My SR5 Build

[Firefighter EMT]

I took delivery of my 2011 SR5 last week. I have added P275/70/17 Silent Armorers, and just ordered front 5100's (plan to set at 1.75") and rear OME 895E springs (1" lift with slight rate increase). Hopefully, my suspension set-up will remove some of the factory rake and improve handling and towing performance, while increasing ground clearance. The tires are awesome so far. Very quiet and look much better than the Bridgestone 265's. Mileage does not seem to be affected. Tires are "C" load range. Pics will follow as soon as lift is installed.

 

[angrydog]

Congrats on the new rig and welcome to the forums. Now judging by your username, I want to see your strobe light bar mod .

 

[Firefighter EMT]

Since I'm a firefighter / EMT inside a large oil refinery, I doubt I'll need the strobe bar....lol!:surfer:

 

[philsey]

..... a firefighter ....... inside a large oil refinery.....

:wow2:

 

[Falls]

Since I'm a firefighter / EMT inside a large oil refinery, I doubt I'll need the strobe bar....lol!:surfer:

Yes but it would be so cool looking !!!!!

I plan on emergency led lighting in the near future .

 

[x67934]

I almost went with the Silent Armors, but in the LT Load C version they were over $200 a piece, but nonetheless they are a great tire.

 

[2010riddle]

I was looking to do the same lift. stoked to see how this comes out. subscribed. :snacker:

 

[Firefighter EMT]

After talking to the guys at Wheeler's Offroad and ARB USA today, I changed my build plans and decided to go with OME 883's up front with stock shocks, and 895E's in the rear with stock shocks. ARB said that their new shocks and struts are valved differently than their old Nitrocharger shocks and they give a much firmer ride. Not wanting a firm ride, ARB suggested that I run their springs with the factory shocks. They said that brake dive and vehicle sway should be much improved without firming up the ride. The 883 springs have a 590lb spring rate, compared to the factory 500 lb rating. Net lift is estimated to be 1.75 - 2.0". The rear 895E's have a spring rate of 260lbs, stock rate is 150lbs. Net lift 1 - 1.5". So, if everything goes as planned, I should obtain about 1.75" net lift, reduce rake by .25 - 1", and reduce brake dive and sway, while maintaining a near stock ride. Should have everything installed by next Friday.

 

[2010riddle]

Bam! Nice work.

I want to get rid of the u-boat handling, be able to haul more gear without the rear sagging and cleanly run 285's, but don't want to go 3" of lift.

I had been debating on what springs to go with in the rear if i put 5100's up front. Wheelers has the sway-away rear coils that are supposed to give only about 1.5" of lift with a 12% rate increase, but i was hesitant thinking that the 5100's with the stock coils up front would not be enough to eliminate the brake dive. Perhaps this all OME setup on stock shocks will be much better overall. :tongue:

 

[desertred]

Definitely post the results to see of the handling results you desired were obtained. Sounds like you have the same desires for suspension/handling improvements as I do.

 

[harper7]

I was going to use the 895E's in the rear when I bought my suspension since I was looking for only 1 1/2" lift in the back. I did'nt buy them but was told on the other forums that the OME's at 260 lbs would be very very firm for a stock truck with no weight in the back .

I went with SAW's and they gave about 1 1/2" in the rear and are plenty stiff at 213lb. I read somewhere that the stock rear springs on the 5ths are 180lbs ,not 150 but I can't find it now.

Here's an outdated chart on some rear spring rates .It's even before the 895e'S were out but it gives a general idea..... I think Downey and Deaver are out of business too. Rear Spring Comparison - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

The good thing about it is... rear springs are so easy to change out and they do hold their value. So if they don't work for ya ....just swap them out and sell them .

 

[Firefighter EMT]

I had my springs installed yesterday. The 883's upfront netted 1.5" - 1.75" and the rear 895E's netted 1.75". Overall, extremely happy. The brake dive is no longer noticable and the body sway is much less. Vehicle feels much more stable when entering and exiting off-ramps at higher speeds. The ride is still very comfortable, with just a slight increase in firmness in the rear when driving over potholes. Do not notice any differnece in ride in the frontend. Hopefully will be able to take pics today. If I had to do it over, I would probably add the OME 10mm trim packers to the front to remove a little of the factory rake.

 

[Falls]

I had my springs installed yesterday. The 883's upfront netted 1.5" - 1.75" and the rear 895E's netted 1.75". Overall, extremely happy. The brake dive is no longer noticable and the body sway is much less. Vehicle feels much more stable when entering and exiting off-ramps at higher speeds. The ride is still very comfortable, with just a slight increase in firmness in the rear when driving over potholes. Do not notice any differnece in ride in the frontend. Hopefully will be able to take pics today. If I had to do it over, I would probably add the OME 10mm trim packers to the front to remove a little of the factory rake.

So who did you end up ordering from ?

Sounds what I would like to do.

Are the factory shocks ok with the taller springs/lift at full flex ??

 

[2010riddle]

nice! any pictures for us? :beer:

 

[Firefighter EMT]

I ordered everything from Wheeler's Offroad. They were a great bunch of guys to work with and when I called ARB for spring specs, the ARB tech mentioned that Wheeler's really knows their suspensions.

The stock shocks work just fine for me. I was told by the ARB tech that I could gain some rear suspension travel if I added their shocks, but the ride would not be as comfy as the factory ride. To me, I'd rather have the softer ride than the extra travel (10-15mm).

I was hoping to take some pics today, but the weather in NW Ohio is not cooperating. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[Firefighter EMT]

Here are a few pics....

 

[SeattleMike]

looks good man

 

[B'klyn_Mike]

Looking good there Firefighter EMT! :thumb3:

Did you have/need it aligned? If so, were there any problems doing the alignment?


Mike :artist2:

 

[Falls]

That look perfect IMO !! nice job and nice choices on the suspension. Tasteful without overkill . How much rake do you have compared to before ?? I know my stock rake is at about 2.25" measuring the fender lips front and back .

I've bought stuff from Wheelers Off-Road before and always have had exceptional service and advice , I agree they do know their stuff .

Mike

 

[Firefighter EMT]

I did have it aligned after the spring install and the tech said it easily adjusted to within factory specs. Prior to the lift, my factory rake was 1.0" measured to the fender lips. Afterwards, rake is 1.5". I think the 884 springs might have been a better choice. ARB said the 884's are the same rate as the 883's, but 15mm taller. However, with the current rake and increased rear spring rate, I shouldn't have any sagging when loaded with camping gear.