Upgrading Front Suspension

[BurbanAZ]

Well i have over 200k on my 4runner and it runs great. The front suspension is still tight as a drum but all the boots are torn. I replaced just the boots on the uppers but i want to get in there and really upgrade everything. I was thinking of Total Chaos UCAs, and also upgrading the springs because i got my winch in so im going to begin building a winch bumper. I upgraded to the Bilstein 5100s already to get around a 2.5 in lift.

Ive heard the lower ball joints are a pain, also is there a uniball option to replace the lowers with? Anything else i should upgrade while im in there?

Im going to be ordering everything probably today, i was thinking of using Toytec. Is there another site with maybe better prices u guys can think of? Thanks.

 

[BurbanAZ]

I was thinking these springs to compensate for the heavier bumper and winch, are they called lift coils just because their heavier rated? What do u guys think?

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/ToytecEibach-front-coil-lift-springs_p_14.html

 

[hilux30]

Instead of Billies with the toytec springs, I would use OME combo set-up (spring/shock matched) that support the weight, which you would need to know before selecting springs. Bilsteins are not as aggressive in the shock valving, and not as strong in the shock construction.

If the lower balls are tight then why replace them? are the ball joint boots torn? If so then I would get new arms that have new bushings (I'm sure they're worn) and ball-joints from Camelback Toyota in Phoenix.

Factory arms only, no after market stuff. There is no uni-ball conversion on the factory arms, only total arm replacement that are custom made (T. Chaos, etc...) which is cool but way too much $$ and unnecessary, and have much harder poly bushings, if you value your ride then stick with factory arms.... plenty strong.

Aftermarket arms also use 'tension' uni-balls, instead of the much safer compression like factory. Some who had old Fords, 1st gen 4runners/Tacoma's and countless other cars know what happens when tension ball-joints wear..

 

[BurbanAZ]

i ordered the eibach 112-620 springs. I called Toytec and asked about the OME springs because from everything i read they didnt work well with the bilsteins. Toytec said that the spring rate of the OME springs didnt work well with the 5100s.

Yea the lower ball joints are tight and dont make any noises or anything but they are torn, boots always seem to tear pretty quick out here because its so dry.

 

[hilux30]

right, OME is a 660lb spring (886), the 5100s would be way under-damped for that, I meant OME spring/shock combo... I went through few 5100s before giving up, but the roads here are unforgiving, both sets lost their contents hitting 'craters' ... you should be fine with that set up over there, 620's ride smooth

 

[Costman13]

Instead of Billies with the toytec springs, I would use OME combo set-up (spring/shock matched) that support the weight, which you would need to know before selecting springs. Bilsteins are not as aggressive in the shock valving, and not as strong in the shock construction.

If the lower balls are tight then why replace them? are the ball joint boots torn? If so then I would get new arms that have new bushings (I'm sure they're worn) and ball-joints from Camelback Toyota in Phoenix.

Factory arms only, no after market stuff. There is no uni-ball conversion on the factory arms, only total arm replacement that are custom made (T. Chaos, etc...) which is cool but way too much $$ and unnecessary, and have much harder poly bushings, if you value your ride then stick with factory arms.... plenty strong.

Aftermarket arms also use 'tension' uni-balls, instead of the much safer compression like factory. Some who had old Fords, 1st gen 4runners/Tacoma's and countless other cars know what happens when tension ball-joints wear..

If you plan on getting any more than 2.5" out of your front suspension, plan on getting upper arms. The Light Racing arms utilize a ball joint (instead of a uniball) and can still correct the camber / caster issues associated with lifting above 2.5". Upper arms play a huge roll in correcting your lifted front end. Without them you will rarely see a descent alignment. If you are able to get it back into spec, it will be on the very edge. This is just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

[MtnClimber]

I have this kit on my 01 DC Taco and absolutely love it. Took it on for an alignment shortly after I did the install and it was only slightly toed in. Factory bumper up front with a soon-to-be Rugged Ridge 8.5K winch w/steel cable being mounted on a hidden winch tray I'm building.
I went with the medium red coils (600 #'s). No adjustment was needed after the install. Hope this helps!
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/BOSS-Suspension-System-for-955-04-Tacoma_p_784.html

Call Doug at Toytec and mention that Jareb from Northeast Overland sent you

 

[BurbanAZ]

Glad to hear you are liking that set up. I went with the 650 coils because I'm going to build a pretty stout bumper for my winch. When I talk to them again I'll let them know I talked to you. Thanks