Leveling Kit and then some

[spehrparts]

I have a few things to deal with on my 08 SR5 4X4.
1) Tires: I have a set of Michelin Cross Terrain. They are noisey, hard and the 4runner tends to wander with small road ruts. I have a hard time keeping them balanced as well.
2) Suspension: Stock setup at present. I want to level the vechicle.
The front bottoms out going over speed bumps (slowly)! The rear seems fine. I have looked into Bilstein 5100 front adjustable. This will level the front but what do you suggest with the springs??

So, what would you suggest for Tires? My 4Runner is an everyday use vechicle. I do a fair amount of highway so I am thinking a street radial vs offroad tire.
And, what would you suggest for improving the suspension. I want to level it though and shock are needed as are springs, I think

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

It's hard to beat the Bilstein 5100's combined with the OEM coils off of a FJ Cruiser. Most guys here have picked up a used set of FJ coils for pretty cheap. The 5100's would give you the lift you want to level the 4runner and also a firmer ride that will handle bumps better.

For tires, I'm really not sure on highway tires. I know the Bridgestone Revo's get great reviews. I love the Firestone Destination AT's for a AT tire that handles the road well. Neither are a highway tire though, just AT tires that are designed for a good bit of highway usage.

 

[Acidmeld]

OME would probably be your best bet. Go with the light setup.

 

[spehrparts]

OME would probably be your best bet. Go with the light setup.

What do you mean by "a light set up"?

 

[spehrparts]

It's hard to beat the Bilstein 5100's combined with the OEM coils off of a FJ Cruiser. Most guys here have picked up a used set of FJ coils for pretty cheap. The 5100's would give you the lift you want to level the 4runner and also a firmer ride that will handle bumps better.

For tires, I'm really not sure on highway tires. I know the Bridgestone Revo's get great reviews. I love the Firestone Destination AT's for a AT tire that handles the road well. Neither are a highway tire though, just AT tires that are designed for a good bit of highway usage.

Any comment on Michelin LTX 's

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I hear good things on the LTX's, but no personal experience so I can't help much. OME is a good option for off roading, they will perform better there than stock shocks. They come in a light, medium, and heavy duty coil spring. The light is for stock weight, medium is for some added weight, and heavy is for a good amount of added weight (such as metal bumpers). The light duty is what you need if you chose to go the OME route. I have no experience there, so I'll let someone else chime in on OME vs the 5100/FJ combo.

 

[K.C.]

OME would probably be your best bet. Go with the light setup.

x2...don't do spacers.

If you can get a Magic Genie to snap his fingers & remove mine in a split second, I'd give them to you for free.

 

[spehrparts]

I hear good things on the LTX's, but no personal experience so I can't help much. OME is a good option for off roading, they will perform better there than stock shocks. They come in a light, medium, and heavy duty coil spring. The light is for stock weight, medium is for some added weight, and heavy is for a good amount of added weight (such as metal bumpers). The light duty is what you need if you chose to go the OME route. I have no experience there, so I'll let someone else chime in on OME vs the 5100/FJ combo.

ARK,
I have decided on the Michelin LTX2. Great tire, good highway and traction. OK- I am not familier with this OME. I am assuming that you are saying to change out the springs. Hence- would the med. OME give the 4runner a bit of lift or just firmness (it swims now). Also with these new springs- what shock would be good?

 

[spehrparts]

ARK,
I have decided on the Michelin LTX2. Great tire, good highway and traction. OK- I am not familier with this OME. I am assuming that you are saying to change out the springs. Hence- would the med. OME give the 4runner a bit of lift or just firmness (it swims now). Also with these new springs- what shock would be good?

OK- My bad. I see what ARK is saying- OEM(origanial Equipment Manufacturer). Got it.
Are these springs available-say ebay? What would i look for? Does Toyota make different ones for the FJ?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I have not run the OME suspension, so I can't give input on exact results. I would expect it to add both firmness and lift. OME is a brand of suspension products, completely different than OEM. I don't know if it's the best pricing, but Home - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits has the OME shocks/coils on their site.

 

[spehrparts]

I have not run the OME suspension, so I can't give input on exact results. I would expect it to add both firmness and lift. OME is a brand of suspension products, completely different than OEM. I don't know if it's the best pricing, but Home - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits has the OME shocks/coils on their site.

I am getting closer- what is your opinion of just replacing the shocks (f&r) with the 5100's ?Bilstein Height adjustable 5100 front and rear 5100 shocks - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

 

[spehrparts]

OME would probably be your best bet. Go with the light setup.

What is your opinion of doing the 5100's? I see you are a Toyota/Lexus man- You say OME Light- Would this level off the front-say 1.5-2 in rise?

I am getting closer- what is your opinion of thjust replacing the shocks (f&r) with the 5100's ?Bilstein Height adjustable 5100 front and rear 5100 shocks - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

 

[chaz]

this link will give u some idea of what each ome coil gives in lift. Old Man Emu Suspension for Toyota 4Runner Trucks- Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc if u do ome coils for lift u should consider doing the shocks also, so cost is about 700+, if u do the 5100s only (with stock coils) cost is 325+, so imo, thats the cheapest way to lift ur front (level it) & get a little better ride, adding the fj coils to them will improve it even more

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I personally love the 5100/FJ swap, and yes, that will level the vehicle. You can add a rear spacer and adjust the fronts if you want a lift and not just level. As chaz pointed out, the 5100's are the cheap way to go and you still get a great benefit from them. I have the 5100's now, really like them. I am having issues with my rear, but that's due to my rear air bags and not the shocks.

 

[spehrparts]

OME would probably be your best bet. Go with the light setup.

I have a question for you.
While talking to the tire store the other day- he mentioned that I might be able to replace my front struts with Toyota's "OffRoad" bilstein combo. I think that would be what they put on Tacoma's.
Would this fit? Would it be any taller? I would imagine it would be an all around improvment over what is on my 4Runner now.
Let me know.

 

[chaz]

check out the classifieds on an FJ forum, u nmay still be able to get a full set of coils & shocks for a decent price. dont pay more than 150-200. they provide about 1 in. lift frt, .5 rear. those billies are not the 5100's tho. heres a few links with info, theres more if u search. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/88035-just-got-done-fj-suspension-swap-question.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/83113-help-color-code-fj-springs-please.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspe...-2010-fjc-bilstein-shocks-vs-prior-years.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/81698-fj-suspension-vs-4runner-suspension.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/69755-full-fj-cruiser-suspension-installed.html

 

[newbiemw]

i dont know if the clarity for some people is out there so just to point it out:

OEM and OME is not a typo with this group.

OEM is factory gear

OME is Old Man Emu gear.

just saying, i think some people might mistake it.