Need opinion and input.

[truman3]

I have read every thread on the topic so many times that I have literally confused myself to the point of no return... Here it is plain and simple.

I have a 2008 Limited 2wd. One owner, 99k miles with XREAS. There are no signs of leaking, etc with xreas but I think it rides a little rough (coming out of a suburban, though) and the rake is pretty substantial. My original idea was to level the front but the more reading I do the more trouble I have with a direction.

Number one concern is budget. This vehicle will spend 91% of its life on highways and city streets with an occasional camping trip and some fun at the ranch, but no rocks or technical off-roading. So there you have the facts and here is where I need your help.

1) Only add 1" spacer to level front and call it a quits until xreas does.

2) Bils 5100 front with stock coils (+.85), Bils 4600 rear with stock coils.

3) FJ stock front set up, Bils 4600 rear with stock coils.

4. _____ (your input here.) ______

I am fine with 1"-3" of lift but care more about level stance.
Not interested in changing any components other than shocks/struts/coils.
This is my daily driver now and needs to be a comfortable ride on the road.

Thanks for your help.

 

[03limited2WD]

I'm in the same boat. Ahoy there.
I decided on option 4 and I'm getting ready to do the following this weekend (hopefully, if I find the time)

5100s front and rear
Stock springs
Daystar 1.5 spacers in the back
Bils set at 2.5 in the front
1.25 hub centric wheel adapters
265/70/17 on stock rims (maybe in a few weeks)
And an alignment

I'm going for full budget lift.

I figure it it changes the ride too much, I can always toss the daystars, lower the front to .85 to level the rake and remove the adapters. The tires will still fit the wheelwells too.

Mines a RWD V6 limited as well, so therefore relevant.
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[AZ07Runner]

I hear you on going around in circles about what to do!

I'm a fan of doing things once so I would go with #2 since you'll be spending more money later, again, if you do #1.

I don't know how 4600s compare to 5100s for the rears or how they ride with stock springs. Someone else will have to chime in on that one.

 

[truman3]

I just read that the 4600 is not as aggressive valving potentially resulting in a smoother ride in the rear. If there is not much difference I would go 5100 rear as well.

 

[truckhigh]

if your gonna stick with stock tire size and rims go with the #2. It will give you the option to upsize your tire in the future. You will eventually get bigger tires. Its the curse of going on this forum

 

[Xrider237]

you said your #1 concern is budget- maybe for now a front spacer is your best option- you can get a daystar pretty cheap..

run that for a year or 2 and maybe by then you'll know exactly what you want, and you'll have time to save up

the bilstein 5100 w fj 4x4 springs is your best bang for the buck according to many here

 

[radlynx]

just go for it man! whatever you decide will be the best thing that you can do and be happy with it. sometimes, I do the same thing and get puzzled with so many options that I spend most of my time researching and not accomplish anything.

enjoy your ride!

 

[preacher35]

OP, your front coils are sagging, hence your dramatic rake toward the front. Even though your XREAS is not yet leaking, it will be leaking within the next 20k. Considering your driving habits and needs, You should consider the FJ coil/Bilstein shock route. The FJ coils can be bought for a bargain and they will kill two birds with one stone: give you a little bit firmer ride and level the vehicle. Any talk about spacers is simply a temporary band aid that will not improve the vehicle's ride whatsoever. And you will be replacing the front suspension within a year anyway (read: doing or paying for the labor all over again, not to mention another alignment). I wish I had bypassed the spacer deal and went straight to new suspension. Would have saved me a ton of work and money with much more pleasing results.

 

[inscarguy]

how about this option. go with a daystar 2.5-1.5 lift. leave the xreas alone. this will give you a nice small lift and more clearance if you want to upsize the tires later. I did this 3.5 years ago, best thing I did. my 4runner rides great. get compliments on the ride all the time. still have the xreas, no problems, used 1.5 off road spacers and it looks good.

when the xreas eventually fails go for bilstein stock replacement struts and shocks. you will not be disappointed.

so far with the spacers and lift I have about 300.00 in my whole lift kit.

