I want to lift my 2006 4Runner just a little and have been thinking about using FJ front and rear springs. I see others have done that but I haven't seen anything about using FJ shocks as well. I see at Toytec that lift kits and shocks seem to fit 05-09 Tacoma (does not work on the 5-Lug Tacoma), 07-09 FJ Cruiser and 03-09 4Runner. I have seen FJ springs and shocks available and was wondering if I could use them so I don't have to get the springs mounted on my stock front shocks. Also wondering if the FJ shocks are any better quality or not for both front and rear. Since I haven't seen any posts where people used more than the springs maybe there is a reason? Thanks
FJCruiser Springs & Shocks
- Thread starter msjaarda
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thetaxguy
New member
msjaarda said:
The main reason that only the springs are used is that many owners want a little higher stance/better performance w/o having to remove the Xreas system.
As for the 4Runner/FJC strut/shock compatibility... there should not be a problem. Jason over at Demello Off-road sells the same setup for both FJCs and 4Runners (At least this is what I was told by Jason).
I personally have FJC springs on the front only. There are two reasons for my setup. First the stance is almost completely level (with the DS top-out spacer). Second, stiffening up the rear suspension will cause the rear end to become more unstable under hard breaking and turning. Having a lot of traffic in SoCal, I would rather my rear end stick to the ground in a high CG/RR vehicle.
BlairB just put FJC spring on all four corners and likes the setup thus far. It's just up to you and what you want to do to the truck in the long-run.
Chalk Outline
New member
I think the FJC spings with Bilstein 5100s would be really interesting combination. Just a small amt of lift, but a bit more shock.
Keep in mind that the springs on the FJ are stiffer than on the 4Runner so the 4Runner shocks will be inadequate to properly damp the suspension. A lot of people may say it doesn't matter or they don't feel a difference, but the difference is there. Like the other poster said, the bilsteins would be a good combo with FJ springs. Or you could just use the FJ shocks.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Falls said:
IMHO mine rides great... I think about shocks in the context of controlling the weight of the vehicle. The weight of the vehicle is the same. Yes, the rebound push off of a stiffer spring is more aggressive but the FJC springs aren't that different.
I have run mine empty as in light on gas and all my normal gear out of the vehicle. I have run it with me, 300+lb in the rear and a trailer with another 350 on the tunge. I am hard pressed to figure out what I would change. In a perfect world I might like a hair less compression dampening on the front and a hair more rebound.
Overall it's very close to "just right" (and an improvement over OE). I won't mess with it further and I'm fussy about a 'balanced' ride.
I know Will816 has valid, good points. In several cases I have run into the mis-match he's talking about. In the case of FJC springs on a T4R it happens to work beautifully (more by luck than by design). Prior to the spring upgrade I thought the dampening was close but not right. Overall the ride was too soft to the point that any bumps that were hit over 30mph were worse than they needed to be because it was too soft (spring & dampening). I think the OE T4R dampening works better with the FJC springs than it did with the T4R springs and the combo makes for a great setup.
That's my 2cents.
:cheers:
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Thai said:
I just did... They appear to be different. :bash: Such a freakin' geek I am. :lmao:
http://www.toyodiy.com/
:cheers:
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
:iagree: with that statement. "Better" is very subjective though. As Thai suggested the FJC struts/shocks probably have a bit more dampening offering a little better control (possibly) when driving aggressively. They might ride a tiny bit stiffer when driving easy.msjaarda said:
Here's the bottom line... If you get the struts fully assembled install them that way; it's quick and easy. (Make sure they're indexed properly.) If they come all apart the consider the T4R struts/shocks and FJC springs. I feel they're near ideal together. If you use the FJC struts I'd use the FJC rear shocks as well for F to R balance as far as dampening is concerned.
We're going too far with this; we're measuring with a micrometer and cutting with an axe.:bash: The slight difference in OE dampening rates is going to be so small that 5psi of tire pressure will have a greater affect than which strut you choose. Now, if we were talking about aftermarket shocks, which OME springs to use or something like that there's big differences.
That's my 2cents
:cheers:
haydenbrown77
New member
Did you ever end up going through with this ?
I am currently doing it right now, and I have had to break out the angle grinder to make the bottom of the strut fit into the lower control arm. It works but it sure is a PITA.
I am currently doing it right now, and I have had to break out the angle grinder to make the bottom of the strut fit into the lower control arm. It works but it sure is a PITA.
RPC
New member
Ha, you’re f*cken right! See...
