Lifting the FJC way

[sheik]

I know, I know, another FJ spring lift thread. Searching for FJ on the forum doesn't work so well and after spending some time doing so I felt I could get my questions answered faster this way. Thanks in advance for any help.

I've located a full set of FJ coils and shocks with "10k on them". I'm awaiting photos from the seller but he states the setup he has is "OEM and not TRD or Bilstein". They are also unassembled, and I realize I'll need a spring compressor to put em all together.

I'm after a mild lift, plan to do bushing upgrades, and may add spacers prior to installing the FJC stuff.

Here's where the questions comes in-

Since these are unassembled, are there any key parts aside from the shocks and coils that I should make sure are there in the photos? What I mean is bolts or other hardware that are hard to obtain unless you go through a dealer (and might cost a lot).

My 08 has 30k on it. Are the shocks that I'm looking at comparable or better than what I is currently on my rig? Obviously I'd rather not take mine apart to combine but if there is a clear benefit that's a different story.

Any other "gotchas" I need to be aware of?

Should I hold out for a Bilstein or TRD set up?

 

[sheik]

 

[CJ3Flyr]

That Bump is awesome!:lmao:

I know, I know, another FJ spring lift thread. Searching for FJ on the forum doesn't work so well and after spending some time doing so I felt I could get my questions answered faster this way. Thanks in advance for any help.

I've located a full set of FJ coils and shocks with "10k on them". I'm awaiting photos from the seller but he states the setup he has is "OEM and not TRD or Bilstein". They are also unassembled, and I realize I'll need a spring compressor to put em all together.

I'm after a mild lift, plan to do bushing upgrades, and may add spacers prior to installing the FJC stuff.

Here's where the questions comes in-

Since these are unassembled, are there any key parts aside from the shocks and coils that I should make sure are there in the photos? What I mean is bolts or other hardware that are hard to obtain unless you go through a dealer (and might cost a lot). I know you want "complete" and easy but consider this: You have anything that may be missing currently on the vehicle. Worse case scenario is you may have to disassemble yours to build-up the new ones. It's not very time consuming to teardown/build-up, 30min/side, tops.

My 08 has 30k on it. Are the shocks that I'm looking at comparable or better than what I is currently on my rig? The couple of guys that stock FJC shocks seem to love them. I would use them and not give it a second thought. Obviously I'd rather not take mine apart to combine but if there is a clear benefit that's a different story.

Any other "gotchas" I need to be aware of? The whole abs wire pull... Don't do it. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/42630-lift-tires-will-weekend.html

Should I hold out for a Bilstein or TRD set up? IMHO no.

Search ArkSwampRider, his install post and post install report is great. Good luck!

 

[sheik]

Thanks Chris that helps a lot. I'm a little apprehensive at tackling this myself, but at the same time am a lot more apprehensive to pay someone to do it. Never done this before!

$100 for front and rear coils and shocks is a good deal right?

If I went with these spacers will I be putting my CV's at risk? Is there a better spacer I should use? Those will work right?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks Chris that helps a lot. I'm a little apprehensive at tackling this myself, but at the same time am a lot more apprehensive to pay someone to do it. Never done this before!

$100 for front and rear coils and shocks is a good deal right? That's not bad, if it includes shipping that's really good. There's plenty who did better and some who have done worse, $80-$100 seems pretty 'normal'.

If I went with these spacers will I be putting my CV's at risk? Is there a better spacer I should use? Those will work right? Those should work well. With the total lift at 3" or less the CV's are fine on the 4th gen. You'll be at 2.8-3.2" on the front so you'll be fine. If you decide you later you want to drop the diff a bit it's cheap and easy. Many at T120 have discussed the merits of the diff drop on a 4th gen ad nauseam. The consensus is it's not really necessary.

Good luck!:cheers:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Looks as if Chris has got most of the questions answered. Click the link in my sig for my write-up, maybe it'll help you out if you've not looked already. I knew nothing about the install, and I was able to complete it (with help) in 4 hours for the front. We took it very slow and made sure we followed the install instructions. First side took the longest, second was about 1/4 of that time.