MRpink's Build Thread

[MRpink]

I wasn't planning on making a thread but the forum has been a huge help to me so hopefully others will find something here useful. Now onto the truck! My current goal is OEM+, this is my daily driver so modifications must be reliable and low maintenance. She'll be on pavement most the time but will see snow and dirt when I'm feeling adventurous.

Current parts:
-OEM All Weather Floor Mats
-Weathertech Cargo Liner (42230)
-Yorkim LEDs
-Bilstein 5100 (set to 0")
-Wheeler's T1 and T12 springs
-Wheeler's 1/4" spacer (front left to correct driver side lean)
-KYB Strut Mount Plates (SM5640)
-FJ wheels ('10-'13)
-BFG KO2 265/70/17 Load Range C (set to 40 psi)
-Hella Optilux 9006 Yellow Bulbs

Parts to be installed:
-Blue Ridge Overland Visor Organizer

Stock with 155K miles and 10 year old suspension.

Current.

 

[MRpink]

Yesterday I received some packages from Wheeler's Off-Road!

Doing the install myself so I'll take a lot of pictures and detailed pre and post measurements. Suspension will go on early next week, then I'll schedule tire mount & balance and alignment.

If anyone cares, this is why I picked Bilstein 5100 and Wheeler's T1/T12 springs:

I was torn between the Bilstein 5100 and OME (Slee's Low Lift). I wanted the highest lift possible while retaining the stock UCA, alignment specs, and safe CV angles. I was sold on OME's quality and performance but ultimately decided to go with the 5100 because I was able to save money, they met my driving needs, and they're proven among many platforms. The only negatives I read were that they ride too firm on the 4th gen, but I wanted a firmer ride (sporty) and I think most complaints came from people setting the perch too high and consequently adding too much preload to the springs. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

As for springs, I'm taking a bit of a gamble and going with Wheeler's T1 and T12. I searched every forum and found no 4th gens with this combo. The T12 is re-branded Eibach/SAW 1.5 so I know what I'm getting, but I found conflicting information about the T1 actual lift height (Wheeler's say 1.75"). Either way, I should be getting close to my 2" lift (higher if you consider my sagging 155K suspension) and slightly higher than stock spring rate

 

[MRpink]

Finally installed my Bilstein 5100 (set to 0") and Wheeler's T1 & T12 springs! I'm very happy with the results so far, firmer ride (not rough) and exact lift I wanted.

Below are my before and after numbers (18" Limited wheels + Bridgestone Dueler 265/60/18). Hub to fender and floor to fender numbers shown. I gained 4" in front and ~2.5" in the rear. On the front left, I did add a 1/4" spacer to correct the driver side lean.

The install was fairly straight forward, a 2nd person definitely helped. The fronts were a breeze using the no spring compressor method, but I had a lot of trouble getting the rear springs in and ended up having to use spring compressors.

before

after

before

after - passed the Heineken test

pleased with the CV angle

I followed these 3 write ups:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/166207-bilstein-fj-suspension-install-write-up.html

OME Install - no spring compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

OME Suspension Install on 4Runner - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

For anyone attempting to do this install, be sure to clock the end of the spring toward the rear and for the Bilstein rear shock, here is the correct bushing orientation.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Interesting....

My rear FJ's are starting to sag/bounce a bit and considered this setup as well as I wanted to keep about a 2.5 lift.

I'm curious to see if those springs settle a bit.

 

[MRpink]

Interesting....

My rear FJ's are starting to sag/bounce a bit and considered this setup as well as I wanted to keep about a 2.5 lift.

I'm curious to see if those springs settle a bit.

I'll take new measurements after I log some miles. The T12 are rebranded SAW 1.5 and I've heard nothing but positive reviews.

 

[MRpink]

Got my FJ wheels and BFG KO2 265/70/17 Load Range C (40 psi) mounted and road force balanced, followed by an alignment at Aligntechs in San Jose (absolutely excellent service!). I put about 70 miles on the highway after and the difference was night and day, much nicer ride overall. Handling, acceleration, and braking inputs improved with better feedback and a more direct feel (like a sports car).

As for the alignment, everything was within spec except for caster. The driver side was close to spec, but passenger was maxed out at 1.4 so driver side was adjusted to match. The camber was set to 0.3 but should be closer to 0 as the suspension settles a bit. As mentioned above, I drove for 70 miles afterward and was happy, the caster didn't make it feel floaty at all.

 

[MRpink]

Installed Hella Optilux yellow bulbs.

Real world test. :smokin:

 

[theoutbackdream]

Rig looks really good! Can't wait to see what else you do to your rig

 

[.paul]

Did your springs settle down at all?

 

[mizak82]

i like your suspension set up... I'm about to do basically the same thing..

i want 265/70/17 KO2s.. bilstein shocks.. and have 1.5 wheel spacers already..

im torn on the springs though.. was hoping for your input.. I was going to go with the 2.5 eibach front and T12 1.5 rear.. do you think that will make the 4Runner nose high and or make the wheels look tiny.. if it makes it nose high, should I just go 2' toytec springs in the back to match the 2.5?

your saying your at about 2 inches in the front with the T1? do you have a slight forward rake? pictures don't alway tell the story.. so your lift is really 2/1.5?

thanks..

 

[MRpink]

Did your springs settle down at all?

Not yet, but it hasn't been a month yet. I'll take new measurements after some more time.

i like your suspension set up... I'm about to do basically the same thing..

i want 265/70/17 KO2s.. bilstein shocks.. and have 1.5 wheel spacers already..

im torn on the springs though.. was hoping for your input.. I was going to go with the 2.5 eibach front and T12 1.5 rear.. do you think that will make the 4Runner nose high and or make the wheels look tiny.. if it makes it nose high, should I just go 2' toytec springs in the back to match the 2.5?

your saying your at about 2 inches in the front with the T1? do you have a slight forward rake? pictures don't alway tell the story.. so your lift is really 2/1.5?

thanks..

1) Toytec’s 2.5 and Wheeler’s T1 springs are both made by Eibach. From the information I could find online, I believe they’re the same or very similar. With that said, I don’t think Toytech/Eibach 2.5 front and T12 rear will be nose high. My measurements are below, but with my T1 and T12 combo, my rear was 1.5” – 1.75” higher compared to the front. So even if the Toytec spring is slightly taller compared to the T1, I think the T12 rear will still be taller overall.

About the rear springs, Wheeler’s T12 is relatively new, but they’re just rebranded SAW 1.5, which have been around for a while. Again, they’re also made by Eibach and everyone reported higher than advertised lifts with them, so I think T12 will give you very similar (if not the same) amount of lift as the Toytec 2.0 superflex.

Basically, I think any combination of Toytec/Wheeler/Eibach front and rear springs will give you the appropriate rake and same spring rates. Ultimately, I went with Wheeler’s over Toytec because I wanted black.



2) As for my actual lift, most people (including myself) report higher than advertised lifts because they’re replacing older sagging suspension. Below is my before (stock 18" wheels and tires) and after (17" FJ wheels and KO2) measurements.

My net gain was 3.25” - 4” front and 2.5” - 3” rear.

3) Just my personal opinion but I think the stock tire size is too small for that much lift. BFG KO2 in 265/70/17 looks good though! Here’s a comparison between stock --> 5100/T1/T12 --> FJ/KO2.

 

[DEF4Runner]

I have the same T1/T12/tire size set-up and gained pretty much the same measurements. Using center of the hub to the bottom of the fender stock heights of 19" (F) and 21" (R), I have a 2.25-2.5 lift in all 4 corners, leaving 2" rake, measuring 21.5 in the front and 23.5 in the back.

 

[MRpink]

I have the same T1/T12/tire size set-up and gained pretty much the same measurements. Using center of the hub to the bottom of the fender stock heights of 19" (F) and 21" (R), I have a 2.25-2.5 lift in all 4 corners, leaving 2" rake, measuring 21.5 in the front and 23.5 in the back.

Great that it's consistent for both of us, that info should help someone make a decision.

Did you ever raise your 5100 to the second notch (0.85) or just kept them at zero?

 

[riceandpho]

i think you can get more caster. everyone here told me that with stock uca you can get it more to 3 minimum. also make sure to readjust your headlights and fogs, my thing was so high after the lift.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Great that it's consistent for both of us, that info should help someone make a decision.

Did you ever raise your 5100 to the second notch (0.85) or just kept them at zero?

No. I left them at the '0' setting. It rides great now, but I think the sway bar is hitting the coils at some point though.

 

[MRpink]

i think you can get more caster. everyone here told me that with stock uca you can get it more to 3 minimum. also make sure to readjust your headlights and fogs, my thing was so high after the lift.

My caster is maxed out (sort of). One side got +2.5 but the other side could only get +1.4, so we made them match. It drives perfectly straight, no drifting and doesn't feel floaty so I'm happy.

 

[MRpink]

After a few hundred miles, I noticed the CV boots leaking/squirting some grease. No tears and not too much grease so I followed this thread, Replacing CV bands - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum, and replaced the factory with McMaster-Carr bands. So far so good.

And just a random picture with a friend's Land Cruiser on 35s.

 

[riceandpho]

My caster is maxed out (sort of). One side got +2.5 but the other side could only get +1.4, so we made them match. It drives perfectly straight, no drifting and doesn't feel floaty so I'm happy.

for real tho, you can get more on stock uca, if you can get it atleast 3 then you are golden, its all in the rear camber bolts. when i did my second alignment, i went back to my original guy and told him to set the caster to 3 minimum, its nice that i let him know what i read on the forums and he was happy he didnt have to do any extreme adjustment.

 

[jrm]

Are you considering

removing the running boards?

 

[MRpink]

removing the running boards?

No, I like them! Maybe sliders down the line, but for now they're staying on.