Proud new owner - FJ/5100 questions

[Muninn]

Hi all -

Thanks to some great help on this forum I navigated my way to avoiding some bad 4runners and am the proud new owner of this 2007 4runner Sport v6 4x4!!!

I had it inspected at a toyota dealership prior to purchase. It's in great shape other than a CV boot throwing some grease and two front XREAS shocks leaking. Dealer quoted $2300+ tax. I confirmed they planned to replace the entire system.

i'm planning on putting 5100s in it and FJ springs all around if I can get them. A few questions/confirmations. My driving will be 95% on road and my offroad is probably what this forum would call "light", but hoping to do a bit more.

1) As far as I can tell researching here. The preferred setting for the front 5100s is the first 0.8" setting. Correct?

2) What is the advantage of the FJ springs over OEM? I've read a bit of lift in the rear. Are they stiffer? How do they affect the ride on pavement?

3) My understanding is I'm looking for 2007-Present FJ 4x4 coils. Does it matter how many miles are on them? Found some a few states away with 65k. Found some within driving distance from a 2010 FJ Trail Teams 4x4 A/T with 12k on them for $175. Thougts? And naively since I'm very new to this, how would I be able to confirm they're FJ coils that fit, etc.

4) Aesthetic question. I've seen pictures of yellow and silver 5100s. Silver looks so nice and shiny. Is there a different model number for the silver?

5) Plugging XREAS? I've found enough info to indicate to remove the shock at the second fitting downstream from the shock, but does the shop have to plug that connection w/ something and/or tie to the frame so things aren't rattling around?

I'll also be looking at new tires sometime, but not an immediate need. Thanks everyone! This forum is insanely awesome.

 

[jimithing]

Nice looking 4Runner man, glad to have you.


1. Completely personal preference. Do you want to have a little rake still or try to be level? Look through the Suspension FAQ and Lift and Tire sticky. Both are at the top of the 4th gen forum but here are the links as well. All of your questions should be answered in there.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/51742-lift-tire-central-pics-post-em-up.html

You'll see what it'll look like from people with various settings and lifts. Keep in mind the V6 is a little lighter than the V8 so you'll get a little more lift out of the springs than a V8 will. There's also a link to another thread that shows how much lift people have gained from the various configurations. ARK_SWAMP_RIDER is the guy who compiled it all and IMO the most knowledgeable about it.

2. From what I understand they are a little stiffer but still ride well on pavement. Again, read through the thread and you'll find people giving their first hand experience.

3. I'd try to find someone that took them off right when they bought their FJ. Go register on the FJ forums and see if you can find some. $175 for a set isn't terrible but you can definitely do better or at least fewer miles.

4. The silver 5100's are what I've seen. Someone else may know better.

5. If you're removing XREAS completely there shouldn't be anything left.

Just so it's clear - you're not planning on paying the dealer $2300 to replace XREAS and then you're going to do the FJ/5100's later, right? There's really no reason to replace XREAS. Before you do anything I highly suggest you get real familiar with the Suspension options FAQ at the top of the page. Also, use the site search function and search titles in this forum for Bilstein and you'll have even more reading.

 

[Muninn]

thanks jimithing -

I'll definitely look through those sticky threads. Looked like so many of those setups were fairly decent off road setups, so wanted to make sure I wasn't hunting squirrels with an RPG with the 5100/fj setup.

No, i wasn't planning on replacing XReas. Was just going to get 5100s and FJ coils and have a shop put them on and plug XReas. Was going to tackle full removal myself sometime later, but only if it got in the way.

 

[jimithing]

No, i wasn't planning on replacing XReas. Was just going to get 5100s and FJ coils and have a shop put them on and plug XReas. Was going to tackle full removal myself sometime later, but only if it got in the way.

You can't keep the XREAS and put on the 5100's. They perform the same function. You CAN keep XREAS and put on the FJ coils and there are people who have done that. You'll get a little lift and a stiffer ride that way if that's what you're looking for.

 

[450exc115]

5100s are blue and silver, yellow ones are Bilstein HDs without the ability to adjust the front ride height. FJ trail shocks are blue and silver also and made by Bilstein. Typically you can find low mile FJ springs for around 100 dollars and ebay/fj forum you can find trial shocks for around 100-150.

Remove the xreas suspension and be done with it. Depending on what warrentee you got with the 4runner should drive your choice. I have the extended 100K mile warrentee on my 4runner so I plan to swap out the xreas system and springs for FJ equipment just in case I need to hit the dealer for drivetrain issues.

