint. I finally ditched the XREAS in favor of the Bilstein 5100's, and wanted to ditch the front Daystar spacer but still remain at the same amount of lift (2" front, 1" rear). I ended up setting the front Bilsteins to the 1.75 notch (3rd notch from the bottom) and replaced the stock 4x4 V8 front coils with the fronts from the same 4x4 FJ that I got the rears from (mothballed in the garage for 5+ years). No pics of the 2 sets of springs side by side, but the FJ coils appeared to be the same thickness but very slightly taller (<1/4"). This was consistent with reports of (4x4) FJ coils providing a slight lift on even 4x4 V8 4Runners.
The 1.75 setting seemed like a no-brainer based on other peoples results here, my debate was which springs to pair them to. Turns out I made the right move with the FJ coils, as I ended up with essentially the same stance as I had originally (2"/1") and am very happy. Measurements and pics to follow.
Of course, handling is worlds better with the Bilsteins all around as compared to the blown XREAS. The front end is a little firmer and body roll is vastly reduced, not sure whether the shocks or slightly firmer FJ springs are to thank for that (likely both, with the Bilsteins getting much of the credit).
I still have a clunk coming from the front over smaller, higher frequency bumps and rough pavement, which I was hoping was due to the old shocks... I will be replacing the front stabilizer bar's bushings and endlinks next to try and eliminate it completely.
Hopefully this post is helpful to some... trying to get lift info with certain components can be somewhat challenging, as people forget that other variables come into play on their results- what configuration their truck is (4wd vs. 2wd, V6 vs. V8, front end weight- bumpers, etc) as well as what configuration their donor parts came from (2wd vs. 4wd FJ). (I still dont run any front weight, by the way- other than some new roof racks and Tundra wheels my set up is the same as pictured above, circa 2007).
While some people have claimed to only get 1/2" out of the rear FJ coils when installed on their 4Runner, I definitely saw 1" and that never settled over the next 100k miles I ran the set up I described above (stock 4x4 V8 front springs with 2" Daystar spacer and 4x4 FJ rear coils).
At 143k miles, it was time to replace the shocks though, and I wanted to include my new datapoint. I finally ditched the XREAS in favor of the Bilstein 5100's, and wanted to ditch the front Daystar spacer but still remain at the same amount of lift (2" front, 1" rear). I ended up setting the front Bilsteins to the 1.75 notch (3rd notch from the bottom) and replaced the stock 4x4 V8 front coils with the fronts from the same 4x4 FJ that I got the rears from (mothballed in the garage for 5+ years). No pics of the 2 sets of springs side by side, but the FJ coils appeared to be the same thickness but very slightly taller (<1/4"). This was consistent with reports of (4x4) FJ coils providing a slight lift on even 4x4 V8 4Runners.
The 1.75 setting seemed like a no-brainer based on other peoples results here, my debate was which springs to pair them to. Turns out I made the right move with the FJ coils, as I ended up with essentially the same stance as I had originally (2"/1") and am very happy. Measurements and pics to follow.
Of course, handling is worlds better with the Bilsteins all around as compared to the blown XREAS. The front end is a little firmer and body roll is vastly reduced, not sure whether the shocks or slightly firmer FJ springs are to thank for that (likely both, with the Bilsteins getting much of the credit).
I still have a clunk coming from the front over smaller, higher frequency bumps and rough pavement, which I was hoping was due to the old shocks... I will be replacing the front stabilizer bar's bushings and endlinks next to try and eliminate it completely.
Hopefully this post is helpful to some... trying to get lift info with certain components can be somewhat challenging, as people forget that other variables come into play on their results- what configuration their truck is (4wd vs. 2wd, V6 vs. V8, front end weight- bumpers, etc) as well as what configuration their donor parts came from (2wd vs. 4wd FJ). (I still dont run any front weight, by the way- other than some new roof racks and Tundra wheels my set up is the same as pictured above, circa 2007).
a red 4runner
New member
Yes. Combine them with a ball joint spacer out front and you're set. Refer to my build for more info.
~It's nice to see this thread, 5 years later and people still like the idea. Makes me smile knowing it helps.
That is just the answer I was looking for! :banana: I heard someone say in a Yotatech thread that FJ Cruiser coils would work on 2nd gen 4runners but I was't sure if they just made a typo and meant FJ80 coils. Thanks for the clarification!
My next mod will be a 2" front spacer to level the truck
My Dear,
you said My next mod will be a 2" front spacer to level the truck
please don't do it , Many sites and manufactures fool people to make money out of them they are thousand so do not be number 2001 , you will face noise and harsh,, but the best professional way is to add thick rubber coil insulators at same time for each spring 2 rubber insulator one top and one bottom of each spring, the result is to gain 2 inch more and isolate the noise and more comfortable feeling.
My Dear,
you said My next mod will be a 2" front spacer to level the truck
please don't do it , Many sites and manufactures fool people to make money out of them they are thousand so do not be number 2001 , you will face noise and harsh,, but the best professional way is to add thick rubber coil insulators at same time for each spring 2 rubber insulator one top and one bottom of each spring, the result is to gain 2 inch more and isolate the noise and more comfortable feeling.
A few people here have installed FJ Cruiser coils in the rear of their 4Runner to gain about an inch of lift:
2003+ 4runner 5.5" inch lift w xreas - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum mber=2
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=22357
The problem is that good info has been tough to come by. These members used the FJ springs in combination with other spacer lifts, so the amount of lift that could be attributed to the springs alone was unclear. Also, both 4Runners in question were 2WD, so I was curious if I would see similar results on my 4x4.
The fact that one member reported a stiffer ride also intrigued me- was it possible that a 4Runner could gain 1" of lift AND some load carrying capacity by making the switch? Stock 4WD FJ springs are readily available for cheap over on the FJ cruiser forums (I paid less than $100 for all 4), so this had the makings of a cheap experiment.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the rear springs (FJ coils on the left, 4Runner coils on the right):
Observations: The FJ coil is 1/4" taller. Also notice the extra coil over the height of the spring. What may not be obvious is the difference in coil thickness- the FJ coil is 1/32" thicker (19/32" vs. 9/16") according to my antique dial calipers.
Results:
Height with 265/70/17 Firestone Destinations
Before/After
L: 36.0"/37.125"
R: 36.5"/37.5"
Measurements were taken on level ground, at the centerline of the wheel, from the ground to the bottom of the fender flare. No changes were made to the load inside the truck during the install (load was very light and evenly distributed). Tire pressure was a constant 38 psi in both rear tires before and after.
Overall I gained about 1" of lift. The ride (unloaded) seems a *little* firmer, but not very noticeable. I expect the springs to handle weight in the rear better, especially when towing.
***It should be noted that I installed an Air Lift 1000 kit in the rear at the same time I put the new springs in. All "after" measurements were taken with 5 psi in the bags, which is the minimum recommended pressure. They should not have had any effect on the change in height.
My next mod will be a 2" front spacer to level the truck. I will compare the 4Runner vs. FJ front springs at that time. Depending on how they differ, the 4WD FJ front coils may be a good option for someone looking for a mild lift on a 4Runner- possibly dependant on whether the 4Runner is 2WD vs. 4WD, or V6 vs V8.
