Suspension Help

digphisher

digphisher

New member
So I have been searching through all of the threads about suspension upgrades, and would still like to get some expert opinions on what I should do. I have a 2005 SE V8 with 90k miles on it. I have started to notice more body roll/sway with making 90 degree turns and it is not handling as tight as it had. I have the XREAS suspension, no air suspension in the rear. I have thought about doing the 2/1 spacers, but now am wondering if I am going to do that, should I upgrade the suspension? I loved the XREAS when I got the truck new. I spend most of my time on the road, but would like to get it off the road more often, but nothing too crazy. Some of the options I've seen people do that I am considering:
Replacing the whole suspension with FJ OEM/bilstein--disconnect XREAS
Keep my XREAS shocks and just replace springs with FJ springs, and maybe a spacer
Leave everything as is, add 2/1 cornfed, and do the swaybar bushing mod.
Replace all with OME or something similar.

I am really open to any/all suggestions. I would really like to hear from someone with the sport edition V8 that may have disconnected the XREAS to find out how the ride felt in comparison.

Thanks in advance.
 
Register to hide this ad
digphisher said:
So I have been searching through all of the threads about suspension upgrades, and would still like to get some expert opinions on what I should do. I have a 2005 SE V8 with 90k miles on it. I have started to notice more body roll/sway with making 90 degree turns and it is not handling as tight as it had. I have the XREAS suspension, no air suspension in the rear. I have thought about doing the 2/1 spacers, but now am wondering if I am going to do that, should I upgrade the suspension? I loved the XREAS when I got the truck new. I spend most of my time on the road, but would like to get it off the road more often, but nothing too crazy. Some of the options I've seen people do that I am considering:

Replacing the whole suspension with FJ OEM/bilstein--disconnect XREAS IMHO this would be the best choice. By 'Best' I mean bang for the $$$ and still achieving the ride/handling goals.

Keep my XREAS shocks and just replace springs with FJ springs, and maybe a spacer
Leave everything as is, add 2/1 cornfed, and do the swaybar bushing mod. At your T4R's age/mileage I wouldn't choose this option. IMHO you are about to spring a XREAS leak and the shocks are just plain ole tired. If you choose this path be ready to do a shock swap in the near future. Finally you may end up with an under-dampened ride.

Replace all with OME or something similar. Probably the best choice but significantly more money. If you want to spend the $$$ OME or Toytec Ultimate would be my choice due to the high value (for the price). Cost-be-damned? Overland/Radflo.

I am really open to any/all suggestions. I would really like to hear from someone with the sport edition V8 that may have disconnected the XREAS to find out how the ride felt in comparison. Falls and others have taken it off and don't seem to miss it at all.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


I think i saw you on 575 a while back...
:cheers:
 
Last edited:
CJ,

I think I remember seeing you as well. That's crazy! Do you offroad around the area at all? I've been wanting to go offroad, but would like to go with some more experienced folks.
 
digphisher said:
CJ,

I think I remember seeing you as well. That's crazy! Do you offroad around the area at all? I've been wanting to go offroad, but would like to go with some more experienced folks.
Click to expand...

I've been wanting to go too. I'm still learning this side of town. If you know of somewhere or have a time in mind just PM me:D
 
digphisher said:
I am really open to any/all suggestions. I would really like to hear from someone with the sport edition V8 that may have disconnected the XREAS to find out how the ride felt in comparison.
Click to expand...

I don't have a V8 but i did have XREAS and I don't miss it at all. Like you, I liked the XREAS at the beginning since my truck was a daily driver, but got very harsh when I encounter any uneven roads. Once i started going offroading, XREAS just got worse. Now, my truck handles even better on road and much better off road. I feel more in control on pavement whether i have to do an abrupt swerve or take a wide sweeping turn.

I vote for a full suspension swap. I don't know what your price range is but if you're willing to spend a bit more i would take a look at Radflo 2.0 kit. It might suit your needs and is built specifically for our trucks.

Good luck.
 
Flyer said:
Those Radflo shocks look very skinny- is that just an illusion? Any experience with that kit?
Click to expand...

The Radflo and the Overland kits are closely related and considered the "bomb" for the 4th gen. The 2.0's do look skinny. From reading here and at T120 all but the fast desert drivers with V8's and aftermarket bumpers are happy with the 2.0's.
 
