Spacer/5100s/Or complete strut?

[Jeremy107]

I’ve read up on the lift options for these 4th gens and I’m still getting familiar with it as I am a 3rd gen owner. My wife would like a small lift to eliminate the rake the 4.0 select trac offers that she has.

Back in my jeep days a spacer lift was a rough ride and not recommended only if that’s the last option. Since she is wanting a small 1.5-2” lift from stock to fit some 265/70/18s. I’m seeing a lot of front spacer lifts and recoil replacements for this desires lift height, wanted to ask is it easier to do the 5100s on the top setting for the front lift and replacement 5100s with coils? I did 5100s on my 3rd gen and it’s a dream. So looking to give her the same ride quality with the small lift.

Best ways to achieve this? Thanks all, I will be doing a small write up on it as well to help answer these types of questions for future users if I over looked the answers.

 

[blackoutt]

Full King long travel front and rear is the only way to go!

Just kidding, realistically just start with a front spacer lift and see if she likes it. Cheap and easy.

 

[S p a r k y]

Chances are the stock springs and shocks are pretty worn at this point. If planning to keep the ride for a bit, get new Shocks and Spring. Moog FJ Springs, and some 5100's, Set front at .85 or 1.75. Should be nice a level and a new feel.

 

[81runner]

Chances are the stock springs and shocks are pretty worn at this point. If planning to keep the ride for a bit, get new Shocks and Spring. Moog FJ Springs, and some 5100's, Set front at .85 or 1.75. Should be nice a level and a new feel.

+1. Though in my experience with 5100s and moog fj springs, the rear springs don't quite sit flush on the perch, and level is 1.75 on the fronts.

 

[Jeremy107]

Chances are the stock springs and shocks are pretty worn at this point. If planning to keep the ride for a bit, get new Shocks and Spring. Moog FJ Springs, and some 5100's, Set front at .85 or 1.75. Should be nice a level and a new feel.

I did research on the FJ springs as well, the top ring of the 5100s would be the 1.75 lift setting correct? Also putting it level with the rear correct? Which I can keep the factory rear spring just add new 5100s?

 

[S p a r k y]

I did research on the FJ springs as well, the top ring of the 5100s would be the 1.75 lift setting correct? Also putting it level with the rear correct? Which I can keep the factory rear spring just add new 5100s?

Top ring is 2.5”. FJ spring will add .5” ish anyway. I would get new rear spring as well, won’t cost much more $50maybe

What part of TN?

 

[Jeremy107]

Top ring is 2.5”. FJ spring will add .5” ish anyway. I would get new rear spring as well, won’t cost much more $50maybe

What part of TN?

Gotcha, so correct me if I’m wrong here but FJ fronts with 5100s on middle setting, factory rears will bring it .5” or so also adding 5100s. Would this equal a level ride with I believe a 1.75” front lift and a .5” rear lift?

Spring Hill, you should join middle TN 4runners on FB if your not already. Could rides coming up soon I’m going to try and make myself

 

[S p a r k y]

Gotcha, so correct me if I’m wrong here but FJ fronts with 5100s on middle setting, factory rears will bring it .5” or so also adding 5100s. Would this equal a level ride with I believe a 1.75” front lift and a .5” rear lift?

Spring Hill, you should join middle TN 4runners on FB if your not already. Could rides coming up soon I’m going to try and make myself

5100's have 4 settings for us (0,.85,1.75,2.5) FJ springs will add an additional .5" to the 5100's

5100 rears will do nothing for height. FJ rears will add roughly .5" as well.

Would live to join it, but don't do social media, so guess i'm out! lol

 

[Jeremy107]

5100's have 4 settings for us (0,.85,1.75,2.5) FJ springs will add an additional .5" to the 5100's

5100 rears will do nothing for height. FJ rears will add roughly .5" as well.

Would live to join it, but don't do social media, so guess i'm out! lol

Thank you sir for the guidance, so 5100s middle set for 1.75 on the front with FJ coils and FJ rear coils for .5” lift on the rear with 5100s as well. Will this put me around level? Just ordered 265/70/17s as well with 0 offset, also hoping for no rib here but wouldn’t think it would be an issue.

