sorry... quick suspension opinion/question

C

cmoore50

New member
I have an 04 V6 Sport with about 176,000 miles. The X-REAS aren't leaking, but they're pretty worn. LOTS of body roll and it seems like I feel EVERY little bump and imperfection on the road.

I'm looking at getting the 5100 bilsteins and FJ coils all around. I don't really care about lift as it is driven around town and on the highway. I don't take it wheelin'. Everyone seems to say that this set up feels firmer, but it isn't harsh. I also don't plan on using any spacers. Should I be for normal everyday driving?

I debated with just replacing the stock struts with the bilsteins and keeping the stock coils. Then again the stock coils have 176,000 miles on them so they need to go.

Has anyone used this set up after pulling the X-REAS out with 0 or .85 on the fronts? Do you like it better?

Thank you in advance.
 
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perhaps you can try replacing sway bar bushings first. that could potentially alleviate the body roll youre feeling. much cheaper (and easier) option than replacing the front/rear suspension
 
cmoore50 said:
I have an 04 V6 Sport with about 176,000 miles. The X-REAS aren't leaking, but they're pretty worn. LOTS of body roll and it seems like I feel EVERY little bump and imperfection on the road.

I'm looking at getting the 5100 bilsteins and FJ coils all around. I don't really care about lift as it is driven around town and on the highway. I don't take it wheelin'. Everyone seems to say that this set up feels firmer, but it isn't harsh. I also don't plan on using any spacers. Should I be for normal everyday driving?

I debated with just replacing the stock struts with the bilsteins and keeping the stock coils. Then again the stock coils have 176,000 miles on them so they need to go.

Has anyone used this set up after pulling the X-REAS out with 0 or .85 on the fronts? Do you like it better?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

If you aren't interested in lift why not keep the stock coils instead of doing the FJ's? FJ's provide the lift and I think there are guys around here that have done stock coils and added 5100's and enjoyed the ride.

I haven't done the 5100's yet, they are sitting in my garage, so I can't speak to my own experience, but the general consensus on here is the 5100's provide a great over an old XRAES.
 
JustSomeName said:
perhaps you can try replacing sway bar bushings first. that could potentially alleviate the body roll youre feeling. much cheaper (and easier) option than replacing the front/rear suspension
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion JustSomeName. I do plan replacing the front and rear sway bar bushings and end links while replacing the suspension.
 
dodder said:
If you aren't interested in lift why not keep the stock coils instead of doing the FJ's? FJ's provide the lift and I think there are guys around here that have done stock coils and added 5100's and enjoyed the ride.

I haven't done the 5100's yet, they are sitting in my garage, so I can't speak to my own experience, but the general consensus on here is the 5100's provide a great over an old XRAES.
Click to expand...

Good point dodder. I may go that route instead. I'm thinking that coils have to be pretty dams tired after 176,000. I just had FJ coils on the brain because that's what so many people use.
 
cmoore50 said:
Now I'm back to thinking FJ coils. I want a better ride with less body roll. So now I'm back to my original question... Is anyone running this set up without spacers?
Click to expand...

i know of people that are, personally i have fj coils on 5100's at about 3" of lift and i have almost no body roll at all. i also have upgraded greasable sway bar bushings, and together have an excellent handling vehicle
 
wnelax04sr5 said:
i know of people that are, personally i have fj coils on 5100's at about 3" of lift and i have almost no body roll at all. i also have upgraded greasable sway bar bushings, and together have an excellent handling vehicle
Click to expand...

Have they been happy with the suspension without spacers? Did you upgrade to the energy suspensions bushings? That's what I'm going to use.
 
You could get MOOG 81045 & 81090 (just under $100 for both sets shipped from amazon)replacement spring sets for 4Runner V6 4WD & Bilstein 5100s ($350-400) for all the way around. And completely restore your ride quality to new or better. Throw in some replacement sway bar links and bushings for another $150 and you will be surprised as to how well it rides and corners for about $650 invested and your time if you can do the work yourself.

I found Moog 81081 & 81108 replacement sets for an 07 FJ 4x4 for about $150 total shipped free from eBay for both sets. I got my Bilsteins 5100s off eBay too.
I used Moog 81088s on the front with 5100s set at .85 on my 04 and got almost 3inches of lift.

If u want no lift and improved ride you could just replace the springs and use Bilstein 4600s which I understand to have the same valving but are not adjustable. That would be a slightly cheaper option.

Good luck!!
 
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cmoore50 said:
Have they been happy with the suspension without spacers? Did you upgrade to the energy suspensions bushings? That's what I'm going to use.
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everyone that has every done the FJ swap has been happy with it, it is a much improved ride over stock, much more stable, firmer, more feedback, and better handling, and yes, i use the energy suspension ones
 
If you don't want a lift and want the best ride possible, go stock. Maybe not XREAS, but just the regulars.

Don't even think about spacers, no-one has ever put on a set of spacers and said, "Man this thing rides so much better!"

The FJ route will give you lift, which you state you don't want. Additionally, they are stiffer, so your ride quality (comfort) will suffer as well, unless you add weight (bumper, sliders, etc.). The extra stiffness could be a benefit if you want to scream around corners and limit body roll, but it doesn't sound like you want this either.

After-market suspensions can accomplish lots. I have the ICON Stage 1, system and it's awesome. Ride is better than stock, but it is a lift, which you don't want. Toytec is also popular here, but I'm not sure I understand why, as it's just a bilstein with an adjustable coil. A decent setup, but seems very pricey for what you get.

If you want stock height and good ride, go stock. Don't try to out think the Toyota engineers on this one. They roll these things out set to ride very well. Tinker if you want more height, or extra stiffness. Doesn't sound like you want either to me. Keep it simple.
 
cmoore50 said:
Now I'm back to thinking FJ coils. I want a better ride with less body roll. So now I'm back to my original question... Is anyone running this set up without spacers?
Click to expand...

I'm probably not going to be that much help at all because I haven't actually installed my stuff yet, but I've got four new 5100's and Moog FJ springs that I'm waiting for warmer weather to install. I'm planning on putting the fronts on the .85 setting which, based on the million+ threads I've read should give me close to a level ride considering the roughly 1" lift the FJ springs will provide in the back and the existing rake. I've also got new top plates and new sway bar bushings all around, although I've been reading that people also get end links, which I don't have yet. Maybe I'll pick those up before I undertake this project, but overall I'm confident the stuff I've got is going to keep my rig tight for years.

I've done A TON of reading on this since I picked up my 4th gen back in May of 2011, and I don't think you can go wrong with this set-up. I rarely take mine off-road, but from time to time I will do a quick run up to a place called Graystone near where I grew up in New Hampshire.

Anyway, go for it. The springs are short money relative to improved ride we'll both have with fresh springs. Less than $200 for all four corners and they can be installed in your driveway.
 
I installed Moog FJ springs on the front and kept the rear stock springs. I put on 5100's front and rear and set them on 0.85. I'm setting level and I like the ride. Mileage on my 4runner is 104000. If your set on changing the springs, you could always get the 4runner rear Moog springs instead of the FJ's. This should keep you pretty level.
 
Has anyone actually put the rear 4runner Moogs on(81045)? I am just wondering if they really give any improvement over stock spring?
 
God, I love this forum! You guys rock! Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and set ups.

After reading everyone's input, I'm now thinking that I will get FJ coils for the front and buy stock coils for the back with the 5100 bilsteins set at .85.

Thanks Chethro! I like the thought of leveling it. You didn't need any spacers with this set up correct?
 
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