Flyer said:
Those Radflo shocks look very skinny- is that just an illusion? Any experience with that kit?
Click to expand...

Not an illusion. it only looks skinny since most people are used to seeing the 2.5 kits. But, the 2.0 kit are medium duty and work well with stock weight. That's not to say it can't handle a front bumper (ask autobond, he runs the 2.0 kit with a shrockworks front bumper).

There is a review from someone who is running a OW 2.0 kit coming from Xreas w/spacers: OW suspension feedback review is post 153# some of the negatives in the review is discussed later in the thread.
 
I just checked out the OW prices, and they are pretty steep. I am not sure I want to spend that kind of cash. I did find someone selling their whole FJ setup for $200, but it is not the bilsteins. If I went with this setup, would the ride be similar to that of a new XREAS? Should I hold out for someone with the bilsteins?
 
digphisher said:
I just checked out the OW prices, and they are pretty steep. I am not sure I want to spend that kind of cash. I did find someone selling their whole FJ setup for $200, but it is not the bilsteins. That's really steep. If that includes CONUS shipping that's still somewhat steep. If I went with this setup, would the ride be similar to that of a new XREAS? Better. Should I hold out for someone with the bilsteins? That's your call. It seems that any of the 4wd FJC setups work very well on the 4Runner. The Bilstiens look way cooler though:D
Click to expand...

:hatsoff:
 
Thanks for the feedback Chris. Any idea what I should be paying for that setup? He said that they only have 10 miles on them as he upgraded to OME right away. Total cost is $230 shipped.
 
Well, if you went to the dealer to buy the parts, it'd be much more that that. Typically used sets with a few thousand miles run ~$100, maybe $150 for TRD/Bilstein's. I've seen a lot of set (standard and Bilstein) go for under $100. For the mileage, $200 isn't a complete rip off, and if it was the Bilsteins I'd really consider it, but I'd shop around first. As Chris said, I don't think you can go wrong with the FJ setup. The good news is that there's a good enough market, you could easily resale if it wasn't satisfactory.
 
Will a used FJC suspension work on the V8 4Runner? I'm guessing that the V8 is significantly heavier than the FJ's V6.
 
Just found a set of FJ springs/bilstein shocks with 10k miles on them for 175. Now what makes more sense...bilsteins with 10k miles for 175 or FJ stock setup with 10 miles on them for 200? I can't decide.
 
Yes, the FJ suspension works awesome on the 4runners (v6 or v8)! It's a much improved ride, best bang for the buck mod I've done.

Digphisher, personally I'd choose the Bilsteins. 10k miles isn't much, and from what I hear they do make a difference.
 
If price wasn't an issue I would suggest the Icon setup. I have been running mine for several years and love it.
 
i agree with ARK on the billies with 10k. that would be the best bang for the buck. 175 is hard to beat. also with strap22, icons or radflos are great but alot more $ than i think u want to spend. one other thought would be to reuse ur stock springs & get the bilstein 5100 adjustables (390) they would give u the small lift up front ur looking for & better handling, good thing is u can change the height if u want & could always add a spacer outback too. goodluck
 
Last edited:
Interesting Chaz. Would changing the springs help with the ride and handling or is that mostly attributed to the shocks?
 
new springs would help of course, ie. the fact that u have an 05 & the stocks may have sagged a bit, it will also firm up the ride a bit depending on which ones u get (FJ,OME,ETC.) but if u kept ur stock springs & went with the adj. 5100s it will give u better slightly firmer ride ( since lift attained by preload), & better handling but be closer to stock then if u used say, OME spring. lift gained in front would most likely be 2.5 at the high setting if u reuse stock springs, new ones may make it closer to 3. the FJ will work well too, but will also add a small bit of lift (1 in. so u would have to set the 5100 at a lower setting) unless u want over 3 up front. but u could always add a spacer outback with the 5100 shocks. it just doesnt make too much sense to use the 5100 with spacers, unless u want over 3 in. by the way , they now advertise the 5100 as a 0- 2.5 lift instead of just for lifted vec.s Bilstein 5100 Front and Rear Shocks from Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc u could also just use the OME coils with ur stock shocks but i wouldnt since the springs will lift it beyond what the stock shocks are setup for.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 320 (members: 3, guests: 317)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,304
Messages
3,554,041
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top