TRD Suspension Upgrade Advice - Bilstein Vs Fox

[TrueNorth4Runner]

Hey everyone!

I know the topic of TRD lifts has been beat to death, but mine is a little more specific, as it involves both Taco take off and T4R take off suspension!

Was hoping you guys could help:

I am currently looking to upgrade my stock 2008 SR5 suspension, to TRD pro take offs. 112K US miles on the vehicle, so probably some sag on there and such, and I just want more clearance (and slightly larger tires).

I am also on a budget, so there's that. (I wish I could afford an entire Icon package!)

However, I am a little stuck in terms of a few options I have, and some questions too.

My dilemma is that I currently have the following in my possession:

- 3rd Gen Tacoma TRD Bilstein front struts (low mileage, like new)
- 5th Gen 4Runner front FOX front struts (low mile, take offs)
- 3rd Gen Taco TRD Bilstein rear shocks (also low mile, take offs)

(Sadly couldn't secure the rear FOX shocks, but hunting!)

My questions are basically the following, and if anyone with experience could pipe in and answer any of them, I would be greatly appreciative

1. How much lift over stock, on a V6 SR5, could I expect with the TRD Pro Bilsteins off a Tacoma? (I have read varied answers, some saying it only levels the front, some saying level + 1")

2. Same question: How much lift over stock, could I expect using the TRD Pro FOX 4Runner front struts?

3. Will I need TRD Taco UCA's for either one?

4. With the rear shocks, how much can I lift the rear end, spring wise? I have read max 2" before needing longer shocks, but can't confirm it

5. Is it true that for the 5th Gen struts to work, the bushing insert (lower side) needs to be shaved to fit the 4th gen LCA mount?


I apologize in advance for so many questions, but I just want to make sure I have my ducks in a row, before I start bolting parts on, paying for an alignment to get done, etc

Would like it to just get done and give me a result I am happy with.

Thanks!

PS Before anyone asks what my end goal is for a lift, it will vary based on the lift either strut set gives me. If one provides more lift than the other, then I may sway that way, but I do know the Foxes are a better ride too, so there's that.

Looking forward to any and all replies!

 

[xtremewlr]

1. How much lift over stock, on a V6 SR5, could I expect with the TRD Pro Bilsteins off a Tacoma? (I have read varied answers, some saying it only levels the front, some saying level + 1")

2. Same question: How much lift over stock, could I expect using the TRD Pro FOX 4Runner front struts?

3. Will I need TRD Taco UCA's for either one?

4. With the rear shocks, how much can I lift the rear end, spring wise? I have read max 2" before needing longer shocks, but can't confirm it

5. Is it true that for the 5th Gen struts to work, the bushing insert (lower side) needs to be shaved to fit the 4th gen LCA mount?

1 & 2: They are going to provide about the same amount of lift., which will be 1.5" to 2". That lift # is based off good stock suspension, not failed XREAS or the like where the truck is sitting lower than stock.

3: Up to you. Your stock UCAs should work with either one. The question is, how many miles are on them and are the bushings and ball joints worn out? If they are higher mileage and questionable, then replace them. Yes, you can use the newer UCAs.

4: About 2 inches would be correct.

5: The lower bushings are only different in the rear shocks, not on the front ones. Also, they are not struts. If anything, they more resemble coil overs.

If you can get the Fox, go with those but the Bilstein are very good for most offroading you will do and are great on paved roads.

 

[TrueNorth4Runner]

1 & 2: They are going to provide about the same amount of lift., which will be 1.5" to 2". That lift # is based off good stock suspension, not failed XREAS or the like where the truck is sitting lower than stock.

3: Up to you. Your stock UCAs should work with either one. The question is, how many miles are on them and are the bushings and ball joints worn out? If they are higher mileage and questionable, then replace them. Yes, you can use the newer UCAs.

4: About 2 inches would be correct.

5: The lower bushings are only different in the rear shocks, not on the front ones. Also, they are not struts. If anything, they more resemble coil overs.

If you can get the Fox, go with those but the Bilstein are very good for most offroading you will do and are great on paved roads.

I truly appreciate the exceptionally thorough reply! (And I mean that)

I do not have XREAS on my SR5, so no worries there, just sad old stock suspension.

