Tacoma Suspension Swap

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

After the popularity of the FJ swap, I've often wondered if there would be any benefit from installing a Tacoma suspension on the 4runner. I've found several questions on this swap and not many answers. Similar to the FJ swap, I thought this would be a great bang for the buck mod for the 4th gen. The bad news is since the Tacoma uses leafs in the rear, this is for the front only. The rear Tacoma shocks have a different sized lower bushing, if you swap this out the Tacoma rear shocks will work. See wrestler157's comment in the second post.

I installed front Bilsteins from a TRD Tacoma 4x4 and it turned out very nice. The ride is very good, I'd say on par with other swaps (FJ, 5100's, etc). Since I was previously lifted and don't have original numbers, lift height is not exact. I estimate around 1.25-1.5" lift gained with this setup (no spacers, just Tacoma shocks/coils). The coils are beefier than stock, but free height is about the same so there aren't any huge gains in lift. I only have a few miles on this setup so far, and won't have many due to rubbing with my 285's and under 2" lift, but I've been impressed. I'll be running this setup for a week or two, I'll post an update before I take them off. I'm not sure there's a market for OEM Tacoma suspensions, so this might be a cheaper alternative to the FJ swap.

Stock 4runner coils vs stock Tacoma coils

Tacoma coilover installed

End result. Yes the rear is high, I've got about 3" lift from my OW setup. This is only temporary so I didn't bother doing anything with the rear.

 

[wrestler157]

The rear shocks can work. I am running extended rear tacoma shocks(5100) on my 4r to have enough travel on 3.5 springs. All you have to do it change out the bushing in the eye.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The rear shocks can work. I am running extended rear tacoma shocks(5100) on my 4r to have enough travel on 3.5 springs. All you have to do it change out the bushing in the eye.

Thanks for pointing that out, I'll update my post.

 

[LTDSC]

Thanks for this. Picking up 05 Tacoma TRD struts tomorrow night. This helped a lot.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks for this. Picking up 05 Tacoma TRD struts tomorrow night. This helped a lot.

Good luck with the swap, let me know how it turns out!

 

[Casper421]

Thanks for this. Picking up 05 Tacoma TRD struts tomorrow night. This helped a lot.

What, no more DS 2.5/1.5?!

 

[LTDSC]

What, no more DS 2.5/1.5?!

My Xreas is wearing out and sagging. I want more height but not a lot. Mainly just more front height. I'll most likely do a spacer with this to get to 3". Also probably nab some UCAs as well.

 

[ffRich54]

After the popularity of the FJ swap, I've often wondered if there would be any benefit from installing a Tacoma suspension on the 4runner. I've found several questions on this swap and not many answers. Similar to the FJ swap, I thought this would be a great bang for the buck mod for the 4th gen. The bad news is since the Tacoma uses leafs in the rear, this is for the front only. The rear Tacoma shocks have a different sized lower bushing, if you swap this out the Tacoma rear shocks will work. See wrestler157's comment in the second post.

I installed front Bilsteins from a TRD Tacoma 4x4 and it turned out very nice. The ride is very good, I'd say on par with other swaps (FJ, 5100's, etc). Since I was previously lifted and don't have original numbers, lift height is not exact. I estimate around 1.25-1.5" lift gained with this setup (no spacers, just Tacoma shocks/coils). The coils are beefier than stock, but free height is about the same so there aren't any huge gains in lift. I only have a few miles on this setup so far, and won't have many due to rubbing with my 285's and under 2" lift, but I've been impressed. I'll be running this setup for a week or two, I'll post an update before I take them off. I'm not sure there's a market for OEM Tacoma suspensions, so this might be a cheaper alternative to the FJ swap.

Stock 4runner coils vs stock Tacoma coils

Tacoma coilover installed

End result. Yes the rear is high, I've got about 3" lift from my OW setup. This is only temporary so I didn't bother doing anything with the rear.

Thanks for this. Picking up 05 Tacoma TRD struts tomorrow night. This helped a lot.

Any updates from anyone that did this? What rear springs did you use?

 

[LTDSC]

Any updates from anyone that did this? What rear springs did you use?

I ran it for months on and off road. I used the Daystar rears with it as well as the toytec. It rode amazing and handled great. Highly recommend.

 

[SSt4r]

Any idea what the spring weight / rating is for these coils compared to the FJ coils?
I have an ARB front now with FJ coils and they are a little light.

 

[mattafact]

I'd be curious to know too.

 

[gfluff]

picking up some taco coils tomorrow for cheap ($50).
07 SR5 4x4 V8 that I got last week. Front is saggy and clapped out feeling to me. feels like you're on a water bed on the fwy.
5100s and FJ rear springs coming after Christmas.
I really want to pop the taco springs on the stock shocks just for kicks, and to kinda level it temporarily. It just has tons of rake, and I don't like it.
Thoughts?

 

[gfluff]

coils purchased and in the garage. installing Wednesday, maybe?

 

[Dunngeon]

I ran it for months on and off road. I used the Daystar rears with it as well as the toytec. It rode amazing and handled great. Highly recommend.

Just to be clear, you ran
Front:
Blistien 5100s with Taco Springs
Rear:
?

Thanks LTDSC

 

[ebg18t]

Just to be clear, you ran
Front:
Blistien 5100s with Taco Springs
Rear:
?

Thanks LTDSC

Dungeon - you can use the DS spacer or a FJ rear spring.

 

[ffRich54]

Thinking about getting these from a 14 TRD Toyota Tacoma:

Bilstein struts with coils (part # 48510-AD061)
Bilstein Shocks (part # 48530-AD051)

Will they work? If so, what rear springs would you recommend?

 

[LTDSC]

Just to be clear, you ran
Front:
Blistien 5100s with Taco Springs
Rear:
?

Thanks LTDSC

I ran the tacoma struts with their springs

 

[Dunngeon]

I ran the tacoma struts with their springs

And then stock 4runner rear shocks?

 

[LTDSC]

And then stock 4runner rear shocks?

thats correct.

 

[gfluff]

Taco coils on. Got an inch from them, went from 33 to 34 on the money. Front axles are now pretty close to parallel with the ground. Driver's side was easy, passenger side was a pain. And the stock Tokicos are soooo dead...almost no rebound. I was able to compress them to make the install easier...lol. S'ok, now I know I don't have to max out my Bils when I get 'em. Quick test drive felt good, since there's some more up travel now, and it's no longer almost riding on the bump stops.

Oh, and took off the running boards and front mudflaps! Kept the rears for now, I'll probably end up cutting them somehow...