New Suspension and Questions

ImOnAPlain51

ImOnAPlain51

New member
Well, I've recently finished school and got a job in New Mexico (made it back to my home state!). Now, I've been thinking about making a few mods to my pretty much stock 2010 SR5. I spend most of my time on the highway, but will occasionally make a few offroad trips...nothing too crazy. I fly fish, hunt, camp, and snowboard. My goals are more aggressive look, more comfortable ride, reduce SR5 body roll, and an increase in capability offroad.

After reading all these threads on T4R.org, I am planning on a stage I Icon kit from Metal-Tech. They seem the cheapest with their coupon code....think it comes out to $1667 with free shipping and no tax. 2010 5th Gen 4Runner Stage 1 Lift - Metal Tech 4x4

Couple of questions...

1. Will this be a good beginner set-up for my 5th gen and accomplish my goals.
2. I'm am still unclear about UCA's and if I would need them. I see the light racing arms on Amazon for 390$ with Prime shipping/no tax.

Any other tips or advice before I click "buy" would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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I remember paying $2000 for stage 1 kit with icon tubular uniball UCAs. It was during a icon sale that metal tech was having. No tax with free shipping. I love the ride and look. It stiffened up the front end and allows clearance for tires and offroad capabilities.
 
Yes, that would be a great kit. I'd recommend getting some UCA's while you're at it. You might not 'need' them, but it seems like a hand in hand part with the lift kit in order to get the alignment back to stock once lifted.

Also, I don't know if these lift kits provide a 'more comfortable' ride. I'd say mine provided a more comfortable ride offroad, but less comfortable on road...
 
Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Maybe I'll just suck it up and get the light racing UCA's and complete the lift. The ICON UCA's are quite a bit more.
[MENTION=44999]HOJeepster[/MENTION]... I guess I misspoke when I said a more comfortable ride, just hopefully get rid of the body sway and roll of the SR5s....the stiffer GY Silent Armors helped a little bit. I don't mind it riding a lil rough.
 
Yup you'll really like that set up! I also suggest you get the upper arms as you will need them if/when you decide to go with a bigger tire. You might also consider getting the extended travel coilovers as they are the same price and offer about 2" more travel, with these you will need the UCA's or the upper ball joint will bind at full droop.

Happy modding :D
 
Qjake said:
Yup you'll really like that set up! I also suggest you get the upper arms as you will need them if/when you decide to go with a bigger tire. You might also consider getting the extended travel coilovers as they are the same price and offer about 2" more travel, with these you will need the UCA's or the upper ball joint will bind at full droop.

Happy modding :D
Click to expand...

Alright, I will check those out...you guys are convincing me to go ahead and get the UCA's.
 
Qjake said:
Yup you'll really like that set up! I also suggest you get the upper arms as you will need them if/when you decide to go with a bigger tire. You might also consider getting the extended travel coilovers as they are the same price and offer about 2" more travel, with these you will need the UCA's or the upper ball joint will bind at full droop.

Happy modding :D
Click to expand...

This. Get the extended travel coil overs and LR UCAs.
 
Alrighty, I took your advice... It is done.

This is what I ordered from Metal-Tech:

ICON-5-2700 ICON 03-Current 4Runner 2" Lift Rear Coil Springs
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

ICON-5-6505 ICON 2003-Current 4Runner Rear 2.0 VS Series Shocks
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

ICON-5-8647 2010+ FJ Cruiser Ext. Travel Front Coil-Over Shock Kit
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

LR-25480 FJ Cruiser/03+ 4Runner Light Racing UCA's
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

:boink:

Thanks for help, now if it all still runs after I put it together.
 
ImOnAPlain51 said:
Alrighty, I took your advice... It is done.

This is what I ordered from Metal-Tech:

ICON-5-2700 ICON 03-Current 4Runner 2" Lift Rear Coil Springs
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

ICON-5-6505 ICON 2003-Current 4Runner Rear 2.0 VS Series Shocks
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

ICON-5-8647 2010+ FJ Cruiser Ext. Travel Front Coil-Over Shock Kit
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

LR-25480 FJ Cruiser/03+ 4Runner Light Racing UCA's
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

:boink:

Thanks for help, now if it all still runs after I put it together.
Click to expand...

Nice! You'll be happy with that set up :boink:
 
ImOnAPlain51 said:
Alrighty, I took your advice... It is done.

This is what I ordered from Metal-Tech:

ICON-5-2700 ICON 03-Current 4Runner 2" Lift Rear Coil Springs
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

ICON-5-6505 ICON 2003-Current 4Runner Rear 2.0 VS Series Shocks
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

ICON-5-8647 2010+ FJ Cruiser Ext. Travel Front Coil-Over Shock Kit
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

LR-25480 FJ Cruiser/03+ 4Runner Light Racing UCA's
5% Discount for Toyota-4Runner Members
Vehicle: Toyota - 4Runner - 2010

:boink:

Thanks for help, now if it all still runs after I put it together.
Click to expand...

Do you mind me asking what you paid exactly for this setup?
 
tamerunner said:
Do you mind me asking what you paid exactly for this setup?
Click to expand...

It came out to $2097. From reading around on this forum, I could have probably waited for a special and gotten a better deal, but I have a vacation coming up and needed to get it done then.

This setup will raise by 4Runner by 4inches in the back right? Just wanted to make sure I calculated it right, bc I still want it fitting in my garage...lol.
 
Make sure to read the numerous suspension install threads for very handy tips. A few off the top of my head:
- Remove the ABS sensors and all wiring, move it out of the way.
- Disconnect sway bars and use bottle/scissor jack to gain clearance.
- Install the UCA ball joint in the "stock" position, which I think is SPC logo facing out.
- The nut on top of the rear shocks is kinda of a PITA, it is shorter than stock, or the icon bushings are larger, making it hard to get the threads started. A prybar between the nut and the body will help to compress the bushings so you can get the threads started.

The hardest part will probably be finding someone that can align it correctly. My advise would be to find somewhere that you can talk to the tech performing the work, and let them know the procedure for aligning with these aftermarket UCAs, which is basically this:
- Max out caster to 4+ degrees with the cam bolts
- set camber using the UCA ball joint
- make sure to properly torque the UCA nut
 
Jeremy556 said:
Make sure to read the numerous suspension install threads for very handy tips. A few off the top of my head:
- Remove the ABS sensors and all wiring, move it out of the way.
- Disconnect sway bars and use bottle/scissor jack to gain clearance.
- Install the UCA ball joint in the "stock" position, which I think is SPC logo facing out.
- The nut on top of the rear shocks is kinda of a PITA, it is shorter than stock, or the icon bushings are larger, making it hard to get the threads started. A prybar between the nut and the body will help to compress the bushings so you can get the threads started.

The hardest part will probably be finding someone that can align it correctly. My advise would be to find somewhere that you can talk to the tech performing the work, and let them know the procedure for aligning with these aftermarket UCAs, which is basically this:
- Max out caster to 4+ degrees with the cam bolts
- set camber using the UCA ball joint
- make sure to properly torque the UCA nut
Click to expand...

Hey Jeremy, thanks for the tips...I appreciate it. Had helped my little brother install a spacer kit on his 4th gen....but didn't really have to mess with the UCA's. I haven't really looked much into how to change them yet. I had been reading/rereading the alignment threads. I think your 3 lines summed up about 20 pages of reading I did...haha. It'll be about 2 weeks before I get around to doing this. Gonna probably wait till my vacation and I visit the family farm and use all those tools.

On another note, does Metal-Tech still give spanner wrenches with their ICON coilovers? I had read several threads on here where people got them. I did not.
 
After having 2 shops not be able to align my setup correctly, I read and re-read every alignment post here and summed it up the best I could, and was finally able to get a correct alignment.

As far as I know, they do not come with the spanner wrench, it must be purchased separately. I inadvertently relocated my spanner to a storage unit that is now about 6 hours away, and needed to adjust my coilovers after installing a winch. After a bit of research on bent/broken spanners, I decided I would probably be better off with an improvised solution.

I can't recall the exact size, as it was SAE and I don't do fractions, but somewhere near an 8-9mm allen wrench (in SAE size), combined with a small sledge hammer, I was able to adjust my coilovers pretty easily. Just make sure to loosen the locking bolt, and if adjusting after install, spray the threads with penetrating oil for a few days.
 
ImOnAPlain51 said:
Hey Jeremy, thanks for the tips...I appreciate it. Had helped my little brother install a spacer kit on his 4th gen....but didn't really have to mess with the UCA's. I haven't really looked much into how to change them yet. I had been reading/rereading the alignment threads. I think your 3 lines summed up about 20 pages of reading I did...haha. It'll be about 2 weeks before I get around to doing this. Gonna probably wait till my vacation and I visit the family farm and use all those tools.

On another note, does Metal-Tech still give spanner wrenches with their ICON coilovers? I had read several threads on here where people got them. I did not.
Click to expand...

I got my kit back in May and I did not get my spanner wrench although it said it is included.
 
Alex T4R said:
I got my kit back in May and I did not get my spanner wrench although it said it is included.
Click to expand...

I called Metal Tech earlier today, the guy I spoke to said I shoulda got one....but someone else would have to call me back and take care of it. So far no ones called me back, guess we'll see.
 
ImOnAPlain51 said:
I called Metal Tech earlier today, the guy I spoke to said I shoulda got one....but someone else would have to call me back and take care of it. So far no ones called me back, guess we'll see.
Click to expand...

I've have been on the phone with LT multiple times and he even send one to the wrong address, at this point i'm just tired calling all the time. Let me know how you make out.
 
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