suspension and spacer life to replace xreas?
- Thread starter save_alkaline
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save_alkaline
New member
so the 2" from the 884s is on top of the setting on the struts at 2.5"? it would explain why a) i thought it was a lot of lift and b) the clearance issues they ran into.
so the 5100s should have been set lower?
everything feels great on it right now. the ride is a little rough but not outside of what i was expecting. i had new axles done while they were working on it as mine were shot. i'll try and get some shots tomorrow. it was a very long day today and i didn't drive it too much.
i guess with that much lift, i will definitely need tires. maybe UCAs? i really like the stance as of now and would hate to drop it down. are there other issues to be concerned about?
so the 5100s should have been set lower?
everything feels great on it right now. the ride is a little rough but not outside of what i was expecting. i had new axles done while they were working on it as mine were shot. i'll try and get some shots tomorrow. it was a very long day today and i didn't drive it too much.
i guess with that much lift, i will definitely need tires. maybe UCAs? i really like the stance as of now and would hate to drop it down. are there other issues to be concerned about?
save_alkaline
New member
Yeah, I'm an idiot, ha! I was thinking the strut provided the lift while the spring only gave it the room to move. But the spring sitting on the perch makes a lot more sense. But the shop did what I asked so thats on me. I'll try to get those pics around lunch today so you can see the setup.
save_alkaline
New member
is the rear setup the same way then? so my 2" superflex + bilstein at the highest settings = 4". or is it just 2" total due to where they mount?
this is on a V8 with the 884s. should i lower the the fronts down to the .8" or 1.7" setting? netting 2.8" or 3.7".
it has a diff drop so 3.7" doesn't scare me. but 4.5" - 5" has me nervous. i don't understand the purpose of the top plate spacers then? why use them when you can get more lift and actual flex?
i'm going to call them up and see about lowering the front back down as it's definitely higher than the rear now. i wonder how much more that's going to cost. can they just raise it, compress the springs, adjust the setting on the strut and drop it back down? and get another alignment, i guess.
also, why do people (myself included) get lift springs with the 5100s if you're only using the lift from one of the components? why not go OEM on one of them?
here are some iPhone pics
front is in a dip in the parking lot
UCA / suspension
axel / CV
and another angle
this is on a V8 with the 884s. should i lower the the fronts down to the .8" or 1.7" setting? netting 2.8" or 3.7".
it has a diff drop so 3.7" doesn't scare me. but 4.5" - 5" has me nervous. i don't understand the purpose of the top plate spacers then? why use them when you can get more lift and actual flex?
i'm going to call them up and see about lowering the front back down as it's definitely higher than the rear now. i wonder how much more that's going to cost. can they just raise it, compress the springs, adjust the setting on the strut and drop it back down? and get another alignment, i guess.
also, why do people (myself included) get lift springs with the 5100s if you're only using the lift from one of the components? why not go OEM on one of them?
here are some iPhone pics
front is in a dip in the parking lot
UCA / suspension
axel / CV
and another angle
Last edited:
martini
New member
The rear is only lifted by the spring not the shock, since the spring doesn't mount on the shock and there's no adjustable bottom plate for the rear shocks either.
Based on the angles of your CVs I would lower it down some. CrimsonCountry a v6 with Bilstein 5100s set the 2nd notch (.85") with 884 springs and got about 4" of lift in front: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/94687-06-sport-ome-884-5100-saw-2-5100-installed.html. There are some CV angle pictures there too for comparison.
Usually the 884 (V6) or 885 (V8) provide about 2.5" of lift on their own. To get a full 3" the topout spacer is often used since even one step up on the bilsteins will push the total lift over 3". Bilsteins can get you 0”, .85”, 1.75”, or 2.5” of lift from the shocks along, so the spacer fills the gap between 0" and .85" if you want to tweak your lift amount. As for why stock shocks aren't used, it's because everyone says bilsteins ride better and pair well with the OME springs, plus they travel more which prevents topping out and bottoming out with OME springs compared to stock shocks.
Based on the angles of your CVs I would lower it down some. CrimsonCountry a v6 with Bilstein 5100s set the 2nd notch (.85") with 884 springs and got about 4" of lift in front: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/94687-06-sport-ome-884-5100-saw-2-5100-installed.html. There are some CV angle pictures there too for comparison.
Usually the 884 (V6) or 885 (V8) provide about 2.5" of lift on their own. To get a full 3" the topout spacer is often used since even one step up on the bilsteins will push the total lift over 3". Bilsteins can get you 0”, .85”, 1.75”, or 2.5” of lift from the shocks along, so the spacer fills the gap between 0" and .85" if you want to tweak your lift amount. As for why stock shocks aren't used, it's because everyone says bilsteins ride better and pair well with the OME springs, plus they travel more which prevents topping out and bottoming out with OME springs compared to stock shocks.
save_alkaline
New member
thanks for the info and the link. i've been looking for something just like that. i'm going to look at that a little more when i get home. i think that's the route i'm going to take as well as i like the idea of the extra flex versus using the spacers. i'm taking it in on Monday to get it done. kind of a bummer but i guess it is what it is.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
As it's been said, that's very extreme for a lift. Your front suspension is definitely maxed out. It seems odd to me that the shop was able to get it aligned. Typically people have issues at over 3" getting everything back in spec. Did you get a printout from the shop showing the alignment?
With the current setup, I'd guess that there's very little downtravel left in the shocks. I'd imagine the ride would have suffered a lot by running it like this. I'd lower the shocks to the lowest setting and have them add the 1/2" thick spacer from Toytec. This will give 3" of lift and be a much safer setup for your front end components.
Front Top Plate Spacer Kit - 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
With the current setup, I'd guess that there's very little downtravel left in the shocks. I'd imagine the ride would have suffered a lot by running it like this. I'd lower the shocks to the lowest setting and have them add the 1/2" thick spacer from Toytec. This will give 3" of lift and be a much safer setup for your front end components.
Front Top Plate Spacer Kit - 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
save_alkaline
New member
i finally got everything installed and dialed in. it drives SO much nicer now, haha. we wound up going with the .8 setting on the bilsteins and left the spacers off. it's maybe very, very slightly higher in the front but not noticeable if it is. it feels great, looks great and i can't wait to get it offroad. i'll try to get pics of the lift and axles if anyone is interested. thanks again for all the input and help. it only took me two tries but i think i got it. 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Glad it worked out!!!
