Stock Springs With over 100k miles.

[doro89]

Hi all!
So yesterday night, I'm assuming by mistake a seller on Amazon had brand new Bilstein 24-196499 for $55 each. Without thinking twice I ordered a pair. Today the price is back to $103 each. I'll be getting Bils 5100 for rear as well.

The question:

Should I change front/rear springs as well? Since they are 7-8 years old?

It's a 2010 Limited, I'm second owner and bought the car with 120k miles. I assume it was a family car previously, and never seen off-roading, but the roads in the Northeast some times can qualify as off-road worthy . While owning it, I went off-road several times. I really don't have the extra cash (but can land some if really needed). And to make things more complicated, I'm leaving for at least for 2 months to Colorado in the end of January (so can't wait for tax return).

Ideally, I would want to save the cash and install shocks myself, that way I can spend the extra cash for springs. But, I do not have a garage (might find one though) nor the necessary tools, the only mechanical job I've ever done is change spare, spark plugs, front and read diffs fluids recently. Plus, X-REAS complicated to deal with?
Also, I have Smittybilt XRC 9.5 winch with Budbuild Winch Plate (80lbs total) that are waiting to get installed.

My 4runner is a DD and lots of "overlanding" off-roading in the future, no rock crawling. After winch I'm looking to achieve 1.5"-2" for the front and not more than 1" rear. Eventually I'll be getting Shrockworks sliders with step plates at 60lbs each and a 3/4 roof rack or modular roof rails from Rago.

Thank you for reading.

 

[doro89]

No need to change springs unless lifting etc. Those miles are fine on factory springs for a DD. A lot of threads on here about disconnecting the XREAS.

Not sure if you read full post, but I am lifting and planning on doing lots of overlanding/off-roading.

 

[MossJenks]

Well, sure you CAN use the stock springs. They're fine with that many miles on them....

BUT do you want to? I disliked the softness of the stock setup and really like my Dobinsons springs that are a bit stiffer than stock. Control body roll and nose dive really well, hold the truck up better over bumps. Some of this is attributed to the shocks but the springs are important too. Then how do you plan to lift the rear? Spacers? Springs are better.....

As far as install goes - I know nothing about X-REAS but without it's a pretty simple job. Only tools needed are a metric socket set, some end wrenches and a floor jack (and don't forget the jack stands).

 

[doro89]

Well, sure you CAN use the stock springs. They're fine with that many miles on them....

BUT do you want to? I disliked the softness of the stock setup and really like my Dobinsons springs that are a bit stiffer than stock. Control body roll and nose dive really well, hold the truck up better over bumps. Some of this is attributed to the shocks but the springs are important too. Then how do you plan to lift the rear? Spacers? Springs are better.....

As far as install goes - I know nothing about X-REAS but without it's a pretty simple job. Only tools needed are a metric socket set, some end wrenches and a floor jack (and don't forget the jack stands).

Thanks Chris,

I guess the wise move would be to get the springs now rather lifting the truck and doing it all over again later. Since I'll be "abusing" stock ones they might get ruined really fast.

Yes, for the rear I was thinking just to get spacers, Dubinsons are twice the price of spacers, but with springs I'll get more for my money.

Is there any detailed guide on removing X-Reas?

 

[Toffees]

Thanks Chris,

I guess the wise move would be to get the springs now rather lifting the truck and doing it all over again later. Since I'll be "abusing" stock ones they might get ruined really fast.

Yes, for the rear I was thinking just to get spacers, Dubinsons are twice the price of spacers, but with springs I'll get more for my money.

Is there any detailed guide on removing X-Reas?

I'm not aware that stock springs can't handle the abuse. As I'm aware, most people moving into other springs want lift or extra weight carrying capacity. I've not ready anything on spring failure.

 

[doro89]

I'm not aware that stock springs can't handle the abuse. As I'm aware, most people moving into other springs want lift or extra weight carrying capacity. I've not ready anything on spring failure.

Thanks Micah,

So you think I should/can re-use the coils I currently have? How much more can I get out of them?
Is there a way to check/tell what condition my coils are?

 

[MossJenks]

I suppose you could take them somewhere and have their rate tested.....

But just to clarify my earlier post: I don't think there's anything wrong at all with your stock springs. They're not really a wear item - springs seem to hold their springiness for hundreds of thousands of miles unless they actually break (rare, but does happen). But 1) I personally think the stock springs were too soft to start out with, 2) you're going to be putting weight up front which will exacerbate that, and 3) springs are a better way to lift than spacers.

But can you and it'll be OK? Absolutely. You're not going to wear out your stock springs.

 

[doro89]

I suppose you could take them somewhere and have their rate tested.....

But just to clarify my earlier post: I don't think there's anything wrong at all with your stock springs. They're not really a wear item - springs seem to hold their springiness for hundreds of thousands of miles unless they actually break (rare, but does happen). But 1) I personally think the stock springs were too soft to start out with, 2) you're going to be putting weight up front which will exacerbate that, and 3) springs are a better way to lift than spacers.

But can you and it'll be OK? Absolutely. You're not going to wear out your stock springs.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[Toffees]

Decisions, decisions...

If the winch you're putting on is only 100lbs, I don't know if that would affect your handling/rake much but surely you can search here and see what others have done.

I agree that springs would be a better lift option than spacers, but if you're not lifting and you don't think the weight will be an issue, I'd leave them alone. A stock 4R is a formidable creature. Not much need to mess with it.

 

[doro89]

Alright, so depending on the cost of install I will decide whether I will get Dobinsons.

Thank you all for comments and suggestions.