Wife's 4runner needs new suspension (X-REAS)

[tacovic17]

This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions on this board, and I have searched through plenty of archived threads to look for a solid answer. So now I look to you internet experts in hopes to finding a suspension system that both myself and my wife will be happy with! (happy wife, happy life)

I have a 04 limited 4wd with 160k and an XREAS system that needs to be replaced 25k miles ago. I have lost count of how many Toyota 4wds I have owned in the past and my trail rig is a 88 FJ62, but I do use my wife's 4runner for the occasional back road adventure.

The dilemma - Now if this was my daily driver I would throw on the bilstein 6112s and the remote resi 5100s in the rear, do a nice 2.5" lift and call it a day. But since this is my wifes car and we have a newborn that we travel with frequently, this needs to be a more mild "normal" suspension build. the 5100s on all 4 corners seems like a good route to go and keep the front end on the .85 setting, and then replace all 4 springs at the same time. I fear with this setup, the ride will be too stiff, and we will be in a similar situation we are in now with a blown out XREAS system. Pot-holes and large cracks in roads are abundant where I live due to lots of snow and salt corrosion (MN) so this is a frequent problem. The new Cooper tires seemed to have absorb a lot of the stiffness, but now the suspension needs to go too.

Should I just go with the KYB pre-assembled front struts and KYB struts for the rear along with some type of stock coil for the rear? It looks like this still might net me a small lift in the front which would level it out a bit due to saggy stock springs. Will this be my best all around option without sacrificing ride quality? My only concern with this option is without the XREAS it will ride too "loose" and cause some unwanted body roll.

Are there any other options that I am missing or have not considered? I have thought about Monroe, but have heard mixed reviews in terms of longevity.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for beating the dead horse!

 

[JVC8790]

I'm pretty happy with my Bilstein 4600 Tacoma TRD Offroad setup, it's mild but rides nicely compared to blown out Xreas.

Where are you located? You're welcome to drive mine for yourself if you're in southwest Ohio!

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Do you still have front and rear sway bars? If so I don't really think body roll will be an issue with ANY aftermarket setup. Personally I would do 5100s and call it a day. If you don't like them you can always just sell them immediately because they are some of the most sought after shocks in this community so I dont think selling them would be an issue if you were unhappy with the ride. I used them on my silverado (totally different scenario I know) and I was very impressed. They rode very smooth and I felt confident driving my truck again. Much better road manners. With the leaf springs that I had in the back, it was a bit rough at times with NO weight back there, but even if I put a yeti filled with ice in the bed, I felt a significant increase in comfort. Overall I was very happy with them and didn't feel too rough, even in a truck with torsion bars for front suspension and leaf springs in the rear!

 

[Bluesky 07]

What JVC8790 said. I have the same setup. Budget-friendly, too - I spent all of $200. See the link in my sig for more info.

 

[JVC8790]

[MENTION=8912]bluesky[/MENTION]_07 was the reason I went the direction I did after reading his write up and seeing his pics.

Also, from what I've been reading, the 3rd Gen Tacoma TRD Offroad fronts should give about 1" more than the 2nd gen (which is what I ended up with). I also have some pics and info in my build thread in the link in my sig. My shocks/struts were $180 shipped and then I spent $50 on FJ Rear Springs.

 

[Biking4jesus]

very similar situation for me too with wife driving our kids in the 4R

i picked up some 5th gen (off-road) OEM shocks and springs, going to rip out the XREAS and put them in. already shaved down the front shock bushings to 2mm less wide.

adding a daystar 1" leveling kit to the front.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

**Don't even bother with a tacoma set up the guys above mentioned. The rear shocks are valved way too soft...

Just get 5100s and be done. Put the fronts on the .85 setting. Keep your stock springs and spend the money on some new sway bar bushings and end links. It will ride great.

 

[nordictom]

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[tacovic17]

**Don't even bother with a tacoma set up the guys above mentioned. The rear shocks are valved way too soft...

Just get 5100s and be done. Put the fronts on the .85 setting. Keep your stock springs and spend the money on some new sway bar bushings and end links. It will ride great.

You don't think I should swap the spring out as well? I'm sure they are structurally sound, but I am sure they are stock with over 150k on them. Won't I need to replace them at some point, or do people usually do that only to achieve mild to moderate lift and increase coil spring rate. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for saving some money and skipping the springs if it's not necessary at this point, I just know it rides so rough and am sure the spring are fairly worn if that makes sense.

On the other hand, I have also read that some people complain about the extra firmness of the new coil (kyb or Bilstein setups) and the guys who keep old springs tend to be a but more "cushy"

Either way, I need to start parts because it rides like ass on rough roads right now, which is every road right now where I'm at. I don't blame the 4runner though as the shocks are rusting out and leaking.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

You don't think I should swap the spring out as well? I'm sure they are structurally sound, but I am sure they are stock with over 150k on them. Won't I need to replace them at some point, or do people usually do that only to achieve mild to moderate lift and increase coil spring rate. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for saving some money and skipping the springs if it's not necessary at this point, I just know it rides so rough and am sure the spring are fairly worn if that makes sense.

On the other hand, I have also read that some people complain about the extra firmness of the new coil (kyb or Bilstein setups) and the guys who keep old springs tend to be a but more "cushy"

Either way, I need to start parts because it rides like ass on rough roads right now, which is every road right now where I'm at. I don't blame the 4runner though as the shocks are rusting out and leaking.

