Messed up 5100 install? Way more than advertised

simple

Senior Member
Hi all,

I’ve done suspension work on different 4runners many times. So I’m not a complete noob, and have a good idea of how to do this procedure. That being said, something isn’t right here. And I’m hoping for some ideas. I was looking for 2-2.5” of lift. I got 5100s, set at 1.75, third row up, new 2008 4wd FJ coils, and kyb shock top struts and bushings. I didn’t use anything off my old X-Reas shocks. In the rears I also installed 5100s and used relatively new 5th gen springs.

Measurements -old/new

DF - 32 7/8” / 36 5/8”
PF - 33 1/4” / 37”
DR - 35.5” / 36.5”
PR - 35.5” / 36 3/8”

Net of 3.75” of lift in the front and 1 in the back.

Are the new bushings the reason for the extra 1.25” lift I was expecting? Or did I do something wrong here? I know the bottom spring seat wasn’t installed upside down. I was going to redo the fronts at .85 tomorrow, but am wondering if should set it at 0.

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FJ springs are only supposed to give 1" lift. So something is off there I think, perhaps LCA bushing bind? Did you loosen the LCA bolt's when putting the strut assembly in? Or did you force it into place?
 
FJ springs are only supposed to give 1" lift. So something is off there I think, perhaps LCA bushing bind? Did you loosen the LCA bolt's when putting the strut assembly in? Or did you force it into place?

Both. So I disconnected the LCA but fitting the shock in still required a lot of force. I used big bar as a pry bar and essentiall pried the LCA down to seat the shock. And then I used my floor jack to jack the LCA back up and pushed around the upper assembly until I could get the holes lined up to bolt the LCA back on.
 
Old springs must have been pretty saggy

Maybe, but they only had 110k. Also I’ve looked at some other FJ threads and my before numbers look to be right around where everyone else is at. A little less but between .25-.5” less.
 
Both. So I disconnected the LCA but fitting the shock in still required a lot of force. I used big bar as a pry bar and essentiall pried the LCA down to seat the shock. And then I used my floor jack to jack the LCA back up and pushed around the upper assembly until I could get the holes lined up to bolt the LCA back on.

Do you have hub to fender measurements as well? I know for a fact that my stock springs are super saggy and when I install my new setup here in a month I’ll gain more than advertised because of that. I have that heavier V8
 
Do you have hub to fender measurements as well? I know for a fact that my stock springs are super saggy and when I install my new setup here in a month I’ll gain more than advertised because of that. I have that heavier V8

A hasty measurement just got D 23” and P 23.5”
 
I’m on worn out and saggy suspension right now with 157k On them and my front hub to fenders are about 18.75”. Looking forward to seeing how much I get back after installing my new Dobinson’s setup
 
Measurements -old/new

DF - 32 7/8” / 36 5/8”
PF - 33 1/4” / 37”
DR - 35.5” / 36.5”
PR - 35.5” / 36 3/8”

Net of 3.75” of lift in the front and 1 in the back.


izwoULP.jpg

HAIfWOy.jpg

aPDYulW.jpg
I think your math is wrong.2.25" & 2 5/8" front, not 3.75".
 
The math is right, but I don't think it's higher than you should've expected. I have FJ 4x4 springs on the lowest clip, a 1.25" spacer and 265/70 tires, and I'm sitting just under 37". You're getting 1.75" from the shocks, 1" from the FJ springs. The sag in the old springs could account for the remaining 1". Did you upsize the tires at the same time too?
 
Can you measure

hub center to fender lip for a just the lift measurement not including the tire height. Also some side shots of the truck. I ask b/cthe 1.85" strut setting combined with the 1" of lift from the springs sounds about right..
 
Just went & looked at both of mine & something about that upper bushing looks off idk ! I have stock strut mounts just looks off maybe that's it ?
 
Maybe you guys are right. I downed it to .85 and lost 7/8th of an inch. I’m ok with that. It will settle a bit, I’m sure.
 

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