Suspension Noob, Firehose Mode and Time Sensitive q's (5100/Moog Thread)

[Maximum_Yes]

Greetings!

I have a 2008 4WD V-6 on which my X-REAS is failing (leaking). This is the wife's daily driver for shuttling the kiddos around, but will likely become my own rig long term.

Reading on X-REAS replacement, it looks like it is easier and cheaper to go to an independent shock system. Since this car belongs to my family, I want to make sure I'm looking out for them first so my first question is: How much time do I really have before this failure becomes a safety issue? Car currently has 145k Miles on it. This problem has developed in the last 5k miles or so.

Thinking longer term, when I receive this rig, I'd like to do some off roading, but the primary use will still be daily driver. To wit, it sounds like the Bilstein 5100's are the way to go, but I'm still not sure what I should be doing for the springs.

Looking at the threads on the topic it seems that the OEM FJ Springs are most common for the Bilsteins, but a cursory scan of the marketplace shows few and expensive options for procurement. Then I found this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/162125-coil-rates-oem-4runner-oem-fj-moog-others.html

I did some searches but I couldn't find any clear collective opinion on the Moog options. They are inexpensive and I guess given my setup and the options in that thread 81090's or 81088's would make the most sense for the front, and 81045's for the rear. That said, I'm reading that there are fitment issues on the 81045's when looking at their listing page on Amazon. Is there any truth to this? Are the Moog springs good facsimile's of the FJ OEM's? Should I just spend the dough now and get a set of Superflexes and Coilovers? Another option?

I don't know if I care about lift yet, I'm just trying to get the best ride I can when I replace my XREAS. It seems that the Bilsteins are a good option, as I could adjust the fronts and add spacers in the future, but I'm really not sure if they are my best option.

I hope you can forgive the questions asked from a place of ignorance, but I thank you for your answers in earnest!

 

[Inv4drZm]

If you are not sure what you want to do currently lift-wise, just throw on the 5100s and keep the stock springs.

I don't think the leaking shock would cause a safety issue your truck's ride will just become more springy.

 

[Maximum_Yes]

If you are not sure what you want to do currently lift-wise, just throw on the 5100s and keep the stock springs.

I don't think the leaking shock would cause a safety issue your truck's ride will just become more springy.

I do want to throw 265/70R17's or better on at my next tire change (~5k) I suspect that means I need to get a 2/1" boost per http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

I do have some rub on my front right 65 right now at hard over, so I'm not sure if I need to add to that or not.

 

[RonJR]

I agree that a good first step is just installing the 5100's and keeping the stock springs. Use the "no spring compressor" method documented on this and other forums, and you can do the work yourself in an afternoon. Then you can repeat the process if you decide to lift more and/or get longer/stiffer springs.

The amount of lift is kind of irrelevant with respect to rubbing with the 265/70/17's. The rubbing issue isn't on top, but rather fore and/or aft, depending on the position of the LCA cams required for proper caster. With minimal lift, the caster won't change so you shouldn't have to move the LCA cams much to realign. The new tires will have about .5" greater radius vs. the stock 265/65/17's, so you can look at your existing clearances and see if you'll be in trouble or not.

 

[toy4xchris]

If you have the money and really do plan on keeping the 4runner around and using it offroad just go ahead and do the coilovers and superflex or similar rears.
but if you are really unsure what to do next and just mainly street driven with occasional offroad put the 5100's on it and run it. Ultimately it comes down to your budget and expectations of the vehicle.

 

[Terminator03]

Another noob here (my first official post, although I’ve been lurking/learning here for a couple of months). Anyway, this thread is of interest to me as I’m contemplating suspension options for the spring. I was thinking of doing a slight lift, nothing crazy, and keep seeing references to the Bilstein 5100’s in these threads. My current shocks ride very well, so I’m wondering if the 5100’s are necessary for a lift beyond stock height because they allow more travel, or do people add them just to improve handling/ride? Where is the best place to purchase these shocks? Sorry for tagging onto this thread, but I figured it was better than starting a new, but similar one. Hopefully my questions will help the OP as well.:cheers: