I've got an '03 V8 Sport 2wd with the Xreas shocks...and the fronts leak pretty bad. I have the budget "leveling kit" on the front end. I'm not interested in raising the vehicle as I just use this thing for towing my track car and occasionally driving to work. I picked up a set of take off FJ shocks. Has anyone ran the 4runner springs/FJ shocks combo? Results? I like the current ride although the nose dive on braking is pretty annoying. Do the FJ shocks feel much different than the xreas shocks? Any input is greatly appreciated.
Suspension setup advice/experience
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S p a r k y
New member
I haven't heard of anyone leaving stock springs and going with just FJ shocks. But I would assume the ride wont change a whole lot from the xreas, yes it will some, but probably not enough to really tell. While you are in there I would suggest going with FJ springs. Feels more trucky which most all agree is good.
RickC
New member
From what I have read, the FJ springs are a little stiffer. So if that makes the Gen4 ride like a Gen3, I would not like it. I really like the Gen3 body style and bought one about two years ago. I hated the ride so bad, I sold it and bought a 4th Gen and love it. I don't like that truck ride in an SUV. And my DoubleCab Tundra rode better than both the Gen3 and Gen4 does.
I'm not a huge fan of the truck ride, so avoiding it is fine with me. The ride is a big reason I bought the 4Runner. I'm hoping the new shocks don't dramatically change the ride. Just need to make sure there are not compatibility issues or gotchas. The linked shocks idea sounds good on paper...but I can't wait to tear it all off.
S p a r k y
New member
Shouldnt have a prob with compatibility I have FJ shocks on mine and springs. No prob with getting shocks on.
RickC I live in maryville if you ever need to feel what one with FJ stuff rides like let me know.
RickC I live in maryville if you ever need to feel what one with FJ stuff rides like let me know.
RickC
New member
Thanks Dude. I may have to take you up on that when my XREAS goes out. I am hoping it lasts for a while though, but once it goes, I will definitely go with either the FJ swapout or Bilsteins. My TRD Tundra had Bilsteins and it rode great. But it was a longer wheelbase which affects the ride dramatically.
Thanks for the offer though. I will keep it in mind...
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
I wouldn't swap just fj shocks. Do the coils, you won't regret it. Stiffer in this case is better. After putting fj coils on the stock xreas system, I immediately noticed a smoother ride over bumps and less nose dive when braking. Not the "truck" ride at all. Do a search, you'll find tons of peeople who are using them and as far as I know all are very satisfied. Swapping stock fj shocks would be equivalent to the ride of a stock 4runner without xreas. When paired with the fj springs, its a completely different result.
krupnation
New member
Totally agree here. Just do a full FJ suspension swap (shocks and springs). The ride is not harsh or trucky at all. It basically just balances out the ride so its not mushy like a Cadillac...or do the FJC coil/Bilstein 5100 swap like I did. Very cost effective, you can level the front, and the ride is incredible compared to stock.
If you want a plush ride, buy a Lexus! :boink:
RickC
New member
Sounds good. I know others know more about this, but when people start talking about a "stiffer" ride, it scares the hell out of me, because I don't want that. I felt like the Gen3 rode like a Jeep Wrangler. And if you have ever owned one of those, you know what I mean. I swore with the Gen3 that I could run over a nickel and tell you whether it was heads or tails. I felt everything little thing on the road.
I do like the idea of leveling it out though. I don't care much for the rake.
And I have owned a Lexus. And it was NICE!
I do like the idea of leveling it out though. I don't care much for the rake.
And I have owned a Lexus. And it was NICE!
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
The oem spension is so soft that even small bumps are felt, but after the fj swap I hardly feel any of them, and large bumps are much less harsh. I know it seems contradicting, but with the fj coil swap stiffer translates to smoother. I can't recall a single person who was not satisfied after doing the fj swap, and there's a good number of guys who've done it. The 5100 and fj coils is a great setup, I have that now, all depends on your budget.
My 03 limted V8 came with xreas and i swapped it for the full front and rear fj setup. cost me 100 bucks total with all 4 springs, front and rear shocks. i did notice that i felt the smaller bumps a little more but the rest of the ride felt the same. give about an inch lift give or take.
Whitebeauty
New member
Curious you stated you tow your trailer to the track which im guessin is pretty heavy...n e thoughts of maybe airlift or something of the type to level the truck??
Two things are keeping me from doing the FJ spring swap.
1. I don't want the extra lift. I like the ride height as is.
2. Need a set of rear springs.
If I did get a set of rear springs, would I still need the budget lift I have in the front to level out the truck?
Regarding towing, I move the car back on the trailer so I'm not loading up tongue weight. It's still loaded, but most of the weight is sitting on evenly on the trailer axles, so I don't need any air lift.
1. I don't want the extra lift. I like the ride height as is.
2. Need a set of rear springs.
If I did get a set of rear springs, would I still need the budget lift I have in the front to level out the truck?
Regarding towing, I move the car back on the trailer so I'm not loading up tongue weight. It's still loaded, but most of the weight is sitting on evenly on the trailer axles, so I don't need any air lift.
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
At most you'll gain 1" front and 1/2" rear, which is minimal IMO. You can get a full set of FJ springs and do the swap, front and rear, so not sure why #2 prevents you from doing it. Keeping the front spacer is up to you. You probably got about 1.75" lift from the Budget Boost, so use the above numbers to figure out where you'd be at with various setups (keeping vs ditching the spacer). The FJ springs will also handle weight better, so there will be less sag.
If you're not interested in the FJ swap then that's fine, but I think you're wasting your time going with stock FJ shocks in that case (unless they are the bilstein's).
If you're not interested in the FJ swap then that's fine, but I think you're wasting your time going with stock FJ shocks in that case (unless they are the bilstein's).
