Help with FJ Springs & Tires

[danny]

Wow. Lots of good info here; really enjoying the reading, and spending too many nights late into the wee hours when I should be going to bed. That being said, I've read as much as I can find in the forum, so my questions are because I could not find the answer I was needing...not a lack of using the [Search] function.

1) I have a 2006 SR5 4WD. I'm clarifying that any year springs from the FJ Cruiser will work on my 4Runner, but only 2007-2009 shocks will work. Correct? Also, I'm not very car savvy...are coils the same as springs? I have someone offering me coils, but didn't know if that was the same as springs. Do Tacoma pickups use the same springs/shocks as the FJ Cruiser?

2) My 4Runner is a daily driver, but I do like to get out and play occasionally - rock-climb, backpack, hunting trip. The off-roading I do is very moderate...forest trails and such. Recommendations for a good tire - one that's larger than the stock tire on it now? I plan to throw FJ springs/shocks on to get a small lift and maybe lift the front more. I don't want to have to do trimming or adjusting for a new tire size as I would not be able to. I need suggestions for a good tire size that could handle as a daily driver with minimum road noise, and function well off-road...and be able to be thrown on without finangling. I know, a lot to ask for.

Thanks for all your time - reading and posting.

 

[4RunnERD]

Welcome. I am new myself, but from what I have read, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, that the springs from FJ 2007-2010 will be fine. I think there is a modification for mounting the 2010 shocks however, but they can still work. Oh yeah, and you want the 4x4 springs (coils (same thing)).

Interms of tire size, if FJ springs and a small leveling spacer out front are all you are doing then it seems like a good tire size for you would be 265/70/17 assuming you have 17 inch wheels. That will get you close to 32 inches in tire size. A slight increase in size but will still be good for your needs, with the only draw back being the speedo will be off very slightly. There seems to be a lot of all terrain tires in that size which will give you a tougher look and better off road traction than a highway all season, but will still maintain the qualities you are looking for in a daily driver. A lot of people seem to like the Bridgestone Revo 2's as an all terrain with good road manners and not a lot of noise. I have been looking at the Firestone Destinations myself which are ranked higher than the Revo's on Tirerack. Either one will give you what you are looking for and I am sure others will chime in with what they like too. Check out Tirerack and read the reviews. When I first saw the picture of the Firestone Destinations tread, I didn't like them. But then I saw another member running them on thier fifth gen and they looked much better in person. Hope this helps some. Good luck with your mods.

 

[8086bruce]

Here is my 07 V6 4wd with springs and shocks from a 08 trail teams with the toytec 1/4" spacers(1/2" net lift) and 265/70-17 tires. Great set up for a DD imo. If you have a V8 I would go with the 1/2" spacer to take care of the extra weight.

 

[Presta24]

nice stance, I am putting my FJ springs/shocks/struts on this weekend. I already have the Daystar 2.5/1.5 withh 33's MT's heres a pic......

 

[danny]

4RunnerERD: You hit the nail on the head. The exact look I'm trying to get is a slight leveling and a tad of a lift, with some tougher tires. I planned on doing 1/2" Toytec since I have V8.

Presta24: 'Love those tires. What are they? Might be too much for a daily-driver for me. How are they with road noise. I'm wanting a tire that has a tougher look with some good off-road traction. I would really like to keep it on the stock wheel as well. I had planned on 265/70. There isn't anything beefier I can get while keeping it on the stock 17", right? ****Check that...just saw in your tag the tires were Definity Dakotas. What did you have to do to get that size tire to fit on?