FJ Spring Question
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Harold1950
New member
I've got 2007 fj springs on my 2005 Sport and they work fine........
gaterose
Senior Member
Sorry if this has been asked, but I couldn't find anything really using the search because "FJ" is too small to be recognized by the search engine. This seemed like a good topic to put this under and I didn't want to start a new thread... I bought some FJ springs, all 4, the other day and am going to put them on this weekend. Should I put all 4 on or sell the rear 2?
I also bought 1/4" toytec spacers which are supposed to provide 1/2", so i should get 1.5" in the front (from what I've read on here), that would make the front end still 1-1/2" lower than the rear, with the rear springs it would be 1-3/4"
Will the ride suffer and feel uneven if I don't swap both sets? As in will the rear end be bouncy on dirt roads while the front is smooth or visa versa?
I also bought 1/4" toytec spacers which are supposed to provide 1/2", so i should get 1.5" in the front (from what I've read on here), that would make the front end still 1-1/2" lower than the rear, with the rear springs it would be 1-3/4"
Will the ride suffer and feel uneven if I don't swap both sets? As in will the rear end be bouncy on dirt roads while the front is smooth or visa versa?
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
I have the OEM rear air suspension, so I couldn't run the rear springs. I have the same setup you mentioned otherwise. I love it, but bumps can be felt in the rear whereas the front absorbs them much better. If you have the rears, I'd advise you to use them. Typically I wouldn't suggest this, but I'd try selling the Toytec front spacer and getting a Daysar 1.25" spacer from Wheeler's Off Road (or 4wheelparts). This will give you 1.75-2" plus the 1/2" from the FJ springs. With the rear springs, this should be very close to level. It shouldn't be too hard to sell the Toytec spacer, and the Daystar is a cheap spacer so you shouldn't be out much if any money.
gaterose
Senior Member
I may consider that later, but I can't afford tires for a while and don't want to put too much lift on and make it look funny with the 265/65s (unless I can trade these in since they're not that old). I really don't want to lift the rear but if its gonna make the ride funny then 1/4" isn't going to kill me, I guess I don't mind a little rake
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
It is still smooter, and you'll have about the factory rake. If you're not paying attention, it isn't that noticeable. However, I do pay attention and notice it, biggest time is on speed bumps or crossing railroad tracks. The rear is super easy, shouldnt' take 30 mintues. I'd advise you to try it out, and if you're not happy with the stance you can go back to stock, nothing to loose but a little time.
gaterose
Senior Member
Put the front coils on earlier, it took me a little less than 3 hours to do everything by myself. I must agree with everyone else that the ride is far better than the stock springs.
I forgot to measure for before and after changes but it's clearly visible in the picture. I went with the 1/4 toytec spacer w/ FJ springs, I may go with a 1/2 or larger spacer (or maybe bilstein or rancho quicklift) later but I'm not getting bigger tires for a while so I don't want to go too big yet.
Can someone point me in the direction of a writeup on replacing the rear
springs? I know there has to be one on here but not being able to search for the term "FJ" frustrates me when searching t4r.org and I haven't come across anything yet.
Everyone says it should take 30 minutes but after I did the front I crawled under the rear and saw a lot of crap in the way of getting a spring compressor in there and decided to wait until tomorrow or later in the week. I would just like to see some pics and maybe a few instructions. Thanks
before:
after:
I forgot to measure for before and after changes but it's clearly visible in the picture. I went with the 1/4 toytec spacer w/ FJ springs, I may go with a 1/2 or larger spacer (or maybe bilstein or rancho quicklift) later but I'm not getting bigger tires for a while so I don't want to go too big yet.
Can someone point me in the direction of a writeup on replacing the rear
springs? I know there has to be one on here but not being able to search for the term "FJ" frustrates me when searching t4r.org and I haven't come across anything yet.
Everyone says it should take 30 minutes but after I did the front I crawled under the rear and saw a lot of crap in the way of getting a spring compressor in there and decided to wait until tomorrow or later in the week. I would just like to see some pics and maybe a few instructions. Thanks
before:
after:
Nashvillerunner
New member
Hey dude I see you are in Tuscaloosa! I am from Birmingham but live in Nashville now. I went to U of Alabama and loved T-town! So how hard was it to install the front ones?
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Looking good! Click on the link in my sig to go to my lift writeup. At the beginning, I list install pages from various sources that I found helpful. I know some of them address the rear, although I didn't look into that as I only did the fronts. There isn't a compressor needed for the rear, and everyone I've talked to has said 30 minutes to an hour to do them.
gaterose
Senior Member
Awesome, I just graduated from UA last week. I'm from here though, so t-town gets a little boring for me...