You can buy new springs if you want, but I'll say I'm running stock springs with 5100s, the fronts have 283k on them. I replaced the rears at 210k with Moog ones and honestly it didn't make any difference. The Bilsteins will be a massive improvement

 

[RobD]

My vote: do Bilstein 6112s/5160s. You can set your ride height on the fronts and they come with springs. I have the 5160s with my rear air springs and I find the ride to be quite comfortable.

I'm a fan of doing it once and not looking back with regret: coulda, woulda, shoulda.

 

[MrSeth]

Get the Bilstein 5100's and re-use your stock coils and tophats. You'll love the ride. Also, in emergency maneuvers, they respond great to driver input.

 

[tacovic17]

My vote: do Bilstein 6112s/5160s. You can set your ride height on the fronts and they come with springs. I have the 5160s with my rear air springs and I find the ride to be quite comfortable.

I'm a fan of doing it once and not looking back with regret: coulda, woulda, shoulda.

I think that would be my decision if it was strictly my rig, but this is my wifes daily grocery getter keep in mind. I just bought a new set of Cooper AT3 4s in 265/65/17 on some new 2011 trail edition rims. If I went with the 6112s I would be inclined to go back to discount tire (for the 6th time) and order a set of 265/70/17 to fill the wheel wells a bit more. I think my wife would murder me if I had her pick me up at discount tire one more time at this point (shout out to their 30 day money back guarantee) Then I would have to get the speedo re-calibrated because I am anal about things like that. I might just go with the 5100s and keep the stock springs. Ill only be about $500 into it with labor as opposed to closer to $1200.

 

[tacovic17]

What JVC8790 said. I have the same setup. Budget-friendly, too - I spent all of $200. See the link in my sig for more info.

So the 4600s are what come stock on the tacoma trd off roads then I assume? there is a complete suspension for sale local here off a tacoma but he wants $500 for it. I thought that was too high to even haggle with, especially if I can get 4 new shocks and solve most of my problems for around $300 without labor.

 

[tacovic17]

I'm pretty happy with my Bilstein 4600 Tacoma TRD Offroad setup, it's mild but rides nicely compared to blown out Xreas.

Where are you located? You're welcome to drive mine for yourself if you're in southwest Ohio!

I appreciate the offer, but I am a bit north of you in MN! I like your LED interior lights. I tried to convert mine but ended up blowing fuses and getting weird electrical glitches. Convinced myself I am happy with halogen lights now and no headaches!

 

[JVC8790]

So the 4600s are what come stock on the tacoma trd off roads then I assume? there is a complete suspension for sale local here off a tacoma but he wants $500 for it. I thought that was too high to even haggle with, especially if I can get 4 new shocks and solve most of my problems for around $300 without labor.

Yeah, that seems high. I had 3 people within a few hours I was talking to when I bought mine. One wanted $225 shipped, one wanted $180 shipped, and the other said $150 picked up but he was 1.5 hrs away and not willing to meet.

I appreciate the offer, but I am a bit north of you in MN! I like your LED interior lights. I tried to convert mine but ended up blowing fuses and getting weird electrical glitches. Convinced myself I am happy with halogen lights now and no headaches!

I've had no issues with the ones I got from SuperBrightLED's, and funny enough, I just made an even brighter cargo area dome light last night with some spare LED parts I had kicking around that makes the SuperBrightLED's bulbs look like a candle!

 

[Bluesky 07]

**Don't even bother with a tacoma set up the guys above mentioned. The rear shocks are valved way too soft...

Just get 5100s and be done. Put the fronts on the .85 setting. Keep your stock springs and spend the money on some new sway bar bushings and end links. It will ride great.

From shockwarehouse.com:

==
The Similarities: The 5100 series and the Heavy Duty 4600 shocks use the same technology internally. Both use the same internal valving and at stock height will ride the same (shocks for lifted trucks may use different valving settings in order to accommodate the extra weight of larger tires). Both shocks are pressurized with 360 psi of nitrogen to prevent shock fade and foaming of the shock oil. The outer construction of both shocks is identical as well with an extruded metal body rather for maximum strength and top of the line seals. The 5100 series and Heavy Duty 4600 series are both covered under Bilstein's limited lifetime warranty that protects against any manufacturer defects for the life of the shock.
==

 

[tacovic17]

I will probably go with the 5100s and keep the stock springs. Has anyone had any luck ordering them off Amazon? It looks like the have a set of 4 5100s for around $350 and its Amazon prime. Its almost $100 cheaper than Toytec, seems like its worth looking into.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I had the same decision to make and decided to get new springs for two reasons:

- My original springs had 149K miles & 12+ years on them, and my passenger side rear was sagging a bit (you might measure your truck to be sure it’s even); and

- I knew I would always wonder how much better the ride would have been with new springs.

About the shocks, you answered your own question in the first post. 5100s are indeed often perceived as stiff or harsh compared to OEM, and KYB is a popular choice for people wanting something comparable to an OEM ride.

Just food for thought.

 

[RobD]

I think that would be my decision if it was strictly my rig, but this is my wifes daily grocery getter keep in mind. I just bought a new set of Cooper AT3 4s in 265/65/17 on some new 2011 trail edition rims. If I went with the 6112s I would be inclined to go back to discount tire (for the 6th time) and order a set of 265/70/17 to fill the wheel wells a bit more. I think my wife would murder me if I had her pick me up at discount tire one more time at this point (shout out to their 30 day money back guarantee) Then I would have to get the speedo re-calibrated because I am anal about things like that. I might just go with the 5100s and keep the stock springs. Ill only be about $500 into it with labor as opposed to closer to $1200.

There are definitely perks to A) not pissing off your wife and B) saving 700 freedom dollars.

But then there is the cool factor. Maybe sell her on that :lmao: