More rake after 1+ year of having lift. Ideal front lift options?

[certifiedbamf]

Title says it all but I'll give more details. (2006 Limited V8; 175k miles)

Last July I began the build by lifting the 4Runner and throwing on bigger wheels and tires. (TL;DR at bottom above images)

Lift:
Bilstein 6112/5160 Link

Dobinson Rear Lift Coils; C59-325

Wheels & tires:
Motegi Trailite (17x8.5)
Falken Wildpeak A/T (285/70)

The lift was on before the wheels & tires and it looked nice and lifted with slight rake. Then the wheels & tires went on and it lifted it a bit more. Of course it rubbed and I attributed this to bad alignment and just overall more rubber. Once I got it aligned (Les Schwab) it rubbed more and it only rubbed towards the rear of the fender well including on the body mount but only during full lock on uneven surfaces or backing into parking spaces. The tech there told me they are only allowed to align to "stock specifications" which makes me feel like that's why the rubbing occurs. I've heard of people getting this exact lift and having no issues. It's worth mentioning that I did get UCAs (Freedom Offroad) for it that are good for 2"-4" lifts.

Now here we are over a year later and it seems to be quite unlevel. I knew it would lower a bit after it "settled" but this seems a bit extreme. The front coils are at the maximum lift which is supposedly 3" and I think that is actually true when comparing with stock height. But there is no question that the rear is higher. The particular rear coils I installed only advertise a 1.75" lift which should have made it level.

The goal is to have the front height at least match the rear (I don't mind a tiny bit of squat since a metal bumper/wench could be in the future). What is the best option to properly do this? My gut says to get lifting coils for the front shocks but I know spacers are thing too (I had Daystars on it prior to the lift to level it out). Would coils be the "better" option (more suspension travel/articulation) or is that not right?

Thank you.

TL;DR - 4Runner is significantly less level (rake) after 1+ year of having lift (Bilstein 6112/5160; Dobinson C59-325 rear coils). Looking for the "ideal" way to lift front end to match rear end; spacers vs coils basically.

 

[mkrunnersd]

Hi and I had the same issue as you and have an 05 limited V8. I think you may have the Bilstein E4-FD1-Z005B50 (600 lb rated Bilstein, # on the spring). I just removed those last weekend and had them at the highest 6 clip. This is the spring that came with my 6112 combo kit.

I read many threads and with same issue and bought the Bilstein 52-291387 (E4-FD1-Z562800 on the spring, 650 lb per Bilstein). Supposedly it is for the V8 or additional weight on Front. It raised it about 1/2" at clip 3 setting. Ride is a lot better even on broken pavement but I plan to put to clip 5 to raise another 1/2" since i'm not satisfied.

I haven't had a chance to take a photo yet but can try to for before and after. I'm running 275/70/17.

Mike

 

[certifiedbamf]

Hi and I had the same issue as you and have an 05 limited V8. I think you may have the Bilstein E4-FD1-Z005B50 (600 lb rated Bilstein, # on the spring). I just removed those last weekend and had them at the highest 6 clip. This is the spring that came with my 6112 combo kit.

I read many threads and with same issue and bought the Bilstein 52-291387 (E4-FD1-Z562800 on the spring, 650 lb per Bilstein). Supposedly it is for the V8 or additional weight on Front. It raised it about 1/2" at clip 3 setting. Ride is a lot better even on broken pavement but I plan to put to clip 5 to raise another 1/2" since i'm not satisfied.

I haven't had a chance to take a photo yet but can try to for before and after. I'm running 275/70/17.

Mike

Thank you for the reply!

Now that you mention it, I remember reading in the installation guide for the kit itself something about the V8 being heavier so the lift height would be different from a V6. Once I read that it seemed obvious but I already had the kit so I just installed it anyway...and here we are.

I'll be looking into getting new coils other than spacers. I might get some Dobinsons just to match the rear unless they don't make some that will fit around the shock itself. Something I'll have to email them about.

My ride quality is fantastic also. It had blown out XREAS before so it was very soggy and now its tight but still soft when it needs to be. Especially on bumpy roads. Just goes right through washboards.

Love the look of your 4Runner, by the way. Those wheels are amazing. The gold really works for your paint.

Cheers.

 

[mkrunnersd]

Hi and thanks for the compliment.

Just a FYI. Coils are Bilstein and the 6100s require typically a 3" diameter (for the 2.5 diameter strut) 14" long spring. I believe King had a spring that was equivalent per a previous post in the Forum.

I was able to get the Bilsteins on Amazon 2 weeks ago but kind of disappointed in the lift height so far at the 3rd clip setting. It did lift it 0.4" but I plan to raise the clip from 3 to 5 soon. I think the Bilstein Manual reflects V6 lift heights with the clips. I'll post if I make the adjustment.

Mike

Thank you for the reply!

Now that you mention it, I remember reading in the installation guide for the kit itself something about the V8 being heavier so the lift height would be different from a V6. Once I read that it seemed obvious but I already had the kit so I just installed it anyway...and here we are.

I'll be looking into getting new coils other than spacers. I might get some Dobinsons just to match the rear unless they don't make some that will fit around the shock itself. Something I'll have to email them about.

My ride quality is fantastic also. It had blown out XREAS before so it was very soggy and now its tight but still soft when it needs to be. Especially on bumpy roads. Just goes right through washboards.

Love the look of your 4Runner, by the way. Those wheels are amazing. The gold really works for your paint.

Cheers.

 

[Tironeous]

Get the heavier 650lb spring from Bilstein. I’m on clip 3 with a 1/4” driver spacer and it’s got just about 1/4” of rake. Rears are 5160s with Icon 2” spring.

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[mkrunnersd]

Finally finished my setup at Clip 5 but still minor rubbing. Need alignment and adjust caster and hopefully it goes away. Overall with the 650lbs Bilstein springs, the lift was 1.25" from the 600lbs springs. Attached are the photos. Ride is more stiff but more controlled. I think Bilstein doesn't have the correct spring for the 6112 kit I purchased.

Mike

 

[Flybynight]

Same thing happened to mine, I did the 5100's and brand new springs, its down to dang near stock front end height but it use to be level.. I'll just have a shop compress the springs and slide it up to the 2 or 3 inch setting and then re-align it

 

[certifiedbamf]

Finally finished my setup at Clip 5 but still minor rubbing. Need alignment and adjust caster and hopefully it goes away. Overall with the 650lbs Bilstein springs, the lift was 1.25" from the 600lbs springs. Attached are the photos. Ride is more stiff but more controlled. I think Bilstein doesn't have the correct spring for the 6112 kit I purchased.

Mike

Sorry for the late reply I've been on TDY but wow this is great thank you for the pictures. Looks like springs are exactly what I need to get the height right. That looks absolutely perfect. I couldn't find the springs on Amazon but it looks like my local 4 Wheel Parts actually has them in stock ($166 according to their site; Link)which is even better. I will probably stick with Bilstein and skip on the Dobinson springs since I can't seem to find proof that they're a viable option. I'm sure they are perfectly fine but it seems safer to just put a Bilstein coil on a Bilstein shock.

Get the heavier 650lb spring from Bilstein. I’m on clip 3 with a 1/4” driver spacer and it’s got just about 1/4” of rake. Rears are 5160s with Icon 2” spring.

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Your ride looks amazing too and it's sitting almost exactly how I'd want mine to sit. I'm going to follow in your footsteps and add the 1/4" spacer on the driver's side as well because I have noticed mine sits ever so slightly lower there. Love that wheel and tire combo it looks very aggressive.
Are you running wheel spacers or are your wheels/tires just that wide? How's your alignment and is there any rubbing? That's something I want too is a little bit more of an aggressive stance like yours.

 

[y=mx+b]

I'm personally a fan of rake. Then when I load it up, it will level out and not squat. I really like how yours looks with some rake to it. If you want to bump up the front, moving the bilsteins up one notch will probably get you to where you want without having to buy anything else

This is mine empty (probably 2-3" larger in hub to fender for the back)


This is loaded to the roof + hitch hauler, and its probably only barely squatting (slightly smaller tires, but same dealio). If starting out leveled, then it would have squatted

 

[Tironeous]

Your ride looks amazing too and it's sitting almost exactly how I'd want mine to sit. I'm going to follow in your footsteps and add the 1/4" spacer on the driver's side as well because I have noticed mine sits ever so slightly lower there. Love that wheel and tire combo it looks very aggressive.
Are you running wheel spacers or are your wheels/tires just that wide? How's your alignment and is there any rubbing? That's something I want too is a little bit more of an aggressive stance like yours.

Thanks! I’d say 1/4” or maybe even 3/8” spacer on the driver side will do you right. Measure twice order once kind of situation.

No wheel spacers. The wheels are SCS Gen5 17x8.5 with -10 offset. Tires are 285/70/17 Falken Wildpeaks. There’s a nice amount of poke.

I also have Total Chaos UCAs. For the alignment I believe I ended up with 3.6 caster. I pushed the fender liner pretty far forward and did not need to trim the bumper. I removed the mudflaps and had to trim some inner plastic pieces by where the mudflap was. I definitely need a body lift chop because it rubs at lock, over bumps, and sometimes in reverse. Totally fine for daily driving but would be annoying on trails.


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[certifiedbamf]

I'm personally a fan of rake. Then when I load it up, it will level out and not squat. I really like how yours looks with some rake to it. If you want to bump up the front, moving the bilsteins up one notch will probably get you to where you want without having to buy anything else

This is mine empty (probably 2-3" larger in hub to fender for the back)



This is loaded to the roof + hitch hauler, and its probably only barely squatting (slightly smaller tires, but same dealio). If starting out leveled, then it would have squatted

Yeah I can understand that for sure. I don't load it up frequently enough to justify keeping that much rake but honestly yours looks amazing. I notice the rake but it is significantly higher overall and just looks good. I checked out your build thread as well and you've put quite a bit of work into yours. Might have to refer back to some of the things you put in there later on. Those photos with the suspension flex are insanely cool. Well done.

Thanks! I’d say 1/4” or maybe even 3/8” spacer on the driver side will do you right. Measure twice order once kind of situation.

No wheel spacers. The wheels are SCS Gen5 17x8.5 with -10 offset. Tires are 285/70/17 Falken Wildpeaks. There’s a nice amount of poke.

I also have Total Chaos UCAs. For the alignment I believe I ended up with 3.6 caster. I pushed the fender liner pretty far forward and did not need to trim the bumper. I removed the mudflaps and had to trim some inner plastic pieces by where the mudflap was. I definitely need a body lift chop because it rubs at lock, over bumps, and sometimes in reverse. Totally fine for daily driving but would be annoying on trails.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I removed to the mudflaps as well but didn't even think to trim the inner plastic. I moved the front well plastic up and trimmed the bumper so that should be covered for when I get this squared away even though it sounds like I didn't need to trim anything. Oh well you can't even tell unless you get right up to it.

I have the exact same wheel specs as yours minus the offset. Mine is +00 so that might be why mine don't poke as much as yours.



Alright I bought the springs from my local 4 Wheel Parts and just decided to have them install it as well later this month. I don't have the time to set aside for the job plus I'm not sure I'm savvy enough with this particular vehicle (spring compressors in particular plus for the past 6 or so years I've only done my own work on an E46 M3 which is a bit different).

They're all about off roading so I trust I'll end up with a proper alignment. I will update when everything is done.

Thank you all for the help and tips!

 

[certifiedbamf]

UPDATE on front spring install

Well it's been a little while since I've been on here. Lots of holidays and just busy overall. Not sure if anyone will see this but I said I'd update so here it is.

I had the new springs installed on 27 Oct so a little time has passed. Initially, it was a noticeable lift and it was even almost level. But nothing like I was expecting based on what I've seen from the other posts in this thread. Now, 2 months later, it seems it has "settled" and the significant rake has returned(see pictures; sorry about lighting. Can't get a clear day in Washington this time of year). Although, when compared to my original photos(first post), it is still higher up front but just barely.

I checked to make sure the shop (4 Wheel Parts) didn't move the ring for the 6112's and they didn't. It's still on highest setting(6th "groove").

So now I'm not sure how to proceed. I feel like springs are the best way to properly lift it but it would be infinitely easier to just slap some lift spacers on it.

I'll be deploying soon so I won't be able to do anything for quite awhile.

Any recommendations? Spacers or springs? Also what brand? I'm thinking Dobinsons for springs since that's what I have on the rear for a lift. But for spacers I don't know. Before my suspension lift I had Daystar spacers to level it out but I'm not sure if it would be too much or too little. I want level with very slight squat at most.

Thank you!