Maintain close to stock ride height with FJ coils/5100s...

[Chad T]

I've got a 2005 Limited 4x4 V8 and am in the process of buying a complete set of front/rear coil springs from an 08 FJ Cruiser.

I'm also gonna put on Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear.

I'd like to maintain ride height as close as possible to stock, however, a slight bump in the front would probably be okay.

Gonna order:

Bilstein 5100: ride height adjustable #24-186711 for the front.
Bilstein 5100: #33-187174 for the rear.

If I understand correctly, the FJ springs will give a bit of lift in the front, so I'll probably just leave the front 5100s on the 0" setting. Sound like a plan?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That sounds good to me. Personally I'm not a fan of the rake, so I would set the fronts to the second notch. This would give approx 1.35" front and .25" rear lift. Either way it'll work out great, just comes down to your preference on the rake. At the lowest notch, it'll be nearly identical to what it is now (.5"front, .25" rear lift).

 

[Chad T]

Thanks!

BTW, can the 5100 shocks be adjusted while installed? Or do they have to be removed?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks!

BTW, can the 5100 shocks be adjusted while installed? Or do they have to be removed?

They have to be removed and disassembled to adjust.

 

[krupnation]

Put it at the second setting like ARK suggested (.85), you won't regret it. And the slight lift you get will make you want more! I've taken mine apart twice now and it's at the highest setting. Looking at upgrading even further next year to Radflo coilovers in the front.

 

[Chad T]

Does switching between 0" and .85" require an alignment?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Does switching between 0" and .85" require an alignment?

Yes, it would require an alignment. You'll need one after installing shocks/coils regardless of setting. If you install at 0" and later choose to raise it to a different setting, you'd need an alignment at that point as well.

 

[zu13]

when i got mine installed i did not have to realign (toyota installed mine 90 bucks an hour :0 ) they did not disconnect anything except the brake caliper and snaked it out of the tie rods and all of that stuff.....

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my runner especially with the lift like i just dont want to stop looking at it!!!!!!! LIKE DAMN it is a sexy beast And the day i started driving it again a bone stock 03 runner parked beside me and told me how sexy my runner isDDD lol I was so HYPED.

 

[Sonicpilz]

I have your exact same set up, set at .85 on my front. I got something like 1.5" front lift and .5" rear lift. The front did settle down a little over a few months. It leveled out the front of the 4runner very nicely, however not quite enough for my taste (everybody is different). I eventually plan to go up 1 more if not 2 more notches in front and add a spacer in the rear to compensate.

Check out some of my pictures before and after. If you want EXACT stock use the lowest setting. This would give you only like 1/2" all the way around. If you want to tilt up the nose just a touch, go with the .85 setting. If you want it to be completely level front-back go with the 3rd, but there is a slight chance you'll need a spacer in the rear.

YES you will need alignment if you lift the front end.

 

[Chad T]

About ready to order the 5100s.

But ajusa.com and other places say that the #33-187174 5100s won't work in the rear with my 05 Limited. They recommend the 4600 series for the rear.

?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

About ready to order the 5100s.

But ajusa.com and other places say that the #33-187174 5100s won't work in the rear with my 05 Limited. They recommend the 4600 series for the rear.

?

Just enter in the sr5, all models use the same part number for 5100s.

 

[kosan]

What kind of spacer for the rear is required if one chooses the highest setting of the 5100's in the fronts?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

What kind of spacer for the rear is required if one chooses the highest setting of the 5100's in the fronts?

Any spacer will work. My choice would be the Daystar 1.5" spacer, it can be purchased for under $40 from 4wheelparts or Amazon.

 

[Az4runnin]

I have your exact same set up, set at .85 on my front. I got something like 1.5" front lift and .5" rear lift. The front did settle down a little over a few months. It leveled out the front of the 4runner very nicely, however not quite enough for my taste (everybody is different). I eventually plan to go up 1 more if not 2 more notches in front and add a spacer in the rear to compensate.

Check out some of my pictures before and after. If you want EXACT stock use the lowest setting. This would give you only like 1/2" all the way around. If you want to tilt up the nose just a touch, go with the .85 setting. If you want it to be completely level front-back go with the 3rd, but there is a slight chance you'll need a spacer in the rear.

YES you will need alignment if you lift the front end.

Im in the same boat. I have FJ Springs front/rear and gettin ready to order 5100's. I want it level. Will .85 do it or will there still be some rake? Will the third setting level it but require a spacer in the rear for sure or will the front settle enough? Just want to be able to have it level and slighlty lifted. I want to put 265-70-17 BFG AT's on my 2012 FJ Rims. Thanks for any input.

 

[krupnation]

Im in the same boat. I have FJ Springs front/rear and gettin ready to order 5100's. I want it level. Will .85 do it or will there still be some rake? Will the third setting level it but require a spacer in the rear for sure or will the front settle enough? Just want to be able to have it level and slighlty lifted. I want to put 265-70-17 BFG AT's on my 2012 FJ Rims. Thanks for any input.

At the 2nd notch (.85) you should still see some rake. I have a V8 and originally went with the 3rd notch (1.75) and it came out with 1/2" of rake in the back. I then moved it to the top notch (2.25) and added Toytec Superflex rear lift coils. I LOVE the stance now. All that being said, if you go to the 3rd or top notch, you probably will want a spacer or lift coil in there to add the rake. Or if you like the BRO lift, to each there own :banana:

 

[Az4runnin]

At the 2nd notch (.85) you should still see some rake. I have a V8 and originally went with the 3rd notch (1.75) and it came out with 1/2" of rake in the back. I then moved it to the top notch (2.25) and added Toytec Superflex rear lift coils. I LOVE the stance now. All that being said, if you go to the 3rd or top notch, you probably will want a spacer or lift coil in there to add the rake. Or if you like the BRO lift, to each there own :banana:

No Bro lifts please just want a Nice level look. At .85 the rake should be way less than stock. Love the V8. Sweet lookin Taco. Not.

 

[Chad T]

Got the 5100s ordered last week. Should be here Thursday. Hopefully, will also have the FJ springs by then.

I'm gonna go with .85 on the front and see how that looks.

Trying to decide if I wanna tackle this install or pay somebody to do it. Probably gonna get a couple quotes from friends who own repair shops.

 

[Az4runnin]

Got the 5100s ordered last week. Should be here Thursday. Hopefully, will also have the FJ springs by then.

I'm gonna go with .85 on the front and see how that looks.

Trying to decide if I wanna tackle this install or pay somebody to do it. Probably gonna get a couple quotes from friends who own repair shops.

Post some pics. I am real interested in how it turns out as I am ready to do the same thing. Good luck with the install.

 

[Chad T]

I think I might be getting a bit of analysis paralysis here, but want to ask...

With FJ springs and the 5100s at .85", can my 4Runner be aligned perfectly?

I currently have the stock 265/65/17 tires on there, but might change to 265/70/17s in the near future. When I do that, I might go with the 1.75" setting and a 1.5" spacer in the back. Could perfect alignment be obtained with that or would I have to get different UCAs? And do something like the LR UCAs indeed allow for perfect alignment?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I think I might be getting a bit of analysis paralysis here, but want to ask...

With FJ springs and the 5100s at .85", can my 4Runner be aligned perfectly?

I currently have the stock 265/65/17 tires on there, but might change to 265/70/17s in the near future. When I do that, I might go with the 1.75" setting and a 1.5" spacer in the back. Could perfect alignment be obtained with that or would I have to get different UCAs? And do something like the LR UCAs indeed allow for perfect alignment?

You shouldn't have any issues with the alignment until you go to 3" or more of lift.