Tacoma Suspension Swap
- Thread starter ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
- Start date
Elan750
New member
Haha yeah this will actually be the 4th time switching the front springs. At about 3 hrs per change but the wife still isn't impressed
I have a Milwaukee M18 cordless 1/2" impact driver that I can't reccomend more to speed things up.
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First post, sorry if this was covered already. I have a '15 Tacoma and started purchasing suspension to lift it and have now decided to get a 4runner. I already bought a set of Icon extended coilovers for the Tacoma. Will these swap over to the 4runner? I read the reference to changing out the lower bushing. Does that relate to aluminum spacers used on the Icons? Thanks in advance for any help.
slimjj
New member
I don't own Icons, but I swapped with Tacoma TRD Off Road front and rear on my 4th gen. The fronts should be a direct replacement, no modification required. You'll need to press out the lower bushings in the rear. If the lower bushing on the Icons can be pressed out, then you can use the Energy Suspension bushings available on Amazon. If not, then I would sell the rears on the Tacoma forum and pick up a new set that fits your 4R. This is for fitment on a 4th gen, I can't speak for fitment on a 5th gen 4R.
Elan750
New member
Haha yeah this will actually be the 4th time switching the front springs. At about 3 hrs per change but the wife still isn't impressed
I have a Milwaukee M18 cordless 1/2" impact driver that I can't reccomend more to speed things up.
Well after my final suspension update, I thought I would write about all my taco/oem/fj attempts in a separate thread, if interested, see it here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/228858-moog-fj-81108s-how-do-they-feel.html
Thanks for all the great information guys! I have a 4x2, V6 Sport, X-reas with about 100k on them. I don't do any off-roading, but tow a 2500 lb boat 2-4 times a month. I am looking to level out my ride and stifften up my ride overall.
I bought a Tacoma TRD front set / rear shocks, and I was planning on the swap with some stiffer rear springs. But, after more input from this thread I am having seconds thoughts...
Few questions:
1. Any recommendations for rear springs with this swap that will stay level, but will stiffen up my ride and help when towing?
2. Is anyone towing with this Tacoma swap? Or, should I be looking at an all around different option to replace my flaccid X-reas?
I bought a Tacoma TRD front set / rear shocks, and I was planning on the swap with some stiffer rear springs. But, after more input from this thread I am having seconds thoughts...
Few questions:
1. Any recommendations for rear springs with this swap that will stay level, but will stiffen up my ride and help when towing?
2. Is anyone towing with this Tacoma swap? Or, should I be looking at an all around different option to replace my flaccid X-reas?
Az636
New member
Im sorry to bring a thread back from the dead but i've come across a 16/17 Tacoma TRD off road shocks with leveling kit on it already. -
From what I've read over the last few pages is the rears are a little soft for the 4runners? It's not going to break the bank if I purchase them, I just don't want to get everything taken apart, only to find out I'll be doing the rears again.
Can anyone shine light on possibilities of new taco suspension?
From what I've read over the last few pages is the rears are a little soft for the 4runners? It's not going to break the bank if I purchase them, I just don't want to get everything taken apart, only to find out I'll be doing the rears again.
Can anyone shine light on possibilities of new taco suspension?
Brokeazzlos
New member
I just installed a 2016 trd off road set up on my 05 4runner.
Ride is soft. (I love it)
I have fj springs in the rear and can feel like it cycles more than the front over bouncy stuff.
Feels like a little under dampened w the tacoma shocks.
Ride is soft. (I love it)
I have fj springs in the rear and can feel like it cycles more than the front over bouncy stuff.
Feels like a little under dampened w the tacoma shocks.
slimjj
New member
Im sorry to bring a thread back from the dead but i've come across a 16/17 Tacoma TRD off road shocks with leveling kit on it already. -
From what I've read over the last few pages is the rears are a little soft for the 4runners? It's not going to break the bank if I purchase them, I just don't want to get everything taken apart, only to find out I'll be doing the rears again.
Can anyone shine light on possibilities of new taco suspension?
From my experience, the rear is soft, but not unbearably soft. I would try it out and see how it feels. Worst case, if you don't like them, they will be very easy to swap out, like maybe 15-20 min per side, because you'll have loosened all the tough bolts from your old setup already.
Other than that, I'd be careful with that much spacer in the front, it may put you over a 3" lift, which will make it impossible to get caster even close to spec, may end up with negative caster. You'll also need more height in the rear, or the front will be higher than the rear (bro stance). I'd recommend some FJ springs w/ Daystar 1.5 spacer or Icon 2.0 springs in the rear.
It's a totally different ride, but much more off road capable, that's why I love it.
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Tidal
New member
I'm looking at the same thing and found a pair of front and rear bilstein shocks on Craigslist. I have an 06 4Runner and was thinking of buying them. https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/6012757022.html
Az636
New member
On my 07 I ran with that same exact FJ setup and it was perfect. I just got the 03 and came across this deal... While I'm very familiar w/ the FJ setup, I have no experience w/ Tacoma setup. I do have a set of FJ rear springs tho, but I was also curious on how much that front end would lift tho.
Elan750
New member
Its all personal opinion and preference in the end of course, but My reccomendation is to run the other way from this setup.
Imagine this, your taking a stock suspension which is tuned for the general population (a little soft). then your adding 500+ pounds (4runner vs taco). So in Car-Talk analogy, it feels like your driving around with two mother in laws in the back. :whoo:
But again, everyone likes theyre coffee a different way but If I wanted to be bouncing around, I'd buy an old cadillac.
Imagine this, your taking a stock suspension which is tuned for the general population (a little soft). then your adding 500+ pounds (4runner vs taco). So in Car-Talk analogy, it feels like your driving around with two mother in laws in the back. :whoo:
But again, everyone likes theyre coffee a different way
but If I wanted to be bouncing around, I'd buy an old cadillac.
Az636
New member
Its all personal opinion and preference in the end of course, but My reccomendation is to run the other way from this setup.
Imagine this, your taking a stock suspension which is tuned for the general population (a little soft). then your adding 500+ pounds (4runner vs taco). So in Car-Talk analogy, it feels like your driving around with two mother in laws in the back. :whoo:
But again, everyone likes theyre coffee a different way
Well said. 5100's and Fj springs it is
Mr.emergency
New member
I'll add my .2 to this post. Just completed a suspension swap this last weekend. Have 157k on my 2007 sport edition, removed the xreas and put on front springs and shocks from a 2014 Tacoma TRD, adding the daystar leveling kit in front. for the rear I put in OME 895 with bilstein 5100s. I didn't think I would see a big difference in suspension characteristics. But it is definitely noticeable. Around corners on the freeway the suspension is markedly more stiff than the xreas(in a good way), and provided a decent amount of lift also.
NinjaOne
New member
Sweet. Seeing this thread makes me curious if I could run the Tacoma OME BP-51 shocks
Also, I grew up in Port Orchard! The odds....
Mr.emergency
New member
Sweet. Seeing this thread makes me curious if I could run the Tacoma OME BP-51 shocks
Also, I grew up in Port Orchard! The odds....
I bet that you could run those. The Taco front suspension swaps over nice.
Speaking of swaps- It looks like we swapped locations, as I'm from the Seattle area- and now moved out here lol. I recognize that decal on your back window- Im positive I've seen you in passing before.
NinjaOne
New member
Hmm, maybe I'll swing by Mule or call ARB and see when/if a 4th gen specific set will be available. They look amazing
Now in Everett, I generalized when I put Seattle in. I travel down that way fairly frequently still, got a few friends down that direction. I miss the small town feel....