It was actually really easy! I don't have a LOT of mechanical experience, but I do like to tinker with my friends' & my vehicles so I'm pretty good at figuring out how this stuff works but I am far from a trained mechanic. I have only pulled coil overs off of a vehicle once before (a '96 t4r a few months ago). I did it bassackwards that time and compressed & removed the spring first instead of the whole coil over, then the spring. Of course I had no instructions then and was just going at it head on having never even looked at a coil over shock before (obviously it was before I found t4r.org).
Like I said it took a little less than 3 hours by myself and the only specialty tools I needed were jack stands, an air impact wrench, and a loan-a-tool coil compressor (though I've read it can be done without the last two), I don't know why some say you need a ball joint tool. I don't see where it comes into play, everything came apart easily for me. [Of course my runner is in pristine condition and I couldn't believe how clean the frame, skidplates, suspension, & underside of the motor were.]
I think if I did it again I could do it in about 1.5 hour, 2 at the most. I would recommend carrying a laptop or printout of a writeup from here or another forum before doing it for the first time because I forgot a few simple tips I found that would've made it even simpler.
It was actually really easy! I don't have a LOT of mechanical experience, but I do like to tinker with my friends' & my vehicles so I'm pretty good at figuring out how this stuff works but I am far from a trained mechanic. I have only pulled coil overs off of a vehicle once before (a '96 t4r a few months ago). I did it bassackwards that time and compressed & removed the spring first instead of the whole coil over, then the spring. Of course I had no instructions then and was just going at it head on having never even looked at a coil over shock before (obviously it was before I found t4r.org).
Like I said it took a little less than 3 hours by myself and the only specialty tools I needed were jack stands, an air impact wrench, and a loan-a-tool coil compressor (though I've read it can be done without the last two), I don't know why some say you need a ball joint tool. I don't see where it comes into play, everything came apart easily for me. [Of course my runner is in pristine condition and I couldn't believe how clean the frame, skidplates, suspension, & underside of the motor were.]
I think if I did it again I could do it in about 1.5 hour, 2 at the most. I would recommend carrying a laptop or printout of a writeup from here or another forum before doing it for the first time because I forgot a few simple tips I found that would've made it even simpler.
gaterose
Senior Member
Thanks! Rides good too ;-)
I looked at the write ups in your sig before I installed anything.. Thanks for all the help! (with this and the sub, btw finally got a working JL amp sent back to me)
But it didn't look like a simple 30 minute job from the "Daystar.." rear write up I saw on your install page and I just (for some reason) noticed the "2007 4runner..." link and that definitely says 15 min for 2 people, and gives detailed instructions so now I just need to find a friend I can con into helping me tomorrow...
gaterose
Senior Member
Sorry, just saw this post.. I think others have pictures already on here, but here are mine:
I put them in the center console because I needed 3 and had 3 side by side spots there and only 2 by the head light switch... I usally drive with my right hand on or near the shifter so it's an easy spot for me to cut them on and off... I used the switches a lot this weekend driving to and from the beach late at night and it didn't bother me.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Good! i did the fronts and waited a couple of months to put the springs in the back due to laziness. My only regret with the FJC rear springs is that I didn't do it sooner.:bravo:
Nashvillerunner
New member
NICE!! If I made a trip to T-town would you help me install mine? I don't have the tools nor the place to do it!
gaterose
Senior Member
Yeah, I think I could do that but we'll have to work out a time when we're both available..
I just finished putting the rear coils on mine, it took a little longer than it should've because we pulled the the sway bar off at the wrong point.. (I couldn't get to the webpage on my phone to remember where to remove it and just knew it would be easier if it was disconnected). I can't really tell a difference looking at it initially, if I take a picture and compare to the stock I will prolly see it but 1/4" isn't much. The ride is definitely better than before though! I will try to put a pic up later.
Nashvillerunner
New member
Awesome man can't wait to see pics!!
Absolute
New member
very helpful thread. I am def going to save some money and headach and get some stock FJ rear springs and some front coilovers. I will def be reading up on ur install write ups before diving into the task. Ill also prob order a set of 1.25" spacers from Wheelers and just knock it all out at the same time. Should look good, I have 265/75/16s (croses fingers)
Thanks for the helpful thread.
~Abs
Thanks for the helpful thread.
~Abs