Installed FJ coils and Bilstein5100's

[MSBX4RUNNER]

After realizing my front passenger and my rear driver XREAS was leaking I decided to upgrade my shocks to Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks and replace my coils with FJ coils. I could not have done it without all the help I received on this forum. I am truly happy with the way everything turned out and absolutely love the way it rides now.

Before measurements:
Front Driver 33 7/8" Front Passenger 33 3/4"
Rear Driver 35 1/4" Rear Passenger 35 7/8"

After measurements:
Front Driver 35 7/8" Front Passenger 35 7/8"
Rear Driver 36 3/8" Rear Passenger 37 1/8"

I have been having trouble trying to post pics so I hope this works! I am going to have to get better after shots that are in better light.

Before:

During:

This is the leaky XREAS

After:

 

[Casper421]

Looks sweet, nice job! :thumb3: Nows its time for some bigger meats! what tires are you thinkin?

 

[ronsta]

Looks great MSBX! I'm currently also contemplating a lift but haven't decided if I'll go with the more economical FJ coil/shock setup or with an overland 2.0 setup

 

[eskimochaos]

Looks great. Wow, the whole shock leaks - I thought it leaked at the connection when it went.

I personally cant wait for the day it decides to take a dump. Did you notice a degradation in ride when it happened?

 

[borgzman]

Congrats to a leveled 4Runner!

And welcome to the club adjustable bilstein, I know it rides great, no more nose dive etc!

My shocks - all 4 were leaking @ 90+K mi.

Here's mine leveled, out of the .85 setting...actual lift 1.25"! http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr134/borgzman/cdcdvdvd.jpg

 

[Kaizen81]

Nice!

I'm waiting on my Bilsteins to go with my FJ springs. Back ordered til January.

I'm still debating exactly how much lift I should set mine at.

I've seen some on the board with (FJC springs + 5100s):
- 0.85" front setting, no rear spacers
- 1.25" front setting, 1"~1.5" rear spacers

I might go with what you did MSBX. Then after I get bigger tires, go higher.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Congrats MSBX! That is one of the best things you can do to these 4th gens. It really made a difference on mine.

 

[sportv8]

Looks great, just a question or two... how many miles before the x-reas started to leak? And having driven both set ups, how does your current one compared in ride quality, cornering, etc?

 

[phishtaco]

Which setting do you have your Bilsteins set on with the FJ coils for the 2" lift up front? Do you just have stock FJ coils in the rear?

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Looks sweet, nice job! :thumb3: Nows its time for some bigger meats! what tires are you thinkin?

Thanks! I love it! I have always liked the BFG ATs, I have the BFG K2s on my CJ7 now and love them. So for practicality, I will probably go with the AllTerrains from BFG

 

[Nashvillerunner]

Love it! Looks very very nice. A change for the better for sure.

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Looks great. Wow, the whole shock leaks - I thought it leaked at the connection when it went.

I personally cant wait for the day it decides to take a dump. Did you notice a degradation in ride when it happened?

Well this is what happened. When I test drove the car in September I noticed the front tires were chopped real bad on the inside. I told the dealership I would buy the car if they replaced the tires and they did. But they couldnt answer the question as to why the tires were wearing funny in the first place. I made them do an alignment and everything. A few months go by and I decided to add FJ coils and a spacer but keep XREAS. When I went to do that I noticed the front passenger and rear driver leaking. No wonder the tires were wearing funny. I called the dealership and left 4 voicemails with the GM and my salesperson, not one call was returned so I ended up just ordering the Bilstein shocks and doing the install. The past few weeks it had been bottoming out over speed bumps and things, that was the only difference in driving I noticed with the leaky XREAS. I have 86,000 miles on my car.

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Looks great, just a question or two... how many miles before the x-reas started to leak? And having driven both set ups, how does your current one compared in ride quality, cornering, etc?

I am not sure when it went out, I have only owned the car since September and just noticed they were leaking last week.
The difference the FJ coils and Bilsteins is awesome. The ride is so much better, a little stiffer but nothing too bad. Smoother ride, better ride quality all around and no body roll. I love it!!!

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Which setting do you have your Bilsteins set on with the FJ coils for the 2" lift up front? Do you just have stock FJ coils in the rear?

FJ coils all the way around and fronts are set at the 0.85 setting, no spacers

 

[eskimochaos]

Hey I noticed some unusual tire wear too - sounds like what you had.

Can you do me a huge favor and look at the pics in this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/78542-unusual-tire-wear-pic.html

Thanks man!

 

[4Beast]

Mind if i ask what the price for the total package was? For my money and my use i think this setup will be what I go with when i do it. Looks sharp, BTW.:trophy:

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Mind if i ask what the price for the total package was? For my money and my use i think this setup will be what I go with when i do it. Looks sharp, BTW.:trophy:

$389 for all four Bilstein5100s
$246 to have someone install it (3 hours of labor)
FREE FJ coils off an 07 FJC that had 27K miles on it

Everyone on here says the shocks are on back order but I was able to get mine right when I ordered them. In 4wheelparts' system they had like 22 rears and 5 fronts, mine just had to come from Dallas down to me in Austin. Thanks for the compliments!!!

 

[gaterose]

Looks great! Glad you're happy with your decision!

Now for those BFGs....

 

[4Beast]

$389 for all four Bilstein5100s
$246 to have someone install it (3 hours of labor)
FREE FJ coils off an 07 FJC that had 27K miles on it

Everyone on here says the shocks are on back order but I was able to get mine right when I ordered them. In 4wheelparts' system they had like 22 rears and 5 fronts, mine just had to come from Dallas down to me in Austin. Thanks for the compliments!!!

Cool, thanks a lot, Happy Wheeling!

 

[12guns]

Dumb question, but are the 5100's adjustable? Seems that would be a better option than a spacer. I like your ride, mine's just like it less the suspension uppgrades. What tires are you going to upgrade to one of these days??