Tacoma Suspension Swap

[PolkaSaucy]

Hey guys,
New on the forum so, apologies in advance if I'm making any rookie mistakes.

Have a 2005 Sr5 4x4
Recently did a taco swap up front from a 19 TRD off road set up. Got the whole kit under 2k miles for $140. It lifted the front up way more than I thought it would, to the point where I had some serious negative rake. Couldn't source any fj coils, but I did find a set of 14 4runner coils, paired with 1.5" Daystar spacers for $80, so I went that route instead. The coils were actually a little shorter than mine, but thicker and stiffer, so it all worked out and she sits pretty level now, gotta say I'm really happy with this set up, no more mushy suspension. Have no idea how much lift I got, as I didn't really take any measurements, just kinda winged it while we were rebuilding the front CV axles.

I have yet to put in the TRD off road billsteins in the back, but have a quick question about the bushings before I swap em in. I'm looking between the 9.8108G and the 9.8140R, but I can't seem to find the rest of the hardware to go with it (metal sleeves, washers, ect).

Are you guys just swapping the sleeves out of the old bushings into the new bushings? Or do they come with and just aren't shown? Sorry if this was already covered in the thread, I read through as much as I could. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jpilot]

Hey guys,
New on the forum so, apologies in advance if I'm making any rookie mistakes.

Have a 2005 Sr5 4x4
Recently did a taco swap up front from a 19 TRD off road set up. Got the whole kit under 2k miles for $140. It lifted the front up way more than I thought it would, to the point where I had some serious negative rake. Couldn't source any fj coils, but I did find a set of 14 4runner coils, paired with 1.5" Daystar spacers for $80, so I went that route instead. The coils were actually a little shorter than mine, but thicker and stiffer, so it all worked out and she sits pretty level now, gotta say I'm really happy with this set up, no more mushy suspension. Have no idea how much lift I got, as I didn't really take any measurements, just kinda winged it while we were rebuilding the front CV axles.

I have yet to put in the TRD off road billsteins in the back, but have a quick question about the bushings before I swap em in. I'm looking between the 9.8108G and the 9.8140R, but I can't seem to find the rest of the hardware to go with it (metal sleeves, washers, ect).

Are you guys just swapping the sleeves out of the old bushings into the new bushings? Or do they come with and just aren't shown? Sorry if this was already covered in the thread, I read through as much as I could. Thanks in advance!

Go with the 9.8108G and there is no need for the sleeve, fits right onto the shock mount.

 

[PolkaSaucy]

Go with the 9.8108G and there is no need for the sleeve, fits right onto the shock mount.

Thanks for the info. Idk about fitting right onto the shock mount, was quite the tight squeeze that took some muscling, but eventually it went on lol. I'm assuming it's because it's a poly fitting rather than metal to metal like the stock bushings? That or it's cause I mistakenly bought the red bushings and not the black hourglass, but I was under the impression that they both worked the same. Either way, they're on now, and she rides nice. Thanks again!

 

[Mmarzilli]

Hi,
This was a great thread, thanks for all the info. I have a 2007 4Runner V8 2wd with Xreas. I just removed it all today and have a set of blisteins from a 2019 Tacoma. The rears are 48530-04110 and I replaced the lower bushing with the one suggested and that fits great. My issue it with the upper bushings on the stem. The have a 5/8 lip and the hole in the frame that it sits in is 3/4. There is some play in the fit. Did all of you have that same issue or did you replace the stem bushings as well with ones that fit better? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I've been a proponent of the Tacoma swap since I installed the gear off a 2015 Tacoma TRD OR on my 2007 Sport Edition 2 years and nearly 50K miles ago, and still am based on my experience with the ride on and off the pavement. In fact, I recently picked up another OR Tacoma set taken off a 2020 at 3,700 miles. But...read on.

The fronts are a no-brainer b/c the two vehicles are essentially the same up there, and I never bought into the argument that the Tacoma rears are too soft b/c that wasn't my experience. But I did wonder whether it matters that the Tacoma has leaf springs. I decided to watch for a Black Friday deal on the Bilstein 24-186049, the 4600 made for the 4th Gen 4Runner. I found a new pair for $140 shipped at AJUsa (great service btw) so I bought them and that's when it got interesting. I was pretty surprised at the difference between the Tacoma rear shocks (L) and the one made for 4th Gens (R), which is noticeably larger:

(Note: the Tacoma shock has the straight 9.8140G replacement bushing installed and I painted the mounting ring with black rust preventative paint.)

