Who has 2.5" Sway Away/ Race Runner c/o's?

[Dezert4Runner]

Just picked up a pair with the default 13" 650 lb red springs. The collar is adjusted down showing 2.25" thread, and after install my truck sits at 25" hub to fender :shocked: just came from a set of 5100's at 22.5" hub to fender, so this was a bigger jump in height than I expected.

The previous owner said they were bought new and he installed them set at the default factory setting (supposedly they ship set at 2.5" lift), but didn't know exactly how much lift he was getting from them. He has an '04 ex cab tacoma with a light tube bumper and skids, so I don't know what to think about the collar adjustment. I'm getting the spanner wrench in a couple days from him, but tomorrow morning I'm getting it aligned and expect it to come down a bit after proper geometry, but it seems way too high to be the default 2.5" of lift. Really want to be at 23.5" or so after the dust settles.

Who has a set of these and what setting is your collar at? What is your hub to fender measurement? Any info from current owners would help figure out where I should be!

 

[SL28]

I don't have the coilovers you have, but would just like to suggest on waiting to align it until you get he adjusted height you want. You'll definitely need an alignment after adjusting the suspension, so you might as well just do it once.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I don't have the coilovers you have, but would just like to suggest on waiting to align it until you get he adjusted height you want. You'll definitely need an alignment after adjusting the suspension, so you might as well just do it once.

Obviously not a bad idea but I have the lifetime Firestone alignment, and it's 3 miles away. The spanner wrench I need to go get is 8 miles away, and my tires are like this \ / at the moment and squealing like a banshee lol. I think I might try a big Allen key tomorrow morning in lieu of the spanner before I head off to Firestone. Really more interested to see what other peoples' are adjusted to at this point to get a reference.

 

[BrandonF]

Obviously not a bad idea but I have the lifetime Firestone alignment, and it's 3 miles away. The spanner wrench I need to go get is 8 miles away, and my tires are like this \ / at the moment and squealing like a banshee lol. I think I might try a big Allen key tomorrow morning in lieu of the spanner before I head off to Firestone. Really more interested to see what other peoples' are adjusted to at this point to get a reference.

If you're at 25" hub to fender, they won't be able to get it anywhere close to being aligned anyways. It's a waste of time. I'm surprised you could even get them connected to the lower control arm at that height.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

If you're at 25" hub to fender, they won't be able to get it anywhere close to being aligned anyways. It's a waste of time. I'm surprised you could even get them connected to the lower control arm at that height.

^^^This was my main concern with the height it's at. I took out the LBJ bolts and separated the spindle from the LCA to get it bolted in. I think I would have had to anyway because the lower spring collar on these things is so bulky that the we're contacting the LCA shock tabs making it difficult to bolt in, and it would have been a PITA even at a lower height.

I'll try to adjust them lower before the alignment.

 

[MTD]

If you're at 25" hub to fender, they won't be able to get it anywhere close to being aligned anyways. It's a waste of time. I'm surprised you could even get them connected to the lower control arm at that height.

The coilover is the same length regardless of how much lift it gives the only thing that controls height on a coilover is how much preload you are applying to the spring. So it was just as easy to install it with it adjusted for 2.5" as it would be for 5".

Sorry for the aside, continue.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Went to go adjust the c/o's down and it appears they settled a bit overnight! Measures 23 1/4 now. I thought they'd settle maybe 1/2" but I'll take it! UBJ angle is reasonable now and it's getting aligned at Firestone.

 

[BrandonF]

Went to go adjust the c/o's down and it appears they settled a bit overnight! Measures 23 1/4 now. I thought they'd settle maybe 1/2" but I'll take it! UBJ angle is reasonable now and it's getting aligned at Firestone.

That's a lot better. I'm at 23-23 1/4 with my tundra 5100's and I have 1.25 degrees of caster with stock uca's which is tolerable.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I'm happy the height came down, but Firestone wouldn't do the alignment due to a worn driver's side ITRE. Picked up a 555 branded one from Autozone and knocking it out this morning. We'll see if I can make it to get aligned since I heard that they're open on a holiday today.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Sounds like you got this all pretty well figured out. Post some pictures once everything is done. I love the look of those red coilovers.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

That's a lot better. I'm at 23-23 1/4 with my tundra 5100's and I have 1.25 degrees of caster with stock uca's which is tolerable.