 

[Xrider237]

OP, your front coils are sagging, hence your dramatic rake toward the front. Even though your XREAS is not yet leaking, it will be leaking within the next 20k. Considering your driving habits and needs, You should consider the FJ coil/Bilstein shock route. The FJ coils can be bought for a bargain and they will kill two birds with one stone: give you a little bit firmer ride and level the vehicle. Any talk about spacers is simply a temporary band aid that will not improve the vehicle's ride whatsoever. And you will be replacing the front suspension within a year anyway (read: doing or paying for the labor all over again, not to mention another alignment). I wish I had bypassed the spacer deal and went straight to new suspension. Would have saved me a ton of work and money with much more pleasing results.

you make a very good point- if he's able to install the spacers himself thats a big difference from paying a garage...still have an alignment to pay for however...i went through this myself- actually bought a daystar kit but was $$ to have it installed, then i realized im much better off just getting a new suspension and be done with it..

 

[truckhigh]

i wouldn't recommend putting a spacer lift on some 100k old shocks and springs. if you are really trying to keep it a budget build just go with a full oem fj set up. pick it up on cl and install it your self. i had x reas and i hated it with and without a spacer. Putting a spacer on it was harder then putting a whole new set up. Don't waste any money on xreas.

 

[wadle5]

#2 is great.
#3 might be cheaper scraping up parts off the forums

#1 will just make you wanting more and be a waste of money as you will want an actual lift, and not just spacers.

Good LUCK

 

[marc_l71]

Why do double the work with just adding a spacer and waiting for the xreas to go out? you will have to tear it apart to install the front spacer. So if you have it apart might as well go with #2 or #3. YOU WILL BE SATISFIED! I did the budget boost with just shocks. I didn't have the budget to do 2 or 3 at the time.

 

[robaroni]

Do the Bilstein 5100 and new Moog 4runner V8 springs front and back. I just did my buddies truck for $460. Set the front at .85 and you'll be level. I love the ride.

 

[allhenyia]

I hear you on going around in circles about what to do!

 

[Tyota89]

I had a 05' and put a spacer on the front. Installed at 50k sold at 140k never had an issue it rode the same to me.

 

[dchild]

Do the Bilstein 5100 and new Moog 4runner V8 springs front and back. I just did my buddies truck for $460. Set the front at .85 and you'll be level. I love the ride.

+1

This gave my V6 4WD a 2" lift in the front since Moog's front V8 springs are an inch longer than the stock V6 springs, but they have a comparable spring rate (as opposed to the Moog FJ springs which have a much higher spring rate and will give a stiffer ride). IIRC another member with a V6 2WD got almost 3" with these springs and 5100's @ .85.

I got an inch of lift in the back so there is still some rake. I recommend a single .5" spacer for the rear driver's coil for side-to-side leveling.

 

[swanny]

I went option #4, or am working on it right now. I have a fullTacoma TRD Offroad suspension that should be arriving today with only 4k miles on it. Just have to decide whether to keep my V8 rear springs or upgrade to some FJ rears. Guess I'll probably install it all and see how it looks. When it comes time for tires, I'll only be going up a small bit to 265/70-17, to many highway miles daily on it to go 285.

 

[truman3]

Thanks for all the help.

I think I am here now...

TRD stock front (complete with 6k mi)
4600/5100 on the rear (whichever is cheaper) with stock rear springs.

 

[truman3]

The tacoma trd complete front should yield 1.5" up in the front. Im thinking that plus a 3/4" spacer getting 2.5+/- total lift up front.

Using a 5100 or 4600 in the rear, what easily obtainable coil spring will give 1-2" of rise over the stock spring and comfortable rate?

I think this set up would solve my problem and get me a nice and level ride.

PS- the reason I am leaning towards the trd stock front is because I can get both completely assembled for a 100 dollar bill, ready to install. Reviews are good on the ride and handling and its a cheap way for me to do it. They are the 5100 (non-adjust) factory set up with 6kmilea before taken off.