UCA's seems fine, but if I can find some newer ones on the cheap....why not, right?

I already own BOTH sets of front struts/coilovers (a weird circumstance occurred where I purchased the Bilsteins via a friend, and while they were being shipped to me, the Fox Coils became available locally at a very fair price. Naturally being the parts hoarder that I am, I decided I needed both options :shrug: )

So with what you've told me, it seems using the fox coilovers might be the better option of the two! (and hopefully I can snag a rear set down the road)

LAST question I forgot to ask:

If I were to install the Bilstein tacoma REAR shocks on my STOCK rear spring setup.... would that affect anything, in terms of shocks bottoming out before the springs do/before bump stops are are reached, or am I OK to run them on a stock spring setup for now, until I choose my lift springs?

 

[xtremewlr]

LAST question I forgot to ask:

If I were to install the Bilstein tacoma REAR shocks on my STOCK rear spring setup.... would that affect anything, in terms of shocks bottoming out before the springs do/before bump stops are are reached, or am I OK to run them on a stock spring setup for now, until I choose my lift springs?

Rear Tacoma Bilsteins work, however, they require a different lower bushing and they are not valved stiff enough for the 4Runner IMO. You are better off getting new Bilstien rears that are specifically for the 4Runner.

I ran the Tacoma Bilstien rears for a while and they were too soft, especially once you added any kind of weight to the rear, be it a bumper or just a bunch of camping gear.

 

[TrueNorth4Runner]

Rear Tacoma Bilsteins work, however, they require a different lower bushing and they are not valved stiff enough for the 4Runner IMO. You are better off getting new Bilstien rears that are specifically for the 4Runner.

I ran the Tacoma Bilstein rears for a while and they were too soft, especially once you added any kind of weight to the rear, be it a bumper or just a bunch of camping gear.

Have heard that as well, recently, guess I didn't want to believe it! Seems so odd to me that the shocks off a truck that is meant to carry a load, would struggle in a 4runner. But the facts are there, I suppose

And yes, thank you for reminding me about the bushing, I did know that and totally forgot.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Have heard that as well, recently, guess I didn't want to believe it! Seems so odd to me that the shocks off a truck that is meant to carry a load, would struggle in a 4runner. But the facts are there, I suppose

And yes, thank you for reminding me about the bushing, I did know that and totally forgot.

The difference is that the Tacoma has leaf springs on the rear which are presumably stiffer than the 4R’s coils. My suspension post linked below may be helpful if you haven’t already seen it.

 

[TrueNorth4Runner]

The difference is that the Tacoma has leaf springs on the rear which are presumably stiffer than the 4R’s coils. My suspension post linked below may be helpful if you haven’t already seen it.

This is true, I did forget about the spring type and spring rate differences. (Though in my mind, I always thought shocks were there to control spring rebound and bounce, right? I guess my brain thought "well, stiffer springs in a Tacoma would bounce a lot, so the shock should be valved to slow down the bounce of a heavier load on stiff springs....thus they should be better than a passenger load rated shock/spring combo". Guess I was a dumb-dumb haha)

Will take a look at your link! Thanks for the reply!

So thus far the consensus is;

Use the Fox Coils up front
Get proper rear 4runner valved shocks (or ideally, the fox ones if I could find them)
and then get Bilstein or whatever rear springs with a bit of lift if desired.

 

[xtremewlr]

This is true, I did forget about the spring type and spring rate differences. (Though in my mind, I always thought shocks were there to control spring rebound and bounce, right? I guess my brain thought "well, stiffer springs in a Tacoma would bounce a lot, so the shock should be valved to slow down the bounce of a heavier load on stiff springs....thus they should be better than a passenger load rated shock/spring combo". Guess I was a dumb-dumb haha)

Will take a look at your link! Thanks for the reply!

So thus far the consensus is;

Use the Fox Coils up front
Get proper rear 4runner valved shocks (or ideally, the fox ones if I could find them)
and then get Bilstein or whatever rear springs with a bit of lift if desired.

You can use FJ Cruiser rear springs for a bit of a lift. Direct swap. You can get them new from rockauto.com. I ran those for a while and they work good. 07 to 11 I believe