Ironman Foam Cell Pro Setup Advice – 2009 4WD V8 4Runner

[Road_Runner]

I own a 2009 V8 4WD Sport Edition 4Runner. I recently picked up a set of Ironman Foam Cell Pro front and rear shocks that came off a 5th gen 4Runner, and I’m trying to confirm a few things before I install them.

From what I understand, the Ironman Foam Cell Pro shocks are the same setup for the 4th gen and 5th gen 4Runner, but I’d like to confirm that with anyone who has actually done the swap or has experience with this setup.

Current setup:

Bilstein 5100s front and rear
OME 885X front springs
OME 2896 rear springs
Front perch adjusted up
Sitting around 2.75" lift up front
Sitting around 3" lift in the rear

Front weight:

Lost Trail winch plate
12k winch with synthetic rope
RCI aluminum skid plates

Rear weight:

Rigd Armor swing-down tire carrier
17x9 TRD replica whleel
285/70R17 Falken Wildpeak mud-terrain spare
My goal is to sit as close to a true 3" lift all around while keeping the ride as comfortable as possible.

I’m considering keeping the OME 2896 rear springs, even though they are a little stiff, because they currently have the rear sitting right around 3". My bigger question is the front.

The Ironman Foam Cell Pro setup I bought came with the medium-load front springs. With my front-end weight, would the medium springs be enough if I adjust the preload/perch to get close to 3" of lift? Or do I have too much front weight for the medium springs?

For those running Ironman Foam Cell Pros on a 4th gen, especially with a winch plate/winch setup, what front springs are you using to get around a 3" lift without making the ride too harsh?

Any advice on spring combinations would be appreciated.

 

[Runnin on E]

The Ironman Foam Cell Pro setup I bought came with the medium-load front springs. With my front-end weight, would the medium springs be enough if I adjust the preload/perch to get close to 3" of lift? Or do I have too much front weight for the medium springs?

For those running Ironman Foam Cell Pros on a 4th gen, especially with a winch plate/winch setup, what front springs are you using to get around a 3" lift without making the ride too harsh?

Any advice on spring combinations would be appreciated.

Just looking at the Ironman site, they only have three choices for springs so what you have looks to be the best one. Sometimes you just have to go for it and then let the rest of us know how it turned out. You could also contact them and get spring rate info and then compare that to the OME rate. This is what I would do. That way you have the same type of info for both to make a decision.

 

[alia176]

I'm going based on memory here but something isn't compatible between the 5th and 4th gen front shocks. I believe the lower shock holes aren't compatible with the LCAs on the 4th gens. Something about smaller eye hole or something. Anyway, I'd look into that before taking things apart.

I'm currently running a set of 5th gen TRD rear Bilstein shocks on my 4th gen w/o any fitment issues. The valving isn't up to par for the rear load I'm carrying so they'll need to come out eventually.

I have the same shocks on my 7500# 80 series landcruiser and I can't recommend enough. They're amazing shocks for the money. Have a great time with this project.

Before you call Ironman for support, please weigh your 4runner on a truck scale. I'd put the front wheels on the front plate, and the rear wheels on the rear plate then get the weights. This weight numbers will be uber helpful for the phone call, and they can assist you intelligently vs trying add up all the numbers from the items that were added!! Additionally, your information will help others on this board who have the same questions.

This might help you with coming up with the spring rates for the front. I'm running Kings 700 lb/in springs and Bisltein 6112 shocks. I have a DIY winch bumper with a Warn M800 winch. The 600 lb/in springs that came with the 6112 shocks were ok until the bumper went on. Even though the lift height didn't decrease measurably, the front end nose diving was horrible. I kept bottoming out the front suspension, which caused me to go to the 700 springs.

Hope this helps.