Seattle-Area Suspension and Install Shop Reco

[MoabChris]

Have a 04 V8 LTD, that I've had for a year. Love it, its my 2nd.

An now am looking to slowly modify into a more capable (and cool) off-road vehicle. I have been playing around with some simple stuff, LED interior lights, new stereo/Navi/DVD/rear camera, HID lighting (8k Headlights/Foglights), and a Westin Bull Bar with a pair of PIAA 520 clear ATPs on the way. I am gonna black out the grille, emblems with some plasti-dip (on order) and am thinking about eventually powdercoating the wheels...

Thanks to the forum, I also just recently fixed the annoying driveline "clunk" with a few bucks invested in a grease gun with a flexible hose.:thumb3:

Last week I took off the tires to install the Spidertrax wheel spacers,:spider: and saw that the outer case of the shock (XREAS) was starting to bubble and corrode a bit. Trying to decide if that will necessitate a replacement - or an upgrade opportunity.

I'd like to stuff 33in tires underneath and would love to get recommendation on the suspension kit to buy and for any places in seattle to get it installed (since I dont think it would be something I could do on my own).:redbrick:

Any help much appreciated ,

C

 

[Bigrupp]

(since I dont think it would be something I could do on my own).:redbrick:

You should find someone who would be willing to do it with you. Great opportunity to learn and you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself. You must be somewhat mechanically inclined if you've already done the few things you have.

 

[darkie3495]

What is your budget for your suspension? Do you plan to add more weight like skids, bumpers, winch, etc?

If you wanted to do it yourself and just need some extra hands, there are a few of us Seattle locals that have installed suspensions before that can provide help and advice.

If you really want a shop to do the install, check out:
Auburn car repair & offroad
328 37th St NW, Suite B
Auburn, WA* 98001

Take a look at overland warehouse for a true coilover kit.

 

[MoabChris]

Budget - probably $1,500 +/- but less is better, becuase I'd like to save some money to put new tires on it when done.

At this point, dont have plans to put much more weight on it (bumpers/wench) - and the off-roading will be much much less than the daily driving.

From reading here, it sound like doing a suspension or lift mod with the XREAS is tricky/complicated...? Which is why im a bit hesitant.

I'm a bit mechanically reclined - and I enjoy working on the rig, and can follow directions fairly well (my wife might disagree). At the same time I've never done anything this complex before - not sure of the investment in tools id need to make -etc.

 

[darkie3495]

Budget - probably $1,500 +/- but less is better, becuase I'd like to save some money to put new tires on it when done.

At this point, dont have plans to put much more weight on it (bumpers/wench) - and the off-roading will be much much less than the daily driving.

From reading here, it sound like doing a suspension or lift mod with the XREAS is tricky/complicated...? Which is why im a bit hesitant.

I'm a bit mechanically reclined - and I enjoy working on the rig, and can follow directions fairly well (my wife might disagree). At the same time I've never done anything this complex before - not sure of the investment in tools id need to make -etc.

Gotcha. With that budget, you have access to a true coil over system. Xreas is trickier to work with when you add spacers or new springs to the existing system due to the hydraulic lines. With a replacement, it's even easier. You will be able to remove xreas with basic hand tools and four jack stands if that's the route you want to go.

 

[MoabChris]

So now i'm torn, keep the xreas, and go with a less expensive spacer lift, or swap out for a full coil over....

Pros/cons?

 

[darkie3495]

So now i'm torn, keep the xreas, and go with a less expensive spacer lift, or swap out for a full coil over....

Pros/cons?

My best advice is to be honest with yourself with what you plan to do with your truck and ride in other trucks with different setups. XREAS with spacers will probably not feel that much different but give you the height to clear the new tires. if your shock is leaking, you'll have to replace the opposite shock and canister since you cannot recharge the system if you've lost fluid.

Ironically enough, a few members are installing spacer lifts on two sport editions with XREAS this weekend. A couple of us are running full coilover kits (icon and walker evans). And I know three guys running OME kits. Maybe we can meet up sometime soon and you can ride in different trucks to feel the difference and you can make your mind then.

 

[MoabChris]

My best advice is to be honest with yourself with what you plan to do with your truck and ride in other trucks with different setups.

Good call - after thinking about it more. Here's what I do. 90% of the time im freeway driving/city (daily driver), but I do drive aggressively and like the V8 -power.:zoom: So, I want a system that is great at highway speeds, and limits roll on turning, and nose dives with braking, etc. I dont mind the "truck" ride - but the xreas is nice for the handling characteristics.

10% of the time - it'll be in snow, or off-roading, mud, camping, trails, etc. I want bigger tires, because, Damnit i like how it looks and feels to sit higher than the stock setup. ( I used to run a 76 FJ40 Rock Crawler with my dad a few years ago)

I dont forsee putting alot of weight on it - but want the 2/3 inches of extra clearance. :bluejump:

I have the Xreas - but as i mentioned the outer tubes are starting to corrode a bit - but no leaking - yet. Im not married to Xreas- as I hear people who are just as happy w/o it. My luck - i put spacers in , and THEN the Xreas starts to leak - and I have to replace it, might as well put on a new Coil-over system now.

So... based on this..OME, ICon, or OW...etc?

1) Overland Warehouse 2" Suspension Kit - Full 2.0" suspension kit
$1,390 - (any discount for T4R ??)

2) ToyTec Ultimate 3" lift package - FJ Cruiser/4Runner Ultimate 3" lift package - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
$1,179 (less a 5% T4R discount)

3) Icon Full Suspension Stage 1
Icon Full suspension stage 1 - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
$1,399 (less a 5% discount)

4) OME -
OME full suspension -- Click here for details - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
$ 856 (less 5% discount)

Im not going to get extreme with this build, but want a quality setup.
Thoughts about the pros/cons of each of these options?

 

[darkie3495]

I was going to respond earlier but got held up at work.

Pretty confident that all the 4 options above will keep you in control at highway speeds, limit body roll and nose dives since all will give you a sporty feel by providing a firm but not harsh ride (only first hand experience with OME and ICON). However, this is subjective so take it with a grain of salt.

Here is my take based on my experience (ICON and OME) and various feedback threads (Toytec and OW)

Overland Warehouse
Pros: Valved according to the 4Runner's stock weight, exceptional customer service, rebuildable, adjustable height, fits your needs
Cons: Minor issues reported - squeaks, rust, etc. (However, any problems have been resolved quickly by OW and send you replacements before sending your components back)

Toytec Ultimate 3" lift
Pros: good customer service (toytec), adjustable height, fits your need
Cons: Bilstein 5100's with adjustable collar, not rebuildable, more difficult to adjust height (collar located near the bottom of the shock as opposed to OW and ICON at the top)

Icon Full Suspension Stage 1
Pros: good customer service (toytec), Rebuildable, adjustable height, fits your needs
Cons: Rear shocks are not ICON (edelbrock) - this may change as ICON released thier own 2" rear shock but not part of your listed Stage 1

OME
Pros: good customer service (toytec), fits your needs
Cons: not adjustable, not rebuildable

Now, do you need rebuildable shocks? probably not. If your plans ever change, you may need to revalve them to compensate for additional weight (my plans have changed dramatically from when I first started). Plus, if they ever lose charge, you can rebuild them instead of replacing with a new component.

Do you need adjustable coilovers? debatable. After 3 years, I've only adjusted them once when I added a front bumper. The one thing I did like is that my rear springs added more than 2" so I was able to crank the coilovers to raise the front to level it out.

From who I know in the area and various threads, local 4th Gen owners are running XREAS w/ spacers, OME, ICON, Bilstein 5100's (non coilover but similar shocks) and Walker Evans. If we ever get around to do a meet, offroading trip or wrenching session, you can ride in different setups to see which one you prefer. Otherwise, PM them to see if you can do a quick meet up to test it out.

If I could do it all over again, I would have gone with OW (OW didn't exist when I purchased my suspension).

Hope this helps even if it is a little biased :bigok:

 

[MoabChris]

Thank you, that was very helpful!

I am leaning very much towards the OW, based on the feedback and service.

Now i'm trying to decide, the 2.0, vs. the 2.5, & whether I'll need the light racing upper control arms...

Decisions, decisions...and of course $$$

 

[honda_nos]

Moab, I am too in Samm/Eastside Area. I just installed Daystar 2.5/1.5 myself and love it so far. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[MoabChris]

Moab, I am too in Samm/Eastside Area. I just installed Daystar 2.5/1.5 myself and love it so far. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sweet:hatsoff: - Do you have XReas? How hard was it to install?
I just checked out O'Reilly Auto - and they will lend the spring compressors, and other tools...

How long did it take you to put in the Daystar?:lookout:

C

 

[honda_nos]

Yes on XREAS, didn't need spring compressors because it is a spacer on top. I did the install completely by myself in about 10 hours. (I had a few stuck bolts to deal with).

As a second time, probably take 4-5 hours.

 

[SEA86]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I own an '86 4Runner that needs a new starter and was wondering if there was anyone that would be willing to help me install it. I'm not mechanically inclined in the slightest. I thought someone here would like to make some extra cash and it would be good to support an enthusiast rather than a random shop.
Please let me know, thanks!