Yeah, my toe was barely within spec on one side and barely out on the other. Like .01 degree. I'll take it. Just glad they aligned it today without the hassle I got yesterday!

Sounds like you got this all pretty well figured out. Post some pictures once everything is done. I love the look of those red coilovers.

Looks like I'll be rear spring hunting soon too. Probably 890's.

 

[Spunk]

Yeah, my toe was barely within spec on one side and barely out on the other. Like .01 degree. I'll take it. Just glad they aligned it today without the hassle I got yesterday!






Looks like I'll be rear spring hunting soon too. Probably 890's.

[MENTION=68460]Dezert4Runner[/MENTION], how's your experience with the Sway a way's so far?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

[MENTION=68460]Dezert4Runner[/MENTION], how's your experience with the Sway a way's so far?

Overall happy with the SAW's. They ride best when you start pushing them and the valving gets a chance to do it's thing. I upgraded my rear springs to 890's and now my 5125's are the achille's heel of my suspension.

I forgot to update this thread, but after alignment it sits at 24" even, so it's higher than desired but not the end if the world. I tried to lower the collar whe the c/o's were still on the truck but they wouldn't let enough tension off of the coils while bolted on at the lower mount. So I gave up and had it aligned as-is.

I bought a set of spring compressors made by "OEM" (same ones Autozone rents out) to lower the collar to around 23-23.5", and also so I'd have a set whenever I need them. Haven't got around to adjusting them down. My UBJ's hate me but I'm on the lookout for some uniball UCA's and figure I'll end up adjusting them the same time I upgrade the upper arms.

 

[Spunk]

Thanks man!

Right now, I am debating between some used Kings for sale on this forum or new Sway-a-Ways from online. Do you recommend a company to buy from? I am leaning towards Wheelersoffroad from previous experience.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Thanks man!

Right now, I am debating between some used Kings for sale on this forum or new Sway-a-Ways from online. Do you recommend a company to buy from? I am leaning towards Wheelersoffroad from previous experience.

If you're not set on buying new SAW's, there's a used set of 2.5" for CHEAP on TTORA and they're in better condition and cheaper than the ones I picked up. If I didn't already have a set I woulda jumped on 'em.
Tacoma Sway Away Race Runner Coil Overs-$350.00 - TTORA Forum

Wheeler's has a good reputation, but remember that the SAW's come in a 2.0" and 2.5" shock diameter, so there's a set for $700ish and a set for $900ish. All other big name coilover manufacturers only offer the 2.5" size.

If for some reason you decide on new Kings or Icons, check out Down South Motorsports. They have an excellent reputation and do in-house work on everything they sell from rebuilding to revalving, so post-purchase support is a nice plus.

Good luck and let me know if you score those used SAW's!

 

[Spunk]

If you're not set on buying new SAW's, there's a used set of 2.5" for CHEAP on TTORA and they're in better condition and cheaper than the ones I picked up. If I didn't already have a set I woulda jumped on 'em.


...
Good luck and let me know if you score those used SAW's!

Whoa! Thanks for the link bud. I will do my best to jump on those now.

Added: Well, I think I got them! Hopefully that worked out. Thanks again!

 

[shootmymime]

So you might have already picked up those saws. But anyone else looking I've got some kings for sale. 2.5 OE replacements.

 

[Spunk]

Good luck and let me know if you score those used SAW's!

Got 'em! Thanks for pointing me in a good direction! The seller was great to work with as well.

This is how the 4Runner sits at the moment. I will not do any lift beyond the minimum until I have the opportunity to do an alignment. Consequently, it's 1-2" higher than it has been, kinda getting the idea my previous stuff was really worn out.

Thanks again!

 

[Dezert4Runner]

This is how the 4Runner sits at the moment. I will not do any lift beyond the minimum until I have the opportunity to do an alignment. Consequently, it's 1-2" higher than it has been, kinda getting the idea my previous stuff was really worn out.

Those springs are a 14" coil which are 1" longer than what usually come on there, so you have to preload them to get them on, resulting in a slight lift. I would recommend getting an alignment with anything 1" or higher to preserve your tread life and ensure even tread wear.

Glad to help with the lead. Enjoy!