I apologize for bringing up such an old topic, but is it just a matter of ordering some rear shock bushings for my 03, and putting it in the taco shocks?
Tacoma Suspension Swap
- Thread starter ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
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I apologize for bringing up such an old topic, but is it just a matter of ordering some rear shock bushings for my 03, and putting it in the taco shocks?
ronman737
New member
Pretty much. If you have xreas you have to take all that shit out and its a pita.
I would have a shop press out the rear shock bushings because its extremely difficult. I just did my swap today and it took me about 6 hours including lunch. I will say that I am really impressed with how much better it handles than with the xreas with 150k miles. Brake dive is minimal and you definately have to look over the hood because it added about 2 inches of ground clearance. Before, I could barely crawl under the thing because it was so low. I had the taco shocks and struts in my garage for about 2 years and wish I had done it sooner. While you are spraying pb blaster all over everything, make sure you check your cv axles and your sway bar end links. You might as well replace all of that while you are in there. I actually had to grind off the driver rear top stud becuase that thing was seized up. Its pretty tight in there.
These videos are great resources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-7ysiGblyc (removal and install)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAskv_pSmS0 (xreas removal)
These guys have it down. They also give you the correct torque values for all of the parts that you reinstall. Have fun!
jarodjohns
New member
Tag... I just purchased the suspension from a 2017 TRD Sport to swap out in 2006 with XREAS..
slimjj
New member
They do two things wrong IMO, they don’t disconnect the XREAS at the check valve and they bend the body metal to access the bolt. Disconnecting at the check valve eliminates spraying hydraulic fluid on your garage floor and makes it so you can reinstall a new XREAS shock if you choose. Bending the metal is just being lazy. Double up a wrench if you need more torque to get the back one loose.
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slimjj
New member
You CAN use the rear Tacoma shocks by replacing the lower bushing with the Energy Suspension bushings, but I would not recommend it. The Taco shocks are way too small (under dampened) for the 4runner and your back end will be very bouncy, ask me how I know.
Do yourself a favor and get some 5100s (4600s at a minimum with no lift).
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ronman737
New member
Bending what metal? the inner fender? You have to bend it to access the back stud. There is really no other way. I do wish I knew how not to get H fluid all over myself though.
slimjj
New member
Yes, the metal on the inner fender, it’s not necessary to bend it. Grab your 14mm box wrench, grab another box wrench, hook them together and you have enough torque to remove the nut. Crowsfoot might work too, but didn’t have one to try.
If you disconnect the hydraulic lines at the check valves (just inside the wheel well liner for the fronts) you can reuse or replace the struts. If you disconnect at the banjo, you spray fluid all over and ruin the whole assembly. Not a huge deal as most remove it all anyway, but I don’t like spraying hydraulic fluid or telling people the wrong way to go about it.
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slimjj
New member
Attachments
slimjj
New member
I guess Toyota did drop the body on the frame with the suspension already put together, so maybe bending the fender metal is the right method, who knows. I just know the two wrench method worked for me.
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ronman737
New member
Yeah I know what the two wrench method is but id rather bend the inner fender and deal with it than punch the wheel house liner or the coil spring with everything ive got.
Not sure if it's been mentioned but 3rd gen Tacoma (2016+) coils and front shocks are different from 2nd gen Tacoma. They install the same but the springs are taller as well as the shock perches. 2nd gen trucks that install 3rd gen stock suspension gain about 1 inch of front lift. Therefore those of you running them on 4runners can expect more lift as well.
slimjj
New member
Hahaha. The fronts aren’t THAT bad, I actually considered using the Taco coils instead of the FJ coils I bought with 5100s, but I had it all assembled and aligned and didn’t want to monkey with it any more. The rear shocks are ridiculous, like a 1970s Cadi, bouncing down the road.
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Will this work?
I'm new here so forgive me for any forum etiquette I'm missing.
Just picked up an 05 T4R Limited with the V8. Do you think I'd be able to use these: https://worcester.craigslist.org/pts/d/2016-tacoma-trd-off-road/6575191488.html
From what you said, it sounds like I could use them in the front but not the rear of my T4R.
Any help would be appreciated!
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.
I'm new here so forgive me for any forum etiquette I'm missing.
Just picked up an 05 T4R Limited with the V8. Do you think I'd be able to use these: https://worcester.craigslist.org/pts/d/2016-tacoma-trd-off-road/6575191488.html
From what you said, it sounds like I could use them in the front but not the rear of my T4R.
Any help would be appreciated!
What rear springs did you run on the rear and did you need spacers?
I'm about to pick up a set of 2016 TRD offroad and would like to know which rear springs would either level out with the front or the front slightly lower.
ETA going on a 07 Limited V6 if that matters.
Scotte30m3
New member
So I've spent a lot of time going through this thread and have not seen the answer to my question so may be someone can help.
I have a 2wd 2003 4R v8. I recently bought some 2018 TRD off road shocks and struts (60 bucks). Does anyone know if I can use them with the stock springs? I'm not interested in lifting the truck.
I have a 2wd 2003 4R v8. I recently bought some 2018 TRD off road shocks and struts (60 bucks). Does anyone know if I can use them with the stock springs? I'm not interested in lifting the truck.
WhiteNight05
New member
Swapped out a daystar spacer lift on my 2005 Sport V8 for struts from a 3rd gen Tacoma and added a 1/2” top spacer overall I gained 1/2” over the spacer lift and way better ride quality. Thought someone may find this useful info.