I haven't installed the new ones yet so I can't comment on any ride differences, and this isn't to knock the Tacoma swap or dissuade anyone from doing it. Just wanted to share this so people considering this move can make a more informed decision.

 

[Bluesky 07]

On Sunday I installed new 4Runner-specific rear 4600s on my '07 Sport. As noted above, I've had 2015 Tacoma OR 4600s front and rear for about 2 years and 50K miles. While I still feel the Tacoma swap is a solid choice, especially given the cost relative to a whole new setup, some owners may definitely prefer to use the 4R version of the 4600 for the rear. So far I have a couple of hundred miles on the new rear shocks; I like the ride a lot and the 4R version of the shock is noticeably beefier, something that surprised me when the shipment arrived a few days ago. Here's a side-by-side:

I still have a front set of 4600s, coils, & UCAs from a 2020 Tacoma OR I plan to install up front. Those aren't a concern b/c the vehicles are nearly identical up there whereas the Tacoma has leaf springs vs. coils on the rear.

 

[PNWLivin]

On Sunday I installed new 4Runner-specific rear 4600s on my '07 Sport. As noted above, I've had 2015 Tacoma OR 4600s front and rear for about 2 years and 50K miles. While I still feel the Tacoma swap is a solid choice, especially given the cost relative to a whole new setup, some owners may definitely prefer to use the 4R version of the 4600 for the rear. So far I have a couple of hundred miles on the new rear shocks; I like the ride a lot and the 4R version of the shock is noticeably beefier, something that surprised me when the shipment arrived a few days ago. Here's a side-by-side:


I still have a front set of 4600s, coils, & UCAs from a 2020 Tacoma OR I plan to install up front. Those aren't a concern b/c the vehicles are nearly identical up there whereas the Tacoma has leaf springs vs. coils on the rear.

Do you have pics with the new rear shocks?

 

[Bluesky 07]

[MENTION=508346]PNWLivin[/MENTION], haven’t had a chance to get decent pics between work & lousy weather but here’s a garage shot FWIW. Really happy with the look of my most recent suspension install. (For those not familiar, the front has coilovers from a 2020 Tacoma TRD Offroad [which have Bilstein shocks] while the rear is on FJ springs & the 4600 model made for 4th Gens, which is their p/n 24-186049.)

 

[Roody]

Go with the 9.8108G and there is no need for the sleeve, fits right onto the shock mount.

So just to clarify, the rear suspension will just mount directly to the new Energy bushings? No metal on metal anymore? Just want to be 100% certain of this before I tackle the swap later this week. Have the suspension, have the bushings, will press the OEM bushings out and the new ones in... and that's it? No need to swap over the metal sleeve and it's all good with metal on the Energy bushing as-is?

 

[Jpilot]

So just to clarify, the rear suspension will just mount directly to the new Energy bushings? No metal on metal anymore? Just want to be 100% certain of this before I tackle the swap later this week. Have the suspension, have the bushings, will press the OEM bushings out and the new ones in... and that's it? No need to swap over the metal sleeve and it's all good with metal on the Energy bushing as-is?

That is correct. If you read the star ratings on the Amazon page for this item, there are multiple people who commented on the 4Runner/Tacoma swap.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Selling surplus front & rear suspension parts from my two Tacoma swaps here if anyone is interested. Edit: SOLD.

 

[malkoto]

Need help

Been beating my head around this quite a bit. I bought some Bilstein 5100s from a 3rd gen Tacoma for my 2007 4runner 4x4 SR5. They currently have Old Man Emu 885s on them. If my calculations are right would this lift to 3.5 inches on bottom setting? It's too high for me obviously so I'm actually going to swap some 3rd gen Tacoma OEM springs on and I'm wondering where I should set the 5100s to achieve a 2-2.5 inch lift?

Thanks a lot for any replies!

 

[djw54]

Awaken, oh ancient thread.

Given that OEM Tacoma take-offs are now running a minimum of $400 (at least that I've seen), is this still the best option, given what's available new in the aftermarket?

Not looking for big lift or off road performance, just economically replacing an aging XREAS.

Thanks.

 

[Az4runnin]

Would Fox TRD PRO Tacoma Fronts without the Eibach lift Springs give a 4th Gen V8 about 2.5" lift up front. There is 5/8" difference in Spring height between Fox and Eibach Coils. The Eibach coils may give too much