 

[krupnation]

Welcome to the forum and the T4R family. I have this setup (well, partially have now that I switched out the rear coils to Toytec). To help with your questions:

1) The setting is up to you but many go to .85 setting that will help level the front out. It will keep a little bit of rake to it. If you went to the 1.75 setting it might be a tad nose high, nothing that can't be fixed with a rear spacer if you wanted.

2) The advantage of the FJC coils is they have a thicker bar stock and therefore are a little stiffer. In my opinion, our T4R's should've come with these slightly larger coils in the first place as they add control and are not stiff or harsh on-road. They also provide a slight lift, anywhere from .5" - 1".

3) You're going to hear mixed things on the miles. To me 65k miles is fine but some will say they would never put that on their truck. My front FJC coils have about 45k miles on them? I can't remember, but they work like a charm, no sagging or lose of control.

4) Silver Billies are the 5100's, the yellow are the HD's (as jimithing already mentioned)

5) Not sure about plugging XREAS, I think when you remove it all that's left are the lines on the frame rail? Someone will chime in on that.

Good luck with your new suspension! You're going to love the FJC/5100 setup.

 

[Muninn]

Thanks all! Love this thing! Drove it a bunch yesterday. The current ride is pretty good. But of course i have nothing to compare it to.

450exc115 - I wanted to better understand your warranty comment. The previous owner had a 100k third party warranty that we're looking at transferring to me. That warranty didn't cover the leaking shocks (not surprising). Are you saying you would replace the XREAS system so that the warranty company can't claim i made modifications that affect the drive train? I thought that's what you were saying, but then you said you were planning on swapping it out with FJ parts. Did you mean after 100k when it doesn't matter?

A little surprised that XREAS is leaking @ 65k.

 

[450exc115]

I plan on replacing the XREAs with Toyota parts (FJ suspension). If for some reason I have a problem with my drive train I don't need the headache of fight over if the problem was caused by an aftermarket lift. I may still half to argue since I put FJ equipment on but the tech would have to really look hard at it to realize the change. I plan to remove all parts of the XREAS suspension.

 

[stownsend82]

Muninn,
I've recently done the fj/5100 conversion. I'll make an attempt to answer your first 2 questions as I don't have any experience with the XREAS.

1. I put brand new fj springs (got these off of Rockauto) on the front with brand new 5100 set at .85. I also put used (approx. 65000 mile) fj springs and the shocks that went with the springs plus a 1.5 spacer on the rear. If I were you I wouldn't go any higher than the .85 as I'm glad I didn't even with the spacer. I have a slight rake still which is what I prefer.

There is a spread sheet floating around that has documented which model 4runner they have with what type fj/5100/spacer setup they chose and states the net lift. I'd look that up as it makes a little difference if you have a v8 vs. v6 vs 2wd vs. 4wd. I have an '05 v8.

2. The reason I went with FJ springs is because I pull trailers on a regular basis and I wanted the stiffer truck-like ride. My factory springs that had 90,000 miles sagged quite a bit when I hooked on to a utility trailer without much of a load.

Also, if I remember correctly there is something extra you have to do to make the springs from a 2010-current to fit in your runner. I don't remember what that was. Someone else may want to chime in on that.

Pics of mine:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/stownsend82-albums-my+runner.html

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[4Beast]

1. There is no "preferred setting" everyone just does what the want, whether they want stock look, lift or leveling. I did the highest Billie setting (2.5) with a 1.5 spacer in the rear for essentially a 3/2 lift (with the .5 or so of FJ spring lift)/

2. Depending on how much your XREAS is blown it may be a big upgrade. Definitely limits brake dive, and cornering roll without creating a bone-jarring ride.

3. I prefer to put new stuff, if possible, in. For the money i wouldn't put 65k springs in unless they were free, and even then, probably not. Springs can develop hairline cracks towards the ends and I don't want to risk it. Rockauto has them for something like $55 bucks a pair, and most FJ takeoffs that are nearly new are $100 on FJ forum etc. Don't worry about local, as they can be shipped. To give you an idea, i got my springs with a couple thousand miles, for $100, the shocks for $170 (installed, then uninstalled for some reason?) and a spacer for $50 or something for a total of a little over three bills. Your shocks may be more, but that's it.

4. The 5100s are silver, yellow are not adjustable.

5. I just took every remnant of the XREAS out, which isn't that hard if you are not trying to save it! :cheers:

 

[theelectrician]

What you need are bilstiens and all pro 2" springs in the rear and I just so happen to be selling a set of those springs!