If my math is correct 1.75 for 5100s and .5 for coils is a front lift of 2.5-2.75” with a rear added lift of .5”. Hmmm I for sure don’t want the front higher than the rear. Going for a level look

 

[S p a r k y]

Thank you sir for the guidance, so 5100s middle set for 1.75 on the front with FJ coils and FJ rear coils for .5” lift on the rear with 5100s as well. Will this put me around level? Just ordered 265/70/17s as well with 0 offset, also hoping for no rib here but wouldn’t think it would be an issue.

If my math is correct 1.75 for 5100s and .5 for coils is a front lift of 2.5-2.75” with a rear added lift of .5”. Hmmm I for sure don’t want the front higher than the rear. Going for a level look

OK, so, if there are 4 settings on the 5100's there really isn't a "middle" you need to be on the 3rd from bottom or 2nd front top. Also if you add 1/2 inch to 1.75 inch, that will be 2.25 inch. So if you go measure fender to ground now and your say 2.5 inch difference front to rear. Adding the above suspension should make your difference front to rear 3/4-1 inch difference, which to me leaves a little rake and looks best. If your measurements are exact front and rear you will appear nose high.

So to answer the question, you will look really good with the FJ's and 5100's at 1.75. You will probably get some rub on the front fender liner. Be prepared to move them up.

 

[Jeremy107]

OK, so, if there are 4 settings on the 5100's there really isn't a "middle" you need to be on the 3rd from bottom or 2nd front top. Also if you add 1/2 inch to 1.75 inch, that will be 2.25 inch. So if you go measure fender to ground now and your say 2.5 inch difference front to rear. Adding the above suspension should make your difference front to rear 3/4-1 inch difference, which to me leaves a little rake and looks best. If your measurements are exact front and rear you will appear nose high.

So to answer the question, you will look really good with the FJ's and 5100's at 1.75. You will probably get some rub on the front fender liner. Be prepared to move them up.

Perfect thanks for the help here! I’m ordering the coils off parts geek for a 09 FJ 4x4 for 150$ new for all 4. 5100s from wheelers as they did great with my 3rd gen set up and delivery. Will do a short write up for others as well

 

[S p a r k y]

Perfect thanks for the help here! I’m ordering the coils off parts geek for a 09 FJ 4x4 for 150$ new for all 4. 5100s from wheelers as they did great with my 3rd gen set up and delivery. Will do a short write up for others as well

Make sure the 5100 perches are out on correctly

 

[Jeremy107]

Make sure the 5100 perches are out on correctly

Will do! Thanks again for the help, I’m seeing yes and no that I will need to replace he strut mounts. Is this needed?

 

[81runner]

Will do! Thanks again for the help, I’m seeing yes and no that I will need to replace he strut mounts. Is this needed?

Depends on the condition of the rubber, but given age and mileage, I'd say probably. I would automatically if it were me, just because putting new equipment in with more tension, you wouldn't want the weak link to be a part you could've replaced when you were in there already.

 

[S p a r k y]

Will do! Thanks again for the help, I’m seeing yes and no that I will need to replace he strut mounts. Is this needed?

For the price I would do it, I did!

 

[gettinbye]

Looking good

I just finished up my 03 Sport last weekend, new 5100's and strut mounts in the front, 5100's and AirLift 1000 in the rear. Glad to hear you decided to add the strut mounts. Once you do this you don't want the question lingering in the back of your head.
I maxed out the 5100's and it levels my 03 out so it looks level. My one regret was not getting new springs. At the least I wish that I had swapped the driver side and passenger side springs because my driver side is ~1" lower than the passenger side. I did also add an Air Lift 1000 package to the rear to keep it from bottoming out when I hook up the boat trailer. Have not tested that yet but I think they were a good choice.
Don't forget to take it in for an alignment after you get everything done.
Please, please do not buy or rent a spring compressor to do the front! Not needed and the process is very straight-forward. A couple of good videos out there on using a jack and LCA to take apart and put back together.

 

[Jeremy107]

Revisiting this I am thinking of moving the 5100s to the top notch, which would be 2.5” of lift where I sit at 1.75” now. My question is would the FJ front spring still give me .5” of lift as well? Totaling a 3” lift over stock? The front is a little close lower then I want it to be.

Also the rear I don’t believe is seating correctly on the axle housing, I will snap some pics here shortly. If I complete the job above would it make sense to add a 1” spacer to the rear?

This lift isn’t to large to run to control arm issues? I believe it’s over 3” is where those are needed with diff drop kits and such. Correct me if I’m wrong.

If it’s better for me to remove the FJ coils and go with some OMEs to complete what I am looking for. No armor no plans for it, stock weight.