Just purchased a 4th gen v6 4 runner!
- Thread starter Ahnsan
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zguy1
Member
Congratulations! You are really going to enjoy it. I have had my 08 for two years and it has been amazing.
I don't know anything about the Amazon suspension combo so I can't comment on that.
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
Welcome to the forum. What are you trying to do to the suspension? Lift?
Thx man. Can’t wait to get it on the road
Pass inspection and get it on the road. I don’t really care to much for a lift. Im still a student working part time so money is tight and this is my first car. Even tho it has 300k miles I alrdy love it. Drives great. might need a diff later I think it’s making some noise
Drop out the rear diff fluid and put in synthetic like Redline and the noise should go away, unless the backlash is off.
thx man. Another thing on my to do list. Sounds like a way better option then buying a used one. Appreciate the help
gimlithepirate
New member
For cheap suspension, I'd probably go KYB if you go new. They are about 300$. Not perfect but not bad. 1AAuto can get you down to 250, and I like their LCAs, but I can't comment on the quality of their suspension setup.
That said, if you want to keep things cheap look for 5th gen TRD take offs. That gets you bilsteins usually for not much cash depending on where you live.
The one other option I'd consider is go Moog and use FJ cruiser springs. Gets you lift for no extra money.
I'd say stay away from a no brand ebay or amazon suspension kit. Biggest thing is when something wears out, you won't really have anywhere to get replacement parts, etc. Fake parts from amazon and ebay are already a big enough problem when there is a brand behind them.
firebirdguy
Member
X2 on the KYB shocks. they come with new springs & will add a little lift above stock to the front for a more level look. they are about $100ea on rockauto & $50ea for rear shocks. they ride very goood & have a lifetime warranty. KYB usually offers a rebate too so check for that.
& change all fluids asap if theres no maint records to show whats been done. do the rear & front diff's, xfer case & trans fluid.
& change all fluids asap if theres no maint records to show whats been done. do the rear & front diff's, xfer case & trans fluid.
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
So a suspension refresh. Best bang for the buck in my opinion is a Gen5 take-off. There's low mileage ones on E-bay quite often for under $200 shipped to your door. I did this on my rig and the ride difference is amazing. Just need to take some metal off the lower eyelet on the strut.
I’m interested in doing that! Can you provide pictures of where you took the metal off? My XREAS isn’t leaking but the top tubes are really crusty and I’d like to go non-XREAS when I change.
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
I don't have any pictures from when I did it but the pic below shows what to grind on both sides of the lower part of the strut. Grind just enough so it fits into the lower control arm. Maybe 1mm total? That was the easiest part of the swap. Removing the rusted on old ones and making space was the hard part. Save yourself time by unbolting the lower ball joint piece, 2 bolts and it comes right off the hub assembly without messing with the balljoint itself. Then push that whole thing to the rear of the vehicle. I don't recall if I pulled the CV axle out of the wheel bearing to get more space. May have unbolted the sway bar too. The first one took me time figuring out how much to remove. The other side was much quicker.
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CookieRoe
Senior Member
Welcome to the dark side!
300,000 miles? Meh. Plenty of life left!
Anyway, I also have what I THINK is differential noise. Mechanic friend told me to bring it, he suspects the bearings in it are starting to go. I've seen videos that it COULD be wheel bearings...... who knows. Anyway, good luck!
300,000 miles? Meh. Plenty of life left!
Anyway, I also have what I THINK is differential noise. Mechanic friend told me to bring it, he suspects the bearings in it are starting to go. I've seen videos that it COULD be wheel bearings...... who knows. Anyway, good luck!
